Torrance Criminal Defense Lawyers

Greg Hill & Associates, criminal defense attorneys in Torrance, understand how being charged with DUI, Domestic Violence, Drug Offenses (including Drug Possession, Transportation and/or Sales), Hit and Run, Attempted Murder, Mayhem, Shoplifting, Commercial Burglary, Tampering with a Vehicle, Public Intoxication, Solicitation of Prostitution, Child Molestation, Public Urination, Resisting Arrest or other crimes, including Juvenile Offenses, can shatter lives, affect employment and destroy families.

We appreciate that convictions for such offenses can lead to jail or prison time, being deported, having a professional license revoked or suspended, being denied a loan, being evicted, humiliation and divorce.

We also understand the sense of urgency one has with a bench warrant or being held in custody for extradition to another state.

If you or a loved one have been arrested, call us. Discussing your case will help you have a clearer idea of what defenses may apply and what punishment, if any, you could face. We will explain the general sequence of events in a criminal case so you know what will happen and when it will take place. If your loved one is in custody, we often go to visit the client in jail. We can then argue for own recognizance (“OR”) release, or in the alternative, a reduction of bail in light of alternative, non-monetary methods of ensuring public safety as set forth in the recent ruling in In re Kenneth Humphrey (January 25, 2018).

We appear most often in the Torrance, Long Beach, Compton, Inglewood, Airport, Metro, Downtown Los Angeles, Alhambra, Bellflower, Norwalk, Downey, Fullerton, West Covina and Westminster courts. We also appear in other courts throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties, as well as U.S. District Court (federal court). We can help you.

When the client is eligible, we will attempt to resolve misdemeanor cases under California Penal Code § 1001.1's diversion program. Section 1001.1 refers to the procedure of postponing prosecution of an offense filed as a misdemeanor either temporarily or permanently at any point in the judicial process from the point at which the accused is charged until adjudication.

There are additional diversion programs available for military veterans (Penal Code § 1001.80) and mental health issues (Penal Code § 1001.36).

There are also programs called Bad Check Diversion and Parental Diversion that may apply to help one avoid a conviction. Our Torrance criminal defense attorneys handle all misdemeanor, felony and civil restraining order cases, as well as juvenile matters and DMV Hearings.

We also file motions to modify probation or to end it early (for possible expungement later), petitions to seal an arrest record and court file (Penal Code §§ 851.91 and 851.92), for expungement (Penal Code § 1203.4) and petitions for factual innocence (Penal Code § 851.8). We also have experience with Certificates of Rehabilitation and motions for reclassification of a felony as a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 17(b), as well as under Prop 64 and Prop 47. Increasingly, we have filed more and more motions to vacate a conviction under Penal Code § 1473.7 based on a plea being entered without the defendant being properly advised of the immigration consequences of such a plea.Our results, experience, compassion, hard work and skill have helped us gain a reputation as the “go-to” guys with a sense of urgency if someone faces criminal charges. Dismissals, pre-filing diversion and reduction of charges are not uncommon for our clients.

Greg Hill, a former Marine, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate (Annapolis) and Loyola Law School graduate. He has been practicing criminal law for over 25 years as a criminal defense lawyer. He has handled both high-profile cases that were in the news and far less glamorous cases that predominate in our courts. He has been recognized by the National Advocacy of DUI Defense (NAFDD) as one of the top 100 DUI Defense Attorneys in California, one of the top 100 trial attorneys in the United States, as well as one of the 15 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in the United States for 2014 as featured in Newsweek.com. He also has earned “Superb” 10.0 rating by Avvo, the highest rating attainable and is ranked second in the world for points under Avvo’s system. He also is a member of the Benjamin Aranda Inns of Court.

Alex Griggs, criminal defense attorney of counsel to our firm, also has over 26 years of experience practicing criminal law, including federal and state court jury trials in murder cases, attempted murder, rape, gang-related cases and complicated white-collar crimes. Alex specializes in more difficult, high exposure cases.

Both Greg and Alex grew up and now live near Torrance, so we know the local area and how jurors from this area would evaluate your case. We are familiar with the areas where arrests seem to take place.

Greg and Alex will listen to you when you describe what happened and what you need done. It may be that you first opted for a public defender as your counsel, but you now are unhappy with his or her enthusiasm, aggressiveness and/or attention to detail. Perhaps you have immigration or licensing issues that seem to be ignored. You also may be simply frustrated at not being able to meet with the public defender to discuss your case, or even have a meaningful phone call.

We meet with you. We listen to you. We pay attention to details. We then apply our experience, knowledge of the law, savvy and reputation with local judges and district attorneys in the Los Angeles area to help you. We will employ private investigators and other experts when needed. We will have evidence retested for blood alcohol content, DNA or gunshot residue if needed. We will file motions to suppress evidence and Pitchess motions if needed.

We are frequently in court five days each week, so we know which judges and which prosecutors handle certain cases in each courthouse. We earn dismissals and not guilty verdicts.

Hiring Greg Hill & Associates as your criminal lawyer will let you sleep easily and go on with your life. We do the worrying for you. If you have been charged with a crime, whether in Long Beach, San Pedro, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes or anywhere in the Los Angeles area, you need an aggressive defense. We are here to help you. Call us today. (310) 782-2500.