Law Offices of Neil Shouse

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Former Police & Prosecutors... Now California Criminal Defense Attorneys

Our California criminal defense attorneys handle misdemeanor, felony, DUI and juvenile cases throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Riverside, San Diego, Orange County, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Our staff of California criminal lawyers includes three former prosecutors and two former career police officers. Together with our private detectives and forensic experts, we work as a team, drawing on more than half a century of law enforcement experience.
We know firsthand how cops and district attorneys put together cases. We used to be in their shoes. We have the playbook. Now we use this insider knowledge to your advantage in fighting your criminal charges.
An Aggressive, Proactive Approach to all Cases
Some California criminal defense lawyers take a wait-and-see approach. They stall until the first court date, or until they receive the police reports, before investigating and working up your case.
By contrast, we believe there's no time to waste. The most critical window for defense work may be the first few days following an arrest, or even prior to formal charges being filed. By getting to work immediately, often we can locate favorable defense evidence and witnesses, and get a "head start" towards defeating the charges.
Private Defense Investigation by Former Police
Make no mistake. Cops concern themselves mainly with aiding the prosecution and building up a case against you. They should not be relied upon to gather favorable evidence that helps exonerate their suspect. They are not on your side.
Our private defense investigators are all former career police officers. But now their job is to find the evidence that will benefit you. We assign them to re-interview and locate witnesses, to canvass neighborhoods, to obtain surveillance tapes, to do background checks on key prosecution witnesses, and to locate evidence to corroborate our client's version of the events.
Knowing the Local Courts
Every county and every courthouse has its own way of doing things. The criminal court process in Los Angeles County, for example, differs significantly from the process in San Bernardino. But even within San Bernardino County, the procedures at the central courthouse vary considerably from Rancho Cucamonga or Victorville.
We assign each of our California criminal defense attorneys to a specific set of courthouses. By working day in and day out in the same places, we develop trusting relationships with judges, prosecutors, probation officers and court staff. Moreover, we know how things work in particular courtrooms, and with particular prosecuting agencies. We've learned whom to talk to, who has discretion, and the most effective ways to get the job done.
Close Personal Contact with Your Attorney
Facing criminal charges traumatizes people. Nothing compounds the stress more than the inability to reach your attorney.
At the Shouse Law Group, we put a premium on the accessibility of our California criminal defense lawyers and support staff. We're here to provide moral and emotional support as well as legal representation. To do this, we observe two policies:

Every client phone call, email or text is returned the same day; and

Every client gets the personal cell phone number of his/her attorney and the lawyer's assistant

Not only does this provide you the assurance of knowing you can reach your lawyer at critical times. It also helps us to do our job more effectively.
We find that close client interaction is pivotal to our work. Our clients are the best resource for understanding what happened and who the key players are in the case. We want to hear from you, and you'll definitely be hearing from us as together we map out the story and put together the best defense possible.
Early Intervention Before Charges Get Filed
Sometimes it's possible to stop criminal charges from ever being filed.
After making an arrest or investigating a suspected crime, the police take their evidence to the district attorney. The D.A. evaluates the potential case and decides what criminal charges (if any) to file. Usually, the prosecutor makes this decision based solely on what the police present. But often there's much more to the story.
Many times our California criminal lawyers can also meet with the D.A. during this same time period. We can present our witness statements, our evidence and our information.
Knowing your side of the story may affect the D.A.'s calculations. When the prosecutors see the whole picture, not just what the cops (or the alleged "victim") have to say, they may decide to file lesser charges (a misdemeanor rather than a felony, for example) or not to file criminal charges at all (we call this a "D.A. Reject").
Legal "Second Opinions"
Perhaps you already have a California criminal defense lawyer. Your case has been pending for awhile. Your attorney advises you on a certain case strategy, such as accepting the D.A.'s offer, or taking the case to trial. Now you face a major life decision. And you're just not sure what to do.
We can evaluate your case and offer our independent judgment as to your various options and the merits of each. Much like a patient may see another doctor for a "second opinion" before deciding whether to undergo an elective surgery, we can give you a legal second opinion.
In the end, we may concur with your present attorney's position. Or we may not. Or we may suggest a totally different approach. But our advice to you will be (a) unbiased, (b) independent, (c) looking only to your best interests, and (d) based on a careful analysis of all the facts and law.
Bail & Release Help
If your loved one is custody, our California criminal defense attorneys can often arrange a "bail hearing" to get bail reduced or to secure an "OR release." We assist inmates in custody at any of the state's jails, including the Twin Towers Jail, the Los Angeles Men's Central Jail, the Orange County Central Jail, the Ventura County Jail, the West Valley Detention Center, the Robert Presley Riverside County Jail and the Clark County Detention Center (Las Vegas Jail).
Types of Cases We Handle.

Our California DUI defense attorneys are former DUI prosecutors and law enforcement officers with decades of experience both prosecuting and defending drunk driving cases.
As a former Deputy D.A., Los Angeles DUI lawyer Neil Shouse worked closely with the CHP and police toxicologists, compiling evidence and presenting cases in court. Now he fights DUI charges. Among the drunk driving cases we handle are Vehicle Code 23152(a), underage DUI, DUI causing injury, hit and run and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Prosecutors and judges take violent crimes the most seriously. California's mandatory sentencing laws can lead to harsh prison sentences.
But many people accused of violent offense are truly innocent. Often the situation arose out of self-defense, accident, misidentification, false accusations or mental illness. Our Los Angeles criminal attorneys can help you explore these defenses and fight the charges. We also defend clients prosecuted under California's Three Strikes Law and Californias gang enhancement.
Among the violent crime charges we defend against are:

Our California criminal defense lawyers start by scrutinizing the accuser's background. We look to see if the accuser has a history of telling lies, and a bias against our client. We independently investigate the case with our own private detectives and forensic experts. Often times we can get charges reduced or dismissed, or secure an acquittal at trial.
We defend against all sex crimes charges, including

Most people accused of theft or financial crimes are good citizens with minimal records who simply took a wayward path. And some are factually innocent. In any case, our California criminal defense attorneys can help you fight the charges, often times keeping the stigma of a criminal conviction off your record.
We represent clients as to all financial and property crimes, such as

More people get wrongfully accused of domestic violence than any other type of crime. Sometimes a person strikes his wife or girlfriend by accident or in self-defense during a mutual struggle.
Other times the accuser lies to the police and makes up false allegations of abuse. Accusers fabricate stories out of anger or jealousy, or to gain the upper hand in divorce or child custody proceedings. Whatever the case, our Los Angeles criminal attorneys can help you fight back.
We defend clients against any accusations of domestic violence, spousal battery or spousal abuse, in particular

Police frequently use unreliable informants, defective warrants and other illegal methods to make drug busts. Our California criminal lawyers can challenge these unconstitutional searches and search warrants, in an effort to get evidence and cases thrown out of court.
For clients struggling with addiction problems, we can often help you get Proposition 36, PC 1000 drug diversion or other treatment programs as an alternative to jail.
We represent clients in all misdemeanor or felony narcotics charges, including

Health & Safety Code 11350 HS Possession of a Controlled Substance

Health & Safety Code 11352 HS Sales or Transportation of a Controlled Substance

We like to start every case the same way: by listening. We sit down with you (and your witnesses) to hear exactly what happened. The police and the accusers are going to have their story. We'll be presenting yours. So we want to start by hearing and understanding your side of it. Call us at (888) 327-4652 or email us to schedule a consultation to see if we're the right California criminal defense lawyers for you.
We have local criminal law offices in Burbank, Glendale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Palm Springs, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Ana, Torrance, Van Nuys, Ventura and West Covina.

Call Us for Help | 888.327.4652
If you or a loved one faces misdemeanor or felony charges, contact our California criminal defense attorneys for help. We'd be glad to meet with you for a free consultation at one of our local criminal law offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Van Nuys, Pasadena, Long Beach, Orange County, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino or Riverside.

Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Neil Shouse
An honors graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, Neil Shouse spent five years as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County. He prosecuted more than 60 trials, and enjoyed a near-perfect success rate. He worked “hands-on” investigating his cases with the Sheriffs, LAPD, CHP, crime lab, toxicology, forensics, and special units from DUI task force, narcotics, financial crimes, street gangs and homicide.
Now as a Los Angeles criminal & DUI defense lawyer, Neil Shouse draws on this exposure to the inner workings of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Attorney Shouse is frequently called upon by the national media for expert legal commentary on criminal and DUI matters. He has appeared on the Dr Phil show, Good Morning America, CNN, Court TV, Fox News Channel, PBS, CBS Radio, and he’s been featured or quoted in newspapers throughout the country. Mr. Shouse practices throughout L.A. County, including Pomona, West Covina, Torrance and Long Beach.

Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney Zachary McCready
A former LAPD police officer with extensive experience investigating all types of misdemeanor and felony offenses in California, Orange County Criminal Defense attorney Zachary McCready defends clients charged with crimes throughout OC and South Bay, including Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine, Long Beach and Torrance.
Newport Beach DUI attorney Zachary McCready is especially skilled in California drunk driving cases from having served in the LAPD DUI Task Force. As a police officer, Mr. McCready conducted hundreds of DUI arrests, investigated California vehicular manslaughter cases and testified as an expert in court. Now he brings that insider experience from the streets to the courtrooms as he helps clients fight their DUI charges.

Southern California Criminal Defense Attorney Sarah Garvey
Sarah Garvey, Los Angeles attorney and writer. A graduate of Barnard College and Harvard Law School, Sarah Garvey is an attorney admitted to the bars of California and New York. She has worked as an associate attorney at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy and Morrison & Foerster, and as a staff writer and editor at the Los Angeles Daily Journal. Sarah works on issues involving police misconduct and corruption, civil rights violations, and the effect of criminal convictions on professional licenses and credentialing.

Ventura County Criminal Defense Attorney Darrell York
Prior to becoming a criminal defense & Ventura DUI attorney, Darrell York spent nearly a quarter century as a police officer. His assignments included patrol, DUI enforcement, narcotics (including undercover work), field training officer, police sergeant, and internal affairs (where he investigated police misconduct).
Today Ventura criminal lawyer York draws on this police experience as he defends clients against criminal and DUI charges. Attorney York is known for inspecting the scene of the alleged crime, re-interviewing witnesses and reinvestigating the facts. By knowing how police are supposed to conduct their investigations, he can quickly discern police mistakes and missing pieces in the case. He practices extensively in Simi Valley and Oxnard, and in the Los Angeles County areas of Van Nuys, San Fernando, Pasadena, Burbank and Glendale.

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Scafiddi
Riverside County criminal lawyer Michael Scafiddi served as a police officer and police sergeant prior to becoming a defense lawyer. During his law enforcement career, he worked in narcotics, special weapons and tactics, DUI enforcement, the street gang unit and special investigations. By knowing how cops put together cases, he’s better able to spot the police miscues and weaknesses in the case that can lead to a successful defense.
As a Riverside DUI lawyer, Michael Scafiddi benefits from the experience of having conducted hundreds of DUI arrests and investigations. Mr. Scafiddi is a certified expert in drug and alcohol recognition, and has testified as an expert witness in numerous DUI trials as to whether particular drunk driving suspects were intoxicated. Riverside criminal & DUI attorney Scafiddi practices throughout the County, including Murrieta, Temecula, Banning, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs and Indio.

San Bernardino Criminal Defense Attorney John Murray
Featured as an expert legal commentator on Fox News Channel, John Murray is one of the top young San Bernardino County criminal defense attorneys. He defends clients throughout the county, including Rancho Cucamonga, Chino and Fontana.
San Bernardino DUI attorney John Murray has developed particular expertise in California DMV hearing law. He has won innumerable DMV hearings in DUI and negligent operator cases, saving clients' drivers licenses (and many times their careers). John lectures to other lawyers on DUI and DMV hearings, and is consulted on these issues by attorneys throughout the state. San Bernardino criminal & DUI attorney John Murray likes to meet personally with each prospective client, to explain the process, and to map out an individualized defense strategy.

San Francisco Criminal Defense Attorney Jim Hammer
San Francisco Bay Area criminal defense lawyer Jim Hammer is a former prosecutor in Santa Clara and Alameda County, and most recently with the San Francisco D.A.’s office. As head of the homicide unit, Jim made international headlines with the successful prosecution of the tragic Diane Whipple dog mauling case. The jury convicted defendants Marjorie Knoller and Robert Knoll of Penal Code 187 murder.
Now as a criminal defense and San Francisco DUI attorney, Jim Hammer draws on his wealth of insider experience in the Bay Area criminal justice system. He defends clients in everything from DUI and shoplifting, to more serious charges. Jim has been featured as an expert legal commentator on numerous national TV shows and has taught law at Santa Clara University law school. Jim practices in all counties throughout the Bay Area.
* At the present time, Jim is not accepting cases in San Francisco.

Las Vegas NV Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Becker
Drawing on more than 15 years experience in criminal law, Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer Michael Becker has won not guilty verdicts in numerous serious felony cases. As a Las Vegas DUI attorney, he helps clients throughout Nevada fight their DUI charges. Attorney Becker practices throughout the state, including Reno, Carson City, Henderson, Laughlin and Mesquite NV.

Nevada Criminal Lawyer Daria A. Snadowsky
A graduate of UNLV Boyd School of Law where she served as notes editor of the Nevada Law Journal, Las Vegas criminal attorney Daria A. Snadowsky defends clients charged with crimes ranging from low grade misdemeanors to serious violent felonies. Ms. Snadowsky has developed particular expertise in Las Vegas battery domestic violence law, Las Vegas casino marker cases, and Nevada prostitution law. A published novelist, she won the prestigious “Excellence in Writing” award for her law review note on Nevada’s prostitution laws.

Los Angeles Criminal Attorneys: The Felony, Misdemeanorand Traffic or Criminal Defense and Drunk Driving, White Collar Crimes,DUI, DMV Drivers License Suspension, Theft, Drugs, three strikes or Murder or other legal defense information presented at this site should not be considered formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Our law firm serves the following communities, among others: Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Riverside County and Ventura County.