Criminal Defense

Being investigated by a law enforcement agency or being formally charged with a crime in court is something that no one ever expects, and everyone dreads. But having an attorney who knows the law and has an everyday, professional working relationship with and the respect of police officers, judges and prosecutors who work up these cases is critical to defending clients who are in trouble.

While the firm primarily handles the defense of federal and state cases in the eight-county central and southern California area and the four county south Florida area, it has represented clients throughout courts of the states of California and Florida.

Some California criminal defense lawyers take a wait-and-see approach. They stall until the first court date, or until they receive the police reports, before investigating and working up your case.

The firm’s reputation for providing creative and aggressive defenses and its skillful negotiations of favorable plea agreements are well known; the firm’s practice is built on referrals from former clients, other attorneys, judges and even former jurors who recognized and appreciated the quality representation and the commitment to success. The firm tailors a defense strategy to the client’s particular facts and circumstances, and its trial strategy, utilized only as a last resort, is focused on achieving the best possible results. In cases where trial may not be the best option, the firm strives to negotiate the best possible plea bargain and disposition.

In situations where clients are being investigated for minor offenses, it has been the aim of the firm to “divert” the conflict into a City Attorney or District Attorney “office hearing” setting after an arrest is made and before formal criminal charges are filed by prosecutors. The most critical window for the defense often is the first few days following an arrest or even prior to formal charges being filed. By getting to work immediately, often we can locate favorable defense evidence and witnesses, and get a “head start” towards defeating the charges. The firm has had incredible success in not only getting cases such as trespass to private property or shoplifting, domestic violence, hit and run with property damage, assault and battery, etc. placed into an informal office setting with a civilian hearing officer presiding and representing the prosecutor’s department, but also convincing these hearing officers not to recommend the filing of formal charges. This approach almost always satisfies law enforcement, the victims and the clients, and has saved clients thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees and countless hours of aggravation and stress.

The firm is extremely aggressive in preparing defenses: obtaining witness statements, initiating written discovery (the formal demand of all helpful and not helpful evidence from the police and the prosecutor’s office), subpoenaing documents and persons critical to the case. The likelihood of winning a motion to dismiss the case based upon legal and factual grounds is discussed with he client and filed in timely fashion when necessary. Copies of all police reports and evidence is shared with the client for feedback. In drunk driving cases, for example, it may be necessary to have the blood sample taken by law enforcement independently tested to prove that the blood alcohol level is actually lower than that claimed by the police.

While it is claimed by some that it is unfair for lawyers to “get clients off on a technicality,” it is the firm’s strict position that even if the so-called “technicality” is still a legitimate, recognized but perhaps not often used principal of law, it must be raised to the court if it protects the rights of the accused, and the firm will do everything legally possible to obtain a dismissal or acquittal for the client.

Attorney’s fees are discussed up front and often with family members as authorized by the client. All fee agreements are put in writing to protect both the firm and the client with copies given to the client immediately for his/her records. The firm works with recognized bail bondsmen to facilitate the release of an incarcerated client as quickly as possible at an often discounted premium rate. 

The firm has a separate unit which concentrates on representing clients who have criminal law/immigration cross-over issues. We have worked with the top immigration lawyers in the country. The firm has had tremendous success in vacating or “throwing out” previous criminal convictions where clients’ constitutional rights have been violated and which jeopardize the right of those clients to remain in the United States.