When you’ve dedicated your career to protecting and serving the community of Inglewood, facing criminal charges, internal affairs investigations, or administrative actions can feel like a devastating betrayal. As a law enforcement officer, you face unique challenges that civilian defendants never encounter. Your badge, your reputation, your pension, and your entire career are on the line. Tu Defensor Criminalista provides specialized legal representation for police officers, sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers, and other law enforcement professionals in Inglewood and throughout Los Angeles County who are facing criminal allegations, administrative hearings, and professional discipline.
Inglewood is home to dedicated law enforcement professionals who serve the community with integrity. The Inglewood Police Department employs approximately 227 sworn officers serving a population of 107,762 residents[1], creating a ratio of about 2.1 officers per 1,000 residents. These officers face significant challenges in a city where crime rates stand at 42 per one thousand residents, placing Inglewood among communities with the highest crime rates in America[2]. Law enforcement professionals working in this high-crime environment face increased scrutiny, heightened risk of complaints, and greater exposure to situations that can lead to criminal allegations or administrative discipline.
Police officers in Inglewood operate in an extraordinarily challenging environment. With violent crime rates giving residents a 1 in 149 chance of becoming a victim[3], officers regularly encounter dangerous situations requiring split-second decisions that are later scrutinized for months or years. The combination of high crime rates, intense public scrutiny of law enforcement, body-worn cameras, civilian oversight, and aggressive prosecution of officer-involved incidents creates a perfect storm where good officers can find their careers destroyed by a single allegation.
When a civilian faces criminal charges, they risk jail time, fines, and a criminal record. When a police officer faces the same charges, the consequences multiply exponentially. You face not only the criminal penalties but also:
Career Termination: Criminal charges almost always trigger immediate administrative leave, followed by internal affairs investigations that can result in termination even if criminal charges are eventually dropped or you’re acquitted at trial.
Loss of Peace Officer Status: A criminal conviction, particularly for any felony or crime involving moral turpitude, results in automatic decertification by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), permanently ending your law enforcement career.
Pension Forfeiture: Under California Government Code § 7522.72 and § 7522.74, conviction of certain felonies committed in the performance of official duties can result in complete forfeiture of your pension benefits, destroying your retirement security after years or decades of service.
Federal Civil Rights Prosecution: Actions that might be prosecuted as simple assault for a civilian can be charged as federal civil rights violations under 18 U.S.C. § 242 when committed by a police officer, exposing you to federal prosecution, federal prison, and enhanced penalties.
Beyond criminal prosecution, you face potential civil lawsuits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for alleged constitutional violations, which can result in personal financial liability if qualified immunity doesn’t apply.
Public Scrutiny and Media Attention: Officer-involved incidents generate intense media coverage, social media campaigns, and public pressure that can prejudice potential jurors and create a hostile environment for your defense.
Professional Reputation Destruction: Even if you’re ultimately exonerated, the allegation alone can permanently damage your reputation within law enforcement, making it difficult or impossible to continue your career.
Officers in Inglewood face a wide range of potential criminal allegations arising from both on-duty and off-duty conduct:
Excessive Force / Assault Under Color of Authority: The most common and serious allegations against officers involve the use of force. What constitutes “reasonable force” under Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989) is often disputed, especially in high-stress encounters. Prosecutors and civilian review boards apply 20/20 hindsight to split-second decisions made in dangerous, rapidly evolving situations.
Unlawful Search and Seizure: Allegations that officers conducted illegal searches, violated Fourth Amendment rights, or conducted unconstitutional stops can lead to criminal charges for false imprisonment, kidnapping, or civil rights violations.
Perjury and Filing False Reports: Allegations that an officer lied under oath, filed false police reports, or provided untruthful testimony can result in perjury charges under California Penal Code § 118, filing false reports under Penal Code § 118.1, and federal prosecution.
Theft and Embezzlement: Officers accused of stealing from arrestees, pocketing seized money or property, or theft during search warrants face serious criminal charges and automatic termination.
Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)), any domestic violence conviction, even a misdemeanor, results in lifetime prohibition on firearm possession, making it impossible to continue as a law enforcement officer. Inglewood officers facing domestic violence allegations face particularly aggressive prosecution.
DUI: While civilians face standard DUI penalties, law enforcement officers face additional consequences including mandatory administrative leave, internal affairs investigations, potential termination, and loss of peace officer status if convicted, especially for felony DUI.
Drug Offenses: Possession, use, or sales of controlled substances by officers result in immediate termination and criminal prosecution. Even off-duty drug use discovered through random testing can trigger criminal investigation.
Sexual Misconduct: Allegations of sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact, or sexual relationships with arrestees, confidential informants, or others encountered through law enforcement duties result in serious felony charges.
Official Misconduct: Officers can face charges under California Penal Code § 118.1 (peace officer filing false report), Penal Code § 132 (offering false evidence), and various other statutes criminalizing abuse of authority.
Criminal charges aren’t the only threat to your career. Internal affairs investigations can proceed independently of criminal prosecution and use a much lower standard of proof. You can be terminated based on a “preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not) even when prosecutors decline to file criminal charges or you’re acquitted at trial.
Internal affairs investigations examine:
The Inglewood Police Department, like all California law enforcement agencies, must comply with the California Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR)[4], which provides specific protections during administrative investigations. However, these protections are technical and easily waived without experienced legal representation. Many officers make fatal mistakes during internal affairs interviews that doom their careers, not realizing they have the right to representation and the right to refuse to answer certain questions.
Defending police officers requires specialized knowledge, strategies, and resources that typical criminal defense attorneys don’t possess. We understand law enforcement training, policies, use of force principles, and the unique pressures facing officers in the field.
The legal standard for evaluating police use of force comes from Graham v. Connor, which established that force must be “objectively reasonable” based on the totality of circumstances facing the officer at the moment force was used, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. Courts must consider:
We work with use-of-force experts, former law enforcement trainers, and professionals who can explain to prosecutors, judges, and juries why your actions were objectively reasonable under the circumstances you faced. We reconstruct the incident from your perspective, demonstrating the threat assessment, decision-making process, and training that guided your actions.
The current climate of anti-police sentiment creates tremendous challenges for officer defendants. Potential jurors arrive in the courtroom with preconceived notions shaped by media coverage of officer-involved incidents nationwide. We employ sophisticated jury selection techniques to identify and excuse biased jurors, and we work to educate fair-minded jurors about the realities of police work, the dangers officers face, and the impossibility of making perfect decisions in imperfect, dangerous situations.
Your statements during internal affairs investigations can be used against you in criminal proceedings if not properly handled. We guide you through the complex intersection of your POBR rights, your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and your Garrity rights.
Under Garrity v. New Jersey, 385 U.S. 493 (1967), statements compelled from officers under threat of termination cannot be used against them in criminal proceedings. However, you must properly invoke Garrity protections, and you must have an attorney who understands how to ensure your statements are truly “compelled” and cannot be used criminally.
We attend internal affairs interviews with you, ensure proper Garrity warnings are given, object to improper questioning, and create a clear record protecting your criminal defense rights while satisfying your obligation to cooperate with administrative investigations.
Criminal charges and administrative proceedings often proceed on parallel tracks with different timelines, different standards of proof, and different rules. We coordinate your criminal defense with your administrative defense (either directly or in cooperation with your association attorney) to ensure that strategies in one forum don’t undermine your defense in the other.
Sometimes the best strategy involves resolving the criminal case first to strengthen your position in administrative proceedings. Other times, favorable administrative findings can help in criminal proceedings. We analyze the strategic options and coordinate a unified defense approach.
Police officers are sometimes targeted for prosecution based on political pressure rather than legitimate evidence of criminal wrongdoing. We scrutinize the investigation to identify:
We’re not afraid to challenge aggressive prosecutions and demand that your case be evaluated fairly based on the evidence and the law, not based on public pressure or political considerations.
Defending law enforcement officers often requires expert testimony to educate judges and juries about use of force, police training, threat assessment, and the realities of police work. We work with:
While we’re always prepared to fight your case at trial, we also explore alternative resolutions when appropriate. Depending on the circumstances, we may negotiate for:
Every case is different, and we tailor our approach to your specific circumstances, priorities, and goals.
Officer-involved shootings receive the most intense scrutiny of any law enforcement action. In Los Angeles County, the District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division reviews every officer-involved shooting to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. These investigations can take months or years, leaving you in legal limbo while your career hangs in the balance.
We represent officers from the moment the shooting occurs, ensuring your rights are protected during the investigation, that you have proper legal representation during any interviews or statements, and that the investigation is conducted fairly. If charges are filed, we aggressively defend your actions, demonstrating that the shooting was legally justified based on the threat you faced.
Beyond shootings, officers face allegations related to physical force, impact weapons, electronic control devices (Tasers), K-9 deployments, and other force applications. We analyze the force used under the Graham v. Connor objective reasonableness standard, demonstrate that your actions were consistent with training and policy, and challenge any claims that you used excessive force.
Officers accused of conducting illegal searches, unconstitutional stops, or violating suspects’ Fourth Amendment rights can face criminal charges, civil liability, and administrative discipline. We defend these cases by demonstrating that you had reasonable suspicion for the stop, probable cause for the search, or that exigent circumstances or other exceptions to the warrant requirement applied.
Domestic violence allegations against law enforcement officers trigger unique consequences. Even a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction results in lifetime prohibition on firearm possession under federal law, making it impossible to continue as a peace officer. We aggressively defend officers against domestic violence allegations, challenging false accusations, demonstrating self-defense or defense of others, and fighting to protect both your freedom and your career.
For Inglewood officers facing domestic violence allegations, we also handle related issues including restraining orders (which can trigger the same firearm prohibitions even without a criminal conviction), custody disputes, and administrative proceedings.
When civilians are arrested for DUI, they face standard penalties. When police officers are arrested for DUI, they face career-ending consequences. We provide aggressive DUI defense for law enforcement officers, challenging the stop, the field sobriety tests, the chemical test results, and fighting to avoid the conviction that will end your career.
In appropriate cases, we negotiate for reduced charges such as wet reckless or dry reckless that may allow you to preserve your peace officer status. We also handle the DMV administrative hearing to fight the license suspension and coordinate your criminal defense with any internal affairs investigation.
Allegations that an officer lied under oath or filed a false report are among the most serious because they attack your credibility and integrity. A finding that you were untruthful can result in placement on a Brady list, making it impossible to testify in court and effectively ending your law enforcement career even without a criminal conviction.
We aggressively defend officers against perjury and false report allegations, demonstrating that any inconsistencies in your statements resulted from honest mistakes or differences in recollection rather than intentional dishonesty, and challenging the allegation that you knowingly made false statements.
Officers accused of stealing money or property face serious criminal charges and automatic termination. These cases often involve allegations of:
We investigate these allegations thoroughly, often discovering that money or property was properly accounted for, that errors in documentation created false appearances of theft, or that the officer was falsely accused. We also examine whether the department followed proper chain of custody procedures and whether the alleged theft actually occurred.
Sexual misconduct allegations against officers are prosecuted aggressively and generate intense media coverage. We defend officers against allegations of:
These cases often involve credibility contests between the officer and the accuser. We thoroughly investigate the accuser’s background, motives, and credibility, and we present evidence demonstrating consent (when applicable), false accusations, or that the alleged conduct never occurred.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 242, federal prosecutors can charge officers who willfully deprive persons of constitutional rights under color of law. Federal civil rights prosecutions carry severe penalties including lengthy federal prison sentences. These cases are often brought after state criminal charges are declined or after an acquittal in state court, based on the “separate sovereigns” doctrine that allows federal prosecution without violating double jeopardy protections.
We defend officers against federal civil rights charges by demonstrating that your actions did not violate constitutional rights, that any violations were not “willful” as required by the statute, and by challenging the federal government’s evidence and legal theories.
The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) has authority to revoke peace officer certifications based on criminal convictions or serious misconduct. POST maintains records on all peace officers in California[5] and can decertify officers who are convicted of felonies or certain misdemeanors involving moral turpitude.
We work to preserve your POST certification by:
Before a civil service law enforcement officer can be terminated for cause, you’re entitled to a Skelly hearing to challenge the proposed discipline. Named after Skelly v. State Personnel Board, 15 Cal.3d 194 (1975), these hearings provide an opportunity to present your side of the story before discipline is finalized.
We represent officers in Skelly hearings, preparing persuasive presentations that challenge the evidence, demonstrate mitigating circumstances, and argue for reduced discipline or complete exoneration. When termination proceeds despite our advocacy at the Skelly hearing, we represent officers in administrative appeals to civil service commissions or through arbitration.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission[6] and similar civilian oversight bodies increasingly influence law enforcement discipline and policy. Inglewood officers may also face scrutiny from the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General[7], which monitors law enforcement and recommends discipline.
Citizen complaints trigger internal affairs investigations and can lead to sustained findings even when criminal charges aren’t filed. We help officers respond to citizen complaints, participate in internal investigations, and challenge unfounded or exaggerated allegations.
Officers who are found to have been untruthful or to have committed acts involving moral turpitude may be placed on “Brady lists” (also called Giglio lists), requiring prosecutors to disclose the officer’s credibility issues to defense attorneys in any case where the officer is a witness. Placement on a Brady list effectively ends a law enforcement career because you can no longer provide credible testimony in court.
We fight to keep officers off Brady lists by:
Law enforcement officers accused of misconduct often face simultaneous criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and administrative discipline. Each proceeding has different rules, standards of proof, and potential outcomes. Statements made in one proceeding can be used against you in others. Evidence developed in one forum can undermine your defense in another.
We coordinate a comprehensive defense strategy across all forums, ensuring that your rights are protected and that your defense in one proceeding doesn’t inadvertently harm you in another. When necessary, we work with civil defense counsel (often provided by your agency or insurance carrier) to ensure unified defense strategies.
After years or decades of service, your pension represents your retirement security. California law allows pension forfeiture for officers convicted of certain felonies committed in connection with their employment. Under California Government Code § 7522.72[8], pension forfeiture applies to convictions for:
We structure defense strategies to avoid convictions that trigger pension forfeiture, negotiating for reduced charges, fighting for acquittal at trial, and exploring all options to preserve your retirement benefits.
Many criminal defense attorneys have adversarial relationships with law enforcement and don’t understand the realities of police work. We recognize that law enforcement officers make split-second decisions in dangerous, rapidly evolving situations that are later judged by people who have never faced those dangers. We understand use of force training, threat assessment, and the principles that guide officer decision-making.
Defending law enforcement officers requires significant resources including expert witnesses, investigators, forensic analysts, and the ability to conduct thorough investigations. We have the financial resources and professional relationships to build the strongest possible defense.
Your career, your freedom, and your future are at stake. We provide aggressive, experienced representation that fights for your rights at every stage. We’re not afraid to challenge prosecutors, confront hostile witnesses, and take cases to trial when necessary.
Law enforcement officers are sometimes prosecuted based on political pressure rather than evidence. We understand these dynamics and we’re not intimidated by high-profile cases, media attention, or public pressure. We focus on the evidence and the law, not on politics.
We understand that the criminal case is only part of the battle. We coordinate your criminal defense with your administrative proceedings to protect your career as well as your freedom.
Inglewood’s diverse population includes 51.7% of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino[9], and many Inglewood law enforcement officers serve bilingual communities. We provide full legal services in both English and Spanish (Hablamos Español), ensuring clear communication throughout your case.
Officer-involved incidents don’t happen on a schedule, and you need immediate legal representation. We provide 24/7 availability for law enforcement officers facing critical incidents, ensuring that you have experienced legal counsel from the moment an incident occurs.
This is a complex question with serious implications for both your criminal exposure and your employment. You generally have a duty to cooperate with administrative investigations under threat of termination, but you also have Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination in criminal investigations. The interplay between these rights is governed by Garrity v. New Jersey and related case law. You should immediately contact an experienced attorney who can advise you on how to protect your rights while satisfying your administrative obligations. Never give statements without first consulting with legal counsel. We provide 24/7 availability for officers facing critical incidents and can respond immediately to protect your rights.
California law enforcement officers have specific rights under the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR), codified in California Government Code §§ 3300-3313. These rights include the right to representation during interrogations, the right to be informed of the nature of the investigation, the right to review investigative materials, time limits on interrogations, the right to a recorded statement, and protection against punitive action based solely on political affiliation or exercise of constitutional rights. However, these rights are technical and can be waived if not properly invoked. You should have legal representation during any internal affairs investigation to ensure your rights are protected.
Yes. Under the “separate sovereigns” doctrine, federal prosecution for civil rights violations under 18 U.S.C. § 242 does not violate double jeopardy protections even after a state acquittal or declination. Federal prosecutors can and do bring civil rights charges against officers who have been acquitted in state court or where state prosecutors declined to file charges. Federal civil rights prosecutions require proof that you “willfully” deprived someone of constitutional rights, which is a higher standard than state assault or excessive force charges, but federal convictions carry severe penalties including lengthy federal prison sentences.
Yes. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)) prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing firearms. This prohibition applies even to law enforcement officers and cannot be waived. Because law enforcement officers must be able to carry firearms, a domestic violence conviction makes it impossible to continue working as a peace officer. This is why domestic violence allegations against officers must be defended aggressively. Even a misdemeanor conviction that a civilian could easily overcome through probation ends a law enforcement career.
It depends on the specific offense. California Government Code § 7522.72 and related statutes mandate pension forfeiture for public employees, including law enforcement officers, who are convicted of certain enumerated felonies committed in connection with their employment. These include bribery, embezzlement of public money, extortion or theft by an executive officer, perjury, and certain other specified felonies. Pension forfeiture is mandatory for covered offenses and results in complete loss of retirement benefits. This is one of the most devastating consequences of conviction and is a critical consideration in evaluating plea offers and defense strategies. Not all felony convictions trigger pension forfeiture, and we structure defense strategies to avoid convictions that would result in loss of pension benefits.
A Brady list (also called a Giglio list) is an internal prosecution list of law enforcement officers who have credibility issues that must be disclosed to criminal defendants under Brady v. Maryland and Giglio v. United States. Officers are placed on Brady lists based on sustained findings of dishonesty, moral turpitude offenses, or other credibility issues. Placement on a Brady list effectively ends a law enforcement career because prosecutors must disclose the officer’s impeachment material to defense attorneys, making the officer unable to provide credible testimony in court. Once on a Brady list, officers typically cannot perform core law enforcement functions and are often terminated or forced to resign. We fight aggressively to prevent Brady listings by defeating allegations of dishonesty and challenging the factual and legal basis for any proposed listing.
Yes. Employment discipline uses a much lower standard of proof than criminal prosecution. While criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, administrative discipline requires only a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). You can be terminated based on administrative findings even when prosecutors decline to file criminal charges or after you’re acquitted at criminal trial. This is why it’s critical to coordinate your criminal defense with your administrative defense and to have experienced representation in both forums.
Under the Skelly v. State Personnel Board decision and related civil service protections, you’re entitled to a pre-disciplinary hearing (Skelly hearing) before discipline is finalized. The notice of proposed discipline will specify the deadline for requesting a Skelly hearing, typically 5 business days from receipt of the notice. Missing this deadline can waive your right to a hearing. You should immediately contact legal counsel upon receiving notice of proposed discipline to ensure your rights are protected and to prepare for the Skelly hearing.
This depends on whether the investigation is criminal or administrative. In criminal investigations, you have an absolute Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, and you should generally exercise this right after consulting with your attorney. In administrative investigations, you generally have a duty to cooperate under threat of termination for insubordination. However, statements compelled from you under threat of termination cannot be used against you in criminal proceedings under Garrity v. New Jersey, provided proper procedures are followed. The interplay between these rights is complex, and you should have experienced legal counsel advising you before giving any statements. We attend internal affairs interviews with clients to ensure their rights are protected and that Garrity protections are properly invoked.
First, ensure scene safety and request medical assistance for anyone injured. Then, immediately request legal representation before making any statements beyond basic public safety information necessary to neutralize ongoing threats. You should be separated from other involved officers to prevent allegations of witness coordination. Do not discuss the incident with other officers before speaking with your attorney. Provide basic identifying information and scene safety information, but decline to provide detailed statements about the incident until you’ve consulted with legal counsel. Contact an experienced attorney immediately – we provide 24/7 emergency response for officers involved in critical incidents. Your attorney can help you navigate the complex requirements of criminal investigation, administrative investigation, and critical incident protocols while protecting your legal rights.
Law enforcement officers in Inglewood and throughout California face unprecedented scrutiny and pressure in the current climate. High-profile officer-involved incidents nationally have created intense public focus on police conduct, body-worn camera footage provides frame-by-frame examination of split-second decisions, civilian oversight has expanded, and prosecutorial attitudes toward officer-involved cases have hardened.
In Los Angeles County, the District Attorney’s Office has established dedicated units to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officers[10], including the Justice System Integrity Division which handles officer-involved shootings and uses of force. These specialized units bring resources and expertise to officer prosecutions that didn’t exist in previous eras.
Meanwhile, California has enacted numerous laws restricting law enforcement authority and expanding oversight[11], including restrictions on use of force, expansion of discovery obligations that can expose officer personnel records, limitations on qualified immunity in civil cases, and requirements for decertification of officers who commit serious misconduct.
This environment makes it more critical than ever for law enforcement officers to have experienced legal representation from the moment an incident occurs.
While law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold constitutional rights, your own constitutional rights don’t disappear when you pin on a badge. You have the same constitutional protections as any other citizen, including:
These rights apply to both criminal investigations and administrative proceedings, though the application can be complex. We ensure your constitutional rights are protected throughout your case.
If you’re a law enforcement officer in Inglewood facing criminal charges, internal affairs investigation, administrative discipline, or any other legal challenge, don’t face it alone. Your career, your freedom, your pension, and your future are too important to leave to chance. Tu Defensor Criminalista provides specialized legal representation for law enforcement officers with the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for your rights.
We understand the unique challenges facing law enforcement officers, and we provide the aggressive, experienced representation you need. We’re available 24/7 for critical incidents and emergencies. Call us immediately at (888) 315-3326 if you’re involved in an officer-involved shooting, use of force incident, or any situation requiring immediate legal counsel.
For non-emergency matters, contact us to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your rights and options, and develop a comprehensive defense strategy to protect your career and your freedom.
Don’t wait until charges are filed or discipline is proposed to seek legal representation. The decisions you make in the hours and days after an incident can determine the outcome of your case and your career. Evidence that could exonerate you can be lost if not preserved immediately. Statements made without legal counsel can be used against you. Administrative deadlines can be missed, waiving critical rights.
Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista immediately for experienced legal representation that understands law enforcement and fights to protect your rights. We’ve dedicated our practice to defending those who have dedicated their lives to serving others. When you need a defender, we’re here to defend you.
Call (888) 315-3326 now. Se habla español. Available 24/7 for law enforcement officers facing critical incidents or legal challenges.
Attorney Armando Josué Cespedes is rated 5.0 on Avvo, with 34 five-star reviews from clients praising his dedication, professionalism, and results. Many note how his trial skills and attention to detail led to reduced charges or outright dismissals.
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