Practice Areas

Murrieta – Temecula criminal defense attorney represents individuals charged with committing criminal offenses. Contact Murrieta – Temecula criminal defense Attorney Karen E. Lockhart at (951) 698-5191 for immediate help if you are accused of, or charged with committing any law violation. Consultations are available by telephone or in person. Weekends and evening appointments are also available. Consultations are always free and confidential

If you have been arrested, you need to understand the crimes you are being charged with, in addition to the potential defenses and consequences of a conviction. For example, if you are convicted of a felony you will face a lifetime firearm ban, lose your right to vote, and potentially lose your job. A misdemeanor conviction can also result in a ten year forearm ban. If you are a legal resident, but not a US citizen, a conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude will result in deportation. Some convictions can result in the loss of your driving privileges – for life. Just being accused of a misdemeanor or a felony can have serious consequences on your life. All crimes have defenses that can result in exoneration, or reduce the level or severity of the charge. Most people just don’t have a good understanding of our laws, and how the criminal justice system works.

If you are charged with committing a crime in Riverside County, your case is going to be assigned to a prosecutor who is an experienced attorney. That prosecutor has access to other experienced attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and law enforcement agencies and officers. That’s why it is so important to hire an experienced, competent, criminal defense attorney. Some of our areas of practice are:

*Juvenile

• Juvenile Dependency
• Juvenile Defense

Serious Crimes

• Murder – is the unlawful killing of another.
• Manslaughter – can be voluntary (intentional) or involuntary (unintentional).
• Attempted Murder – is the incomplete act of an direct act to kill someone.
• Arson – is the unlawful burning of property.
• Robbery – is the taking of property by force or fear.
• Carjacking – is the taking of a vehicle by force or fear. Kidnapping – is the unlawful movement of a person.
• Criminal Threats – is a threat that places a person in sustained fear for his/her safety or for the safety of his/her immediate family.
• Witness Intimidation is the act of maliciously attempting to prevent or discourage a witness.
• *Residential Burglary –
• Assault and Battery – assault as an “unlawful attempt to use force. Battery is the unlawful use of force.
• Domestic Violence – is abuse committed against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship.
• *Gang Crimes –

Domestic

• Domestic Battery – is abuse committed against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship.
• Restraining Orders
• Criminal Protective Orders
• Child Abuse

Drug Crimes

• Drug Possession – possession of a controlled substance.
• Drug Possession for Sale – possession of a controlled substance for sale.
• Drug Sales – sale of a controlled substance.
• Drug Manufacturing – manufacturing a controlled substance.
• Drug Trafficking – transportation of a controlled substance.

Theft Crimes

• Petty Theft – theft of $950 or less.
• Grand Theft – theft of more than $950.
• Burglary – entry of a building with the intent to steal.
• Embezzlement – Is the taking, or conversion of property of another.
• Fraud – Taking of property be deceit.
• Grand Theft Auto – is the taking of a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

*Firearms

• Firearms Possession – possession of a firearm with a prior felony, or qualifying misdemeanor conviction.
• Weapons Possession – unlawful possession of a billy-club, knife or other non-forearm weapon.
• Firearm Use – brandishing or discharge.

Drunk Driving

• Driving Under the Influence – operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even prescription.
• Misdemeanor DUI – operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol of .08% or greater.
• Felony DUI – Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, or drugs, or over a .08% blood alcohol level, and someone is injured or killed.
• DUI Hit and Run – leaving the scene of an accident while driving under the influence.
• Wet Reckless – alcohol related reckless driving.
• DMV Hearings & Suspended Licenses
• Under Age DUI – operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .01% or greater.

With more than 21 years of experience defending criminal cases, Murrieta – Temecula criminal defense attorney Karen E. Lockhart has a unique understanding of the criminal justice system. Ms. Lockhart is an aggressive, experienced, knowledgeable trial attorney, winning not guilty verdicts on client’s cases where the charges have been as simple as theft, and as serious as murder.

When your livelihood, reputation, and possibly your life hangs in the balance, experience counts. Call Murrieta – Temecula criminal defense attorney Karen E. Lockhart at 951-698-5191 for a confidential consultation. It doesn’t cost anything to talk.

Murrieta Criminal Defense and Temecula criminal defense attorney Karen E. Lockhart is located in Murrieta, at the Murrieta – Temecula border, and serves the areas of Murrieta, Temecula, Hemet, San Jacinto, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Menifee, Corona, Wildomar, Perris, and Riverside.