DCD LAW

10/05/2026

Mental health diagnosis connected to your charge? California has a program built for exactly this.

PC 1001.36 allows eligible individuals to complete treatment instead of facing prosecution. Keeping the focus on getting better, not just punishment.

Worth knowing if this applies to you or someone you love. 📲

10/01/2026

🤔 Hiring a defense attorney? Ask these 5 questions first:

1️⃣ Experience in THIS courthouse specifically?
2️⃣ What evidence do we need to act on immediately?
3️⃣ Does your fee cover pre-filing work, or only after charges?
4️⃣ Will YOU be in court, or a junior associate?
5️⃣ What's your plan if this goes to trial?

Save this before your first consultation. 📌

09/22/2026

The consequences of a hit-and-run conviction extend well beyond the immediate criminal penalties, and clients are often surprised by the scope.

Beyond fines and potential jail or prison time, a conviction can mean:

❌ DMV license suspension or revocation
❌ A permanent mark on background checks affecting employment and housing
❌ Disciplinary action against professional licenses (medical, legal, nursing, contractor, real estate)

And for felony convictions specifically, potential immigration consequences, since some felony hit-and-run cases qualify as a crime involving moral turpitude.

Understanding the full scope of what's at stake, not just the immediate charge is part of building the right defense strategy from the outset.

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09/16/2026

A hit-and-run conviction doesn't stop at fines.

It can also mean:

❌ Suspended license
❌ Background check red flags (housing, jobs)
❌ Threats to professional licenses (medical, legal, nursing, real estate)
❌ Immigration consequences for some felony cases

The stakes are bigger than people think. Don't face them alone.

09/15/2026

Big myth: "It wasn't my fault, so I'm fine."

California Vehicle Code 20001 and 20002 require every driver involved in a collision to stop and exchange information, regardless of who caused it.

What the prosecution actually has to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, is:
1. You were the driver.
2. An accident occurred.
3. You knew, or objectively should have known, that it occurred.
4. You willfully chose not to stop or provide information.

Each element is a potential point of defense, from challenging driver identification, to arguing lack of perceptible impact (highway speeds, minor contact, loud environment), to demonstrating the failure to stop wasn't willful (a genuine safety concern, for instance).

But you can't do this alone. Reach out today and let us help you.

09/09/2026

If you've just been accused of a hit-and-run, what you do in the next few hours matters more than you might think.

Don't speak to police or investigators without talking to a lawyer first.

If you're in a safe location, photograph the scene. Get contact information from any witnesses, they can matter a lot later. Write down your full account of events while it's fresh: time, location, what you saw, heard, and felt. And don't post anything about it on social media, even something that feels harmless.

Also worth preserving: dashcam footage, GPS data, receipts showing your location, and anything documenting your vehicle's condition.

If you're dealing with this right now, we're here 24/7.

📞 (818) 740-5582

09/07/2026

DCD LAW is growing!

We're looking to add a Criminal Defense Attorney to our litigation team in Sherman Oaks, CA.

This isn't a back-office role. Our attorneys are in court, handling motions, pre-trials, negotiations, and preliminary hearings across LA County, working directly with clients and our managing attorney on serious cases from day one.

We're looking for someone with 2+ years of criminal defense experience, courtroom background preferred, who can handle a fast-paced caseload. Spanish is a plus but not required.

Sound like you? Apply below.

Apply for the Criminal Defense Attorney job in Sherman Oaks, CA! Learn more about the job description, salary, and job details to see if you qualify on Indeed today.

09/02/2026

A claim we see a lot in drug cases: an officer says they "smelled drugs" as the reason for searching a car.

That claim isn't automatically enough to justify everything that follows, and it's absolutely something a defense attorney can challenge later.

In the moment, your job isn't to argue or explain. It's simply to say, clearly and calmly: "I do not consent to a search." That statement preserves your rights and your lawyer's ability to challenge the search's legality down the road, if it comes to that.

If you're facing a drug charge that started with a claimed odor and a search, let's talk about your options.

09/02/2026

One of the first questions people ask us is: "What does a defense lawyer actually costs?"

It depends on a few things: the complexity of your case, how long it takes to resolve, and whether your attorney bills hourly or with a flat fee.

Hourly billing can work in your favor if your case is simple and resolves quickly.

A flat fee can offer more predictability if your case is complicated or its timeline is uncertain.

We give customized quotes based on your specific situation, because "it depends" isn't a satisfying answer when your future is on the line.

Reach out today if you or a loved one are in need. 📞 (818) 740-5582

08/26/2026

Defending against a false domestic violence allegation isn't one-size-fits-all. The right strategy depends on what actually happened and what evidence exists.

A few common approaches:

⚖️ Fabrication: showing the accuser had a real motive to lie, often tied to a custody dispute or divorce, backed up by texts or messages suggesting retaliation.

⚖️ Self-defense: showing that contact did occur, but only because you were protecting yourself or your children from the accuser's aggression.

⚖️ Lack of proof: showing that the physical evidence simply doesn't match the story in the police report.

California takes domestic violence seriously. Which means false allegations need to be met with a thorough, evidence-based defense from day one.