Criminal Defense in West Hollywood, CA | The Law Office of Zak Fisher

The Law Office of Zak Fisher is a West Hollywood-based criminal defense practice handling misdemeanors and other criminal charges for residents and visitors of West Hollywood and the surrounding Westside. Flat-fee pricing, free 20-minute consultation, direct attorney access.

The firm’s office is located at 8335 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 354 — on the Sunset Strip, walking distance from the heart of West Hollywood. Zak Fisher (Cal Bar #332712, J.D. UCLA School of Law 2020) handles every case personally and appears in the Los Angeles Superior Court locations that hear cases arising in West Hollywood.

Where West Hollywood criminal cases are heard

West Hollywood is its own incorporated city but contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) for law enforcement. The LASD West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, at 780 N. San Vicente Boulevard, handles arrests within city limits. Misdemeanor cases originating in West Hollywood are most commonly filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office or by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office (for cases that occur in the small slivers of West Hollywood that border the City of Los Angeles), and heard at the Beverly Hills Courthouse (9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210). DUI cases sometimes route through other courthouses depending on the arrest location and CHP involvement.

Common misdemeanor charges in West Hollywood

West Hollywood’s dense nightlife, restaurant, retail, and event scenes produce a predictable mix of misdemeanor filings:

• DUI (VC 23152) — Santa Monica Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Robertson Boulevard see frequent late-night DUI enforcement, including CHP and LASD patrols. WeHo also runs DUI checkpoints, particularly around holiday weekends and Pride.
• Simple battery and domestic battery (PC 242, 243(e)(1)) — common downstream of nightlife incidents and domestic disputes.
• Public intoxication (PC 647(f)) — frequently charged as a cite-and-release after incidents on Santa Monica Boulevard.
• Petty theft (PC 484, 488, 490.2) — retail theft from Sunset Plaza, Pacific Design Center, and Melrose retailers.
• Disturbing the peace (PC 415) — common reduction destination from battery or public intoxication.
• Drug possession (HS 11350, 11377) — often charged alongside DUI or following a search incident to arrest.
• Criminal threats (PC 422) — sometimes filed as a wobbler following a verbal altercation.
• Trespass (PC 602) — bar, club, and condominium-related trespass charges.
• Vandalism (PC 594) — graffiti and property damage cases.
• Solicitation (PC 647(b)) — including LASD undercover operations in the Sunset/Santa Monica corridor.

What to do if you’ve been arrested in West Hollywood

1. Do not discuss the facts of your case with anyone other than a lawyer. Anything said to LASD deputies, friends, or family can be used as evidence. Politely decline to make any statement until you have counsel.
2. Note your court date and courthouse. They will appear on your citation, bail receipt, or charging document. Most WeHo misdemeanors arraign at the Beverly Hills Courthouse.
3. Preserve evidence. Save text messages, photos, video, and witness contact information that could support your defense or contradict the police narrative.
4. Book a consultation with a criminal defense attorney. The earlier counsel is involved, the more options remain — including pre-filing diversion and DA-level intervention.

How the Law Office of Zak Fisher handles West Hollywood cases

Every case is built from the police report, body-worn camera footage, dispatch audio, and any other discovery the prosecution is required to produce under Penal Code section 1054 and Brady v. Maryland. Tactics regularly used in West Hollywood misdemeanor cases include:

• Motions to suppress evidence under Penal Code section 1538.5 when an LASD stop, detention, search, or arrest was not supported by reasonable suspicion or probable cause.
• Pitchess motions under Evidence Code sections 1043 to 1045 to obtain personnel records of the involved deputies — including prior complaints for dishonesty or excessive force.
• Motions to dismiss for speedy trial violations under Penal Code section 1382 (Serna motions) where the prosecution has delayed beyond the statutory window.
• Negotiation of pretrial diversion under Penal Code section 1001.95 for eligible misdemeanors — resulting in dismissal upon completion of conditions.
• Mental health diversion under Penal Code section 1001.36 and military diversion under Penal Code section 1001.80 where the client’s record qualifies.
• Negotiation of reduction to infractions or to lesser misdemeanors where the prosecution’s evidence supports it.
• Trial preparation and willingness to take cases to bench or jury trial at the Beverly Hills Courthouse when the offer does not reflect the strength of the defense.

Flat-fee pricing

Every engagement is quoted as a flat fee in writing before any retainer is paid. The fee is set by case type and stage (pre-filing, post-filing through pretrial, trial). There are no hourly bills and no surprise invoices. Specific ranges are discussed during the free consultation.

About Zak Fisher

Zakary R. Fisher is a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney based in West Hollywood. He earned his J.D. from UCLA School of Law in 2020 and was admitted to the State Bar of California in October 2020 (license #332712, active). He is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 (California) and authored the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Tenant’s Attorney Training Materials in 2021. Zak runs the Law Office of Zak Fisher as a solo practice and personally handles every case. Read the full attorney bio.

Frequently asked questions about West Hollywood misdemeanors

Where will my West Hollywood case be heard?

Most West Hollywood misdemeanor cases are heard at the Beverly Hills Courthouse, 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Some DUI cases handled by the California Highway Patrol or originating from arrests on freeway-adjacent streets may route through other courthouses. The citation, bail receipt, or charging document will specify the courthouse and department.

Who files West Hollywood misdemeanor cases?

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office files most misdemeanors arising in West Hollywood. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office files cases arising in adjacent City of Los Angeles territory (some boundary streets are jurisdictionally split). West Hollywood itself does not have its own city prosecutor.

Do I have to appear at every court date?

For most misdemeanors, California Penal Code section 977(a) allows a defendant to authorize counsel to appear without the defendant being physically present, except for certain critical hearings (entry of a plea, sentencing in some cases). The Law Office of Zak Fisher generally appears under section 977 so clients do not need to miss work or travel for routine status conferences at the Beverly Hills Courthouse.

What is the LASD West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station?

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, located at 780 N. San Vicente Boulevard, is the primary law enforcement agency in the City of West Hollywood. WeHo contracts with LASD rather than maintaining its own municipal police force. Most arrests within city limits are processed at this station before booking at a county facility if custody continues.

Are there DUI checkpoints in West Hollywood?

Yes. WeHo regularly hosts DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, particularly around major events (Pride, Halloween Carnaval, New Year’s Eve) and on weekend nights along Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard. Checkpoints in California must meet constitutional requirements set out in Ingersoll v. Palmer (1987). Defense counsel should review checkpoint compliance whenever a DUI stems from one.

Schedule a free consultation

The Law Office of Zak Fisher offers a free 20-minute consultation to anyone facing a pending criminal charge in West Hollywood or anywhere in Los Angeles County. There is no obligation to retain. Bring the charging document, citation, or police report if you have one.