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Fighting Criminal Charges in Los Angeles With No Prior Record? Here's What You Need to Know

Criminal Defense Attorney Ty Anis May 9, 2025

As a State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist and former Los Angeles prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming it can be to face criminal charges—especially if you have no prior record. The good news? A clean history can work in your favor. But without a strategic defense, you risk losing that advantage.

Why Your Clean Record Matters

Prosecutors and judges in Los Angeles County often take a defendant’s lack of criminal history into account when making decisions about charging, plea deals, and sentencing. With no prior convictions, options such as:

  • Diversion programs (PC 1001.95)

  • Plea bargains for reduced charges

  • Case dismissal

are often more attainable. However, the system won’t automatically go easy on you—an aggressive and informed defense is essential to leverage this opportunity.

Key Defense Strategies for First-Time Offenders

1. Pre-Filing Intervention
Before charges are even filed, an experienced defense attorney can engage with prosecutors to present mitigating evidence or negotiate alternatives—sometimes stopping a case before it starts.

2. Diversion Programs
Many first-time offenders qualify for pretrial diversion, which can lead to full dismissal after completing requirements like counseling, community service, or restitution.

3. Motions to Dismiss or Suppress Evidence
If law enforcement violated your rights—through illegal search, seizure, or arrest—key evidence may be excluded, and in some cases, the entire case can be dismissed.

4. Negotiating a Favorable Plea Deal
If the evidence is strong, your attorney may still secure a resolution that avoids jail time, reduces charges, or preserves your eligibility for expungement or alternative sentencing.

Don’t Risk Your Future—Act Quickly

Even a misdemeanor conviction can seriously impact your:

✓ Employment opportunities

✓ Housing applications

✓ Professional licensing

As a former prosecutor, I understand how the system works from the inside. Now, as a defense attorney, I use that insight to fight for clients and help keep their records clean—and their futures intact.