Southern California Criminal Defense Attorneys

Law Offices of McDonnell & Kent, Inc.

418 East La Habra Blvd. La Habra, California 90631 USA

 (562) 694-3827
 (562) 694-4280

www.mcdonnellandkent.com/
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

The Law Offices of McDonnell & Kent, Inc. have provided exceptional representation for criminal defendants in state and federal courts throughout Southern California for more than four decades. Our firm's areas of expertise are comprehensive, encompassing drug crimes, DUI/DWI, three strikes cases, domestic violence, sex offenses, violent crimes, theft crimes, and juvenile delinquency matters.

Facing a criminal charge can be a frightening, embarrassing, even downright devastating experience, but we understand your predicament. We strive to reduce the anxiety you are dealing with by providing compassionate legal support while vigorously defending your rights in court. In their more than 60 years of collective criminal law experience, our attorneys have tried hundreds of cases, obtaining favorable results on behalf of a wide range of clients with the help of our own in-house investigator.

We are recognized throughout the Orange County legal community for our work, and have been awarded an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, indicating that fellow attorneys rank us at the highest levels of professional excellence. If you are under investigation or facing charges in a California state or federal court, you need a lawyer who can protect your rights.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Three Strikes Cases; Violent Crimes; Federal Crimes

Practice Areas Description

At McDonnell & Kent, our attorneys have experience defending clients against virtually any criminal charge, including:

- Drug Crimes

The California Health and Safety Code imposes significant penalties for those convicted of possessing, distributing, transporting, or manufacturing controlled substances. When a defendant is facing drug charges, the prosecution typically relies on the introduction of physical evidence -- in many cases, the drugs themselves -- and officer testimony to obtain a conviction. With decades of trial experience and an in-depth understanding of criminal law and procedure, we have a keen eye for constitutional violations committed during the detention, search, arrest, and interrogation that led to your criminal charges.

- DUI & DWI

Driving under the influence (DUI, also known as DWI, or driving while intoxicated) is among the most common charge defendants face in California. Along with the criminal consequences of a conviction, the loss of your driver’s license can have a devastating impact on your ability to maintain employment. The first element of McDonnell & Kent’s representation for DUI offenses is a comprehensive effort to preserve your driving privileges. In many cases, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will allow a temporary permit following a DUI arrest so that you can continue to commute to work.

- Three Strikes Cases

When a defendant has prior convictions for a violent or serious felony, California’s Three Strikes Law greatly increases the likelihood of a lengthy prison sentence over alternative sentencing such as probation and drug treatment programs. Criminal cases often come down to pretrial negotiations between the defense lawyer, the prosecutor, and the judge, with the judge holding the discretion to determine the type of charge and level of penalty to be pursued by the prosecution. Our attorneys often successfully convince the court to consider non-strike offenses against our clients, helping clients avoid the serious ramifications of strike convictions.

- Domestic Violence

The stakes involved in a domestic violence charge are especially high. In many cases, a conviction can result in a partial or permanent loss of your right to see your children. We understand the emotionally charged nature of these cases, where a conviction may often come down to the testimony of a loved one. Our independent investigation of the charges against you can uncover any inconsistencies in testimony and expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, protecting your rights and keeping your family together.

- Sex Offenses

When an individual is accused of a sex crime, the personal, social, and professional ramifications can be devastating, even if the charges are ultimately dropped or a verdict of not guilty is reached. The stigma associated with sexual misconduct can impact your ability to obtain future employment, not to mention be detrimental to your relationship with family and friends. In addition, if convicted, Megan’s Law requires your name and address to be publicly listed on the internet, subjecting you to further persecution regardless of the severity of your offense. We can help mitigate the consequences of a sex offense investigation or charge.

- Violent Crimes/Homicide

McDonnell & Kent has the expertise and trial experience to appear on your behalf for a variety of these charges, including assault, manslaughter, and even murder. In many situations, these crimes carry enhanced sentencing because the prosecution characterizes the conduct as gang-related. We can help you defeat charges of gang-affiliation in an effort to minimize the impact of a conviction. While we typically do not handle death penalty cases, our attorneys have extensive experience representing defendants accused of serious felonies related to violent acts.

- Theft Crimes

Our attorneys also help clients accused of theft-related offenses, including robbery, burglary, and embezzlement. Many of these crimes can be classified as a felony, which increases the likelihood of a prison sentence. Theft crimes also typically involve a restitution penalty upon conviction, requiring the defendant to financially compensate the victim for the value of the assets that were wrongfully taken. Our attorneys regularly help clients accused of these crimes, including defendants who are classified as repeat offenders due to prior theft-related convictions.

- Federal Crimes

Some of the practice areas we handle involve federal offenses as well, which can result in even more significant penalties. For example, drug offenses that involve transporting controlled substances across state or national borders for sale are often investigated and prosecuted by federal authorities. Along with our decades of criminal experience in state courts, our attorneys have extensive experience and familiarity defending clients in California’s federal court system.

- Juvenile Delinquency

At the Law Offices of McDonnell & Kent, Inc., our lawyers also have experience representing minors who are facing juvenile charges or are under investigation for criminal activity. While minors may face less stringent sentencing and criminal record implications, juvenile offenses can have a devastating impact on a child's life into adulthood and should not be taken lightly. We can help your child confront his or her mistakes and seek a fresh start before it is too late.

Attorneys

	Mr. Jeffrey D. Kent Attorney Criminal Defense, DUI, DWI		Mr. Brian D. McDonnell Attorney Criminal Defense
	Mr. Michael R. McDonnell Attorney Criminal Defense, DUI, DWI, Juvenile Crime

More Information on Law Offices of McDonnell & Kent, Inc.

La Habra, California Violent Crime Lawyer
Drug Crime Lawyer in La Habra, California
La Habra, CA Three Strikes Case Law Firm
DUI/DWI Charge Lawyers in La Habra, CA
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Theft Crime Lawyer in La Habra, California
La Habra, CA Domestic Violence Attorneys
Sex Offense Lawyer in La Habra, California
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