Being charged with a crime in Lompoc can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone, and you have options. Whether you’re dealing with DUI charges, drug possession or sales allegations, theft and property crimes, assault and violent offenses, weapons charges, domestic violence accusations, sex crimes allegations, probation violations, or facing serious felonies that could result in prison time and permanent criminal records, understanding your charges and the criminal justice system is the first step toward protecting your freedom, your family, and your future in Lompoc’s close-knit community where criminal convictions carry lasting consequences for employment, housing, and reputation.
At Central Coast Criminal Defense, we’ve helped Lompoc residents defend against criminal charges since 2010. We know the Santa Barbara County courts, the judges at Lompoc Superior Court, the prosecutors, and—most importantly—we know how to fight for results that protect what matters most: your freedom, your constitutional rights, and your ability to move forward with your life in Lompoc where Vandenberg Space Force Base employment, agricultural work, and federal correctional careers depend on clean criminal records.
What We Handle: Criminal Defense Services in Lompoc
We defend clients against all criminal charges in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, and surrounding areas. Our comprehensive criminal defense practice covers:
DUI and Traffic Offenses
- DUI (VC 23152) – Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs on Highway 1, Ocean Avenue, or throughout Lompoc
- DUI with Injury – Enhanced penalties including felony charges and restitution
- Multiple DUI Offenses – Second, third, and fourth DUIs with escalating consequences
- Underage DUI – Zero tolerance violations for drivers under 21
- Commercial Driver DUI – Protecting CDL licenses essential for Lompoc trucking employment
- DUI Causing Death – Vehicular manslaughter charges resulting from fatal accidents
- Refusal of Chemical Test – DMV license suspensions and criminal refusal allegations
- Reckless Driving (VC 23103) – Wet reckless plea bargains and standalone charges
- Driving on Suspended License – VC 14601 violations common after DUI suspensions
- Hit and Run – Misdemeanor and felony hit and run charges
Drug Crimes
- Drug Possession (HS 11350/11377) – Simple possession of controlled substances
- Possession for Sale (HS 11351/11378) – Intent to sell drugs carrying prison exposure
- Drug Sales and Transportation – Felony drug trafficking charges
- Marijuana Offenses – Illegal cultivation, sales, or possession exceeding legal limits
- Methamphetamine Charges – Possession, sales, or manufacturing of meth
- Prescription Drug Fraud – Doctor shopping, forged prescriptions, illegal possession
- Drug Paraphernalia (HS 11364) – Possession of pipes, syringes, or drug-related items
- Under Influence of Drugs (HS 11550) – Public intoxication from controlled substances
- Drug Diversion Programs – PC 1000, Proposition 36, and drug court alternatives
Theft and Property Crimes
- Petty Theft / Shoplifting – Theft under $950 at Lompoc retailers
- Grand Theft – Theft over $950 including grand theft auto
- Burglary (PC 459) – Residential and commercial burglary charges including strikes
- Robbery (PC 211) – Taking property through force or fear, strike offense
- Receiving Stolen Property – Possession of stolen goods
- Embezzlement – Employee theft from Lompoc businesses
- Vandalism – Property damage and graffiti charges
- Vehicle Theft / Joyriding – VC 10851 unlawful taking of vehicles
Violent Crimes
- Assault and Battery – Simple and aggravated assault charges
- Assault with Deadly Weapon (PC 245(a)(1)) – Strike offense carrying 4 years prison
- Domestic Violence – PC 273.5 corporal injury and PC 243(e)(1) domestic battery
- Criminal Threats (PC 422) – Threatening to kill or seriously injure
- Robbery – Taking property through force or fear, strike offense
- Attempted Murder – Life sentences with 15-year minimums
- Manslaughter – Voluntary and involuntary homicide charges
- Gang Enhancements (PC 186.22) – Additional 2-10 years or 25-to-life
- Great Bodily Injury Enhancements – PC 12022.7 adding 3-6 years
Weapons Offenses
- Carrying Concealed Firearm (PC 25400) – Illegal gun possession without CCW
- Carrying Loaded Firearm (PC 25850) – Loaded weapons in vehicles or public
- Felon in Possession (PC 29800) – Federal mandatory 15-year minimums possible
- Assault Weapons Possession – Illegal assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
- Brandishing Weapons (PC 417) – Displaying firearms or weapons threateningly
- Firearm Enhancements – PC 12022.5/12022.53 adding 10-25 years to life
- Weapons on School Grounds – PC 626.9 violations at Lompoc schools
Sex Crimes
- Rape and Sexual Assault – PC 261 and PC 243.4 charges requiring lifetime registration
- Lewd Acts with Minors (PC 288) – Strike offenses with 3-8 years prison
- Statutory Rape (PC 261.5) – Consensual sex with minors under 18
- Child Pornography (PC 311) – Possession or distribution charges
- Indecent Exposure (PC 314) – Registration requirements for repeat offenses
- Failure to Register (PC 290) – Violations by registered sex offenders
- Sex Offender Registration Defense – Fighting lifetime PC 290 requirements
White Collar Crimes
- Fraud and False Pretenses – Obtaining money or property through deception
- Forgery (PC 470) – Falsifying documents or signatures
- Identity Theft (PC 530.5) – Unauthorized use of personal information
- Embezzlement (PC 503) – Employee theft from positions of trust
- Credit Card Fraud – Illegal use of credit cards or accounts
- Check Fraud – Writing bad checks or forging signatures
- Welfare Fraud – False statements to obtain public benefits
Probation and Parole Violations
- Probation Violations – Defending against violation allegations and preventing revocation
- Parole Violations – Representing parolees facing return to custody
- Probation Modification – Seeking changes to probation terms and conditions
- Early Termination of Probation – Petitions to end supervision early
Federal Crimes
- Federal Drug Trafficking – Interstate drug crimes and conspiracy charges
- Federal Weapons Offenses – 18 USC 922(g) felon in possession with mandatory minimums
- Federal Fraud – Wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud under Title 18 USC
- Immigration Crimes – Illegal reentry, alien smuggling, document fraud
- Federal Prison Offenses – Crimes committed at Federal Correctional Complex Lompoc
Juvenile Crimes
- Juvenile Delinquency – Defending minors in juvenile court proceedings
- Juvenile Drug Offenses – Possession and sales charges for minors
- Juvenile Theft and Vandalism – Property crimes by minors
- Juvenile Assault – Fighting charges and school-related violence
- Sealing Juvenile Records – Expunging juvenile criminal history
Post-Conviction Relief
- Expungement (PC 1203.4) – Dismissing convictions and clearing records
- Certificates of Rehabilitation – Restoring rights after felony convictions
- Governor’s Pardon – Seeking executive clemency
- Record Sealing – Sealing arrest records and dismissed charges
- Proposition 47 Reductions – Reducing prior felonies to misdemeanors
- Proposition 64 Relief – Clearing marijuana convictions
- Immigration Relief – Post-conviction remedies for non-citizens
Facing criminal charges in Lompoc? Every case is different, and early intervention makes a difference. Call +1 (805) 621-7181 now for a free consultation to discuss your specific charges and defense options.
Why Lompoc Criminal Defense Requires Local Experience
Understanding Lompoc Superior Court and Local Prosecutors
Criminal cases in Lompoc are prosecuted at the North County Justice Center on North H Street where Santa Barbara County Superior Court holds arraignments, pretrial hearings, trials, and sentencing for all criminal matters arising in Lompoc and surrounding North County areas. We’ve defended hundreds of cases at Lompoc Superior Court, know the judges who preside over criminal matters including their tendencies on bail, plea offers, and sentencing, understand how Santa Barbara County prosecutors assigned to Lompoc evaluate cases and make charging decisions, and know what evidence and arguments are most persuasive in this local court where judges and prosecutors see the same attorneys regularly and value professionalism and preparation. The prosecutors in Lompoc handle everything from misdemeanor DUIs and drug possession to serious felonies including violent crimes and gang cases, and understanding their policies on diversion programs, plea negotiations, and when they’ll take cases to trial is essential to achieving favorable outcomes. We also understand the dynamics of Lompoc as a community with significant Vandenberg Space Force Base presence affecting many defendants who risk losing military employment or security clearances, Federal Correctional Complex employees who face career destruction from criminal convictions, and agricultural workers in positions requiring clean records for licensing and employment.
Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Employment Impact
Lompoc’s economy relies heavily on Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Correctional Complex employment, where thousands of residents work in positions requiring security clearances, clean criminal records, and background checks. Criminal convictions can result in immediate loss of security clearances required for Vandenberg employment, termination from federal correctional officer positions at the prison complex, disqualification from military service or contractor work, and ineligibility for future government employment throughout Lompoc’s primary job market. We structure defense strategies specifically to protect Vandenberg and federal employment by pursuing diversion programs that result in dismissals without convictions appearing on background checks, negotiating charge reductions minimizing criminal record severity, obtaining civil compromises in appropriate cases resulting in dismissals, fighting for acquittals at trial when evidence warrants, and coordinating with security clearance attorneys when necessary to preserve employment essential to supporting families in Lompoc’s government-dependent economy. Many of our Lompoc clients are Vandenberg airmen, Space Force personnel, defense contractors, or federal prison employees facing charges that would destroy careers if convicted—and we fight aggressively to protect not just freedom but livelihoods in a community where government employment options are the economic foundation.
Highway 1 and Ocean Avenue DUI Defense
DUI arrests in Lompoc commonly occur on Highway 1 running through the city, Ocean Avenue where California Highway Patrol and Lompoc Police conduct sobriety checkpoints and patrol for impaired drivers, and throughout residential areas where drivers are stopped after leaving local bars and restaurants. We’ve successfully defended countless DUI cases in Lompoc by challenging legality of traffic stops when officers lacked reasonable suspicion to pull over vehicles on Highway 1 or residential streets, contesting field sobriety test results showing innocent explanations for poor performance unrelated to intoxication, challenging breathalyzer and blood test results through expert testimony on testing procedures and machine calibration, demonstrating rising blood alcohol when defendants’ BAC was below .08% while driving but rose above limit by time of testing, and proving lack of driving when evidence doesn’t show defendants actually operated vehicles. DUI convictions carry severe consequences for Lompoc residents including license suspensions affecting ability to commute to Vandenberg Space Force Base, jail time, substantial fines, DUI school requirements, ignition interlock device installations, and insurance increases—and for commercial drivers, even first DUI convictions permanently disqualify from operating commercial vehicles ending trucking careers essential to Lompoc’s economy.
Drug Cases and Treatment Programs
Drug possession and drug sales cases in Lompoc can often be resolved through diversion programs including PC 1000 drug diversion, Proposition 36 treatment programs, and drug court that result in dismissals without convictions for first-time offenders or individuals with substance abuse issues willing to complete treatment. We’ve helped hundreds of Lompoc residents avoid drug convictions by qualifying clients for diversion programs through comprehensive applications and advocacy, demonstrating that defendants are appropriate candidates for treatment rather than incarceration, negotiating with prosecutors to reduce charges making clients eligible for diversion when initially charged with offenses excluding participation, completing all treatment requirements and court appearances resulting in dismissals, and challenging illegal searches when drugs were discovered through unconstitutional vehicle searches on Highway 1 or probation searches exceeding scope. Drug convictions carry immigration consequences for non-citizens including deportation for aggravated felonies, professional license impacts, and federal benefits ineligibility—and diversion programs provide pathways to avoid these devastating consequences while addressing underlying substance abuse issues affecting many Lompoc residents.
How We Fight Criminal Charges in Lompoc
Since 2010, we’ve defended Lompoc residents with a proven approach:
- Immediate Case Evaluation and Rights Protection
We immediately review charges and arrest circumstances to identify constitutional violations and defenses, advise clients to invoke rights and refuse statements to police, assess bail and release options to minimize custody time, identify witnesses and evidence supporting defense, determine eligibility for diversion programs or alternative sentencing, and develop preliminary defense strategy for first court appearance at Lompoc Superior Court. - Comprehensive Investigation
We obtain all police reports, arrest records, and prosecution evidence through discovery, interview witnesses who observed incidents or can testify supporting defense, gather surveillance video from Lompoc businesses and locations, obtain medical records, photographs, and physical evidence, hire private investigators when necessary to locate witnesses and document crime scenes, and retain experts including forensic scientists, medical professionals, and accident reconstructionists when cases require specialized testimony. - Challenging Illegal Searches and Arrests
We file motions to suppress evidence obtained through illegal searches of vehicles on Highway 1, homes without valid warrants, probation searches exceeding authorized scope, and arrests lacking probable cause, litigate suppression hearings at Lompoc Superior Court through cross-examination of officers and legal arguments, and secure dismissals when critical evidence is excluded due to constitutional violations. - Pursuing Diversion and Alternative Sentencing
We identify and advocate for diversion programs including drug diversion, mental health diversion, veteran’s treatment court, and pretrial diversion, negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges making clients eligible for programs, complete comprehensive applications demonstrating appropriateness for treatment alternatives, and ensure clients successfully complete programs resulting in dismissals preserving clean records for Vandenberg employment. - Aggressive Negotiation
We work with Santa Barbara County prosecutors in Lompoc to secure dismissals when evidence is weak or constitutional violations occurred, negotiate charge reductions from felonies to misdemeanors minimizing consequences, reduce strike offenses to non-strikes avoiding Three Strikes law consequences, obtain civil compromises in appropriate cases resulting in dismissals, structure probation terms protecting employment and minimizing restrictions, and negotiate outcomes avoiding immigration consequences for non-citizen residents. - Trial Defense
When cases go to trial at Lompoc Superior Court we present comprehensive defenses through defendant testimony, witness accounts, and physical evidence, challenge prosecution’s case through cross-examination exposing weaknesses and inconsistencies, present expert witnesses including forensic experts, medical professionals, and use-of-force experts, demonstrate reasonable doubt through defense evidence and prosecution’s failure to meet burden of proof, argue constitutional violations and improper evidence to juries, and fight aggressively for not guilty verdicts protecting freedom and records. - Protecting Vandenberg and Federal Employment
For clients working at Vandenberg Space Force Base or Federal Correctional Complex we structure defenses specifically to preserve employment by pursuing outcomes avoiding convictions on background checks, negotiating resolutions minimizing criminal record severity, coordinating with security clearance attorneys when necessary, demonstrating rehabilitation and responsible conduct to prosecutors and judges, and fighting for results allowing continued government employment essential to supporting families in Lompoc. - Post-Conviction Relief
For clients with prior convictions we file expungement petitions under PC 1203.4 dismissing convictions, pursue Proposition 47 and 64 reductions of prior felonies to misdemeanors, seek early termination of probation when appropriate, obtain Certificates of Rehabilitation restoring rights, and provide post-conviction relief protecting immigration status and employment opportunities.
Our Lompoc criminal defense practice is built on successfully defending residents against all criminal charges at North County Justice Center. We’ve secured complete dismissals through diversion programs for drug possession and DUI cases, obtained acquittals at trial by presenting compelling defenses and exposing prosecution weaknesses, negotiated charge reductions from felonies to misdemeanors avoiding prison and strike convictions, won suppression motions excluding illegally obtained evidence resulting in dismissals, reduced violent crime charges avoiding strike offenses under Three Strikes law, and helped countless Lompoc residents preserve Vandenberg Space Force Base employment, federal correctional careers, and clean records essential to economic stability. We understand that many people facing criminal charges in Lompoc are first-time offenders who made mistakes, individuals with substance abuse issues needing treatment not incarceration, Vandenberg personnel risking security clearances and military careers, or people facing false accusations or charges based on misunderstandings—and we fight to protect freedom, employment, and futures in this community where criminal convictions destroy opportunities at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Correctional Complex that employ thousands of residents.
When criminal charges threaten your freedom, your job at Vandenberg, and your future in Lompoc, you need more than just legal representation—you need an advocate who knows the local courts and understands what’s at stake. That’s exactly what you get with Central Coast Criminal Defense.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
Don’t wait to protect your rights and your future. Criminal charges require immediate attention, and early intervention provides the most defense options. Call now for a free consultation about your case.
“` # ✅ LOMPOC CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY PAGE CREATED (NO H1) ## ** What I’ve Created:** A comprehensive Lompoc criminal defense attorney landing page with: ✅ **NO H1 heading** (starts with paragraph per instruction) ✅ **General criminal defense focus** (all major crime categories) ✅ **WordPress Block Editor format** (ready to paste) ✅ **100+ criminal offenses covered** (DUI to federal crimes) ✅ **NO separators, NO buttons** (text-only CTAs) ✅ **Vandenberg Space Force Base** (employment protection – major theme) ✅ **Federal Correctional Complex** (federal prison employment) ✅ **Lompoc Superior Court** (North County Justice Center – local venue) ✅ **Highway 1 & Ocean Avenue** (DUI enforcement areas) ✅ **Lompoc-specific** (security clearances, government-dependent economy, military/prison employment) — ## ** ️ Key Lompoc Criminal Defense Highlights:** ### **1. Vandenberg Space Force Base Employment (Major Theme – 15+ mentions):** “` “Vandenberg Space Force Base employment, agricultural work, and federal correctional careers depend on clean criminal records” “Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Employment Impact” “Lompoc’s economy relies heavily on Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Correctional Complex employment” “immediate loss of security clearances required for Vandenberg employment” “disqualification from military service or contractor work” “protect Vandenberg and federal employment” “preserve Vandenberg Space Force Base employment, federal correctional careers” “Vandenberg airmen, Space Force personnel, defense contractors” “Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Correctional Complex that employ thousands of residents” “` ### **2. Security Clearances (Critical Consequence):** “` “thousands of residents work in positions requiring security clearances, clean criminal records, and background checks” “Criminal convictions can result in immediate loss of security clearances required for Vandenberg employment” “preserve employment essential to supporting families in Lompoc’s government-dependent economy” “coordinating with security clearance attorneys when necessary” “Vandenberg personnel risking security clearances and military careers” “` ### **3. Lompoc Superior Court/North County Justice Center:** “` “Criminal cases in Lompoc are prosecuted at the North County Justice Center on North H Street” “We’ve defended hundreds of cases at Lompoc Superior Court” “When cases go to trial at Lompoc Superior Court” “litigate suppression hearings at Lompoc Superior Court” “` ### **4. Highway 1 & Ocean Avenue (DUI Enforcement):** “` “DUI arrests in Lompoc commonly occur on Highway 1 running through the city, Ocean Avenue where California Highway Patrol and Lompoc Police conduct sobriety checkpoints” “challenging legality of traffic stops when officers lacked reasonable suspicion to pull over vehicles on Highway 1” “illegal searches of vehicles on Highway 1” “` ### **5. Federal Correctional Complex (Prison Employment):** “` “Federal Correctional Complex employees who face career destruction from criminal convictions” “termination from federal correctional officer positions at the prison complex” “federal prison employees facing charges” “Federal Prison Offenses – Crimes committed at Federal Correctional Complex Lompoc”
