Los Angeles County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Law Offices of Todd Melnik

20920-B Warner Center Lane
Woodland Hills, California 91367
USA

(818) 995-7777

(818) 594-3200

www.toddmelnik.com

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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

The Law Offices of Todd L Melnik is a top Los Angeles criminal law firm you can afford. Mr. Melnik has extensive experience in handling the following criminal cases: Mortgage Fraud, Violent Offenses, Drug Crimes, ID Theft, Internet Scams, Probation Violations, Federal Crimes, Expungements, and, Early Termination.

Our firm has 21 years of Los Angeles criminal law knowledge, and our team of has dedicated themselves to offer the finest criminal defense available to those under investigation or prosecution for state and federal offenses. Our network team of detectives, researchers, and administrators is committed to superior performance and results, earned via tireless effort and the highest ethical standards. We handle both state and federal cases nationwide, and most other cases throughout Los Angeles and the state of California.

The tremendous difficulties that go with criminal charges both inside and out of the courtroom can become overwhelming, and looking for representation can prove to be very difficult. Nevertheless, choosing the right lawyer is one of the most crucial decisions you can make.

When you are dealing with criminal charges, you need a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney with experience, who is available to take your lawsuit quickly and confidently. We will go above and beyond to completely investigate your lawsuit, and to get the ideal result in or out of court.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: 3 Strikes Cases; Bench Warrants/Probation Violations; Civil Commitment/Mental Health Cases; Federal Writs of Habeas Corpus; Grand Jury; Gun Crimes; Hit and Run; Internet Crimes; Sexually Violent Predator; Statewide Criminal Appeals; Vehicular Crimes; Business and Financial Fraud; Internet Fraud; Business Opportunity Fraud; Health Care Fraud/Medicare Fraud/Medicaid Fraud; Mortgage Fraud/Real Estate Fraud; Tax Fraud; Securities Fraud; Public Corruption; Real Estate Fraud; Investment Advisory Fraud; Pension Fraud; Workers’ Compensation Fraud; ERISA Fraud; Stock Market Irregularities; Tourist Defense; Stalking; Hate Crimes; Carjacking; Sexual Assault; Kidnapping.

Practice Areas Description

Our criminal law practice includes:

- 3 Strikes Cases

According to California law, a three strikes crime is a very serious, violent felony. A “strike” is equivalent to one violent felony conviction. If a person has one strike, and is convicted of a second major felony, his/her prison sentence will be doubled. If the person has two strikes on his/her criminal record, and he/she is convicted of a third serious felony, he/she will be sentenced with life imprisonment. When it comes to three strikes crimes, California law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges have zero tolerance. If you have been charged with three strikes crime, it is best to seek services of a qualified criminal defense attorney like Mr. Melnik. He will thoroughly investigate your case and aggressively defend your rights.

- Child Abuse

Being accused of abusing or molesting a child changes your life permanently. The only thing that you can do to give yourself the very best chance of evading the numerous harsh and everlasting consequences of a child abuse conviction (including the possibility of termination of parental rights) is to employ a Los Angeles Child Abuse defense lawyer who will aggressively assert your rights in the court. Regardless of the precise child abuse charges that you might face, the Los Angeles Children’s Protective Services defense lawyers at our firm may be able to help you. We have years of combined legal experience and a history of proven success that shows how successful our representation can be. Our lawyers are never reluctant to protect your rights even in the most terrible and shocking suggestions.

- Civil Commitment/Mental Health Cases

When someone who is mentally ill does not wish to seek treatment, or someone wishes to terminate treatment against medical advice, they may find themselves in court, going through a process designed to provide treatment pursuant to a court order. The Court may order that the person be committed to a suitable treatment facility. If you have Mental Health Cases, Mr. Melnik can examine and analyze a variety of issues relating to civil commitment and to propose how legal practices may be restructured so as to increase the efficacy of hospitalization.

- Domestic Violence

Los Angeles Domestic violence law as well as the term “domestic violence” usually pertains to crimes involving domestic abuse, like child abuse and also child neglect, spousal abuse or perhaps domestic-partner abuse, and elder abuse. Our firm focuses on defending Domestic Violence cases throughout Los Angeles. In case you or somebody you care about is charged with a Los Angeles domestic violence offense (sometimes known as DV, Intimate Partner Violence, or even IPV), you can certainly call on our firm without hesitation.

- Drug Charges

The defense lawyers at our firm have experience with taking on drug cases, no matter the size. In our opinion, no drug offense is small because of the enormous affect it can have on a person’s life. Possession, for example, even when it is your first offense, could still land you in jail. Our attorneys are experienced in working with Los Angeles drug crimes involving cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, trafficking, possession, and more.

- DUI

Our Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers have many years of experience in successfully defending Los Angeles drunk driving, DWI, drinking and driving, and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases. State DUI law is complex, and we have the unique education, training and experience necessary to successfully defend a Los Angeles DUI arrest anywhere in the state.

- Expungements

At our law offices, our experienced Los Angeles expungement lawyers have the knowledge and capability to have most crimes removed from our clients’ criminal records. We have numerous years of experience in criminal defense law, in addition to substantial experience in the procedure for clearing criminal records. If you’d like to go over the potential of having your record expunged, please contact our law offices today for a free consultation.

- Federal Crimes

If you have been charged with a Federal Crime in Los Angeles, or are under investigation for any federal crime contact our law office today. We have experience in serious and complex state, federal and international charges, including the following:

• White collar crime, including business and financial fraud, Internet fraud, business opportunity fraud, etc.
• Health care fraud/Medicare fraud/Medicaid fraud
• Mortgage fraud/real estate fraud
• Tax fraud
• Securities fraud
• Money laundering
• Drug trafficking/importation
• RICO/racketeering
• Public corruption.

- Federal Writs of Habeas Corpus

Appellate attorney, Mr. Todd Melnik, is one of the most sought after criminal defense lawyers when it comes to filing Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus and federal or state criminal appeals. There are few lawyers who regularly handle writ cases in state and federal court. This area of law is extremely complex and requires someone who has knowledge of both the procedure and the applicable law, since many cases are dismissed on procedural grounds without ever addressing the merits. Mr. Melnik has knowledge for both. Other lawyers are familiar with Mr. Melnik’s reputations and they recommend him to other clients.

- Felony

In case you are dealing with a serious felony charge, and would need an experienced Los Angeles trial attorney, call our office today. We can successfully defend individuals in state and federal courts against all levels of felony charges including:

• Aggravated robbery
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Major drug crimes including narcotics trafficking
• Manslaughter
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Burglary of a house
• Burglary of a building
• Armed robbery, any crime committed with a firearm
• Rape

- Fraud

Our white collar crime attorneys strongly defend our clients charged with or being investigated for a white collar crime. Some possible white collar crimes are the following:

• Bank Fraud
• Credit Card Fraud
• Healthcare Fraud
• Mail and Wire Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Real Estate Fraud
• Investment Advisory Fraud
• Pension Fraud
• Workers’ Compensation Fraud
• ERISA Fraud
• Stock Market Irregularities
• RICO Violations.

- Grand Jury Indictment

The advice of a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer who focuses on Los Angeles Grand Jury Indictment proceedings, attention in the pre-indictment period of the case could help you in many ways, such as the following:

• Clarify your position in the investigation: are you a witness, a subject, a person of interest or the main target?
• Advise you about your grand jury testimony or production of documents, records or other evidence;
• Respond to your certain concerns about the right against self-incrimination, like whether or not to “plead the Fifth”;
• Prevent the mistakes which can result in obstruction of justice charges;
• Initiate a parallel investigation of the facts that can help get the prosecution to downplay your own role in the alleged offenses;
• Discourage the prosecution from trying to get the most severe possible charges against you.

- Gun Crimes

If you’ve been arrested for a Los Angeles gun crime, our firm is going to take an early, thorough, and powerful position on your behalf. If convicted, you might serve a mandatory sentence in a state prison. Talk to an attorney once you realize you’re in trouble. It never helps to talk to the police or prosecutors without a lawyer, they will use whatever you say against you. Our attorneys have worked on various types of violent crime cases connected with firearm offenses such as:

• Manslaughter, murder and homicide;
• Assault with a deadly weapon;
• Armed robbery;
• Domestic violence;
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm;
• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon;
• Possession of a Firearm or Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose;
• Certain Persons not to Have Firearms or Weapons.

- Hit and Run

If you’ve been involved with a hit and run event, it is to your advantage to speak with our Los Angeles hit and run defense attorney. The legal penalties of a hit and run conviction are substantial: representation in these cases is important. We are actually proud to provide reliable legal counsel for clients throughout Los Angeles and the state. As an attorney with years of practical experience, we now have helped several clients fight their really serious Hit and Run charges.

- Internet Crimes

Our firm defends people charged with Internet crimes such as phishing, eBay fraud, hacking, identity theft, and malicious distribution of a computer virus. Lots of Internet crimes, just like other sorts of white-collar crimes, are felonies and carry mandatory minimum sentences. A mandatory minimum sentence means the judge will be required to put you to jail for a specific time period without any possibility of probation or even early parole. A conviction for an Internet crime would also make it difficult for you to secure employment after you get out of jail. Very few employers would consider choosing someone who has a conviction for eBay fraud or even identity theft. In order to preserve your freedom as well as your future, you will need a Los Angeles Internet crimes defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.

- Juvenile Cases

We are experienced and devoted Los Angeles juvenile criminal defense lawyers who have effectively dealt with many juvenile cases. We have worked with the local juvenile deputy district lawyer who are assigned to the District Attorneys Juvenile Branch. We are seasoned juvenile criminal defense attorneys Los Angeles who are able to properly represent children accused of juvenile crimes including murder, attempted murder, car-jacking, armed robbery, hate crimes, assault and battery, car theft, drug possession and sales, DUI, rape, and molestation.

- Misdemeanor

Misdemeanors are crimes of a less severe character than felonies. They have possible punishments of up to a one thousand dollar fine and/or up to one year in the county jail for first-degree misdemeanors and up to five hundred dollar fine and/or up to two months of jail for second-degree misdemeanors. Los Angeles misdemeanors involve:

• Marijuana possession (under twenty grams)
• Domestic violence/spousal abuse
• Assault and battery
• Shoplifting (under $300.00)
• Petit (petty) theft
• Solicitation for prostitution
• Indecent exposure
• Driving offenses
• DUI/Drunk driving
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• First and second time driving with license suspended or with knowledge of charges
• Reckless driving
• Drug paraphernalia
• Racing
• Indecent Exposure
• Lewdness

- Murder and All Violent Crimes

If you or another person you care about are facing charges for murder, it is essential that you retain the counsel of a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who has comprehensive information, experience and practice defending people from murder charges. We have practical experience representing people against all degrees of murder. Murder is probably the most serious crime an individual may commit, and will definitely lead to severe criminal prosecution.

- Probation Violation

Our law firm has a team of successful Los Angeles probation violation attorneys. For any person serving probation, experienced probation violation attorneys would be the most trusted aid that individual can get. Violating the terms of your probation can increase the duration of your probationary period and can even result in more prison time. Allow the probation violation attorneys Los Angeles at our firm give impressive legal representation to assist you in getting your probation decreased or charges that lead to almost certain prison time dropped.

- Sex Crimes

Hiring a sex crimes defense lawyer Los Angeles from our firm to defend you or your loved one against a sex-related offense guarantees that you’re getting a team of the top defense attorneys, investigators, and other experts to work hard on your case to get the best possible result. We are going to be unrelenting in defending your legal rights. We represent clients facing all types of sex crime charges, including:

• Sexual assault and rape
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Child molestation
• Indecency with a child
• Indecent exposure
• Online solicitation of a minor
• Possession of child pornography

- Shoplifting

As a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer defending clients charged with shoplifting and theft for many years, our offices possess the firsthand knowledge and expertise to fix these particularly embarrassing cases and work on obtaining a disposition that, on many occasions, does not produce a criminal conviction that will haunt an individual for the rest of their lives. Our law firm deals with shoplifting cases in Los Angeles and statewide. The lawyers at our law firm will make sure that your interests are protected each and every step of the way.

- Statewide Criminal Appeals

Mr. Melnik is a good appeals lawyer. An appeals lawyer must be able to write well, which is something that is difficult to master; must be able to research well, and have a good knowledge of the law. Many lawyers do not like to research and write, and so they avoid handling appeals. That is why Mr. Melnik is here to handle all of your criminal appeals. He is a competent criminal appeals lawyer. He can provide answers to specific questions about your case.

- Theft

The Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys of our firm offer numerous years of experience defending clients from theft-related charges all over Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. We have been successful in having charges reduced or dismissed in these kinds of cases as Petty Theft, Grand Theft, Identity Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Burglary, Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Firearm, Auto Burglary and Embezzlement.

- Vehicular Crimes/Manslaughter

If you have been arrested or under investigation for vehicular manslaughter, it is very important that you hire an experienced vehicular manslaughter criminal defense lawyer like Mr. Todd Melnik to represent you. He is well prepared to offer you the best defense, regardless of your circumstances. His objectives will be to enable you to keep your driving privileges, to keep you out of jail, to pursue probation, reduce sentences or case dismissal, and to protect your constitutional rights at every step of the prosecution.

- White Collar Crimes

Our law office prides itself on being experienced federal white collar crime attorneys in Los Angeles and throughout the State. We have been helping professionals in U.S. federal courts. All of us represent physicians, lawyers, stockbrokers, entrepreneurs, health providers and clinics, and other professionals going through charges for federal white-collar crimes like:

• Health care fraud, including Medicare and Medicaid fraud, as well as fraud made by infusion therapy clinics, home health care providers, and durable medical equipment sellers;
• Securities fraud, which includes stock fraud, insider trading and Ponzi schemes;
• Mortgage fraud/real estate fraud;
• Tax fraud, for example failing to file a federal tax return, tax evasion, and failing to report offshore bank accounts and assets;
• Business fraud, theft, embezzlement, accounting fraud and business opportunity fraud, for example telemarketing fraud;
• Computer/Internet fraud, which includes identity theft;
• Wire and mail fraud, conspiracy;
• Money laundering.