Case Histories

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney

After an arrest and formal criminal charges are made in your name, you will likely need a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer. Battling the prosecution and representing yourself before a judge and jury can be difficult tasks that should not be done without the legal support of a professional attorney. However, choosing the right defense counsel for your case can almost seem as challenging as the actual defense. Who should you turn to for legal help? How do you know if you have found the right attorney to represent your case?

I, Attorney Robert M. Helfend, have been in the business of criminal defense law for more than two decades and I have come across a number of individuals in similar situations to that described above. I know how difficult it can be to find a law firm worthy of representing your case. After all, your future is on the line and you want to make sure it is defended to the nines. Who wouldn't? I understand this completely, and therefore, I have included a sample of my case histories to give you an idea of the type of attorney you will be working with when you choose to be represented by my firm.

FEDERAL DRUG CRIME CHARGES
Client charged with arranging an over-the-phone deal to sell 2 lbs. of methamphetamine. With three prior drug related convictions, the client was facing life in prison if convicted. Mr. Helfend met with the U.S. attorney and challenged the evidence being used in the case, successfully negotiating a plea to a "phone" count. Rather than a life in prison, the client received only nine months in a halfway house (to keep him employed) and another nine months under house arrest.

ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER
Client alleged with driving his vehicle at a police officer on the way home from a ball game at night. After a four-day jury trial in which Mr. Helfend exposed discrepancies between the two testimonies made by different eyewitness police officers, the client was found NOT GUILTY.

CRIMINAL THREAT
Client accused of threatening to kill a man if he did not turn off his car headlights. Mr. Helfend thoroughly investigated the case before turning over the defense evidence to prosecution. On the day of the trial, the prosecution offered Mr. Helfend's client charges of an infraction only.

MURDER
An eyewitness identified client as the individual responsible for shooting her boyfriend. After a five-day trial, the jury could not reach a verdict and Mr. Helfend's client was charged with voluntary manslaughter and given credit for time served.

POSSESSION FOR SALE
Client is found with 25 LSD sugar cubes and several incriminating text messages. Mr. Helfend hired an expert witness in drug possession and sales of narcotics. On the day of trial, the prosecution offered Mr. Helfend's client a simple possession of personal use and deferred entry of judgment and a dismissal.

CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE - FEDERAL
Client was indicted for conspiring to purchase and sell 12 kilos of cocaine. Special agents arrested the client's 3 codefendants at the scene with 12 kilos and over $100,000. The client was supposedly heard on a wiretap arranging the transaction. Through careful analysis of the government's evidence and skillful use of expert witnesses, Mr. Helfend successfully persuades the U.S. Attorneys Office to DISMISS the case prior to trial.

FEDERAL- CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Armed with a search warrant, officers locate 10,000 images on client's computer and in his home. Mr. Helfend files a Motion to Supress Evidence based on the initial illegal entry by police to collect evidence. At the hearing on the motion, Mr. Helfend successfully pursuades the Court that the evidence was obtained illegally. Evidence suppressed, client released from custody.

MURDER
Police allege that clients pregnant wife was kicked in the stomach which caused death to their unborn son. At the conclusion of the PRELIMINARY HEARING, Mr. Helfend persuades the Court to DISMISS ALL CHARGES

CHILD MOLESTATION
Client confesses to his wife to inappropriate touching of his step daughter. After 5 day Jury Trial, client is found NOT GUILTY OF ALL 5 COUNTS

ATTEMPTED MURDER ON POLICE OFFICER
At jury trial, after cross examining the prosecutor's first police officer witness, Mr. Helfend was able to show that the officer's identification of his Client was flawed and client was then offered CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED and SET FREE.

DRUG SALES
Client was caught on video and audio tape negotiating with an undercover narcotics detective for the purchase of 1 kilo of cocaine. Mr. Helfend successfully persuaded the Court to sentence his client to NO JAIL TIME or community service.

SPOUSAL ABUSE
Wife alleged that husband squeezed her arm too tight in a fit of rage, leaving bruises on her arm which were photographed by police. The jury came back with a NOT GUILTY verdict in 30 minutes.

METHAMPHETAMINE MANUFACTURING
Deputies find an operating methamphetamine laboratory at the location where client is found. District Attorney was unable to proceed and CASE DISMISSED after Mr. Helfend successfully convinces the Court that location was subject to an illegal search and seizure.

THREE STRIKES CASE
Possession of dangerous weapon, Mr. Helfend convinces the District Attorney that the brass knuckles were for decorative purposes. The District Attorney agrees to TIME SERVED of 45 days.

PERJURY
Client was on probation for a drug possession charge with a four-year state prison suspended sentence. The Court held the violation of probation hearing at the same time as the jury trial. The jury was unable to reach a decision and the court found NO violation. Client received NO TIME.

POSSESSION OF WEAPON BY EX FELON
Police find loaded firearm on client after a search of his person. District Attorney unable to proceed and the CASE WAS DISMISSED after Mr. Helfend successfully argued to Court that client was illegally searched.

3-STRIKES CASE
Drug possession Client was seen by officers passing a "crack pipe" to the passenger. After the jury was unable to reach a decision, the CASE WAS DISMISSED rather than re-tried by the District Attorney.

TERRORIST THREAT
Client threatens victim: Case was immediately set for jury trial and DISMISSED on a technicality of violating client's speedy trial rights.

These statements concerning results obtained in other cases do not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

Contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at the firm today to learn how your case could become one of Mr. Helfend's successful case histories.