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Lemon Grove Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are accused of a crime in Lemon Grove, California you should not hesitate to contact an attorney. The District Attorney will try to convince you to agree to plead guilty to charges that they may not have evidence to support. Do not allow the prosecution to take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge and bully you into a plea agreement. Hiring an experienced Lemon Grove criminal defense attorney will put you on a level playing field and increase your chances of achieving a successful outcome.

Vikas Bajas has spent the better part of the last two decades defending clients just like you. Mr. Bajaj has helped thousands of clients in the greater San Diego area fight criminal charges against them. He has established a track record of success both inside and outside the courtroom – successfully negotiating down charges and litigating more than 55 jury trials. If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime in Lemon Grove, California, contact the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC today for an initial consultation. The chances of successfully fighting the charges against you increase when you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Crime in Lemon Grove, California

Lemon Grove is a popular shopping hub in Southern California and home to more than 25,000 Californians. The Lemon Grove Plaza, Lemon Grove Antique Mall, and dozens of other commercial storefronts attract thousands of Southern California shoppers each day. Lemon Grove’s commercial and residential mix does make it an attractive target for criminal activity. Lemon Grove is listed has having a crime index of 26, which means that it is only safer than 26% of cities in the nation. In 2014, 666 crimes were committed in Lemon Grove. Of these crimes, 162 were violent and 504 were property crimes.

In 2014, a Public Safety Focus Group was formed by the city to find a solution to the crime problem in Lemon Grove. The panel of 13 members concluded that there were three primary issues that resulted in crime in Lemon Grove: physical environment, intimidating groups, and a lack of community environment. Given the many commercial stores in Lemon Grove, the panel pointed out that many of the crimes committed in the neighborhood were shoplifting offenses.

Lemon Grove Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Practice Areas

While property crimes – including theft and shoplifting – are the most commonly charged offenses in Lemon Grove, our attorneys represent clients in a wide range of criminal matters. We have successfully defended clients in Southern California for charges including:

  • Assault and Battery
  • Burglary
  • Criminal Vandalism
  • Drug Possession
  • Home Invasion
  • Robbery
  • Shoplifting
  • Theft Crimes, and more.

You can find a complete list of practice areas in our Lemon Grove office by visiting our website here.

Do I Need An Attorney?

Just because you have been arrested and/or convicted of a crime, it does not automatically mean that you will be convicted of that crime. However, the chances of successfully fighting the charges against you increase dramatically when you hire an attorney. The District Attorney trying to convict you of a crime is an expert in the law. They understand the nuances, details, and processes that can lead to a successful case.

While you may be able to do a cursory internet search about the crime that you have been accused of, there is no replacement for a good attorney. Hiring an attorney ensures that you are on a level playing field with the state and that your Constitutional rights are respected. Our country’s founders believed that the right to an attorney was so essential that they included it in the Bill of Rights. Do not throw away this important right. Contact a well-respected Lemon Grove criminal defense attorney with a proven track record of success.

What Will A Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

Criminal defense attorneys do much more than argue in court. In fact, your attorney may not even need to set foot inside of a courtroom. Much of the work a criminal defense attorney does involves three things: investigating, researching, and negotiating. An experienced Lemon Grove criminal defense attorney may:

  • Analyze the police report and police notes;
  • Analyze photographs of the scene of the alleged crime;
  • Analyze evidence related to the alleged crime;
  • Find and interview witnesses;
  • Consult with experts (including medical professionals, ballistic experts, forensics experts, crime scene recreationists, etc.);
  • Track down alibis;
  • Find other potentially responsible parties;
  • Gather evidence that helps to cast doubt on your guilt;
  • Research relevant case law;
  • Negotiate reduced charges with the prosecution; and
  • Draft a compelling and persuasive legal defense.

The more time an attorney has to investigate and research, the stronger the case they create will be. The prosecution will start to build a case against you as soon as you are arrested. Do not give them a head start. If you are arrested for a crime in Lemon Grove you should not hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Defenses to Accusations of Criminal Behavior

An arrest does not necessarily mean a conviction will follow. Even if you did engage in behavior that could be considered criminal, there may be legal defenses to justify your actions. In other cases, your Constitutional rights may have been infringed, which can also help to lead to a successful outcome. Possible defenses to charges of criminal behavior may include:

  • Unlawful search and seizure;
  • Unlawful arrest;
  • Violation of Constitutional rights;
  • Duress;
  • Intoxication;
  • Self-Defense;
  • Defense of Another Person;
  • Mistake of fact;
  • Mistaken identity; and
  • Lack of required intent.

Your attorney will be able to review the details of your case and determine which defense(s) may be applicable. Contact our Lemon Grove office today to learn about your legal options.

Experienced Lemon Grove Criminal Defense Attorney

A criminal record can have serious consequences. If you or someone you know has been arrested for a crime in Lemon Grove, California, contact our office today for an initial consultation. The chances of successfully fighting or reducing the charges against you increase with the assistance of a criminal defense attorney.

Vikas Bajaj is dedicated to helping clients like you fight baseless and/or overreaching criminal charges. Contact us today so that we can get started on your defense.