Anaheim is a well-known destination with a mix of tourism, local neighborhoods, and busy nightlife, and with that comes a unique criminal landscape.
If you’re ever charged, understanding how the system works here can make a major difference, and Manshoory Law Group is ready to defend you.
Anaheim Crime Trends: What’s Most Common?
If you get your idea of crime from TV, you’re getting it wrong. When you dig into the real police reports and court filings in Anaheim, one thing becomes incredibly clear: property crimes are the biggest issue here. By a long shot.
This isn’t random. The city is a perfect storm for these types of charges. You have huge crowds and world-famous tourist draws like Disneyland and Angel Stadium, massive retail hubs like the Outlets of Orange, and a constant river of traffic on major freeways like the I-5 and SR-91.
Put it all together, and you have a unique environment where certain criminal allegations are far more common than others.
How Anaheim’s Crime Rates Compare Nationally
So, what happens when you zoom out and compare Anaheim to the rest of the country? The statistics tell two very different stories.
First, the hard fact: Anaheim’s property crime rate is higher than both the California and U.S. averages.
What does that mean for you? It means local law enforcement, from the Anaheim PD to store loss prevention, is on high alert for theft. A simple mistake or a misunderstanding can escalate into a criminal investigation much faster here than in other cities. Officers are trained to look for it.
There are conflicting reports around Anaheim’s violent crime rate, but while serious violent crimes do happen, the day-to-day grind of the local court system is overwhelmingly focused on theft, DUI, and other non-violent offenses.
Most Common Charges We Defend in Anaheim
Knowing the stats is one thing. Understanding how these charges can turn your life upside down—and how you can fight back—is what really matters. Here’s a breakdown of the cases we handle every single day at the North Justice Center.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
A DUI in Anaheim is a serious problem 0that starts two separate legal battles: one in criminal court and one with the DMV.
A first-time DUI conviction in Orange County isn’t a slap on the wrist. It’s a legal and financial nightmare. You’re facing thousands of dollars in fines, a mandatory DMV license suspension that’s separate from court, months of alcohol education classes, and possible jail time. It leaves a permanent mark that can haunt your job prospects and insurance rates for years.
A Common Scenario: You’re heading home after a game at the Honda Center. You see the flashing lights of a DUI checkpoint ahead. You’re pulled aside, and the officer says they smell alcohol. What follows is a series of field sobriety tests on the side of a busy road, a breathalyzer test, and then the cold feel of handcuffs.
So, how do you defend against it? We start by picking apart the prosecution’s case from the very beginning. The first thing we look at is the stop itself: did the officer have the necessary legal justification, known as ‘reasonable suspicion,’ to pull you over? If not, the entire case can get thrown out. From there, we scrutinize the so-called evidence. Were the Field Sobriety Tests administered correctly according to strict national standards, or was the officer just making it up? Was the breathalyzer machine properly calibrated and maintained? A lot of them aren’t. If you gave a blood sample, we will investigate how it was handled to see if it was contaminated. Every one of these details is an opportunity to win your case.
Theft & Burglary
Just as common as DUIs in Anaheim are theft charges. Under California Penal Code 484, theft is taking property belonging to someone else. If the value is under $950, it’s petty theft (a misdemeanor). Over $950, and it becomes grand theft, which the DA can charge as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
- The Stakes: A misdemeanor still leaves you with a criminal record. A felony can mean state prison time.
- A Common Scenario: You’re rushing through a crowded store and put an item in your bag to carry it, fully intending to pay. You get distracted and walk out, and suddenly, loss prevention stops you. To them, you’re a shoplifter.
- How We Defend It: Intent is everything. The DA has to prove you intended to steal. We work to show it was a simple mistake, a moment of distraction, or a false accusation.
Domestic Violence
When police get a domestic disturbance call, their policy is usually to make an arrest if there’s any sign of a physical dispute. This means you can be charged based on a chaotic, emotional, one-sided story.
- The Stakes: The consequences are immediate. A judge will issue an emergency Criminal Protective Order (CPO) that can force you out of your own home and prevent you from seeing your kids. A conviction for Penal Code 273.5 or 243(e)(1) means a 52-week batterer’s program, a 10-year firearm ban (and potentially a lifetime ban for PC 273.5 convictions), and a conviction that is very difficult to expunge.
- How We Defend It: The criminal defense lawyers at Manshoory Law act fast. Often, the accuser doesn’t want to press charges once things calm down. We present your side of the story, gather favorable evidence, and challenge the basis for the CPO. Many times, these situations involve self-defense, a point police often ignore at the scene.
Assault & Battery
An “assault” (Penal Code 240) is just an attempt to use force, while a “battery” (Penal Code 242) is the actual use of it. In a city with so many crowded venues, these charges are common.
- The Stakes: While often charged as misdemeanors, these cases can become serious felonies if great bodily injury is alleged. This makes the offense a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes law.
- How We Defend It: Self-defense is the most common and powerful defense. You have a legal right to use reasonable force to protect yourself or someone else. We hunt for video evidence and independent witnesses to prove your actions were a justified response to a threat.
Drug Possession & Sales
Many Anaheim drug cases don’t start with a big investigation. They start with a cop pulling you over for a traffic ticket.
- The Stakes: Simple possession of most drugs is a misdemeanor. But if police find items they consider evidence of sales—like a scale, small baggies, or cash—you can be charged with a felony for Possession for Sale (Health & Safety Code 11351), which carries potential prison time.
- How We Defend It: These cases often come down to the Fourth Amendment. Did the police have a legal right to stop and search you or your car in the first place? If the search was illegal, we file a Motion to Suppress Evidence. If the judge grants our motion, the case is usually dismissed.
Expungements
A past mistake shouldn’t ruin your future. An expungement under Penal Code 1203.4 is a powerful legal process where we ask the court to reopen your old case, set aside the conviction, and dismiss the charges in the interest of justice.
- How We Help: We handle the entire process. If you successfully completed probation, you are eligible. We file the petition, argue before the judge, and help you clear your record so you can honestly say you have not been convicted of that crime when applying for most jobs.
Juvenile Offenses
When a teenager from an Anaheim school gets in trouble, the juvenile justice system is supposed to focus on rehabilitation, not punishment. Our job is to make sure the system keeps that promise.
- How We Help: We fight to keep the case informal and away from a formal petition. Our goal is always to secure a diversion program or another resolution that ends with a dismissal and a sealed record, protecting your child’s future opportunities from being derailed by a single mistake.
Why Local Representation Matters in Anaheim Courts
Getting charged in Anaheim means your case will land in exactly one courthouse: the North Justice Center at 1275 N. Berkeley Avenue in Fullerton.
Our Anaheim criminal defense attorneys are in that building all the time. This isn’t just about knowing the layout; it’s about knowing the people and the procedures. We know the supervising District Attorneys, we know which judges are open to creative sentencing, and we have established credibility from years of working on cases there.
That on-the-ground knowledge is a real advantage. When we negotiate with a prosecutor, they know we understand the law and are ready to take a case to trial. That is leverage that an out-of-town lawyer simply doesn’t have.
Why Anaheim Clients Choose Manshoory Law Group
- 24/7 availability for urgent calls
- Former prosecutor insight
- Over a decade of courtroom experience
- Multilingual team ready to serve Anaheim’s diverse community
- Clear, personalized strategy for every client
Visit Our Anaheim Office
Our office is right here in the community. Come see us in person, or we can set up a virtual meeting online if that works better for you. We have plenty of parking. Just call to set something up.
Anaheim Criminal Defense FAQs
What are the most common charges in Anaheim?
It's not violent crime. It's theft, shoplifting, and car break-ins, mostly because of all the tourism and retail hotspots. After that, DUI charges are a close second, followed by assault and domestic violence cases.
What courthouse handles my case in Anaheim?
The North Justice Center in Fullerton. Every criminal case that starts in Anaheim, felony or misdemeanor, goes there.
Can I avoid jail with a strong defense?
That's the entire goal. No lawyer can guarantee an outcome, but a good defense is built to find a way to keep you out of jail, whether it's by getting the case dismissed, negotiating a plea to lesser charges, or finding an alternative like a treatment program.
Will a criminal charge affect my job or record?
Yes. A conviction is a public record that can stop you from getting a job, an apartment, or even a loan. It's serious. That's why you fight the case—to prevent the conviction. And if you have an old charge, an expungement may be able to clear it.
Can my case be handled virtually?
Yes and no. We can do all of our meetings and strategy sessions with you online or by phone. But for court dates, the judge will almost always require you to show up in person. We make everything else as remote as possible.
Arrested in Anaheim? Contact Us Today.
The first few hours after an arrest are the most critical. Don’t wait. Call us now and let our team start protecting your rights and your future.
References:
Data Central. (2020). Community comparison of property crimes in America: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area. https://data.pjstar.com/crime-report/los-angeles-long-beach-anaheim-ca-metro-area/31080/property-crimes/
Nextdoor. (2025). Anaheim, CA crime rates and safety statistics. https://nextdoor.com/resources/crime-and-safety/anaheim–ca/
Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute. (2024). California Code of Regulations, Title 11, § 999.226. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/11-CCR-999.226
California Legislative Information. (2001). California Penal Code § 484. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=484.&lawCode=PEN
California Legislative Information. (2025). California Penal Code § 273.5. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=273.5.
FindLaw. (2023). California Penal Code § 243. https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-243/
California Legislative Information. (2025). California Penal Code § 240. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=240
Justia. (2024). California Health & Safety Code § 11351. https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-hsc/division-10/chapter-6/article-1/section-11351/
California Legislative Information. (2023). California Penal Code § 1203.4. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=1203.4.
Superior Court of California, County of Orange. (2025). North Justice Center. https://www.occourts.org/location/north-justice-center
Maricopa County. (2025). Probable Cause Versus Reasonable Suspicion. https://www.maricopa.gov/919/Probable-Cause-Versus-Reasonable-Suspici