Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer? Understanding Felony, Misdemeanor, and Wobbler Charges in Southern California

Introduction

If you’ve been arrested, charged, or even contacted by law enforcement in Southern California, your freedom, record, and future are already at risk. This guide is for people who are actively searching for a skilled criminal defense attorney to protect themselves or a loved one against felony, misdemeanor, or wobbler charges. Whether the arrest occurred in Los Angeles, Orange County, or elsewhere in Southern California, the legal consequences can be life-altering—unless you act swiftly and strategically.

At Power Trial Lawyers, we know how local prosecutors operate, how to control the narrative early, and how to beat back charges before they derail your life. This long-form article outlines what criminal charges mean, how the justice system works, and what to expect when you’re fighting to preserve your freedom.

I. Understanding California’s Charging System: Felonies, Misdemeanors & Wobblers

California criminal law classifies crimes into three core tiers. Understanding the distinction is critical because it determines your exposure to custody, fines, and long-term consequences.

A. Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are crimes punishable by up to one year in county jail, but they are far from minor. A conviction can still appear on background checks and carry probation terms, fines, and other collateral consequences. Examples include:

• First-offense DUI (VC §23152)
• Shoplifting (PC §459.5)
• Domestic battery (PC §243(e)(1))
• Vandalism under $400 (PC §594(b)(2))

A misdemeanor can sometimes be diverted or dismissed altogether with the right pre-filing strategy.

B. Felonies

Felonies are the most serious category of criminal charges and carry a penalty of more than one year in state prison. These charges can result in strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law and limit your civil rights permanently. Common felonies include:

• Assault with a deadly weapon (PC §245(a)(1))
• Grand theft auto (PC §487(d)(1))
• Burglary (PC §459)
• Drug sales (HS §11351, HS §11352)
• Fraud or forgery over $950 (PC §470)

Felonies can be reduced, dismissed, or strategically plea-bargained if handled early and aggressively.

C. Wobblers

Wobblers are offenses that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The DA has discretion in how they file, and your attorney can argue for a reduction even after filing. Examples:

• Criminal threats (PC §422)
• Child endangerment (PC §273a)
• Embezzlement over $950 (PC §503)
• Certain sex offenses

In many Southern California courts, skilled lawyers can persuade judges or prosecutors to treat a wobbler as a misdemeanor or even resolve it through diversion.

II. How People Search for a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Southern California

Most clients start searching in a panic. They type queries like:

• “Best felony lawyer in Los Angeles”
• “Misdemeanor attorney Orange County”
• “Do I need a lawyer for a wobbler?”
• “Arrested for domestic violence in California”

What they’re really looking for is:

• Responsiveness: Does someone pick up the phone or reply fast?
• Local authority: Does this firm know the judges, DAs, and court procedures in my county?
• Proven results: Has this firm won similar cases before?

At Power Trial Lawyers, our high search engine visibility is matched by our courtroom dominance. We publish legal content like this because an informed client is a powerful client—and prosecutors know it.

III. What Happens After You’re Arrested or Charged

The moment you’re arrested, several processes are set into motion. Understanding them is the first step toward asserting control over your case.

1. Arrest & Booking – You are taken into custody, fingerprinted, and either cited and released or held in jail until your arraignment.
2. Bail Hearing – The judge sets bail or releases you on your own recognizance (OR). Felony cases in Orange County often result in higher bail amounts.
3. Arraignment – You are formally charged and enter a plea. This is a critical moment to prevent excessive bail or request diversion.
4. Pretrial Motions – We may challenge evidence under Penal Code §1538.5 (unlawful search/seizure) or push for dismissal under §995.
5. Negotiation or Trial – Many cases resolve via negotiation, but we prepare every case like it’s going to trial to maximize leverage.

The first 7–10 days are crucial. This is when a good lawyer makes the biggest difference.

IV. Strategic Criminal Defense: Legal Tools That Win Cases

Every case is unique, but seasoned criminal defense lawyers deploy strategic tools to break down the prosecution’s case:

A. Suppression Motions (PC §1538.5)

Evidence seized without probable cause—traffic stops, searches, wiretaps—can be excluded.

B. Mental Health Diversion (PC §1001.36)

For clients with qualifying mental health conditions, diversion can prevent any conviction.

C. PC §17(b) Reduction Motions

These can reduce a wobbler felony to a misdemeanor—making you eligible for expungement later.

D. Pre-filing Intervention

Before the DA files charges, we present exculpatory evidence, mitigating documents, and legal briefs to try to prevent charges from being filed at all.

E. Character Packaging

We compile records of employment, community service, and rehabilitation to humanize you and influence how the court views your case.

V. Why Local Experience Matters

Each Southern California county has its own court culture. Knowing the difference is the key to achieving the best outcome:

Los Angeles County

• Massive court system with variation by courthouse
• Progressive DA’s office in some areas (e.g., Van Nuys, Downtown LA)
• Strong diversion and mental health programs

Orange County

• More conservative judges and DAs
• Higher pretrial incarceration rates
• Rigorous application of Three Strikes Law

Riverside County

• Increasing use of video court and remote hearings
• DA’s office resistant to dismissals and diversion

San Bernardino County

• High volume of drug and gang-related cases
• Strong focus on probation compliance

San Diego County

• Highly structured plea deals
• Specialty courts for veterans, addiction, and mental health

Ventura & Kern Counties

• Smaller jurisdictions where personal relationships with judges and prosecutors matter
• Fewer diversion options—litigation is often your only leverage

VI. Power Trial Lawyers: We Don’t Just Appear in Court—We Control the Narrative

At Power Trial Lawyers, our attorneys are:

• Former public defenders and prosecutors who know both sides
• Skilled litigators who prepare every case for trial
• Strategists who attack weak points in the case from day one

We’ve secured dismissals, charge reductions, record expungements, and trial acquittals across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the rest of Southern California.

Real Client Results:

• Felony assault with a deadly weapon reduced to misdemeanor with no jail
• DUI with accident dismissed via suppression motion
• Domestic violence charge diverted and sealed from record

VII. Consult with a Local Criminal Defense Law Firm

No matter where you are in the criminal process—from arrest to warrant to investigation—you don’t have to face it alone. We help clients throughout:

• Los Angeles County
• Orange County
• San Diego County
• Riverside & San Bernardino Counties
• Ventura & Kern Counties

If you’re searching for “criminal lawyer near me” or need urgent legal help, contact Power Trial Lawyers now for a confidential case review. We offer same-day consultations and 24/7 availability for emergencies.