Arrested at LAX? You need a Los Angeles airport offenses lawyer who knows this courthouse and these charges.
An airport arrest moves fast. The charges often involve airport police, TSA officers, local prosecutors, and sometimes federal agencies all at once.
Our attorneys defend travelers, airport employees, and Los Angeles residents charged with crimes at LAX, Long Beach Airport, and Burbank Airport.
Most of these cases are heard at the LAX Airport Courthouse, a venue with its own procedures and pace. Call William S Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law at (323) 655-5700 for a free case evaluation.
Our attorneys bring over 100 years of combined experience to state and federal criminal defense across Los Angeles. We appear before the LAX Airport Courthouse and know how the Los Angeles City Attorney and the District Attorney approach airport cases.
Airport arrests create a narrow window to act. Evidence like TSA screening footage, body-camera video, and officer reports can be requested early, before it is lost. We move quickly to preserve that record and protect your rights.
Our team also handles the practical side of an airport case. Many clients live out of state or were only passing through Los Angeles when arrested. We work to limit your court appearances and resolve the matter with as little disruption as possible.
One mistake shouldn't define your future
contact our defense team.
We defend the full range of charges that arise at Los Angeles airports. The following offenses are among the most common.
Under California Penal Code 171.5, knowingly carrying a firearm or prohibited weapon into an airport sterile area is a crime. Prosecutors may add charges under Penal Code 25400 or Penal Code 25850 for carrying a concealed or loaded firearm.
Possession of a controlled substance at the airport is charged under Health and Safety Code 11350. Drug-detection dogs, baggage screening, and checkpoint searches lead to many of these arrests. We challenge how the alleged evidence was found.
Police patrol the roads around LAX and El Segundo for impaired drivers dropping off or picking up passengers. A first DUI under Vehicle Code 23152 is usually a misdemeanor, yet the penalties still threaten your license and your record.
Long delays and terminal bars lead to arrests under Penal Code 647(f). This charge applies when alcohol or drugs leave you unable to care for your own safety. We work to keep a single bad night off your record.
Baggage theft, shoplifting in terminal shops, and disputes over unattended property can all bring theft charges. The value of the property often decides whether the case is a misdemeanor or a felony. We push for the lesser classification.
Traveling with cash is legal, yet large sums can trigger seizure and questioning by federal agents. These stops sometimes lead to forfeiture or drug allegations. We fight to recover seized money and challenge the underlying stop.
A joke about a bomb at security is treated as a serious crime under Penal Code 148.1. This offense can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony. Even an offhand comment can lead to an arrest and charges.
Some airport conduct falls under federal law, including interfering with a flight crew and certain weapons and smuggling offenses. Federal cases carry their own courts and harsher exposure. Our team defends clients in both state and federal court.
Airports operate under heightened security, and that changes how these cases unfold. Officers at LAX hold broader authority to screen passengers and baggage than police do on the street.
Much of this turns on the idea of a sterile area. Under California law, the sterile area is the part of an airport past the screening checkpoint, where access is generally controlled. Many charges, including weapons offenses under Penal Code 171.5, depend on whether the alleged conduct happened inside that zone.
The agencies involved also set airport cases apart. A single arrest can pull in airport police, TSA officers, local prosecutors, and federal agents at the same time. Each may pursue a different angle.
Most Los Angeles airport cases are heard at the LAX Airport Courthouse. This venue handles state misdemeanors, some felonies, and certain federal matters tied to airport arrests. Knowing its procedures helps us move your case forward efficiently.
Search authority at airports has limits, even with the added security. We examine whether officers exceeded those limits when they searched your bag, your person, or your belongings.
Penalties depend on the specific charge, your record, and whether the case stays in state court. Here is how the common offenses break down.
A weapons violation under Penal Code 171.5 is a misdemeanor. A conviction can bring up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000, though a judge may grant summary probation instead.
Drug possession under Health and Safety Code 11350 is usually a misdemeanor. Since Proposition 47 passed in 2014, simple possession is typically charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony, except where certain prior convictions apply. A misdemeanor carries up to one year in jail or summary probation and a fine of up to $1,000.
Public intoxication under Penal Code 647(f) is a misdemeanor. A conviction can mean up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
A false bomb report under Penal Code 148.1 is a wobbler, meaning prosecutors can file it as a misdemeanor or a felony. As a misdemeanor, it can carry up to one year in county jail; as a felony, the term can reach 16 months, two years, or three years.
Federal airport charges follow a separate sentencing system. These penalties are often more severe than their state equivalents, which is why early defense matters.
The sentence is only part of what an airport conviction can cost you. The lasting consequences often reach further than jail time or fines.
A conviction creates a criminal record that appears on background checks. That record can affect job applications, professional licenses, and security clearances.
Travel itself can become harder. A conviction may put trusted-traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry out of reach.
For non-citizens, the stakes climb higher. Some convictions carry immigration consequences, including problems with visas, green cards, or future entry into the United States. We flag these risks early and defend with them in mind.
A felony conviction can also cost you your firearm rights. Protecting your future, not just resolving the current charge, guides how we approach every airport case.
A strong defense starts with how the evidence was gathered. We review every search, screening, and statement for violations of your rights.
Several defenses apply often in airport cases, and the right one depends on the facts.
Lack of knowledge is central to many weapons charges. Penal Code 171.5 requires that the prosecution prove you knowingly and willfully possessed the prohibited item. If a relative packed your bag or you forgot a tool was inside, that knowledge may be missing.
Where the item was found also matters. Weapons charges under Penal Code 171.5 turn on the sterile area, so we examine whether the alleged conduct happened past the checkpoint at all.
Unlawful searches give us another avenue. Airport authority is broad but not unlimited; therefore, evidence from an overbroad search may be challenged and excluded.
For intoxication cases, we test the reliability of the officer's observations and any chemical results. An arrest is not the same as proof.
Diversion can resolve some cases without a conviction. Many first-time drug possession cases can be dismissed through diversion under Proposition 36 after a treatment program is completed. Mental health diversion may also apply to certain charges.
Most criminal cases tied to LAX are heard at the LAX Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles County. This venue handles state misdemeanors, some felonies, and certain federal matters. Cases from surrounding cities may move to a nearby courthouse.
Often, an attorney can appear on your behalf for many misdemeanor hearings, which can spare you repeated trips. More serious charges may require you to attend in person. We will tell you honestly what your case demands.
No. A weapons violation under Penal Code 171.5 is charged as a misdemeanor. Prosecutors can still add other firearm charges, and aggravating facts can raise your exposure, so each case needs a close look.
Yes, in many cases. Charges can be reduced or dismissed when the evidence is weak, a search was unlawful, or you qualify for diversion. Early, focused defense gives you the best chance at that outcome.
An airport arrest does not have to define your future. The sooner you involve a Los Angeles airport offenses lawyer, the more we can do to protect your record and your freedom.
At William S Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law, we defend clients charged at LAX, Long Beach Airport, and Burbank Airport in both state and federal court. Attorney William S. Kroger and our team bring over 100 years of combined experience to every case.
Call (323) 655-5700 today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Los Angeles airport offenses lawyer. We are ready to stand between you and the charges you face.
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This page was reviewed and approved by William S. Kroger, a leading criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. Mr. Kroger has decades of experience defending clients in both state and federal courts. He is recognized for his strong trial skills and dedication to protecting the rights of the accused. Throughout his career, he has successfully represented clients facing a wide range of serious criminal charges. His personalized defense strategies are designed to achieve the best possible outcome in every case. Clients trust Mr. Kroger for his knowledge, commitment, and proven results.
He is also an active member of respected legal organizations, including the American Bar Association and the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers. With his expertise and reputation, William S. Kroger is regarded as one of California’s top defense lawyers.
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