◈ Homepage — http://www.richardpoland.com/562-437-6418 HOME FIRM OVERVIEW ATTORNEY PROFILE PRACTICE AREAS ARTICLES CONTACT US 562-437-6418 ABOUT US BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE Richard Poland has been practicing criminal law for more than 40 years exclusively. His knowledge and experience defending people against serious criminal charges will give you confidence in the information he provides and in the advice he gives. AGGRESSIVE CRIMINAL DEFENSE We are aggressive in our defense. We investigate allegations and file the appropriate motions to suppress statements and evidence that has been illegally or unconstitutionally obtained. We are prepared to try every case. ASSAULT AND BATTERY We defend individuals facing assault and battery charges, including sexual assault... DMV LICENSE SUSPENSION We focus on helping our clients—including commercial drivers’ license (CDL) holders—maintain... DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Represents individuals accused of domestic violence, including spousal abuse and assault... DRUG CHARGES Drug crimes ranging from possession of marijuana to methamphetamine... LONG BEACH CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY If you are facing criminal charges, or an investigation that may lead to criminal charges being filed against you, in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, or anywhere in Southern California, the Law Office of Richard L. Poland understands your situation and stands ready to rush to your aid. Richard Poland has over four decades of experience in handling a wide variety of criminal cases and is fully familiar with the details of the California criminal code. Over the years, he has earned the respect of his clients and of his peers and built a proven track record of success. At the Law Office of Richard L. Poland, we work hard to defend the rights of each and every client the way we ourselves would want to be defended were our positions reversed. We put ourselves in our clients' shoes and fight tenaciously and skillfully for their future and are not satisfied with anything less than the best possible outcome to every case we take up. The Value of Experience in Criminal Defense Long Beach and L.A. County have no shortage of criminal defense attorneys for defendants to choose from—there are literally thousands of such law firms operating in the area. The fact is, however, that many defense attorneys are novices and many others have a dismally poor record of success in the courtroom. Richard Poland, however, is a criminal defense attorney who has been in the business for over 40 years. His long experience has taught him how to win cases by following such practices as these: Giving his personal attention to his clients, never passing them off to an associate after the initial interview to be all but forgotten. Preparing early and thoroughly for every case. This includes assembling evidence and witnesses in your favor, finding ways to challenge police reports and other evidence being used against you, forming a solid legal defense, and anticipating and countering the likely strategy of the prosecutor. Keeping up to date on all recent changes in California or federal law and on all pertinent court decisions that could serve as precedents. Leaning on his deep, first-hand knowledge of the court process and the tendencies of particular judges and prosecutors. The Importance of Negotiation Skills and Multiple Options Attorney Richard Poland will not only explain to you the details of your case from a legal perspective, naming to you the probable punishments that would come with a conviction and offering you his advice on the best defense options available, but he will go further. He will use his seasoned negotiation skills to open up new options that other attorneys never think of or don't take the time to pursue. He will do more than just lay down an either/or "plead guilty or go to trial" choice into your lap. At the Law Office of Richard L. Poland, we believe in always fighting for the best possible outcome for every client. This principle can work itself out in a variety of ways, including: Uncovering police violations of a defendant's rights during the arrest or investigation or exposing weak cases for what they are to get a quick dismissal before ever going to trial. Negotiating for a favorable plea agreement with the prosecutor and presiding judge. This may get your sentence reduced or result in a lighter sentence where a trial could easily have ended much worse. Obtaining creative alternatives to a traditional plea or court contest, such as community service, deferred entry of judgment, or drug/mental treatment options. Simply taking your case to the judge and jury and winning an acquittal with a well thought out defense strategy. Early Intervention is Critical When you contact our office immediately after being arrested or when you are being investigated for a suspected crime, it’s possible for us to intervene and stop criminal charges from ever being filed. Soon after your arrest, the law enforcement officers will present the gathered evidence to the D.A. What follows is an evaluation by the D.A who then decides if there are criminal charges that should be filed against you. In most cases, the prosecutor’s decision is founded on the information presented by the police but there can be much more to the story. If you contact us well in time, we will also have a session with the D.A. during this time and request to present our information, evidence, and witness statements. Giving your side of the story may affect the D.A.’s calculations and the final decision. Early intervention also means that the prosecutor gets to see the whole picture and not just what the alleged victim or the cops have to say. With this, they may decide to file a lesser charge, for instance, a misdemeanor instead of a felony or not to file the criminal charges at all. Where experience Meets Hard Work At The Law Office of Richard L. Poland, we have built our reputation out of our unique ability to combine skills, experience, and hard work in representing the best interests of our clients. We specialize in criminal defense and experience is wide and deep as to the practice areas. Our attorneys are fully familiar with all the local court processes and know the tendencies of specific prosecuting attorneys, judges, and expert witnesses in the local Long Beach courts. We do not take our case based on the charges that you are facing. No case is too easy, too hard, too small, or too big for us to invest our time. We take time to comprehensively investigate the details of our clients’ cases and this means that we don’t rely on the prosecution’s version of events or the police reports. We evaluate the evidence brought against while identifying weaknesses and mitigating factors in your favor.  We’ve invested substantial energy and time in developing a team of experienced, skilled, and trustworthy attorneys to handle our caseload, and you can rest assured that all the cases brought to us are handled personally and internally. We Are Available 24/7/365 We don’t just claim to claim to care about your rights and freedom, you’ll see that through our actions. We don’t offer services to our clients on a 9 to 5 basis. You can get in touch with any of our criminal defense attorneys anytime 24/7/365. You will be given the personal cell phone number and private email address of the attorney assigned to your cases as well as his/her assistant. Our main objective of being available 24/7 is to ensure that our clients get help and legal representation whenever they run into issues outside of the typical 9 to 5 timeframe. Assault and battery Even a minor altercation or fight can attract severe legal consequences when you face assault and battery charges. This means that no type of assault and battery charges should be taken lightly. The best course of action that you can take is to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away. Assault and battery offenses are usually charged together but they are separate offenses and each can be charged differently depending on the circumstances surrounding the specific case. The offenses can either be charged as simple battery, aggravated battery, simple assault, aggravated assault, and battery on a peace officer. In many cases, misleading circumstances and unfair accusations give rise to assault and battery charges. Our assault and battery can help you tell your side of the story and will explore all the possible options to ensure that you receive fair treatment from the prosecutor and the police. We will be committed to gathering evidence and facts support that you were wrongfully accused, you lacked willful intent to do the harm, or you acted in self-defense. With strong defense strategies, we may be able to get the charges dropped. Conversely, if the evidence presented against you is strong, we do not give up. We can still help you by negotiating the best possible plea. We will leave no legal stone unturned in keeping you out of jail and minimizing the impact that comes with a conviction. Theft Crimes Theft crimes are severely charged and prosecuted and a conviction can have a tremendous long-term impact on your life, especially when it concerns the ability to obtain gainful employment. Employers will do a background check and you can be sure that no one will want to hire a thief. The penalties range from big fines to years of incarceration. A theft conviction will remain on your personal records and it’s extremely imperative to act quickly and aggressively in opposing theft allegation and clearing your name. This will help protect yourself from any underserved punishments. At the Law Office of Richard L. Poland, we ample experience in defending against different types of theft cases, including robbery, identity theft, burglary, petty theft, grand theft, trade secret theft, and being in possession of a stolen property. We know all the different law sections that apply to theft cases and also how to prevent a conviction for any of them. Our team will evaluate the evidence put against you and explore all the possible legal means to have it thrown out. If any evidence was obtained through illegal search and seizure, we will have it dropped out of the case. We also are experienced in challenging forensic and eyewitness evidence and have remained committed to our clients’ safety and freedom. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) You are considered to be too impaired to drive whenever your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is found to be at or above .08. When it comes to DUI charges, traffic law enforcement officers will not consider whether it was your first-time drunk-driving and the prosecution will not be required to prove that your judgment was actually impaired. Every DUI conviction in a 10-year period results in increasingly severe penalties. As such, it’s imperative to retain aggressive legal representation for each and every DUI charge. If, while driving under the influence, your negligent and reckless behavior resulted in another persona being injured, then you can be charged with DUI with Injury. Conversely, if the accident results in another person’s death, you’ll be charged with Vehicular Manslaughter. You can be subjected to severe fines, imprisonment, and driving license withdrawal/suspension depending on the specific circumstance of your case. After many years of experience in defending countless DUI cases, you can trust on our expertise to develop the most effective defense strategy for disproving your DUI charge, regardless of whether it’s the first or the fourth. DMV - License Suspension California’s Department of Motor Vehicles will swiftly initiate a license suspension process any time a driver is arrested for DUI. After your arrest, you have up to 10 days to request a DMV hearing, which gives you the opportunity to contest the suspension of your license with the assistance of your DUI defense attorney. Failure to attend this hearing will automatically result in the suspension of your license in 30 days. The suspension will last for a minimum of 4 months. Holders of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) such as truckers who depend on their license for their livelihood may face even more seven penalties. If you have been charged with a DUI or any other traffic offense that can result in your license being suspended, the sooner you get to us the better. Our driving crimes defense attorneys will fight for you and work to prevent the suspense of your license during the proceedings. Remember, time is of the essence in this types of cases and the loss of your license can cause enormous strain on an already stressful situation. Violent crimes California and the entire United States have continued to tighten the war against the ever increasing violent crimes. Due to the widespread violent crimes being experienced in our state, individuals are continually being wrongfully accused of violent crimes in Long Beach. The penalties for a conviction have also been tightened. The Law Office of Richard L. Poland defends those accused of violent crimes in the greater Long Beach area. A conviction for this crime will have a grave impact on you and your family and can affect the ability of ever obtaining gainful employment. This is why you need a criminal defense attorney with a proven track record of defending these types of cases. Due to the perception given to violent crimes and the need to punish those accused severely, the police are in most cases under pressure to solve the cases without completing the investigation. Other times they rely on false, misleading information to convict innocent individuals. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of California criminal laws and procedures and you can depend on this in ensuring that the unlawful evidence does not make it to the court. Domestic Violence The State’s domestic violence laws are broad and aim to prevent violent behavior both in family setup and other intimate relationships. Domestic violence can be made against a parent, cohabitant, dating partner, and spouse or any other close relation. Domestic violence covers a wide range of offenses, including rape, stalking, physical abuse, kidnapping or any other violation that can be committed toward an individual with whom you have or have had a close relationship with. Charges of this nature are treated with utmost seriousness and with little regard on the innocence of the accused person. The complainant can fabricate or exaggerate the accusations and the judges are usually too quick to accept. But you can be able to get yourself out this situation buy retaining the services of a skilled violent crimes defense attorney. A conviction for this type of crime is severe and can result in the loss of child custody, employment, visitation rights, and a damaged reputation. This is even more severe to immigrants because they face probable deportation. Our attorneys are prepared to develop a strong legal defense strategy to fight against the charges and protect your future from any implications that may result from a conviction of this crime. Drug Charges Even with the legalization of recreational marijuana and the decriminalization of other low-level possession offenses, most law enforcement officers and prosecutors want to appear “tough on substance abuse.” This means that they still handle drug crimes and defendant on the receiving end up having their future ruined by minor offenses. A drug or controlled substance in California may include ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, heroin, as well as any medication that is not validly prescribed, for instance, Codeine and Vicodin. In California, it’s a violation of the law to possess, use, cultivate, sell, possess with intent to sell, transport, manufacture, drive under the influence, or possess drug paraphernalia. If you are accused of any type of drug charge, you can rest assured that our attorneys will offer an aggressive and effective legal representation. We know how to scrutinize cases involving drug crimes to find police mistakes and misconduct. It could be that the drug was planted on your person or in an area that you exercise control over and we’ll be able to show wrongful accusation. More importantly, we know how to identify and exploit weaknesses in the prosecution’s case in your favor. Sex Crimes A sex crime conviction can be one of the most damaging allegation that you can be faced with as far as your future and reputation are concerned. Sex crime charges carry severe consequences, such as loss of important civil rights, state prison or county jail term, and lifetime registration as a sex offender. Types of sex crimes in California include rape, statutory rape, child pornography, sexual battery, indecent exposure, hiring minors for prostitution, and engaging in a lewd or lascivious conduct with a child. The law outlines various penalties for each of the listed crimes. The penalty depends on whether the abused was a vulnerable or dependent person, a minor, or elderly person. The penalties may also be enhanced if the alleged victim holds a public position. At the Law Office of Richard L. Poland, we have dealt with many sex crime cases and we can tell from experience that in most cases, the police arrest people based on mistaken identity, false allegation, and even unintentional misunderstandings. This is why our attorneys fight so hard to protect the rights of our clients. Our sex crime defense attorney has dealt with various sex charges and is better placed to help you out. Richard Poland legal team has successfully handled cases where the defendant was either wrongly accused, misunderstood, or is of mistaken identity. We are also ready to analyze the facts of your case and customize a unique defense approach specific to your situation. We will carefully review the evidence presented against you to develop a strong, personalized defense strategy to address your specific circumstance and the need to resolve the case. Fraud Crimes You are found guilty of a fraud offense in California if you engage in an act that earns you unfair and undeserved benefits and at the same time causes harm or loss to another person. The most common motives behind fraudulent acts are financial gain and the need to avoid criminal liability. California fraud crimes can also be referred to as white collar crimes and can attract heavy penalties including significant jail or prison sentences and high fines. Many of California theft crimes are under California perjury law, California’s forgery law, and California’s theft laws. Moreover, many fraud crimes are considered to be federal crimes and this means that it’s possible to be prosecuted in a state court and a federal court for the same offense. This automatically subjects you to increased penalties not mentioning the frustrations of having to appear in different courts. These are crimes of moral turpitude and a conviction can result in the deportation of legal immigrants. Fraud can also result in the suspension or revocation of a professional license. If you’ve been accused, arrested or are under investigation for a financial crime, it’s imperative to contact a criminal defense attorney right away and avoid communication with the police. Anything you say can be incriminating and can be used as evidence against you. Our fraud crimes defense attorneys will work tirelessly in fighting back and achieving the best possible outcome for your case. Weapon Charges There are many types of weapon charges that one can face in California. These include carrying a concealed weapon, brandishing a weapon, selling or delivering a weapon, using a weapon while under the influence, illegal manufacture of firearms and other weapons, illegal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm in a public place, improper exhibition of a weapon, and juvenile weapon offenses. The penalties will depend on how you use the weapon. The Benefit of a Criminal Attorney With Wide-Ranging Expertise Richard L. Poland has handled not only a voluminous quantity but also a multifaceted variety of criminal defense cases during the span of his long career. This has allowed him to acquired expertise in a wide range of case-types, including the following: DUI, license suspension, and serious traffic violations Domestic violence and assault & battery Drug crimes, drug charges, including drug possession and medical marijuana Theft crimes, fraud, and white collar crimes Firearms violations, like illegal ownership, gun crimes and weapons charges Sex crimes, such as date rape and prostitution Homicide, attempted homicide, manslaughter and murder Juvenile crimes We handle criminal cases across a wide swath of legal territory for both minors and adults and involving both state and federal charges. We walk our clients through every stage of the defense process and use our skills to protect the rights of people all over Southern California. Finding The Right Criminal Defense Attorney Choosing your criminal defense attorney is decision that can affect you for the rest of your life. Richard Poland is a Long Beach Criminal Defense Attorney with extensive experience, seasoned negotiation skills, and wide-ranging expertise. Contact him today by calling 562-437-6418 for a free consultation and immediate attention to your case. The Long Beach criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of Richard L. Poland defends people accused of committing crimes  throughout southern California and the South Bay area, including the cities of Long Beach, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Hawthorne, San Pedro, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Carson, Lawndale, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Gardena, Lakewood, Compton, Buena Park, Fullerton, Norwalk, South Gate, Downey, Irvine, Inglewood, and Bellflower. Attorney Poland also represents clients throughout the communities in and around Los Angeles County and Orange County, and his law practice takes him from San Diego and San Francisco. Testimonials From Criminal Defense Lawyers As a criminal defense attorney in Downtown Los Angeles I recommend anyone in Long Beach to seriously considering Richard Poland. He is one of the best defense attorneys you could have in your corner. Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Experience and knowing the court system is what sets Richard Poland apart from other criminal defense attorneys in Long Beach. San Diego Criminal Attorney TESTIMONIALS Our whole experience at Law Office of Richard L. Poland was phenomenal! We highly recommend Mr. Poland. After our initial consultation, I was confident in my choice of criminal attorneys. I am extremely grateful my son’s case was thrown out! If you are... Cathleen F. I've worked with various attorneys over my lifetime and I have to say that Richard Poland by far has been the best. He is knowledgeable in his area of expertise, hard working and gave my case his full attention. Richard really cares about his clients.... Darrell A. CALL US 562-437-6418 FREE CASE CONSULTATION By checking this box, I consent to receive [types of messages, e.g., conversational, marketing, promotional, customer care] SMS from Richard L. Poland – Long Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer. Reply STOP to opt-out; Reply HELP for support; Message & data rates may apply; Messaging frequency may vary. Visit www.richardpoland.com/privacy-policy to see our Privacy Policy. Send Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications ◈ Interior Pages — 20 pages crawledLong Beach Murder Attorney - Homicide Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Murder - Homicide MURDER - HOMICIDE Expired Call 562-437-6418 If you have been charged with murder, attempted homicide or manslaughter, you are facing the most serious charges possible. A conviction could mean that you spend the majority if not your entire life in prison. When you have that much on the line, you need the experienced and aggressive criminal defense representation of attorney Richard Poland. Located in Long Beach, he has more than 40 years experience defending clients against serious criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder and manslaughter. He has earned a reputation for excellence because of his thoroughness and aggressive style. Because he realizes what is at stake, Richard Poland is prepared to devote the time needed to provide a serious defense for serious criminal charges. We won't lie to you; defending a murder or homicide case is time-consuming and expensive. It takes time to cover all the bases and do everything possible to prepare the best possible defense. All the evidence must be thoroughly examined. We will determine whether proper procedures were followed and will seek to exclude evidence when they were not followed. We will also talk to witnesses and prepare the best possible defense. If we don't have the time to devote to your case, we will not accept you as a client. Experienced California Homicide-Murder Defense Attorney We have extensive experience trying high-stakes cases, and can represent clients accused of any violent crime, including the following: Murder (including murder in the first degree) Vehicular Homicide Manslaughter Felony Murder (you can be charged for murder if someone was killed by you or a co-conspirator during the commission of a felony) Attempted Murder If you are suspected or accused of murder or of killing another individual, or if you are accused of attempted murder, you should seek the very possible representation. At the very least, your freedom is at stake. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss whether we are the right firm to represent you by calling us at 562-437-6418 or filling out our intake form on our Contact page so we can contact you. The Law Office of Richard Poland practices criminal defense law exclusively. He has a proven track record of successfully representing clients charged with criminal offenses including homicide. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Criminal Defense Practice Areas | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Criminal Defense Expired Long Beach Criminal Attorney Located in Long Beach, criminal defense attorney Richard Poland has been defending the rights of individuals throughout southern California for over 40 years. He fights tirelessly to defend his clients and has a proven track record of success and a reputation for excellence throughout California and the Long Beach area. If you have been charged with a crime and you want information about the criminal process and your options, choose Richard L. Poland. Charged with a crime? Call the Law Office of Richard L. Poland at 562-437-6418 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation. Our Criminal Defense Practice At the Law Office of Richard L. Poland , defend people charged with serious crimes. When your freedom and your liberty are at stake, you want us in your corner. We defend a wide variety of serious criminal charges, including: Drunk Driving - DUI : We have successfully represented hundreds of men and women charged with drunk driving (DUI/DWI/OWI). DMV License Suspension : Our firm offers representation in DMV administrative hearings. We focus on helping our clients-including commercial drivers' license (CDL) holders-maintain their driving privileges. Drug Charges : Our criminal defense lawyer defends individuals charged with drug crimes ranging from possession of marijuana to manufacturing methamphetamine. Drug Possession : Charged with possession of illegal or prescription drugs? Choose us to build a strong defense on your behalf. Medical Marijuana : Even as a medical marijuana card holder, authorized to be in possession of the drug, you need to be careful about how your marijuana is stored, the quantity you have and how you transport it. Weapons Charges : We defend individuals accused of weapons violations, including possession of illegal firearms, possession of firearms by a convicted felon and committing a crime while using a deadly weapon. Domestic Violence : Criminal defense attorney Richard Poland represents individuals accused of domestic violence, including spousal abuse and assault. Assault and Battery : We defend individuals facing assault and battery charges, including sexual assault, alcohol-related assaults, and stalking or harassment. Sex Crimes : We represent men and women charged with committing a variety of sex crimes, including rape, solicitation and prostitution. Theft Crimes : Board Certified criminal law specialist Richard Poland defends men, women and juveniles accused of theft crime, like embezzlement, robbery and shoplifting. Fraud : We have substantial experience defending individuals facing state and federal fraud charges. We handle crimes that include identity theft, bank fraud, forgery and credit card fraud. Juvenile Crimes : We are often retained by parents to defend minors charged with a criminal offense like theft or drug-related crimes. Murder - Homicide : Our criminal defense firm represents individuals who have been charged with killing someone, including felony murder, vehicular homicide and manslaughter. To discuss your criminal charges with an experienced criminal defense lawyer and Board Certified criminal law specialist, please schedule a free confidential consultation by calling us at 562-437-6418 or filling out our intake form on our Contact page. When the consequences are serious, you need a tough, aggressive defense from an experienced criminal defense attorney Because You Deserve a Tough, Aggressive Defense from a California Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist with over 40 Years of Experience. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Fraud Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Fraud FRAUD Expired Have you or a loved one been arrested for, charged with or are under investigation for a fraud-related offense? The Law Office of Richard L. Poland provides experienced defense services to people throughout Southern California facing fraud arrests, charges and investigations. We encourage you to take immediate action toward protecting your rights and your future. Call our firm today at 562-437-6418 to arrange your free initial consultation. You can also contact us and someone will be in touch with you promptly. An Experienced Defense Attorney Protecting Your Rights Richard L. Poland has over 40 years of legal experience. If you require defense against fraud charges, you can feel confident choosing attorney Richard Poland. He has substantial knowledge of theft crimes , provides representation in state and federal court and is dedicated to obtaining the best possible result on your behalf. The Law Office of Richard L. Poland provides defense for all fraud-related crimes, including the following: Identity Theft Credit Card Fraud Bank Fraud Forgery Healthcare Fraud Business Fraud Accounting Fraud Bank Fraud Mortgage Fraud Fraud is a white-collar crime — these types of crimes generally involve some type of deceit rather than a violent action. However, the non-violent nature of the charges does not lessen the penalties upon conviction. Many of these charges are handled in federal court and involve highly-complex legal and financial matters. Our firm has the knowledge, experience and tenacity to efficiently address all issues involved in your case. To arrange your free initial consultation, call the Law Office of Richard L. Poland today at 562-437-6418 . In the event that you are charged with or are currently under investigation for fraud or any other white collar criminal offenses, you need the experience of criminal defense attorney Richard Poland to make sure that you are provided with the best legal representation possible. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Articles Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Articles Articles What To Tell Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Published: Jul 29, 2020 Ok, you’ve been arrested and charged with a criminal offense. You probably have a bit of embarrassment about the incident. You may not have done anything serious and it may be perfectly explainable, but after a night in jail and perhaps a bit of... Read More... Article Published: Dec 16, 2015 DAILY JOURNAL NEWSWIRE ARTICLE The Long Beach criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Richard L. Poland defends people accused of committing crimes throughout southern California and the South Bay area, including the cities of Long Beach,... Read More... Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Sex Crimes Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Sex Crimes SEX CRIMES Expired Call 562-437-6418 Sex crimes are serious charges. A sex offense conviction can follow you for life. In California, as in virtually all states, you must register as a sex offender. This is public information, and the reality of the situation is your conviction will follow you for the rest of your life. Located in Long Beach, and serving all of southern California, sex crime defense attorney Richard Poland has over 40 years experience defending clients charged with a criminal offense , including sex crimes. His experience and background allow you to rely on the information and advice he provides If you are offered a plea, it is vitally important that you understand all the ramifications of accepting or turning down that plea. If you elect to go to trial, you will feel confident that you have competent and effective representation. Long Beach California Sex Crimes We defend clients throughout the Long Beach area accused of a sex crime, including the following sex offenses: Rape Statutory Rape Date Rape Sexual Assault Sexual Battery Child Molestation Solicitation of a Prostitute Prostitution To learn more about sex crimes laws, or to discuss your sex crime charges with an experienced southern California criminal defense lawyer in confidence, please schedule a free initial consultation to determine how we can help you by calling us at 562-437-6418 or filling out our intake form on our Contact page. We provide you with a serious criminal defense to serious criminal charges. Being convicted of a sex crime can not only involve potentially long prison sentences, in many cases you will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. If you have been charged with a criminal act of a sexual nature, it is imperative that you have the best legal representation available. You need someone who will make sure that your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly. You need Richard Poland. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Privacy Policy Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Expired This privacy policy sets out how Long Beach Weapon Charges Attonery - Richard Poland uses and protects any information that you give Long Beach Weapon Charges Attonery - Richard Poland when you use this website. Long Beach Weapon Charges Attonery - Richard Poland is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. Long Beach Weapon Charges Attonery - Richard Poland may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 1st of January, 2013. What we collect We may collect the following information: name and job title contact information including email address demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers What we do with the information we gather We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons: Internal record keeping. We may use the information to improve our products and services. We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided. From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail. We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests. 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Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question. Controlling your personal information You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways: whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes if you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to us. We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please contact us.If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect. Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Poland | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Attorney Profile Attorney Profile Expired Long Beach Criminal Defense Law Firm Call 562-437-6418 When you are facing the prospect of losing your freedom, you want a tough, aggressive attorney with experience and a track record of success. If you are charged with a crime in Southern California, you should contact criminal defense attorney, Richard Poland . Richard Poland is a criminal defense lawyer with more than 40 years experience representing clients who have been charged with criminal acts throughout Southern California. Areas of Practice: Criminal Law DUI/DWI Traffic Violations White Collar Crimes Serious Personal Injury Products Liability Law Litigation Percentage: 99% of Practice Devoted to Litigation Bar Admissions: Illinois, 1973 California, 1974 New Jersey, 1988 Education: The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, 1973 - J.D. Duke University, 1970 - A.B. Languages: Spanish To discuss your situation with Richard Poland, please call us at 562-437-6418 or fill out our intake form on our Contact page. We offer free initial phone consultations. Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Drug Charge Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Drug Charges DRUG CHARGES Expired Drug charges can be very serious offenses. Convictions for certain drug crimes can carry long prison terms. Additionally, a conviction to drug charges can limit a person's opportunities. For that reason, you want to retain the best possible criminal defense attorney if you are arrested for a drug crime. Call 562-437-6418 today to contact the Law Offices of Richard L. Poland and get started on your defense against drug charges. Located in Long Beach, and serving all of southern California, felony defense lawyer Richard Poland has over 40 years of experience defending clients charged with a criminal offense , including drug charges. He can assist you in understanding the severity of the criminal charges against you, the criminal justice system and your options. You can rely on the information he provides because it comes from years of experience, an extensive knowledge of California's drug laws and in-depth understanding of criminal procedure. California Drug Charges From a Long Beach law office, we defend clients in the area and throughout Southern California accused of a variety of drug crimes, including the following drug charges: Drug Possession (including the possession of not only the drugs themselves, but also drug paraphernalia like pipes, "bongs" and needles) Drug Trafficking (sometimes referred to as drug distribution, selling drugs or possession with intent to distribute an illegal substance) Drug Cultivation (most commonly growing marijuana) Drug Manufacturing (most commonly manufacturing methamphetamine or crack cocaine, e.g., "meth labs," "meth houses," or "crack houses") Prescription Medication Abuse (e.g., filling prescriptions at multiple locations, forging prescriptions, buying legal prescription drugs from others or stealing medications) Medical Marijuana cases (representing people who hold medical marijuana cards but have been accused of violating the strict requirements for possession of that marijuana) Common Drugs Involved in Drug Charges We handle all types of drug charges involving many different drugs. The following are some of the more frequent drugs we see in drug charges: Marijuana Cocaine Crack Prescription drugs (like Xanax, Valium, Percocet or OxyContin) Heroin Crystal Meth (Methamphetamine) Speed (other amphetamines) Club Drugs (ecstasy, GHB - date rape drugs, etc.) To learn more about drug laws and how a drug charge conviction can impact your future, or to discuss your drug offenses with an experienced California Board Certified criminal defense lawyer in confidence, please schedule a free initial consultation to determine how we can help you by calling us at 562-437-6418 or filling out our intake form on our Contact page. We care about you and your future. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Theft Crimes Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Theft Crimes THEFT CRIMES Expired Call 562-437-6418 When your freedom is on the line, you want experienced advice and information so you can make an informed decision. Located in Long Beach, and serving all of southern California, defense attorney Richard Poland has over 40 years experience defending clients charged with a criminal offense . His experience means you can be confident in the information he provides, and the advice he gives. For further information about the benefits of retaining the legal services of California criminal defense specialist, Richard Poland, please visit our Firm Overview page. Long Beach Theft Crime Defense Attorney We defend individuals charged with theft crimes in state and federal court. Some of the theft charges we defend include the following: Stealing Grand Theft Car Jacking Petty Larceny Shoplifting Robbery Burglary Embezzlement Mail Fraud Bank Fraud Check Fraud Credit Card Fraud Identity Theft Internet Fraud Computer Fraud To learn more about state and federal theft laws, or to discuss your theft crime charges with an experienced southern California criminal defense lawyer in confidence, please schedule a free initial consultation to determine how we can help you by calling us at 562-437-6418 or filling out our intake form on our Contact page. When your freedom is on the line; our experience matters. If you are currently under investigation or are under arrest for a theft crime, The Law Offices of Richard Poland practice criminal defense law exclusively and can provide you with experienced and aggressive representation. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Domestic Violence Attorney - Domestic Violence Lawyer | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Domestic Violence DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Expired People often have simple questions which do not have simple answers. One of the first things you learn in law school is that the main aim of the law professor is to “hide the ball”. You sit in class and discuss case after case in mind numbing detail and at the end of an hour and a half you distill what you’ve learned into a simple rule. You ask yourself why didn’t the prof just tell us the simple rule in two minutes instead of questioning us over and over again about minute details. At some point in your legal education, if you’ve been properly taught, you realize that there are no “simple rules”. Each case depends upon the facts of each case and the facts sometimes depend upon who is relating them to you. Recently some politicians have referred to “alternative facts”. In the law there actually are such things. Whatever questions you have regarding any criminal case in general and in a domestic violence case in particular, cannot be answered without knowing ALL the facts. What you may think of as irrelevant, may well be very important. An experienced lawyer will know the difference and may ask questions which may sound bizarre at first but will aid him or her in answering the questions. For example, a wife slaps her husband. Is that a battery or a domestic violence case? You might say that it’s obvious. The right answer depends upon whether or not she had a right to slap him. What gives someone the right to strike another? Again, this is not a question that can be answered in a vacuum. If her husband raised his hand with no intention of striking his wife, but she reasonably thought he was going to, she had a right to defend herself and strike first. She doesn’t have to be right, she just has to be reasonable. What is “reasonable”? Reasonable is whatever a jury says it is. And two juries may differ on the same set of facts. The law is written clearly, but what it means is what a jury or a prosecutor says it means. In some ways, it’s like juggling chain saws. There are a lot of moving parts and a mistimed play might cause a disastrous result. What Causes A Domestic Violence Arrest? When two people have a relationship defined under the Family Code and any offensive touching occurs, you have what the Penal Code considers as an illegal act under several statutes. Generally, after one party finds the conduct of the other offensive, the police are called and they are required to sort out the problem. ***** Spoiler Alert****** The current police policies in most jurisdictions have been drastically changed from 20 years ago. Back then, if the complaining party told the police that they didn’t want to prosecute or felt that their intervention was no longer needed, the police would go on their merry way and leave the parties to their search for domestic bliss. After the OJ debacle, the policy has changed. When the police come out, someone is going to jail. No police office will be criticized for taking someone to jail, but if the situation is glossed over and the offending party kills the complaining party, everyone from the police officer on the scene, to his training officer, to his sergeant, to the police chief is going to have their picture in the paper and someone calling for their firing or resignation. Several years ago, I had a case where a woman’s ex-husband was a long haul truck driver. He had come from Oklahoma to visit his son and got into an argument with his ex-wife. He was told to leave her house and take his 18 wheeler back to Oklahoma City. He left the house, but decided that he wanted to continue the argument. The front door was locked so he tried to climb in through one of the living room windows. As he was crawling through his ex-wife was pushing him out and dialing 911. The police arrived and wanted to arrest the man. He had broken into a house and obviously was in a very agitated state. The woman begged them not to arrest her ex. She explained that if he didn’t get the truck back to Oklahoma he would lose his job. Then he might decide to come back to California. She liked it a whole lot better when he was in Oklahoma. The officers were in a dilemma. They asked her what she did when he was trying to crawl through the window. She said that while he was crawling in she struck him on the top of his head. The officers then arrested her for domestic violence. It’s much easier to simply arrest someone than to take the chance that the trucker would simply wait a couple of hours, get tanked up and then return and kill his ex-wife. The wife may have been uncomfortable in jail, but she was safe. The case was eventually dismissed, but it was filed and the woman had to hire an attorney. Since the domestic violent statues have a felony sentence, the police can make arrests between people with a familial relationship that they could not make between two strangers. You might ask, “How can they do that?” Under the California Penal Code, only a felony can permit an arrest outside the officer’s presence. In a misdemeanor case, the officer must witness the act before he can make a legal arrest in most cases. Over 95% of all domestic violence cases are prosecuted as misdemeanors, but the statutes are written so they are wobblers. A wobbler is a case that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor subject to the discretion of the district or city attorney. In all cases, the officer arrests on a felony and the DA charges a misdemeanor. Is there a difference if the filing is a misdemeanor or a felony? Not at the stage when the arrestee is being processed in the jail. The person arrested is treated as if he or she committed a felony. The big difference is the fact that the felony charge has a bail of between $50,000 and $100,000. You might be able to pay the bail in full, but most likely there will be a bail bondsman involved and he will charge a premium of 7 to 10% of the bail. This means that at a minimum, you will pay a non-refundable fee of $3,500 to $7,000 to get the arrestee released from custody. This will not happen for at least four hours and sometimes more than 12 hours, depending upon the speed of the booking sergeant and the return of the computer fingerprint records. If a person is left in custody, he or she has a right to an arraignment (being told the charges) in court within 48 hours. Although the law clearly says 48 hours, again, there are some things that are added. If the 48th hour expires while the court is closed, the police agency has until the end of the next court day to arraign the defendant. Normally when the defendant comes to court, charged with a misdemeanor, the court will reduce the bail or release a defendant without bail. Again, the court is mindful of the fact that if it lets a person out without the statutory bail and he or she harms the complaining witness, the judge is going to be on the hot seat. It’s much easier and safer for the judge simply to set bail at the statutory rate than to worry about the certainty of criticism IF the defendant does anything to cause more harm to the victim. What Are the Possible Charges? There are two basic filings in the domestic violence area. A charge of 273.5 of the Penal Code which is domestic violence with a traum Long Beach Criminal Defense Law Firm | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Firm Overview Expired Long Beach California Criminal Defense Law Firm With More Than 40 Years Experience: Call Now @ 562-437-6418 If you have been arrested, charged with a crime, or are under criminal investigation in southern California, why should you retain the services of criminal defense attorney Richard L. Poland? Because we can provide you with the experience you want, the aggressive representation you need, and the personal service you expect. "I realize my reputation is also at stake when we obtain a favorable plea agreement, therefore I personally follow up with my clients to ensure they comply with any agreement or order." Richard L. Poland California Criminal Defense Attorney Our Criminal Defense Background and Experience: Located in Long Beach, and serving all of southern California, criminal defense attorney Richard Poland has over 40 years experience defending clients against criminal charges . He has been a Certified Criminal Defense Specialist (certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). His knowledge and experience defending people against serious criminal charges will give you confidence in the information he provides and in the advice he gives. We know the law and system. Richard Poland has tried numerous cases in Long Beach and surrounding areas, and enjoys an excellent reputation among judges and prosecutors. Prosecutors know he is always ready to go to trial, and judges understand the veracity of what he tells them. Because he has tried so many cases over the course of 40+ years, chances are excellent that he has represented someone with a situation similar to yours. He has defended clients charged with everything from assault and battery to identity theft and from DUI to murder . When you retain our services, Richard Poland will be your attorney. You will not be represented by an inexperienced attorney who is learning criminal law and criminal procedure. Our Aggressive Long Beach Criminal Defense: We are aggressive in our defense. We investigate allegations and file the appropriate motions to suppress statements and evidence that has been illegally or unconstitutionally obtained. We are prepared to try every case. Because of our aggressive tactics, our willingness to go trial, and the reputation we enjoy, we put our clients in the best position possible. The Personal Service Our Criminal Defense Firm Provides to Our Clients: You may choose us for our track record of success, our reputation for excellence, or our extensive experience. Regardless of the reason you chose us, you will appreciate the level of service we provide and our commitment to you. Our criminal defense attorney, Richard Poland, genuinely cares for his clients. You can expect him to be there for you. He makes every attempt to be available when you need him. If he is in court and unavailable, he will promptly get back to you. He will take the time to understand your situation, explain the process and the law to you, and answer your questions. He takes each case personally, and will not accept you as a client unless he is able to provide you with the best possible defense. He is a straight-shooter, and will not sugarcoat the truth. You need to fully understand your situation in order to make intelligent decisions. You can count him to follow up with you to ensure you comply with any plea agreement or judge's order. He does not want to see you throw away any opportunity he is able to procure for you. We believe we are able to secure better deals and lesser sentences because judges and prosecutors trust us to make sure our clients follow up with their commitments. For a free initial consultation to discuss your situation in confidence with a Long Beach criminal defense lawyer, call 562-437-6418 or fill out our intake form on our Contact page. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and preserving your freedom. The Long Beach criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Richard L. Poland defends people accused of committing crimes throughout southern California and the South Bay area, including the cities of Long Beach, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Hawthorne, San Pedro, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Carson, Lawndale, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Gardena, Lakewood, Carson, Compton, Buena Park, Fullerton, Norwalk, South Gate, Downey, Irvine, Inglewood, and Bellflower. Attorney Poland also represents clients throughout the communities in and around Los Angeles County and Orange County, and his law practice takes him from San Diego and San Francisco. Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications DISCLAIMER Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Disclaimer DISCLAIMER Expired The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. The Long Beach criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Richard L. Poland defends people accused of committing crimes throughout southern California and the South Bay area, including the cities of Long Beach, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Hawthorne, San Pedro, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Carson, Lawndale, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Gardena, Lakewood, Carson, Compton, Buena Park, Fullerton, Norwalk, South Gate, Downey, Irvine, Inglewood, and Bellflower. Attorney Poland also represents clients throughout the communities in and around Los Angeles County and Orange County, and his law practice takes him from San Diego and San Francisco. Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Assault and Battery Laws and Penalties | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Assault and Battery ASSAULT AND BATTERY Expired What is Assault and/or Battery? From the time Cain struck Abel, violence against another person has been frowned upon. The English Common Law developed several nuances to differentiate levels of harm caused to another person. In general, a battery is an offensive touching and an assault is an attempted battery. This brings us to where we need to discuss the difference between a general intent crime and a specific intent crime, because assault is a shpecific intent crime and battery is a general intent crime. As true as the previous statement is, and it is, there is a struggle by courts and law professors to explain why assault is a specific intent crime and assault with a deadly weapon (ADW) is a general intent crime. If you want some tortured logic you can read opinions from smart judges who become legal contortionists to fit ADW into the general intent box. The best I can do for you now is to tell you what your parents told you, it is “because I said so.” For now, don’t worry about specifics. Take what follows as the general rules but there are exceptions. [For anyone interested in my opinion, ADW is a general intent crime because the consequences are so severe and intent might be too hard to prove, so as a public policy our society has determined that there is no need to prove specific intent in an ADW]. SPECIFIC vs. GENERAL INTENT A specific intent crime is one in which the perpetrator does an act coupled with an INTENT. The simplest example is theft. How many people have borrowed a pen to sign a check or a document and then realized two hours later that you still had the pen you borrowed? Is that theft? Many people would say, “Of course.” It’s not. Why? In order to commit a theft, under the law, you must take property with the intent to deprive it’s rightful owner permanently of possession. This is why there are different statutes for joy riding and auto theft. Most people, when asked to define burglary, would tell you it’s breaking into someone’s home and stealing something. Although those facts might be a burglary, it isn’t necessarily so. A burglary, under California law is entry into a structure with the intent to commit a felony OR theft. Distinction? Not every theft is a felony, but every theft can support a burglary. If a person breaks into a vacation house because their car has broken down and sleeps inside because it’s freezing outside, it’s not a burglary because there is no intent to commit a felony or theft. If in the morning the person who entered realizes that he has hit the mother lode and the vacation house contains sophisticated electronics and he decides that he’s going to steal them, has he committed a burglary? Still no burglary. Why? Because the entry must be made with the intent to steal or commit a felony and when our hero entered, he had no intent to do anything other than seek shelter, neither a theft offense nor a felony. Let’s make things more complicated, but necessary for a full understanding. You have made a decision that it’s easy to steal from your local hardware store. You have decided that you want a particular wrench and don’t want to spend $20 to buy it. You go into the store and realize that it’s not worth the chance of an arrest, the obliteration of your reputation and self respect, so you go to the tool department, pick out the wrench and buy it. You have committed a burglary. Obviously, this would be impossible to prove, but as a legal matter, you entered a structure with the intent to steal. At this point a burglary has been committed. Your change of heart and failure to do anything to effectuate your plan doesn’t change the fact that you committed the burglary. As can be easily seen by the examples above, argument over intent can be difficult. In many court cases the ONLY issue is intent because the facts are clear. There are defenses in the law which eliminate criminality if the act is done without the intent which makes it illegal. The law is replete with examples. For instance, what is the difference between murder and manslaughter? Both require a person to have the intent to kill, but murder requires an additional mental state of malice. These are concepts, not important to understand fully now, but of which you should be aware. Assault Section 240 of the California Penal Code defines Assault. An assault is an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability to commit a violent injury on the person of another. Breaking the statute down into its plain meaning takes a bit of doing, but we will approach it word by word. The first word is unlawful . To violate this statute your conduct must be without legal justification or excuse. For example, taking a swing at someone who has swung at you first is justified under the legal right of self defense, therefore your attempt to hit that person is not unlawful because of your right. Not every defense is so obvious which is why whenever there is a charged violation of statute, it is best to consult someone who is familiar with the law, the underlying meaning of the law, the defenses available and the application of law to facts, not to mention the parties who are prosecuting and judging. We next move to attempt. An attempt is simply an effort to do something. When you swing at someone and miss that is an assault, if you’re successful, it’s a battery. (more on this later). An assault is necessarily an unsuccessful attempt to commit a battery. Of course, if you’re successful, the assault becomes a battery. Even in the civil context of law suits for damages intent is import but the law allows for transferred intent. In the classic example, it is no defense to a charge of assault on Mr. X to say that you had no intent to hit him when you were trying to hit Mr. Y, but Mr. Y ducked and you hit X by mistake. Although you might say that since you had no intent to hit Mr. X and didn’t want to commit an injury on him you couldn’t have assaulted Mr. X. The law provides an exception of transferred intent . If you have the requisite intent to harm one person and in your effort you harm another by mistake, the original intent is transferred to the injured person. The next phrase is present ability. In order to be guilty of an assault your actions must have the immediate ability to cause the injury attempted. For example, let’s say you decide that you would like to injure your next door neighbor because he mows his lawn too early on Sunday morning, and further decide that you’d like to break his arms so he can’t push his lawn mower. You then make a cardboard figure of your neighbor, put Mr. Neighbor in large letters on the cardboard cut out and then bend the figure’s arms back behind his back. You really want to break his arms and give it your best voodoo doll work. You may be sick and worthy of legal intervention, but you haven’t violated the statute because you don’t have the present ability to commit the injury. Similarly, if you pray that your ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend gets into a car accident, you are not guilty of an assault because although you are attempting, without justification, to commit a violent injury on someone, you don’t have the present ability to complete the action. Finally, violent injury i Contact Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Contact Us Contact Us Expired Criminal charges are serious. A criminal conviction can change your life forever. At the Law Office of Richard L. Poland, we know the stakes are high. Criminal defense attorney Richard Poland has over 40 years experience handling criminal trials. He is a board certified specialist, and fights hard for every one of his clients. He leaves no stone unturned, and has a track record of success. To discuss retaining Richard Poland as your California defense lawyer, please call 562-437-6418 or fill out our intake form below. We offer free initial consultations to determine if we can help you. NOTE : An asterisk (*) indicates REQUIRED information. The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. By checking this box, I consent to receive [types of messages, e.g., conversational, marketing, promotional, customer care] SMS from Richard L. Poland – Long Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer. Reply STOP to opt-out; Reply HELP for support; Message & data rates may apply; Messaging frequency may vary. Visit www.richardpoland.com/privacy-policy to see our Privacy Policy. SEND The Long Beach criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Richard L. Poland defends people accused of committing crimes throughout southern California and the South Bay area, including the cities of Long Beach, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Hawthorne, San Pedro, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Carson, Lawndale, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Gardena, Lakewood, Carson, Compton, Buena Park, Fullerton, Norwalk, South Gate, Downey, Irvine, Inglewood, and Bellflower. Attorney Poland also represents clients throughout the communities in and around Los Angeles County and Orange County, and his law practice takes him from San Diego and San Francisco. Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Juvenile Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Juvenile Crimes JUVENILE CRIMES Expired Call 562-437-6418 When our children make a mistake, we often chalk it up to experience. However, when that mistake leads to criminal charges, we want to do everything possible to protect their future. We understand that a criminal conviction can limit one’s opportunities. Located in Long Beach, defense attorney Richard Poland has over 40 years experience defending minors throughout southern California accused of a juvenile crime, including theft crimes (e.g., stealing and shoplifting), drug crimes (e.g., possession of marijuana), and violent crimes (e.g., sexual assault and assault). Experienced Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorney In addition to over 40 of experience, Richard Poland takes each case personally. When he works out an agreement with prosecutors, he follows up with his clients to ensure they live up to their end of the bargain. Richard Poland’s goal is to obtain the best possible result for your child, and also to help ensure your child does not continue on a path of crime, nor gain a reputation as a troublemaker. For additional information about our qualifications and the benefits of retaining our services, please visit our Firm Overview page. To discuss your juvenile crime charges with an experienced southern California criminal defense lawyer in confidence, please schedule a free initial consultation to determine how we can help you by calling us at 562-437-6418 or filling out our intake form on our Contact page. We want to help your child reach his or her potential with as few impediments as possible. Juvenile crimes can have serious consequences for this charged. It can be a very scary situation but even worse if you do not have an experienced criminal defense lawyer making sure that you are vigorously defended and that your rights are protected. That lawyer is Richard Poland. Call us at 562-437-6418 and get the legal representation you need. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Drug Possession Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Drug Possession DRUG POSSESSION Expired Conviction of state and federal drug possession charges will haunt you for the rest of your life. You face the possibility of jail time, heavy fines, lengthy probation, mandatory substance abuse treatment and other limitations on your freedom. If you have been charged with, or have reason to believe you are investigated for, drug possession, take an immediate and important step toward protecting your rights and freedoms; contact the Law Office of Richard L. Poland today to schedule your free initial consultation. Attorney Richard L. Poland has over 40 years of experience representing clients throughout Southern California who have been charged with drug possession charges and making sure that their rights are protected. The Law Office of Richard L. Poland provides experienced, vigorous defense to people charged with drug possession offenses involving the following: Drug possession Drug possession with intent to sell Drug distribution Drug possession with intent to deliver marijuana, cocaine, heroin or meth Conspiracy to traffic or import a controlled substance Unauthorized possession or distribution of prescription drugs Medical marijuana charges including unauthorized cultivation, possession and possession with intent Our firm is highly-adept at building a strong defense on behalf of clients facing drug-related charges. For over 40 years we have been thoroughly analyzing all available evidence, determining if that evidence was obtained legally and consistently striving for the best possible outcome on behalf of our clients. Understanding California Proposition 36 California Proposition 36 is the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000. Commonly known as "prop 36," it allows qualified defendants who have been convicted of non-violent drug possession offenses to avoid incarceration by completing a probationary sentence and meeting certain conditions. Those serving probation are also mandated to complete a drug treatment program. Our firm has successfully helped many clients participate in and complete alternative sentences like these rather than serve jail time. Facing drug possession charges? Seek help from an experienced law firm that will always be on your side. Contact the Law Office of Richard L. Poland today to arrange your free initial consultation. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach DUI Attorney - DUI Lawyer | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Drunk Driving - DUI DRUNK DRIVING - DUI Expired Driving under the influence and child molestation are very different crimes, however, they share an unfortunate similarity. It is difficult to get a jury to give you a fair trial when accused of either for reasons that are both sides of the same coin. In the average drunk driving case, most jurors drink and have driven when they probably should not have. But, most jurors will think that they can do this because they are better drinkers than the accused and certainly better drivers. On the other hand, virtually all the jurors on a child molestation case have never even thought about committing such an act, cannot understand how it could happen and think that the accused must have done something very wrong to get himself into court. Why would a child ever lie? In a DUI case, the juror assumes that the defendant is guilty, as does the juror in the molestation case. They need to be disabused of this idea, the earlier the better. A lawyer needs to know the inherent prejudice of the jury before he starts to work on a case. Simply raising a reasonable doubt isn’t quite good enough in these cases, even though that’s all that’s required for an acquittal. In a murder case the jury wants to know who was killed, how he was killed, why he was killed and every fact surrounding the death. They know they have a dead body, and there may be reasons for it which would make the defendant not guilty. They know the serious consequences and are willing to listen. In a DUI case they assume that a lot of people drink and drive and the defendant needs to show them not only is there a doubt of his guilt, but a reasonable probability of his innocence. The Chemical Test In California, when you are arrested for a DUI, you are required by law to submit to a test to determine the alcohol content of your blood. This is commonly referred to as the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). Currently the level for violation stands at .08%. This doesn’t mean that .079 means that you’re not guilty of DUI, it simply means that you might not be guilty. We will discuss the two bites of the apple that the prosecution gets later in this note, but if you take one thing away from here, you must understand that refusal to submit to the evidentiary chemical test will result in suspension of your driving license even if the case is later dismissed. The most important thing you MUST do is take the test. A bad result may cause a conviction but not taking the test will cause a license suspension for at least a year AND may no help you avoid a conviction. There are actually two tests that you will be offered. The first is the PAS test (Preliminary Alcohol Screening). The second is the test that is given at the jail or the hospital and is the evidentiary test. In some jurisdictions, the tests are given on the same machine. When PAS first came out, it was not nearly as reliable as the evidentiary test, but modern technology has caught up. Depending upon circumstances, I generally advise not submitting to a PAS test. The PAS test is voluntary. The officer arresting you should tell you that it is a voluntary test and you have a right to refuse. This is not a choice to refuse but a right, which means if you exercise that right, in court the DA cannot comment on your refusal to take the PAS test. Why should you not take the PAS test? The PAS test is probably the best evidence the state will have against you. It gives the police a real time assessment of the state of your sobriety. The reason this is not good for most people is because it’s almost impossible to determine from one test whether your BAC is rising or falling, and the overwhelming chance is that it’s doing one or the other. For example, if you are stopped at 2:00 a.m. and take a PAS test which shows a .09 and then take the evidentiary test which shows a .07, your BAC is falling. The reason this is detrimental to your case is that since you were driving prior to 2:00 and your BAC is falling, at 2:00 your BAC was higher than .09. Conversely, if you did not take the PAS test and simply received a .07 you might even be released from jail. Whether your BAC is rising or falling is dependent upon the time of your last drink. Under normal circumstances, the average person fully absorbs alcohol from 20 to 45 minutes, but there are extremes at both ends. What this means is that if you completed your last drink, within an hour the alcohol is absorbed into your system and you will reach your highest level. There comes a point when your body is removing the alcohol at about the same rate it’s absorbing it. This is called equilibrium. When you’re in a state of equilibrium the breath test is accurate. When you’re absorbing the alcohol the breath test reads a bit higher than the actual value. Your blood alcohol would be rising but not as fast as the breath test indicates. Without two points of reference, it is hard to make a determination of whether the BAC is rising or falling. The PAS test allows that determination to become easier. The last thing you want to do is to make the prosecutor’s job easier. The amazing thing about the breath test is that it doesn’t directly measure the amount of alcohol in either your breath or blood. The rudimentary way it works is that a person blows into a box smaller than a microwave oven. The alcohol in a person’s breath absorbs light at 39 microns. When a light is shone in one end of the oven and read at the other, the diminution of the light is then calculated into how much alcohol in the size of the sample. Then the machine internally multiplies the result by 2100 and spits out a result. Why 2100? The difference in the average density of a person’s breath and blood is 2100/1. What this means is that no person is average. The machine will be off depending upon where you fit on the breath/blood ratio scale. This ratio is called the partition ration and courts have done all they could to make sure that the prosecutor’s job is easier by not allowing you to contest this fact. Two Bites at the Apple Prior to 1982 there was one drunk driving law: It was against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol. You were under the influence if you could not operate a motor vehicle as would a prudent person in the same or similar circumstances. Lawyers like me were winning cases when the defendants had BAC’s of substantially over .10, which was the standard in 1982. The prosecution criminalists were testifying that all people over a .10 were impaired with respect to driving a car. The funny thing is that no-one has ever done a study on what this means. We have many correlation studies that clearly indicate that people who are above a .08% are in fact impaired when compared with themselves, but not when they are compared with the average sober prudent driver, as the law requires. What am I saying? If you remember your first driver’s test and review of the handbook, you might recall that a car going 60 mph takes 125 feet to stop. This is very easy to type and say and teach, but it’s complete hogwash. The distance to stop a car from 60 mph depends upon the car, the driver, the surface and some other less important factors. Would a 10 year old sedan with bad breaks driven by a 90 year old woman stop in Long Beach Weapons Charge Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Weapons Charges WEAPONS CHARGES Expired Call 562-437-6418 In California, you are not permitted to own or carry a firearm or ammunition if you have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors. If a person with a felony conviction is shown to own or carry a gun or other illegal firearm they can be brought up on felony weapons charges. Located in Long Beach, and serving all of southern California, defense lawyer Richard Poland has over 40 years experience defending clients charged with criminal offenses , including weapons charges. He is a California Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. His experience and background will empower you with confidence and information about your options so you can make an informed decision. Weapons Charges: Committing a Crime Using a Weapon If you are convicted of a crime using a weapon, there will be serious consequences. The use a weapon or firearm can add over 10 years to your sentence. Further, the use of a firearm can elevate a misdemeanor to a felony. Therefore, you want representation from a criminal defense attorney who will go the extra mile to make sure your rights are fully protected and all avenues are explored. For questions about possession of illegal firearms, or the consequences of charges of using a weapon in the commission of a crime and how a conviction can impact your future, or to discuss your weapons charges with an experienced California Board Certified criminal defense attorney in confidence, please schedule a free initial consultation by calling us at 562-437-6418 or filling out our intake form on our Contact page. We are here to protect your freedom. If You Have Been Charged With A Weapons Related Offense, You Need The 40 Years Of Experience of The Law Office of Richard Poland. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach DMV Suspension Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas DMV - License suspension DMV LICENSE SUSPENSION Expired After an arrest for drunk driving, you will face two separate and possibly life-changing legal actions. One will be the DUI criminal charge brought by the prosecution. The other is administrative in nature, involving DMV license suspension issues. At the Law Office of Richard L. Poland, we offer experienced legal representation against criminal DUI matters and help our clients throughout Southern California protect their driving privileges. You only have 10 days from the date of your DUI arrest to request a DMV license suspension hearing. Should you fail to request this hearing, your license will automatically be suspended. Get help today from a knowledgeable defense attorney who is dedicated to helping you maintain your driving privileges. Call our firm at 562-437-6418 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation. Arrested for DUI? A Skilled Defense Lawyer Can Help. Richard L. Poland has more than 40 years of legal experience and substantial knowledge of all aspects of drunk driving defense . Attorney Poland can take immediate action to help you maintain your driver's license and keep your driving record unscathed. In addition to handling the criminal matters, he will demand a formal hearing before the DMV's Driver Safety Office (DSO) and provide you with representation at that hearing. He readily addresses all aspects of your DUI arrest, striving to protect your rights and minimize both the criminal and administrative consequences you face. Representing Commercial Drivers Arrested for Drunk Driving Truckers and others who rely on a commercial drivers' license (CDL) for their livelihood face even more severe consequences following a drunk driving arrest. Even if arrested in you personal vehicle at the time, your CDL can be suspended — this affects your very livelihood. It is vitally important that you also remember that the BAC threshold is lower for CDL holders than it is for standard license holders. In California, a drunk driving charge can be filed against someone operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or greater; for a CDL holder, that threshold is much lower, only .04 or greater. You need the help of an experienced lawyer who fully understands the consequences of losing your commercial license to help you protect your rights, your freedom and your ability to earn a living. Whatever your situation, the Law Office of Richard L. Poland offers vigorous legal representation involving all DMV license suspension issues. Our firm is focused on helping you keep your driving privileges and protecting your rights. Questions about DMV license suspension? Seek help from an attorney with over 40 years of experience. Contact the Law Office of Richard L. Poland today to schedule your free initial consultation. If you have been charged with DUI and are in danger of having your license suspended, you need to have experienced legal representation that will fight for you and work to help you keep your license during the proceedings. The loss of your license can affect your ability to earn income and cause an enormous strain on an already stressful situation. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications Long Beach Medical Marijuana Attorney | Law Office of Richard L Poland Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Menu Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Firm Overview Attorney Profile Practice Areas Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Drug Pharm Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Articles Contact Us Home Practice Areas Medical Marijuana MEDICAL MARIJUANA Expired Medical marijuana eases the pain for many people suffering from severe illnesses and medical conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and glaucoma. People who have received medical marijuana cards from a medical provider are allowed, under California law, to smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes. They are also allowed to cultivate a limited number of their own marijuana plants for medical purposes when approved by a doctor. Furthermore, caregivers are allowed by law to treat patients with medical marijuana, so they also have the ability to posses certain amounts of it. However, the manner in which these medicinal drugs are handled and transported must be carefully considered by those who use it. The law requires strict compliance with a number of provisions to possess medical marijuana; accidentally and innocently overlooking a single provision could result in state or federal drug charges being brought against you. The Law Office of Richard L. Poland provides experienced, vigorous defense to people who often unknowingly find themselves in situations where criminal charges arise. If you are facing medical marijuana-related drug charges, regardless of whether you are a patient using the drug or a physician administering it for treatment, contact our firm today to schedule your free initial consultation. Experienced Representation in Both State and Federal Courts Growers, caretakers, medical marijuana clubs and others can find themselves impacted by drug charges . As a defense lawyer with over 40 years of experience, Richard L. Poland can immediately build a strong defense on your behalf. He has substantial knowledge of how the prosecution can alter or misconstrue evidence to make you appear guilty. For example, an individual may divide their marijuana into bags for each day of the week. Law enforcement could interpret that innocent action as meaning that the person has the intent to sell it. They may alter the reality of the situation to fit their agenda. We zealously defend our clients against a variety of charges related to use or possession of medical marijuana, charges such as: Possession Possession with intent to sell Distribution Cultivation If you use medical marijuana, then you are already dealing with a serious illness or the stress of chronic pain. You need to be able to focus on your health and well-being. The last thing you need is a criminal charge for doing something prescribed by your treating physician; something you thought was completely legal. If you are dealing with legal consequences of using medical marijuana, the Law Office of Richard L. Poland would like to help. Contact us today to arrange your free initial consultation. Our criminal defense law firm represents clients that have been charged with drug crimes including possession, distribution, sales and cultivation of marijuana. We have a proven track record of providing experienced and effective legal representation for our clients charged with drug-related offenses. AREAS OF SPECIALITY Assault and Battery Domestic Violence Drug Charges Drug Possession DMV - License suspension Drunk Driving - DUI Fraud Juvenile Crimes Medical Marijuana Murder - Homicide Sex Crimes Theft Crimes Weapons Charges Law Office of Richard L. Poland 333 W. Broadway #200 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-6418 Facebook Google+ Map 562-437-6418 Copyright © 2015 Richard L. Poland - All Rights Reserved Designed & Developed by Tesla Media Group Disclaimer Privacy Policy Close Notifications