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Carlsbad Criminal Defense Lawyer

Have you been accused of, arrested for, or charged with a crime like domestic violence, grand theft, or DUI in Carlsbad, California? If so, then your first course of action should be to contact the Carlsbad Criminal Defense Attorney, the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC.

Mr. Bajaj has more than 19 years of experience successfully defending thousands of San Diego area clients. Mr. Bajaj’s proven track record of success both inside and outside of the courtroom has helped him to gain the respect of the media, law enforcement officials, and prosecutors.

He is not only one of Carlsbad’s most well-respected criminal defense attorneys but also one of the area’s best. No case is too big or too small. Mr. Bajaj has helped clients who have faced charges of DUI, theft crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, drug crimes, white-collar crimes, and more. If you are facing criminal charges in Carlsbad or San Diego County, contact the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj to schedule your initial consultation today. We serve as attorney in ZIP codes 92009 and 92011.

Carlsbad Criminal Defense Attorney

Crime in Carlsbad, California

There is a reason Carlsbad is known as the Village by the Sea. The seaside resort town, which runs along the Pacific Ocean for more than 7 beautiful miles, sits nearly 90 miles south of Los Angeles and 35 miles north of San Diego. Carlsbad is home to an affluent pocket of nearly 113,000 California residents and is a hub of economic activity and prosperity. Millions of tourists flood the streets and Carlsbad each year to visit Legoland California Adventure, Sea Life Aquarium, Aviara Golf Club, La Costa Resort and Spa, the Buena Vista Blue Lagoon, and the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.  Between its affluent residents and the steady stream of tourism, Carlsbad has become a popular target for criminal activity.

Carlsbad, CA is reportedly safer than 34% of cities in the United States. As the 5th richest city in California, it is not surprising that most of the crimes committed in Carlsbad are property crimes. The chances of being a victim of a violent crime in Carlsbad is approximately 1 in 648. The chances of being a victim of a property crime in Carlsbad, however, is significantly greater at approximately 1 in 52.

In 2015, a total of 2,350 crimes were recorded in Carlsbad, of which nearly 93% were property crimes. Property crimes that were most commonly reported in 2015 included burglary (369), theft (1,662), and motor vehicle theft (144). Police in Carlsbad and San Diego County work tirelessly to patrol the neighborhood, offering a layer of protection to its wealthy residents and unassuming tourists.

In their zeal to protect Carlsbad residents from crimes, however, police may sometimes get things wrong and either arrest the wrong person or accuse someone of crimes that they did not commit. Being accused of a crime is a serious legal matter that can affect your life significantly in a multitude of ways, so you need to be prepared to protect yourself and your rights if it happens to you. If you have been arrested for a crime in Carlsbad or San Diego County you should not hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Hiring an attorney knowledgeable in San Diego criminal defense lawyer is the best first step you can take after an arrest.

Criminal Defense Practice Areas

While property crimes are far more common in Carlsbad than DUI, domestic violence, or other serious crimes, our attorneys regularly represent clients in a broad range of criminal matters. Over the past 19 years, we have successfully defended thousands of clients facing criminal charges that have included:

Interested in learning more about our defense attorneys and the criminal charges they have experience handling? Contact our office today or view a complete list of practice areas on our website.

Why Should I Hire a San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney?

Hiring a Carlsbad criminal defense attorney to represent you will help to ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you are not unnecessarily and unfairly convicted of a crime. Even if you have been arrested for a crime, it does not necessarily mean that you will be charged with or convicted of that crime.

The police and prosecution will, however, do everything in their power to make sure that you are charged and convicted. They may try to get you to say something incriminating, elicit a false confession, misrepresent the evidence they have against you, or even create “witnesses” out of thin air as a scare tactic. Do not make their jobs easier by choosing to move forward without a San Diego criminal defense lawyer!

San Diego, CA prosecutors, and detectives are specially educated and trained professionals who are tasked with handling the state’s case against you. It only makes sense that you hire a specially trained and educated legal professional to lead your defense. When you hire an experienced Carlsbad criminal defense attorney from the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj you send a strong message to the prosecution: you are serious about your defense and future.

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

So, we understand why hiring a criminal defense attorney is a great idea. Now it is important to understand what an experienced Carlsbad criminal defense attorney will do throughout the defense process. Criminal defense attorneys do much more than argue in court. Much of the work a criminal defense attorney does is done outside of the courtroom. When you hire a Carlsbad criminal defense attorney from the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj you can expect three things outside of court. First, we will undertake a thorough investigation into your alleged crime. Second, we conduct unparalleled legal research and argument development. Third, we can enter into skilled negotiations with the prosecuting attorney.

The base for your defense comes from a thorough independent investigation. At the Carlsbad Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, we leave no stone unturned as we hunt for evidence and information that is beneficial for your defense. An investigation allows us to retrace the steps taken by law enforcement and to gather additional insight that can be crucial for developing a strong criminal law defense. During an investigation we may:

  • Review the police report, witness statements, and photographs of the scene;
  • Analyze evidence gathered by law enforcement;
  • Consult with appropriate experts, which may include forensics experts, medical professionals, ballistic experts, mental health professionals, and crime scene recreationists;
  • Confirm alibis;
  • Find and interview witnesses;
  • Find other potential suspects;
  • Gather evidence that weakens the prosecution’s case; and
  • Research relevant case law.

It is important to contact an attorney for legal advice as soon as possible after an arrest. The prosecuting attorney will begin to prepare the case against you immediately, and evidence may disappear or fade with time. The sooner you hire an attorney to defend you, the sooner we can get to work on your behalf.

Defenses to Criminal Charges

When you meet with your Carlsbad criminal defense lawyer they will begin by asking you several questions about the incident that led to your arrest. It is important to think back carefully and to provide every detail that you can remember. Your attorney is listening carefully to your answers, searching for indications that they may be able to argue that you have a legal defense for your actions. Legal defenses to crimes in California may include:

  • Self-defense;
  • Self-defense of another person;
  • Duress or threat of force;
  • Mistake of fact;
  • Mistaken identity;
  • Lack of required intent;
  • Lack of required motive; and
  • Intoxication.

Your criminal defense attorney is also listening intently to determine if your Constitutional rights may have been violated at any time leading up to, during, or after your arrest. Improper searches and seizures, unlawful arrests, and other Constitutional violations can all result in tainted evidence. If your attorney believes that your Constitutional rights were violated they will fight to have illegally obtained evidence excluded from your case. The less evidence the prosecution has against you, the weaker their ability to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Celebrities & High Profile Criminal Cases

A lawyer requires a special skill set, knowledge, and sufficient experience in representing celebrity clients like media stars, sports players, and well-known faces in the music industry. With the media spotlight, the celebrity arrest might have far-reaching implications. A famous media personality would face several problems due to the ongoing negative publicity after the arrest. The consequences might not be like a normal criminal proceeding so hiring a criminal defense lawyer becomes essential. The main duty of a high-profile criminal defense lawyer would not be limited to arguing in the court but to protecting the client’s public image by answering confidently in media. In cases in which media eyes are strongly involved from beginning to end, the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj is committed to protecting the privacy & integrity of the client’s defense.

Experienced Carlsbad Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are arrested for a crime in Carlsbad, you must understand two things. First, you have a fundamental right to have an attorney represent you. Second, your right to remain silent is incredibly important. Do not speak to anyone unless and until you have contacted an attorney. The things you say can be taken out of context, twisted, and used against you down the line. Hiring an experienced Carlsbad criminal defense attorney will ensure that your legal rights are protected. From representing celebrities to being a high-profile San Diego attorney, the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj protects clients accused of a crime in California.

Carlsbad criminal defense attorney Vikas Bajaj is one of the San Diego area’s best and brightest legal advocates in 92009 and 92011. He fights tirelessly for his clients and has established a track record of success both inside and outside of the courtroom. When you are facing criminal charges you need to be sure that you have a criminal defense attorney who has a reputation for excellence and success. Contact the Carlsbad Law Office of Vikas Bajaj to schedule your initial consultation today. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin to work on your defense.