Criminal Law
Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich boasts a robust criminal law department that gives clients the capacity to handle all elements of their cases under one roof.
Kristin Trutanich, who was previously a top prosecutor at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, and the attorneys on her team have successfully advocated for a number of criminal defendants.
Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor is a type of criminal offense that is more serious than an infraction, but less severe than a felony. While you may not realize it, misdemeanors are more common than you think. They can cause great emotional stress, disrupting the lives of the person charged as well as those who are close to them. Many people of all ages, genders, and financial statuses are accused of misdemeanors. Fortunately, within the judicial system, a misdemeanor is actually the lesser evil. Convictions of these kinds do not carry the possibility of a prison sentence. However, this doesn’t necessarily lesson their impact. People who are convicted of a misdemeanor may be sentenced to time in county jail and given probation for several years. Some common misdemeanors in California include driving under the influence, assault and domestic battery, petty theft, lewd conduct, perjury, possession of drugs, and trespassing. If charged with this type of offense, it will remain on your criminal record and be visible for potential employers to see when running background checks. In some cases, a misdemeanor can be expunged during a court-ordered process. Expungement removes the misdemeanor from your record, eliminating the possibility of it appearing on background checks or other public records. The experienced lawyers at GFT will advocate for you and work toward providing you with the most optimal outcome.
Felonies
Out of all criminal offenses, felonies are the most serious. They tend to warrant punitive damages, and may carry lifelong consequences. Felony crimes are punishable to imprisonment greater than one year. In California, some common felony charges include murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual assault including rape, burglary, arson, extortion, kidnapping, identity theft, vandalism, grand theft auto, and more. If deemed a felon, the rights you hold often become limited as a result of the conviction. Your ability to obtain a driver’s license, apply for government assistance, and even your right to vote may be affected. When charged with a felony, it is imperative that you obtain a criminal attorney as soon as possible. You must communicate your story of what transpired so that your attorney can fight hard for you and, above all else, do their best to prevent your conviction. Because a felony can alter the course of your entire life immensely, it is important to have a good defense attorney who knows the law. The experienced lawyers at Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich have handled various cases involving a range of felonies, and our understanding of the law makes sure your side of the story is always paramount. We will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome.
Juvenile Cases
Criminal offenses committed by minors are known as juvenile crimes. A juvenile is anyone under the age of 18, or anyone who isn’t old enough to be held responsible for their actions. Some common juvenile crimes include vandalism, underage drinking, drug possession, petty theft, curfew violations, and more. Depending on the crime conviction, a juvenile could receive informal probation, formal probation, community service, substance abuse counseling, restitution, or commitment. If a more serious offense was committed, a juvenile may be tried as an adult. If a juvenile you know and love is charged with a crime, the best way you can help them is to hire a professional and experienced attorney as soon as possible. At GFT, we can assure you that our juvenile lawyers will work with your family to make sure your family is represented to the fullest letter of the law. We believe your child should be given the opportunity to grow, learn, and make changes for their mistakes. Our lawyers handle all cases with compassion, integrity, courtesy, diligence and strong advocacy. We make it a priority to place our clients in the best position to resolve their cases.
DUI Defense
Driving under the influence of recreational drugs and/or alcohol in the state of California is a fairly serious offense that can greatly impact your life as well as the lives of others. A DUI is issued to drivers whose blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher. They can also be given to individuals who are under the influence while operating a bike or motorized scooter. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is important to get an experienced and trustworthy lawyer. The penalties that accompany a DUI case in California can be severe and unrelenting. The consequences of your actions may result in your license being suspended, you may have to pay a significant fine, and you could even face possible jail time. Sentencing could also be worse in cases where a child was present in the vehicle, if you were speeding and driving with extreme recklessness, or if your BAC was over 0.20%. The law surrounding Driving Under the Influence cases is extremely complicated, which is why you need a lawyer who knows how to navigate the courtroom and fight for you. GFT will stand by you and work tirelessly to achieve the best outcome.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse perpetrated against a spouse or former spouse, partner, ex, or child. There are different types of domestic violence: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, economic abuse, and psychological abuse. Stalking, threats, and cyberstalking are also considered forms of abuse. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or gender. At GFT, we understand that domestic violence is a very serious situation as well as an incredibly sensitive issue. It can cause great destruction and pain to someone’s life, so it is important to get help as soon as possible in order to protect one’s self and those who love them. You may need an order of protection, also known as a restraining order, against an abuser to maintain the safety of your family, or you may need to be defended against false charges. We are able to handle any issues that may arise as part of divorce or child custody disputes, whether it is moving to obtain a protective order or to defend against allegations of domestic violence. Our experienced attorneys take these allegations very seriously, and we will protect you and your family to the fullest extent of the law.
Criminal Law Attorneys in Long Beach, Los Angeles & Orange County
Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich boasts a robust criminal law department that gives clients the capacity to handle all elements of their cases under one roof. Kristin Trutanich, who was previously a top prosecutor at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, and the attorneys on her team have successfully advocated for a number of criminal defendants.
Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor is a type of criminal offense that is more serious than an infraction, but less severe than a felony. While you may not realize it, misdemeanors are more common than you think. They can cause great emotional stress, disrupting the lives of the person charged as well as those who are close to them. Many people of all ages, genders, and financial statuses are accused of misdemeanors. Fortunately, within the judicial system, a misdemeanor is actually the lesser evil. Convictions of these kinds do not carry the possibility of a prison sentence. However, this doesn’t necessarily lesson their impact. People who are convicted of a misdemeanor may be sentenced to time in county jail and given probation for several years. Some common misdemeanors in California include driving under the influence, assault and domestic battery, petty theft, lewd conduct, perjury, possession of drugs, and trespassing. If charged with this type of offense, it will remain on your criminal record and be visible for potential employers to see when running background checks. In some cases, a misdemeanor can be expunged during a court-ordered process. Expungement removes the misdemeanor from your record, eliminating the possibility of it appearing on background checks or other public records. The experienced lawyers at GFT will advocate for you and work toward providing you with the most optimal outcome.
Felonies
Out of all criminal offenses, felonies are the most serious. They tend to warrant punitive damages, and may carry lifelong consequences. Felony crimes are punishable to imprisonment greater than one year. In California, some common felony charges include murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual assault including rape, burglary, arson, extortion, kidnapping, identity theft, vandalism, grand theft auto, and more. If deemed a felon, the rights you hold often become limited as a result of the conviction. Your ability to obtain a driver’s license, apply for government assistance, and even your right to vote may be affected. When charged with a felony, it is imperative that you obtain a criminal attorney as soon as possible. You must communicate your story of what transpired so that your attorney can fight hard for you and, above all else, do their best to prevent your conviction. Because a felony can alter the course of your entire life immensely, it is important to have a good defense attorney who knows the law. The experienced lawyers at Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich have handled various cases involving a range of felonies, and our understanding of the law makes sure your side of the story is always paramount. We will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome.
Juvenile Cases
Criminal offenses committed by minors are known as juvenile crimes. A juvenile is anyone under the age of 18, or anyone who isn’t old enough to be held responsible for their actions. Some common juvenile crimes include vandalism, underage drinking, drug possession, petty theft, curfew violations, and more. Depending on the crime conviction, a juvenile could receive informal probation, formal probation, community service, substance abuse counseling, restitution, or commitment. If a more serious offense was committed, a juvenile may be tried as an adult. If a juvenile you know and love is charged with a crime, the best way you can help them is to hire a professional and experienced attorney as soon as possible. At GFT, we can assure you that our juvenile lawyers will work with your family to make sure your family is represented to the fullest letter of the law. We believe your child should be given the opportunity to grow, learn, and make changes for their mistakes. Our lawyers handle all cases with compassion, integrity, courtesy, diligence and strong advocacy. We make it a priority to place our clients in the best position to resolve their cases.
DUI Defense
Driving under the influence of recreational drugs and/or alcohol in the state of California is a fairly serious offense that can greatly impact your life as well as the lives of others. A DUI is issued to drivers whose blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher. They can also be given to individuals who are under the influence while operating a bike or motorized scooter. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is important to get an experienced and trustworthy lawyer. The penalties that accompany a DUI case in California can be severe and unrelenting. The consequences of your actions may result in your license being suspended, you may have to pay a significant fine, and you could even face possible jail time. Sentencing could also be worse in cases where a child was present in the vehicle, if you were speeding and driving with extreme recklessness, or if your BAC was over 0.20%. The law surrounding Driving Under the Influence cases is extremely complicated, which is why you need a lawyer who knows how to navigate the courtroom and fight for you. GFT will stand by you and work tirelessly to achieve the best outcome.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse perpetrated against a spouse or former spouse, partner, ex, or child. There are different types of domestic violence: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, economic abuse, and psychological abuse. Stalking, threats, and cyberstalking are also considered forms of abuse. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or gender. At GFT, we understand that domestic violence is a very serious situation as well as an incredibly sensitive issue. It can cause great destruction and pain to someone’s life, so it is important to get help as soon as possible in order to protect one’s self and those who love them. You may need an order of protection, also known as a restraining order, against an abuser to maintain the safety of your family, or you may need to be defended against false charges. We are able to handle any issues that may arise as part of divorce or child custody disputes, whether it is moving to obtain a protective order or to defend against allegations of domestic violence. Our experienced attorneys take these allegations very seriously, and we will protect you and your family to the fullest extent of the law.
Our Family Law & Divorce Attorneys
When you’re going through a tough time, you need a full team on your side. Our five-attorney firm has all of the resources to attend to our clients’ needs.
John J. Gilligan, CFLS |
John J. Gilligan, CFLS has practiced family law for 39 years and handled over 7500 family law matters. He sits on the Family Law Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar and donates several hours of his time each month to the court system as a mediator and Judge Pro Tem.
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Janine M. Frisco |
Ms. Frisco’s first preference is always to mediate spousal, financial and custody issues, she is also a staunch advocate for her client’s and a relentless opponent in a court of law. Ms. Frisco regularly litigates complex trials, acts as a mediator for both parties, and collaborates when the parties pursue collaboration.
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Kristin Trutanich |
Kristin Trutanich is a trial attorney with over 13 years of litigation experience. Prior to joining Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, Ms. Trutanich was a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, she tried over 70 jury trials involving domestic violence etc.
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Michael Sarris |
Michael Sarris specializes in California family law with extensive experience in the areas of child support, child custody and visitation, spousal support and community property division. Mr. Sarris founded the Law Offices of Michael Sarris.
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Wendy K. Tse |
Family law attorney, Wendy K. Tse, has practiced family law exclusively since 1998. Ms.Tse specializes in and has extensive experience with matters pertaining to California divorce, contested custody disputes, child support, spousal support etc.
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Our Family Law & Divorce Attorneys
When you’re going through a tough time, you need a full team on your side. Our five-attorney firm has all of the resources to attend to our clients’ needs.
John J. Gilligan, CFLS |
John J. Gilligan, CFLS has practiced family law for 39 years and handled over 7500 family law matters. He sits on the Family Law Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar and donates several hours of his time each month to the court system as a mediator and Judge Pro Tem.
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Janine M. Frisco |
Ms. Frisco’s first preference is always to mediate spousal, financial and custody issues, she is also a staunch advocate for her client’s and a relentless opponent in a court of law. Ms. Frisco regularly litigates complex trials, acts as a mediator for both parties, and collaborates when the parties pursue collaboration.
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Kristin Trutanich |
Kristin Trutanich is a trial attorney with over 13 years of litigation experience. Prior to joining Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, Ms. Trutanich was a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, she tried over 70 jury trials involving domestic violence etc.
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Michael Sarris |
Michael Sarris specializes in California family law with extensive experience in the areas of child support, child custody and visitation, spousal support and community property division. Mr. Sarris founded the Law Offices of Michael Sarris.
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Wendy K. Tse |
Family law attorney, Wendy K. Tse, has practiced family law exclusively since 1998. Ms.Tse specializes in and has extensive experience with matters pertaining to California divorce, contested custody disputes, child support, spousal support etc.
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100+ YEARS COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE
Our Law Firm’s History
Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, was co-founded by John J. Gilligan, who has been practicing family law in Long Beach since 1981. Janine M. Frisco is also a partner, as is Kristin Trutanich. Together, they are the area’s most comprehensive legal stronghold.
GFT has helped individuals and their families surmount their legal difficulties for the past several decades. We are proud to serve Southern California, and have the dedication and experience required to handle every type of issue.
The Team of Attorneys
You’ve Been Looking For
Our experienced team of professionals will guide you through life’s murkiest waters. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we have the resources needed to represent clients in all aspects of family and criminal law.
The Team of Attorneys You’ve Been Looking For
Our experienced team of professionals will guide you through life’s murkiest waters. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we have the resources needed to represent clients in all aspects of family and criminal law.
Office
Locations
We have two offices conveniently located in Long Beach & Palos Verdes. We represent clients in courts throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties.
Long Beach Office
One World Trade Center, Suite #1740
Long Beach, CA 90831
Telephone: (562) 431-2000
FAX: (562) 431-2100
Palos Verdes Office
2516 Vía Tejon, Suite 309
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Telephone: (310) 237-9001
FAX: (562) 431-2100