Criminal Defense in Santa Monica, CA | The Law Office of Zak Fisher

The Law Office of Zak Fisher represents people charged with misdemeanors and other criminal offenses in Santa Monica, with flat-fee pricing and a free 20-minute consultation. Santa Monica misdemeanor cases are most commonly heard at the Airport Courthouse, and the firm appears there regularly.

Santa Monica has its own police department (Santa Monica Police Department, headquartered at 333 Olympic Drive) and its own city attorney’s office that files many misdemeanor cases independently of the LA County District Attorney. That makes Santa Monica filing decisions and plea practice meaningfully different from cases out of LASD-policed cities — and a defense attorney who knows the local practice is valuable. Zak Fisher (Cal Bar #332712, J.D. UCLA School of Law 2020) handles every case personally.

Where Santa Monica criminal cases are heard

Santa Monica misdemeanor cases are most commonly heard at the Airport Courthouse, 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045. This courthouse handles misdemeanor and certain felony matters from the Westside, including Santa Monica, Venice, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey, Westchester, Playa del Rey, and surrounding neighborhoods. Cases filed by the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office are also heard at this courthouse.

Common misdemeanor charges in Santa Monica

• DUI (VC 23152) — SMPD and CHP run heavy DUI enforcement on PCH, Lincoln Boulevard, Ocean Avenue, and the I-10 freeway approach. The Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office files many local DUI cases, with its own approach to plea offers and diversion.
• Petty theft (PC 484, 488, 490.2) — retail theft from the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, and Montana Avenue boutiques. Frequently filed as shoplifting under PC 459.5.
• Simple battery and domestic battery (PC 242, 243(e)(1)) — frequent on the Promenade and in the Pier/beach areas.
• Public intoxication (PC 647(f)) — Promenade and beach-area enforcement, often as cite-and-release.
• Trespass (PC 602) — including beach-area, parking-structure, and condominium exclusion cases.
• Disturbing the peace (PC 415) — common reduction outcome.
• Drug possession (HS 11350, 11377) — common alongside DUI or traffic stop searches.
• Reckless driving (VC 23103) — including the wet reckless reduction.
• Vandalism (PC 594) — graffiti and beach-area property damage.
• Solicitation (PC 647(b)) — SMPD operates undercover stings in some corridors.

What to do if you’ve been arrested in Santa Monica

1. Stay silent. SMPD officers are trained to elicit statements during transport and booking. Politely invoke your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney.
2. Note your arraignment date and the Airport Courthouse department. Your citation or release paperwork will specify the date and department.
3. Identify the filing prosecutor. Some Santa Monica misdemeanors are filed by the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office and some by the LA County District Attorney’s Office; plea practice differs between them.
4. Preserve evidence. Save text messages, photos, video, receipts, and witness contacts.
5. Consult counsel before arraignment. Pre-arraignment intervention with the filing prosecutor is sometimes possible.

Santa Monica-specific defense considerations

• Identifying whether the case is filed by the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office or the LA County District Attorney’s Office.
• Reviewing SMPD body-worn camera footage and dispatch audio.
• Motions to suppress evidence under Penal Code section 1538.5 where the basis for a stop, detention, or search was inadequate.
• Pitchess motions under Evidence Code sections 1043 to 1045 for SMPD officer personnel records.
• Negotiation of pretrial diversion under Penal Code section 1001.95 — Santa Monica’s prosecutors have generally engaged with the 1001.95 framework for first-time misdemeanors.
• Mental health diversion under 1001.36 and military diversion under 1001.80 where applicable.
• Reduction to infractions or to disturbing the peace where appropriate.
• Trial preparation and willingness to take cases to trial at the Airport Courthouse.

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. There are no hourly bills and no surprise invoices.

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). 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 Santa Monica misdemeanors

Where is the Airport Courthouse?

The Airport Courthouse is located at 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045. It handles Westside misdemeanor matters from Santa Monica, Venice, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey, Westchester, and Playa del Rey.

Does Santa Monica have its own prosecutor?

Yes. The Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office prosecutes many local misdemeanors filed under the Santa Monica Municipal Code and certain state law misdemeanors. The LA County District Attorney’s Office files other cases. The charging document will identify which office filed your case.

Is pretrial diversion available in Santa Monica cases?

Often yes. California Penal Code section 1001.95 authorizes judicial misdemeanor diversion for many first-time misdemeanors. Specific eligibility depends on the charge and the assigned judge’s practice. The Law Office of Zak Fisher pursues 1001.95 diversion in Santa Monica cases where eligible.

Schedule a free consultation

The Law Office of Zak Fisher offers a free 20-minute consultation to anyone facing a pending criminal charge in Santa Monica or anywhere in Los Angeles County. There is no obligation to retain.