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Former Senior LA Prosecutor.
Harvard Law School Educated.
Now Providing an Aggressive Defense For You.

Court Trials In Los Angeles

Any individual charged with a Felony or a Misdemeanor in Los Angeles has the right to a trial by jury. Sometimes called a trial by a “jury of one’s peers,” it is meant to preserve a connection to the community’s sense of justice, apart from forces other than justice, such as politics, economics, or special interests. For lesser violations, such as infractions, there is no right to a jury trial. There is only the right to a trial before a judge, which may be called a court trial or a bench trial. Individuals charged with serious crimes may waive their right to a jury trial, opting instead to have their trial before a single judge.

Benefits of a Jury Trial

When a person is accused of a crime in Los Angeles, it can be a worry that the case might be placed on a criminal court conveyor belt where everyone is pushed toward a conviction. People want their own cases to be treated as unique, with all the mitigating evidence explored. Because judges have seen so many cases, it may be hard for a judge to truly treat each case as unique, without finding patterns, and making rulings according to those patterns. Judges are also subject to elections in Los Angeles County and throughout California. This means that if a Judge wants to remain a judge, the political desires of voters cannot be totally dismissed. That means that a judge’s decisions cannot be totally unpopular.

While a jury panel may place great weight on the fact that a domestic violence victim does not want prosecution, a judge may be unimpressed by this common occurrence. While a jury panel may listen with great interest at the inner working of a law enforcement breath test device, a judge may have heard the DUI evidence so many times that it is thoroughly boring. This could lead a judge to dismiss an irregularity that a juror would fixate on. For this reason, it is generally considered in a defendant’s best interest to have a jury trial on most types of cases.

Benefits of a Court Trial

There are certain types of cases where waiving the right to a jury may be in the best interest of a person accused of a crime. There may be certain cases that have received a great deal of media coverage. While an anonymous juror may have already decided whether the accused person is guilty or innocent, a judge would have more experience at remaining impartial despite public facts. Sometimes there are cases that are extremely complex, such as document heavy white collar crimes, or environmental crimes involving extensive chemical analysis. In such a case it might be better to rely on a judge to absorb the entire technical scope of a case, rather than trying to explain it all to twelve jurors, and trying to get them all to agree.

There may also be some cases where a person is accused of a crime, and while their conduct may be shocking or controversial, it is completely, or largely, legal. This may be true in protests or civil disobedience, where the underlying cause may be important to a jury panel, whereas a judge would look at the methods employed, and their legality. Jurors may be more connected to emotional aspects of controversial cases, while a judge will have a great deal of practice looking at the legal elements of the crime, apart from whether the actions involved are socially and morally approved.

While an experienced trial attorney can usually negotiate a good resolution to a case prior to trial, a criminal attorney must always be prepared to go to trial if it is the best interest of the client. As trial approaches, the expectations of the upcoming trial heavily influence the negotiations. Having an attorney with a long and stellar trial record affects what the prosecution is willing to offer. And having an attorney who can recognize the times when a bench trial is advantageous can save a client from pitfalls inherent in trials.

If you or a loved one is charged with a crime, it is critical that you consult with a Los Angeles Attorney immediately. As a former Deputy District Attorney with over 14 years of prosecutorial experience, Attorney Michael Kraut is highly effective at trying cases on behalf of his clients.

For more information about Los Angeles trials, and to schedule your free consultation, contact Michael Kraut at the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers located at 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Mr. Kraut can be reached 24/7 at 888-334-6344 or 323-464-6453.


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Michael Kraut is outstanding! He genuinely cared about my case and instructed my mom and I throughout the entire process. He was very clear on what he needed in order to receive the best results. He kept us updated until the end. I thank him so much for getting my charges rejected. I highly recommend him to anyone with legal needs! Shaquan
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I contacted Michael with concern for my personal and business reputation. He was very reassuring and confident the entire time. After about 3 weeks it was determined that no charges were being filed by any agency and I was in the clear of any investigation. One thing that is amazing is just how FAST Michael is at replying to phone calls, texts, and even emails! We are talking under 30 minutes in most cases. That is unheard of for most attorneys! Michael is incredible and not your typical run of the mill attorney. For best results hire him if you feel like you might be under investigation or could face charges. Even if you know you are innocent it is best to take care of the smoke before it becomes a fire. Brad
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Michael Kraut is-hands down-the best criminal defense attorney and I can't begin to thank him for all that he did for me and my family. I reached out to him in the middle of the night and less than a couple hours later, he had gotten back to me and scheduled a meeting. He's a no-nonsense attorney who knows how to get the job done! From the second we retained him, I had peace of mind in knowing that we were in the best hands possible. If Michael Kraut couldn't get it done, I knew that it couldn't be done at all. You can't put a price tag on your freedom. He was worth every single penny. Lida
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Michael Kraut is an outstanding attorney. He was extremely professional, and straightforward, yet sensitive with my case. I am confident I made the right choice by hiring Michael. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a truly experienced lawyer. Daniel
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Michael Kraut - I cannot thank you enough for all that you did for ​my son. When I came to you I read that you used to be a district attorney but I never knew how much that meant until I watch you in court. I knew it took 3 months but the final day when I heard the judge say that all charges were dismissed it was all worth it! I will always be grateful for all that you did for us. A.N.
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