Criminal defense
Robbery and firearm charges
Norwalk Superior Court
Not-guilty verdict
Criminal defense
Criminal Defense Lawyer in Long Beach
Two different prosecutors file criminal cases arising in Long Beach, and which one has yours changes who you are negotiating with and what is possible. Knowing the local machinery is most of what local experience means. The consultation is free.
Patrick S. AguirreCriminal defense attorney · Long BeachCallback request
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Who files
The City Prosecutor and the District Attorney
Long Beach is one of a small number of California cities with its own City Prosecutor, who handles misdemeanors committed within the city limits. Felonies, and misdemeanors arising outside the city, are filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney. The two offices have different filing practices, different diversion options, and different people to talk to.
That matters practically. A wobbler — an offense chargeable as either a felony or a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17 — can end up with either office depending on how it is filed, and part of pre-filing advocacy is arguing for the charge that keeps it with the City Prosecutor as a misdemeanor rather than going to the District Attorney as a felony.
Sources: Long Beach City Prosecutor; Los Angeles County District Attorney; Penal Code 17(a)–(b) — felony, misdemeanor, and the wobbler.
Where it is heard
The Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
Most Long Beach criminal cases are heard at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse at 275 Magnolia Avenue, the main courthouse for the Southeast District. Cases from the surrounding area may be heard in Bellflower, Compton, or Downey, and the office appears in all of them. Juvenile matters go to the juvenile courts rather than to the Deukmejian building.
The courthouse directory on this site lists the Southern California courthouses with addresses and official links, and the bail schedule and jails pages cover what happens between an arrest and the first appearance.
Sources: Los Angeles Superior Court, case access and locations.
The first days
What to do after a Long Beach arrest
Say nothing about the case and do not consent to any search. Jail calls in Los Angeles County custody are recorded and routinely used by the prosecution, so nothing about the facts should be discussed on one, including with family.
A person in custody must generally be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays. The first appearance sets release conditions and any protective order, and it is the point at which having counsel already matters most.
If police want to speak with someone who has not been arrested, that is an investigation, not a formality, and it is the stage at which a lawyer can sometimes affect whether anything is filed at all.
Sources: Penal Code 825(a)(1) — arraignment within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays; Penal Code 1269b — the county bail schedule.
What the office handles
The practice
The Law Offices of Patrick S. Aguirre handles state criminal matters across Los Angeles County: DUI, domestic violence, theft and shoplifting, burglary, drug offenses, assault and battery, weapons charges, fraud and white collar matters, juvenile cases, serious and violent felonies, and federal cases. The practice pages linked below set out each area with the governing statutes.
The office also handles what comes after a case: reductions under Penal Code 17(b), dismissals under Penal Code 1203.4, and sealing under Penal Code 851.91.
Patrick S. Aguirre has practised in Long Beach and across Los Angeles County for nearly three decades, with offices in Long Beach and Downey. The office speaks Spanish, the consultation is free, and no result is promised here or anywhere else on this site.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
Who is prosecuting my Long Beach case?
If it is a misdemeanor committed inside the city limits, the Long Beach City Prosecutor. If it is a felony, or a misdemeanor from outside the city, the Los Angeles County District Attorney. The two offices have different practices and different diversion options, so which one holds the case affects what can be negotiated.
Which courthouse will I go to?
Most Long Beach criminal cases are heard at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse at 275 Magnolia Avenue. Nearby matters may be heard in Bellflower, Compton, or Downey. Your citation, bail paperwork, or the Los Angeles Superior Court case access site will confirm the location and date.
How soon do I see a judge after being arrested?
Generally within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, under Penal Code 825. Bail may be posted before that under the county bail schedule, and in some circumstances a person is released before arraignment. Having a lawyer before that first appearance matters, because it sets release conditions and any protective order.
Are jail phone calls really recorded?
Yes, and they are routinely obtained and used by the prosecution. Do not discuss the facts of the case on a jail call with anyone, including family. Calls with your attorney are treated differently, but the safe assumption for every other call is that a prosecutor will hear it.
Selected case results
Criminal defense results
A selection from 55 documented results
Criminal defense
Serious felony charges
Riverside Superior Court
Not guilty on all charges after three years in custody
Criminal defense
Domestic violence charge
Westminster Superior Court
Charge dismissed at trial
Client experiences
What clients say
★★★★★
“12 counts 2 felony charges DISMISSED … he got him out of jail FAST.”
★★★★★
“I just walked out of court a free man after getting my case dismissed.”
“From the beginning to the end, Patrick and his professional office staff kept us informed on any updates, concluding the case with a dismissal!”
“Best defense attorney in town. … He cares about his clients and takes every case seriously. The staff is friendly and caring.”
Meet your attorney
Law Offices of Patrick S. Aguirre
A Professional Law Corporation
The future of your case may depend on a successful outcome. It can be stressful to go through the legal process alone—but thankfully, you don’t have to.
The Law Offices of Patrick S. Aguirre will stand up for clients’ interests and rights, providing high-quality representation in personal injury cases and criminal defense matters throughout California from its Long Beach office.
We work with you and for your best interests. Our legal team is compassionate, hard-working, and tenacious—fighting to get the job done right when it matters most. No case is too complicated or insignificant for our full attention. Our clients may move forward into a brighter future free from worry about past mistakes.
We’re the legal team that never gives up. When you need an attorney who will fight for what’s right, turn to us, and we’ll do everything in our power to help. No matter how challenging your situation may seem, there is hope.
“Courage is the most important attribute of a lawyer.”
Robert F. Kennedy
Free consultation
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Callback request
Talk with our office
Leave your contact information and, if helpful, a short general summary. The office will follow up.
Thank you.
The office received your contact request. If your matter is urgent, call 562-904-4337.