Court Trials In Los Angeles

Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers brings decades of courtroom experience to every client we defend. As a former Deputy District Attorney who has tried hundreds of cases on both sides of the aisle, Attorney Michael Kraut understands the practical realities and the dynamics of Los Angeles court trials, knowing how to position your case for the best possible result, often without ever stepping before a jury.

Navigating the Los Angeles criminal process can be overwhelming without experienced legal guidance. Our firm is committed to helping clients understand each stage, from arrest to resolution, ensuring their rights are protected at every step.

Los Angeles County hosts one of the largest and busiest criminal court systems in the United States, spanning more than 30 courthouses from Downtown’s Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center to suburban branches in Van Nuys, Long Beach, Torrance, and Pomona. Every courtroom follows the same state rules of criminal procedure; yet, each judge, prosecutor, and courthouse culture adds its unwritten expectations. Familiarity with these local nuances is critical to:

• identifying diversion programs that a particular courthouse prefers
• anticipating calendar congestion that can delay or accelerate your right to a speedy trial
• learning each judge’s approach to pre-trial motions, sentencing, and probation terms

Because these factors can substantially influence whether a case is better resolved through negotiation or by proceeding to court trials in Los Angeles, the first step in any defense strategy is a thorough, courthouse-specific assessment.

California Constitution Article I, § 16 guarantees anyone facing misdemeanor or felony charges in Los Angeles the right to a jury of twelve impartial citizens. A defendant may waive that right and ask for a bench trial — a trial before a single judge, provided the prosecution and the court agree. The choice between a jury and bench trial should be made only after a detailed discussion with experienced counsel, as it can significantly impact the outcome of Los Angeles court trials. Some of the practical distinctions include:

• Decision-maker: In a jury trial, twelve jurors must reach a unanimous verdict; a hung jury results in a mistrial. A Bench trial is a proceeding in which a single judge decides guilt or innocence.
• Speed and Efficiency: In a jury trial, the voir dire, jury instructions, and deliberations add days or weeks. A Bench trial is streamlined; it often concludes faster and with lower litigation costs.
• Complexity of Evidence: In a jury trial, technical or scientific evidence must be simplified for lay jurors to understand. In a Bench trial, judges can absorb complex forensic or financial records without extensive explanation.
• Sensitivity to Public Opinion. In a jury trial, community sentiments, both positive and negative, can influence verdicts. In a bench trial, judges have the training and experience that insulates them from media coverage and emotion.

• High-profile cases are often saturated by media coverage, which can lead to potential jurors arriving with strong opinions.
• Complex white-collar or environmental prosecutions involving large volumes of documents or specialized data.
• Situations where the key legal question is narrow and highly technical, such as the interpretation of a statute or a motion to suppress evidence.
• In cases in which the factual conduct is controversial but not necessarily criminal, judges are better equipped to separate legality from morality.

In many Los Angeles court trials, the decision to choose a jury can offer crucial protections that may not be available in a bench trial.

• Charges rooted in ordinary life experience, such as DUI or assault, where jurors can readily assess witness credibility.
• Matters hinge on subjective events, such as eyewitness identification or the alleged voluntariness of a confession.
• Allegations that rely heavily on police procedures may be viewed with appropriate skepticism.
• Cases where sympathetic human details (e.g., a family dispute that escalated) might resonate with everyday citizens but be dismissed as routine by a career judge.

Most cases in Los Angeles resolve before a jury is ever empaneled. Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers leverages meticulous preparation and strategic negotiation to make that outcome possible. Core tactics include:

• Early engagement with the assigned Deputy District Attorney to present exculpatory facts before charges are filed.
• Independent defense investigation, interviewing witnesses quickly, preserving surveillance footage, and securing digital evidence such as text messages or GPS data.
• Aggressive motion practice aimed at suppressing illegally obtained evidence, exposing discovery violations, or dismissing counts that lack probable cause.
• Presentation of mitigating factors, employment history, military service, medical conditions, or restitution, to humanize the client and persuade prosecutors that alternative resolutions serve justice.

Effective pre-trial strategies can often result in favorable outcomes without the need for lengthy Los Angeles court trials. By addressing legal weaknesses or presenting mitigating factors early, skilled defense attorneys can secure dismissals or significant reductions in charges.

• Diversion and Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ) programs for misdemeanors, including first-time drug possession or non-violent offenses.
• Mental Health Diversion under Penal Code § 1001.36 when psychological treatment addresses the root cause of the alleged conduct.
• Veteran’s Court and Military Diversion for defendants whose service-related conditions contributed to the offense.
• Civil Compromise and Restitution Agreements that satisfy a complaining witness and convince the People to dismiss or reduce charges.
• Statutory Motions to suppress (Penal Code § 1538.5) or dismiss (Penal Code § 995) that, if granted, leave prosecutors without critical evidence.
• Negotiated pleas to lesser included offenses or wobblers reduced to misdemeanors, preserving professional licenses and immigration status.

Los Angeles Superior Court offers pilot and specialty calendars that can resolve cases outside the traditional trial track:

• Homeless Court: addresses quality-of-life offenses through social-service engagement instead of incarceration.
• Collaborative Courts, such as Drug Court, DUI Court, and Project LEAD, focus on rehabilitation and strict supervision rather than punitive sentences.
• Neighborhood Justice Program: community-based restorative justice facilitated by the Los Angeles City Attorney, often resulting in complete dismissal upon successful completion.
• Office Hearings: at the LAPD or the District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division, which can close investigations pre-filing based on an attorney’s presentation.

Time is a powerful tool. Within hours of retaining counsel, critical evidence can vanish:

• Surveillance systems routinely overwrite footage in seven to thirty days.
• Witness memories fade and become vulnerable to suggestion.
• Digital data, cell-tower logs, social media posts, and rideshare GPS tracks require swift preservation orders.

By acting immediately, Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers frequently secures proof that contradicts police reports, persuades prosecutors to decline filing, and avoids court trials altogether.

Even with robust pre-trial advocacy, some matters must be tried. Clients of Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers receive comprehensive guidance through each phase:

• Jury selection, known as voir dire, is where we screen for hidden biases and select jurors who will fairly evaluate your defense.
• Opening statements that frame the evidence in the light most favorable to you.
• Cross-examination techniques honed by years of prosecutorial and defense practice, exposing inconsistencies and motivations.
• Expert witnesses, from forensic toxicologists to digital forensics analysts, who can rebut government science.
• Persuasive closing arguments that synthesize facts and law into a compelling narrative.
• Post-trial motions and appeals are preserved on the record to protect your rights if the verdict is unfavorable.

• Prosecutorial Insight. Attorney Michael Kraut spent over 14 years as a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles, prosecuting cases ranging from petty theft to homicide. He now uses that insider knowledge to dismantle the prosecution’s strategy.
• Reputation for Trial Excellence. Prosecutors know we are prepared to go the distance, which often leads to better pre-trial offers.
• Local Court Mastery. From the Foltz Center downtown to branch courts in the Airport, Van Nuys, and Long Beach, we understand the unique culture of each courtroom.
• Client-Focused Communication. You receive direct cell phone access to lead counsel and regular updates at every milestone.
• Results-Driven Approach. We measure success by concrete outcomes: dismissed charges, reduced counts, and minimized collateral consequences.

If you or a loved one faces criminal accusations anywhere in Los Angeles County, swift action is essential. The earlier we intervene, the more opportunities we have to reduce or avoid court trials altogether. Contact Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers for a confidential consultation. Let our experience, dedication, and proven results safeguard your freedom and reputation.