Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

My father needs advice (maybe a lawyer) with regards to a minor criminal offenses in Los Angeles. He was given a ticket for parking in a handicap spot and using my mother�s handicap placard. He parked there to pick her up from the store she was in and the car belongs to the both of them, but the motorcycle policeman ticketed him anyway. My dad found out it�s a criminal offense and feels he needs legal representation; he's never been in a situation like this before and has a heart condition. Does he need a lawyer for this or not?

Asked on 6/14/10, 11:52 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Joshua Hale Hale Law Group

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If he wants to fight the ticket, as he was attempting to use the placard for a valid reason, he would need an attorney.

The cost of an attorney to handle this is likely greater than the cost of the ticket, and there is no guarantee even a good attorney will win.

If you would like to discuss this further to determine how my office will handle this case, please contact us directly at your leisure.

Answered on 6/14/10, 2:58 pm

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Anthony Roach Law Office of Anthony A. Roach

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I would suggest that he speak to an attorney. Based on the facts that you have provided, it sounds like he has a good defense. If the handicap placard (the one hanging from the windshield) is registered in the name of the wife, and the wife was in the store, it seems like a court would rule in his favor. There are expensive attorneys who will bill him to death, but there are also attorneys who handle traffic and citation matters for affordable rates. If he absolutely cannot afford an attorney, and it is indeed procecuted as a criminal matter, he can ask for appointment of the public defender.

Answered on 6/14/10, 3:34 pm

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