How to Pick a Good Criminal Defense Attorney in L.A.
I have been a criminal defense attorney in Orange County and Los Angeles for about 32 years and have come to know that there is an art to criminal defense:
- You have to know the law and procedures, and
- You must have credibility with the judges and prosecutors. You have to be reasonable and a person that people like and can get along with, but not a wimp or a push over.
- You have to be able to go to trial if you must. When you are about to get into a barroom brawl, if you can work yourself out it gracefully, great. If your back is up against the wall, you better be able “Fight like hell”.
- You must have that sixth sense about when the time is right to “Grab the deal and run like hell” and when to wait and let the case develop. Part of any trial lawyer is a bet of a “River boat gambler”. “Know when to hold em and when to fold em.”
Any lawyer who brags about having a “90% success rate” is probably full of crap. The number of variables in a criminal case are too numerous and too subjective so that even a person with a Ph.D. in statistics would not attempt to quantify them or come up with a success rate. I have won cases that I should have lost. I have had cases dismissed when my client should have gone to prison or jail. I have also had my clients turn down great plea bargains offered and gone to trial and wish they would have taken the plea offered. I have also been in situation where my client had nothing to lose by trying the case and went to prison.
As a criminal defense lawyer with 32 years of experience, here is what I would look for if I were accused of a crime:
- First, I would want a person who had spent a significant amount of time in the trenches and had a significant amount of trial experience.
- Second, I would want someone who would spend the time to explain my options in a straight forward and honest manner.
- Third, I would want someone who to spent the time to analyze my case and prepare for trial.
- Fourth, I would want someone with a good presence – friendly and self assured but not arrogant and had character and a good reputation amongst the legal community.
- Fifth, I would want some who was ready willing and able to go to trial if necessary.
Every criminal case is serious. Potential employers, potential landlords and others are doing background checks. The list of crimes is increasing every day. Twenty years ago, domestic violence was serious but not overly emphasized in the grand scheme of the criminal justice system. Is it wrong? Of course it is but thanks to O.J. Simpson and Marsha Clark, every police department, District Attorney’s office and branch has a special unit devoted to “DV” and it can serious consequences on whether you get hired or if your involved in a divorce.
The point is that every crime is serious and deserves to dealt with accordingly. At the law offices of Charles M. Farano, every offense is treated as a serious matter each of the client’s options is analyzed and explained.
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Client Testimonials
I searched for months before I was able to locate Chuck Farano and boy was I glad I did! He has the trial experience that I needed and the willingness go to the mat if necessary. At the same time, he was the most skillful negotiator I have ever encountered and I have dealt with attorneys in my business for over twenty years.
D.S.
I was extremely pleased with the level of service delivered by Mr. Farano. He was always well prepared and is absolutely fearless in the court room. He explained all of my options to me in terms that I could understand so that I could make critical decisions about my case. I could not have asked for a better result.
G.L.
I would highly recommend Chuck Farano as an attorney in any litigation case. He knows how and when to play hard ball and his instincts and sense of timing within the justice system is tremendous.
A.H.