If you’ve received a letter from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office inviting you to a hearing, you may have many questions about what it means and how it could impact your future. City Attorney Hearings are an important part of Los Angeles’s approach to handling certain low-level misdemeanor offenses outside of the courtroom.
At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners, we help clients understand and navigate this process to protect their rights and future. Here’s what you should know about the City Attorney Hearing Program.
What Is the City Attorney Hearing Program?
The City Attorney Hearing Program is a diversion program created in 1974 to give eligible individuals a second chance. Instead of facing formal criminal charges in court, individuals are offered an opportunity to resolve their case informally through a private meeting with a Hearing Officer.
This program typically addresses misdemeanor-level offenses in Los Angeles and is designed to resolve criminal cases without a criminal conviction. It's important to know: participating in a hearing is completely voluntary, but refusing to participate may result in the case being filed in criminal court.
How Much Does the Program Cost?
The hearing itself is free. However, if you are required to complete certain obligations (such as community service, anger management classes, or counseling), there may be third-party costs involved. These costs are not set or collected by the City Attorney's Office.
What Happens During a Hearing?
- Private Meeting: You will meet privately with a Hearing Officer — not a judge.
- No Opposing Party: The complaining witness or other parties involved will not be present at your hearing. However, the complaining witness / victim will have an opportunity to give her side of the story at a different time.
- Opportunity to Explain: You will have a chance to share your side of the story, explain what happened, provide any relevant documents or evidence and make available any witnesses that will support your defense.
- Resolution Options: Depending on the case, you may be asked to complete conditions like community service, classes, or counseling. Successful completion can lead to your case being closed without charges.
Hearings usually last 20 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses that the involved parties bring to the hearing..
Important Facts to Know
- No Appointed Lawyer: Since this is not a criminal court proceeding, you are not entitled to a public defender. However, you can (and should) bring your own attorney if you want legal advice or representation.
- Confidentiality Limits: While the hearing is private, anything you say can later be used against you if formal charges are filed. Additionally, statements made during the hearing could be disclosed through a civil subpoena or a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request.
- Location: Hearings can be conducted in-person, by phone, or virtually — depending on the instructions provided in your notice letter.
- Delay in Scheduling: It’s normal for there to be a delay between the incident date and your hearing notice. Once referred to the program, most cases are scheduled within 30 days.
Should You Participate in a Hearing?
Participating in a City Attorney Hearing gives you a valuable opportunity to resolve your case informally, often avoiding criminal charges, a public record, and the stress of court proceedings. However, because your statements can be used against you later if the case moves forward, it is critical to approach the hearing carefully and with proper legal advice.
You are not required to participate, but declining the opportunity could increase the likelihood that formal charges are filed against you in criminal court.
How an Attorney Can Help You
An experienced criminal defense attorney can:
- Advise you on whether participating in the hearing is in your best interest.
- Prepare you for questions the Hearing Officer may ask.
- Accompany you to the hearing (in-person or virtually) and speak on your behalf if necessary.
- Protect your rights by ensuring you don't accidentally make statements that could later be used against you.
- Negotiate favorable outcomes such as reduced obligations or case dismissal without criminal charges.
At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners, we have decades of experience helping clients facing City Attorney Hearings in Los Angeles. We know how important it is to protect your future and your record.
Contact a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
If you received a City Attorney Hearing notice or have been contacted by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, don’t face it alone. Contact Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners today at 213-481-6811 for a free consultation. We’ll explain your options, prepare you for the hearing, guide you through the hearing process, and fight to protect your rights every step of the way.