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A criminal charge in Baton Rouge can trigger important deadlines from the outset, whether you’re facing a misdemeanor citation or a felony arrest. Where your case is handled may also depend on the type of charge and where the alleged offense occurred.
A criminal defense lawyer in Baton Rouge represents people arrested or charged with crimes from misdemeanors to felonies, from arraignment through trial or a negotiated resolution. Rozas Law Firm has represented Louisiana clients in criminal matters since 2004.
Our Baton Rouge criminal defense attorneys are licensed Louisiana attorneys who represent clients in misdemeanor and felony matters throughout the state. Below is what our Baton Rouge criminal defense attorneys handle, how a case typically moves through the local court system, and what changes once a case ends in a conviction.
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Criminal Charges Our Baton Rouge Attorneys Defend
Rozas Law Firm represents clients across the full range of Louisiana criminal charges, from a first misdemeanor citation to a federal indictment. As a Baton Rouge defense law firm, our attorneys handle:
- Misdemeanors, including simple battery, disturbing the peace, and theft under $1,000, handled by our Baton Rouge misdemeanor lawyer team
- DUI and DWI arrests, first offense and repeat, with our Baton Rouge DUI attorney group
- Drug crimes, including possession, distribution, and marijuana charges, through our Baton Rouge drug crimes lawyer team
- Assault and battery, from simple to aggravated, with our Baton Rouge assault and battery attorney team
- Violent crimes and homicide, handled by our Baton Rouge violent crimes attorney and Baton Rouge homicide defense attorney teams
- Sex crimes, defended by our Baton Rouge sex crimes attorney team
- Federal and internet crimes, including cases prosecuted in federal court, with our Baton Rouge federal crimes attorney and Baton Rouge internet crimes attorney teams
Louisiana doesn’t divide felonies or misdemeanors into numbered degrees the way some states do. Under Louisiana law, misdemeanors and felonies are generally distinguished by the type of punishment authorized by the specific statute. Individual charges determine the actual penalties that may apply.
Do I Need a Lawyer if I Am Charged with a Crime in Baton Rouge?
You have the right to represent yourself, but criminal charges can carry significant consequences, making legal advice important. A lawyer for criminal charges in Baton Rouge reviews the arrest, the evidence, and the exact charge before recommending a path forward.
Representation typically starts before the first court date. An attorney can request or argue bond, advise on what to say and not say to investigators, and identify whether the case belongs in city court, parish court, or federal court. Waiting to hire an attorney after an arrest in Baton Rouge often means losing time that could have gone toward building a defense.
How a Baton Rouge Criminal Case Moves Through the Courts
Where a Baton Rouge criminal case gets heard depends on the charge and where the arrest happened, not just the city limits. After an arrest, most people booked by East Baton Rouge Parish law enforcement go through the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, which processes roughly 20,000 bookings a year across more than thirty local agencies.
From there, the case splits by charge level and location:
- Misdemeanors and traffic offenses inside Baton Rouge city limits go to Baton Rouge City Court, 233 St. Louis Street.
- Felony cases from anywhere in East Baton Rouge Parish, including Central, go to the 19th Judicial District Court, 300 North Boulevard.
- Traffic and municipal matters in Central run through the City of Central’s Mayor’s Court, a separate court from Baton Rouge City Court.
- Charges arising in Denham Springs fall under Livingston Parish’s 21st Judicial District Court, a different parish and court system than East Baton Rouge.
Knowing which court has a case, and which judges and prosecutors typically appear there, shapes how a criminal trial lawyer in Baton Rouge prepares from the first hearing.
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What to Do if I Am Convicted of a Crime in Baton Rouge?
A conviction does not necessarily end every available legal option. Depending on the case, a person may have options involving an appeal, post-conviction relief, probation-related proceedings, or expungement.
Louisiana’s expungement laws have specific eligibility requirements that vary based on the offense, sentence, criminal history, and other circumstances. For some misdemeanor convictions, the law generally requires more than five years to have passed since completion of the sentence, deferred adjudication, probation, or parole, subject to additional requirements. Certain felony convictions may become eligible only after a longer period, while other offenses may be excluded or subject to special rules.
Because eligibility depends on the specific record and offense, someone considering expungement should have their case reviewed under the current Louisiana law rather than relying on a general waiting period.
Why Choose Rozas Law Firm to Help with Your Louisiana Criminal Defense Case
Rozas Law Firm has represented Louisiana clients in criminal matters since 2004, led by founding attorney David Joseph Rozas and supervising criminal law attorney Shea R. Smith. Our firm has helped more than 11,000 clients statewide, with an in-house investigator and full-time paralegals working alongside every attorney.
Clients working with our Baton Rouge defense law firm get:
- 20+ years handling Louisiana criminal, immigration, and family law matters
- Experience handling criminal matters in East and West Baton Rouge Parish courts as well as familiarity with local court procedures
- An in-house investigator and paralegal team, so cases get dedicated resources rather than being passed between staff
- Representation available in English and Spanish, with 22+ bilingual staff members firmwide
Our Louisiana criminal defense team reviews the facts of every case individually before recommending a strategy. No attorney can guarantee how a criminal case will end, but a full, individualized review of the charge and the evidence is something every client gets before any decision is made.
Talk to a Baton Rouge Criminal Defense Attorney Today
A criminal charge moves fast, and the sooner an attorney reviews the case, the more options typically remain. Rozas Law Firm has represented clients across Baton Rouge, Central, and the surrounding parishes since 2004, with bilingual staff in English and Spanish.
Visit our Rozas Law Firm in Baton Rouge page to schedule a consultation, or reach out through our contact form to speak with a Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney about your case.
This webpage is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. For guidance on your specific situation, contact Rozas Law Firm directly.
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Meet David Rozas - Your Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney
Meet David, your trusted criminal defense attorney in Louisiana, for dedicated legal support throughout your criminal case. With years of experience in criminal law, David provides personalized legal guidance tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor, felony, or federal charges, David’s thorough knowledge of Louisiana criminal laws ensures your case is handled with care and professionalism.
Schedule a consultation below or call us at 225-341-6945 today to begin your defense with a reliable Louisiana criminal defense lawyer by your side.








