Call Or Text Our Office 424-552-3901
Your First Call When
Charged With A Crime
Your First Call When
Charged With A Crime

- Home »
- Other Practice Areas » Prefiling Investigations
Prefiling Investigations
If you’ve been arrested for a crime but have not yet been charged with a crime, you may be anxious and worried about what happens next. The anxiety of impending charges can be terrifying and overwhelming. Your fear is justified.
Many individuals who are arrested for suspicion of a crime are initially let go because the prosecution felt it did not (yet) have sufficient evidence to pursue charges, only to be re-arrested several days, weeks, months or even years later. You may feel helpless that there is nothing you can do but sit and wait for the inevitable. There’s hope.
We are expert and experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers and have over 60 years of experience providing pre-filing investigations. Robert Ernenwein is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers by Los Angeles magazine and has appeared as a legal analyst on multiple cable news programs, including Fox News. These credentials and experience help us do all we can to seek a positive outcome for you.
That’s why it is important to hire an attorney to monitor the filing of your case and intervene early to try and prevent the filing of charges.
I’ve been arrested of a crime, but I haven’t been charged yet. What happens next?
Many people believe that nothing will happen after their release and that they can go about their lives, but they are wrong. The fact that you have been arrested but let go is no guarantee that you will not be re-arrested and prosecuted. In fact, during the time that you are out of custody, detectives will probably continue their investigation. Based on any new evidence that detectives may discover during this time period, prosecutors may be putting the necessary pieces together to file charges. The prosecutor will then seek a warrant for your arrest and the next time you are pulled over or otherwise discovered by the police, you can be taken back in.
What can a lawyer do for me before my case is filed in court?
Our team can talk to the investigating officer, try to find out the basis of their investigation and convince them to not drop their investigation. We can also talk to the prosecutor and try to persuade him or her from dropping charges or to resolve the matter informally. We try to mitigate. If you are being investigated for felonious conduct, perhaps we can convince the prosecutor to file it as a misdemeanor. If you are being investigated for a theft-related offense, perhaps we can convince the prosecutor that restitution, some impulse control classes and a dismissal may be the best way to go.
Because a formal complaint has not yet been filed, you may have a golden opportunity to hire a skilled, experienced and knowledgeable attorney to engage the investigating and prosecuting agencies to drop or reduce your charges.
Make no mistake. The time to act is now. Call us at 424-552-3901 or email us immediately for your free consultation.
Practice Areas
- Violent Crimes
- Criminal Threats
- Elder Abuse
- Robbery
- Murder
- Second-Degree Murder In California: Different Than Zimmerman?
- Torrance Criminal Lawyers – Involuntary Manslaughter Defenses
- Murder Defenses In California
- Murder | Degrees
- Arson
- What Can Be Learned About Your Defense
- Tips For Finding The Right Arson Lawyer
- Arson FAQs
- How To Fight Felony Arson Charges
- Child Endangerment
- Child Abuse & Child Endangerment | Resources
- Assault And Battery
- Assault & Battery Explanation
- California Assault And Battery Crimes
- Charged With Assault or Battery in Torrance, CA? What You Should Do if You Are Accused
- Weapons Charges
- Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer: Carrying A Concealed Weapon
- Other California Weapons Charges
- Concealed Weapons
- Theft Related Offenses
- Auto Theft Defenses
- Petty Theft And Shoplifting
- Grand Theft vs Petty Theft
- Identity Theft
- California Identity Theft Law: Penalties And Defenses Available
- Facing Identity Theft Charges?
- White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney
- Identity Theft | Credit Card Theft
- Embezzlement Charges
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Charged With Embezzlement?
- Embezzlement | Burden of Proof
- Sex Crimes
- Drug Offenses
- How To Avoid A Drug Crime Conviction
- Alternative Sentences For Drug Crimes
- Possession Of Drugs For Personal Use
- Possession Of Marijuana Laws
- Possession Of Marijuana For Sale
- Drug Possession For Sale
- Possession Of Methamphetamine For Sale
- Possession Of Heroin For Sale
- Marijuana Possession
- Marijuana Possession For Sale
- Possession Of Cocaine For Sale
- Mental Health Diversion
- Immigration Relief
- Military Diversion
- Veteran’s Court
- Expungements
- Sealing & Destruction Arrest Records
- DUI Defense
- Attacking The Evidence In A DUI Case
- DUI DMV Hearing
- DUI Reductions Overview
- DUI FAQs
- DUI Court Case
- DUI Reduction: Dry Reckless
- DUI Reduction: Wet Reckless
- DUI Reduction: Exhibition Of Speed
- DUI Under 21
- The No Driving Defense
- 10 Common DUI Questions
- Real DUI Success Stories
- Social Media Could Hurt Your Los Angeles DUI Case
- The ‘Rising Blood Alcohol’ Defense
- What Happens When One or More Minor Children are Present in the Car When Arrested for DUI?
- You May Not Have Been Drunk When You Were Arrested For DUI In L.A.
- DUI-Related Reductions
- DUI-Related Enhancements
- Juvenile Defense
- Domestic Violence
- General Felonies And Misdemeanors
- Conspiracy
- Hit-And-Run
- Disturbing The Peace
- Accessory After The Fact
- Driving With A Suspended License
- Caught Driving With A Suspended License?
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Texting And Driving – Distracted Driving Can Lead To Vehicular Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter | Resources
- Public Intoxication
- Can I Get My Public Intoxication Charge Dismissed?
- Vandalism
- Tagging, Graffiti Can Lead To Stiff Penalties In Los Angeles
- Torrance Vandalism Lawyers Explain The Law & Your Defense
- California Vandalism Graffiti Law Penal Code 594
- Other Practice Areas
- The Criminal Court Process