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Car Jacking

Available 24/7/365
See All Criminal Defense Practice Areas

Car Jacking

Available 24/7/365
See All Criminal Defense Practice Areas

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Car Jacking

Orange County Car Jacking Lawyer

In the state of California, it is illegal to take a motor vehicle in the possession of another. When force is used to take the car then the conduct is known as car jacking. Car jacking is codified under California Penal Code (CPC) Section 215. Under the statute, the crime has been committed so long as force is used to deprive another of a car, and it does not matter if the person attacked was the owner or driver of the vehicle. Car jacking is often confused with the crime of robbery. Essentially, carjacking is a robbery but with the added intent to take another’s motor vehicle for some period of time.

What are the penalties if you are convicted for car jacking?

Being convicted of a carjacking in California has serious legal ramifications. This is a felony offense and if you are convicted you face the possibility of serving a prison sentence for a term of three, five, or nine years at a California correctional facility. California laws in these situations can be very tough. Car jacking is among the offenses that the state has classified as a strike under the California’s three strikes law. Under this law, if you have two or more felony convictions which are classified as serious or violent on your criminal record, being convicted of a third felony will result in you having to serve 25 years to life in prison.

What are the California car jacking defenses?

As with any crime you have been charged with, you are innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution has the burden of removing all doubt about your guilt. Evidence can be presented which casts doubt on whether the misconduct actually took place. There are many different defenses that can be brought, depending on the circumstances. Some of the most common include:

  • Mistaken Identity
    There are many individuals who have been wrongfully convicted because the state has relied upon eyewitness testimony. According to many advocacy organizations, eyewitness mistakes are the greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide. Our Orange County criminal defense attorney will vigorously challenge any eyewitness’s testimony that the state attempts to introduce as evidence in your case. It is important to ensure this testimony is challenged because of its notorious unreliability.

  • False Accusation
    Sometimes bad things happen to good people because not everyone conducts themselves with good intentions. Unfortunately, a person may be wrongly accused of crime because someone else has it in for them or has the desire to see a person punished. Our attorneys thoroughly review each case independently from the arresting incident. We scrutinize all facts and evidence to ensure that your legal rights are not compromised. We will fight to the end, even if it means taking your case to trial.

Orange County Car Jacking Defense at the Johnson Criminal Law Group

Our criminal defense attorney at the Johnson Criminal Law Group is proud to represent all those who have been charged with crimes in our area. Dealing with the legal ramifications of these charges is never easy for those involved. It is made much worse when one does not have an experienced, legal professional in their corner fighting for their rights every step of the way. Everyone deserves the best defense possible. Please do not try to go it alone. Get in touch with our Orange County criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. We can be reached by phone at (949) 622-5522 or you can send us a message online today.

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Criminal Defense Case Results

Mr. R was charged with embezzling close to $100,000 as a utility salesperson using a scheme to steal customers’ identities. Client avoided any jail time and received probation.

Mr. P was charged with embezzling equipment from John Wayne Airport while working as a contractor. Our office negotiated a civil compromise, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges and sealing his arrest record.

Mr. W. was charged with eight counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and criminal threats. Our office negotiated an offer of one year in therapy and then a dismissal of all charges.

Mr. H. was found by police passed out in his vehicle with drugs out in the open. Our office was successful in obtaining a diversion out of the criminal justice system and ultimately a dismissal.

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Hear From Our Clients

Refreshing & Life-Changing Experience

Lauren Johnson-Norris was amazing. She explained everything in ways that were easily understood, & answered all of my questions. She was respectful, but also open & honest. She started work on my case the first day we met & got results quickly. She demonstrated passion, concern, and showed true feeling for my situation. My expectations were greatly exceeded. I would say she has an incredible attention for detail, & has a real dedication to her work. Lauren Johnson-Norris would be my first recommendation to any of my family or friends similarly in need of legal assistance.

Heather, a Juvenile client

Thank you, Ms. Johnson-Norris, for your help and support in a very scary, bad time in my life! You were a ray of sunshine in a very dark place. I didn’t have to step foot in a courtroom once; Ms. Johnson-Norris was there for me. Always kept me up to date and informed of the progress of my case, was able to work out a very good deal with the courts. If you need a great attorney that will work for you and with you, then I would highly recommend you hire Lauren Johnson-Norris!

J.B., a criminal client

Ms. Johnson-Norris was very effective in dealing with a juvenile criminal charge, getting it routed to a diversion program, minimizing court appearances, and being supportive to both my son and me.

Keith, a Juvenile client

Lauren Johnson-Norris changed my life and my family’s in September 2014. I was a troubled young girl with some convictions on my record from my early adult life. I have grown older and changed my life but my past kept rearing its ugly head. I started researching expungement and found Ms. Johnson-Norris, and I am so glad I did. She treated me like a person and as I told her about myself she really engaged in my situation and I felt I was not some number to her but a real person. She expunged two felonies I had. One of them the courts did not want to expunge, but Ms. Johnson-Norris would not take no for an answer and fought for me! She always kept me posted on what was going on. I believe God led me to her. She is very talented and knows what she is doing. She is extremely professional and is not only after your money. She has a heart under her tough Lawyer position that she does so well. She cleared my record and gave me hope for my future, my husband’s and my son! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER. If you had a rough past and are trying to change your life. Go see Ms. Johnson-Norris; she knows what she is doing.

A.M., a criminal client

I want to thank Ms. Johnson-Norris, especially, for all her help during this difficult time. When we could not see the end of the tunnel, she helped us and guided us through the exit. Thank her not only for her professional help but for her emotional and sympathetic support. God bless her.

Parent of a juvenile crime client

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Criminal Defense FaQ

What immediate steps will you take to protect my rights?

We provide immediate crisis command by reviewing the allegations against you and intervening with law enforcement to prevent further exposure. From the moment you retain the Firm, we act as your shield, managing all communications and executing a decisive strategy to protect your liberty and reputation.

We prioritize discretion and exposure management. We understand that a public allegation can be as damaging as a conviction; therefore, our strategy focuses on minimizing the visibility of your case while challenging the prosecution’s narrative to preserve your standing in the community.

We begin by meticulously reviewing the allegations to determine if the conduct even constitutes a crime under the law. We then scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against the highest standard — proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By analyzing the “who, what, when, where, and how,” we identify the natural questions a jury will have, allowing us to build an expert strategy that derails the prosecutor’s narrative.

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Yes, our firm offers comprehensive legal services in Orange County with a unique focus on “crossover” cases where criminal and juvenile law intersect. Johnson Criminal Law Group provides the specialized expertise necessary to navigate investigations that threaten parental rights and family stability.

When you partner with Johnson Criminal Law Group, you receive 24/7 responsiveness and a clear, strategic plan designed to resolve your legal emergency decisively. We balance aggressive defense strategies with genuine human connection, ensuring you are treated with the respect and transparency you deserve during a crisis

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