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         CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER 

     JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Who you choose for your criminal defense is probably the single most important decision you will make about your case. It goes without saying that your criminal defense lawyer is your voice, your face - and ultimately, your representative in the courtroom

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2029 Century Park East
Suite 1400  map
Los Angeles, CA 90067
800-898-9555
contact@criminal
defenselawyers.com

PRACTICE AREAS: Criminal Defense, State and Federal, both Trial and Appellate

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Counties Served
• Alameda
• Napa
• Orange
• San Francisco
• San Diego
• San Bernardino
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Cruz
• Sonoma
• Ventura

 

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You never thought this could happen to you...

Suddenly, it HAS and you face a serious charge or criminal investigation!

This is not about money, this is about your life and future!

 


Areas of Expertise
• White Collar Crimes
• Drug Offenses
• Sex Offenses
• Crimes of Violence

 

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California Law News

May 13, 2008

Mother and Son Indicted for Sex Trafficing of a Minor on CraigsList.org

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against LAVON CARTER, JR., 20, of Vallejo, and his mother LAVERNE VAUGHN, 36, also of Vallejo, charging them with various crimes involving the sex trafficking of a minor. Previously, a federal grand jury had returned an indictment charging CARTER with one count of sex trafficking of children, and three counts of interstate transportation of a minor with the intent that the minor engage in prostitution. The superseding indictment returned today, adds VAUGHN as a co-defendant in the count charging CARTER with the sex trafficking of children.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Vallejo Police Department.

more...

California Criminal Defense Attorney
Law Offices of Joseph Shemaria
Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer

"Never a Prosecutor"

An entire career dedicated to protect the constitutional rights of his clients, Mr. Shemaria has vigorously defended criminal defendants in Los Angeles in addition to California State and Federal courts. Many former prosecutors tout their previous experience to make the transition to criminal defense attorneys. Some are excellent; most cannot "rework" their approach -- they just want more lucrative salaries! Don’t you think a criminal defense lawyer who has always been on your side would be preferential? It comes down to commitment, beliefs and what the California Defense Lawyer stands for. Mr. Shemaria has always chosen to represent the "disadvantaged" and fight the Justice System! He believes in winning and what he does. Don't throw away your future on someone who may have moved to the defense side only for more income. When results matter trust the experience, dedication and proven results of Mr. Shemaria - a California Criminal Defense lawyer with offices located in Los Angeles, California.

Knowledge, Experience, and Proven results...

A strong, fearless and brilliant California Criminal Defense Lawyer since the seventies. Trained in the location of Los Angeles, California, at the greatest U.S. District Court . Tempered by the toughest federal judges, most of which Nixon appointed. Matchless credentials. 36 years of daily opposing with U.S. Assistant Attorneys. Acknowledged law scholar, legal trial and appellate expert. Proven by experience to be "par excellence" by judges, prosecutors and attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell's ratings and 35 published opinions.

Do not allow your serious case to be some "Criminal Attorney's " experiment or trial experience. You need the top of the line. This is one of the most critical choices you'll ever have. Think about Joe Shemaria - a California criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, California.

Preeminent Lawyer - Few achieve recognition in the "Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers"

Mr. Shemaria received The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers highest rating, as submitted by Federal Criminal attorneys, United States Federal Judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers from around the country. The Martindale-Hubbell organization is the most respected and well-known source of information about attorneys in the U.S., Canada and Worldwide.

Practice Areas

  • Los Angeles Criminal Attorney
  • Los Angeles Homicide Attorney
  • Los Angeles Sex Crimes Attorney
  • Los Angeles Drug Crime Attorney
  • Los Angeles Forgery Attorney
  • Los Angeles Child Abuse Crime Attorney
  • Los Angeles Felony Crimes Attorney
  • Los Angeles Theft  Attorney
  • Los Angeles Rico Attorney
  • Los Angeles White Collar  Crime Lawyer
  • Los Angeles Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer
  • Los Angeles Criminal Appeals  Lawyer
  • Los Angeles Federal Crimes Lawyer
  • Los Angeles Three Strike Crimes Lawyer
  • Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer
  • Los Angeles Expungement Lawyer

California Three strike Law: referring to de facto life imprisonment after three felonies had been committed. Some unusual scenarios have arisen, particularly in California — the state punishes shoplifting and similar crimes as felony petty theft if the person who committed the crime has a prior conviction for any form of theft, including robbery or burglary. As a result, some defendants have been given sentences of 25 years to life in prison for such crimes as shoplifting golf clubs (Gary Ewing), videotapes (Leandro Andrade), or a slice of pepperoni pizza (Jerry Dewayne Williams). In one particularly notorious case, Kevin Weber was sentenced to 26 years to life for the crime of stealing four chocolate chip cookies. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld these laws. California Defense Lawyer Joseph Shemaria can be your only protection from these Draconian rules.

 

Every good criminal defense lawyer must be a good, experienced trial attorney. Every lawyer, like every doctor and every pilot, has his "first" trial, surgery, or flight. Experience is the key to success. Would you want to be the doctor's first surgery patient when your future may be determined by the results? Not likely. 

Therefore, when your personal future is at stake, try to find the most experienced criminal defense lawyer. An experienced attorney will get the most respect from the prosecutor's office and your judge. Your attorney is in a superior position to advise you whether to go to trial or not. If the case is not likely to result in a jury saying "Not Guilty", the attorney can do the investigation, handle the necessary pre-trial motion work, and usually obtain far superior results for you by knowing exactly when to strike a "plea-bargain". 

My objective is to fight aggressively and thoroughly. I am always on the offensive. Even when I know we cannot avoid a conviction, the prosecutor never knows what I have planned for the defense at trial. Usually if I know the case must be "dealt-out", it happens at the last minute, when the prosecutor experiences the most stress and uncertainty about getting a conviction. For them, any "deal" is better than going to trial and risking a loss. 

Cities Served

Los Angeles
• San Jose
• San Francisco
• Oakland
• Long Beach
• Santa Ana
• Irvine-Anaheim
• Riverside
• San Bernardino
• San Diego

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