Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers in ZIP 95678 | 11 available

“Matthew A. Friedman joined the Cohen Defense Group in February, 2018.  He graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of Law and became a member of the California bar in 2017.  Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Friedman was a misdemeanor attorney at the Solano County Public Defender’s Office. Currently, he defends a wide variety of misdemeanor cases, such as drug possession, driving under the influence, petty theft and assault.. During law school, Mr. Friedman gained experience in the practice of criminal defense, working as a legal intern in both the Marin County and San Francisco Public Defender’s Office.  He was also an accomplished member of the UC Hastings Moot Court Team and an editor for the Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly, where he wrote an article on the criminalization of homelessness in San Francisco. Mr. Friedman received a Witkin Award for Academic Excellence, receiving the highest grade in the course, “Criminal Procedure: Adjudicative Process” which analyzed the criminal justice system from the perspectives of the prosecution and the defense.. Mr. Friedman was born on July 13, 1991 in San Rafael, CA. Education: UC Davis, Davis, CA (B.A. Political Science, Minors in History and War & Peace Studies 2013); University of California, Hastings College of Law, San Francisco, CA (J.D., 2017). Member: State Bar of California, Place County Bar Association.”

Mr. Merliss vigorously defends clients accused of misdemeanor offenses, such as drug possession, battery, white collar fraud, and domestic violence. He knows all misdemeanor prosecutors and judges in Placer County, and works hard to understand his clients in-depth so he can achieve the best resolutions possible. Mr. Merliss joined the Cohen Defense Group in May 2017, He graudated from the University of Southern California School of Law and became a member of the California bar in 2016.  Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Merliss was a legal fellow at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in the District of Nevada, and also an active member of an improvisational comedy club. During law school, Mr. Merliss gained exposure to the prosecution side of the criminal justice system, especially in misdemeanor matters, when he interned for the Clark County District Attorney’s Office in Las Vegas, conducting misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings.  He was also an avid participant of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program and a strong advocate for workers and the disabled, interning at Service Employees International Union and Disability Rights California. He also obtained an academic achievement award for receiving the highest grade in the course “Criminal Law at the Margins,” which primarily analyzed how the criminal justice system affects marginalized groups in society, such as the poor and disabled.

Michelle Trigger is a criminal defense and family law attorney located in Roseville, CA, serving primarily Sacramento and Placer Counties.  Cases in surrounding counties are reviewed and accepted on a case-by-case basis.. Ms. Trigger provides clients with zealous, personalized, and affordable representation.  Your representation begins with a free consultation by phone or personal appointment to review your case with Ms. Trigger and determine your options moving forward and what method of representation would benefit your case the most.  If Ms. Trigger's representation is right for you, she will develop a case strategy unique to your circumstances.  As you navigate the legal system, you will be in frequent contact with her and will be personally represented by her throughout the process--no handing your case off to a paralegal or junior attorney in this office.. Ms. Trigger is best known for her excellence in oral advocacy.  You will always feel well-represented as she delivers compelling arguments on your behalf and uses creative techniques to get the best results possible. Most importantly, Ms. Trigger is never afraid to take a case to trial.

Former prosecutor now a five-star defense attorney helping people avoid and defeat criminal charges.  There is enormous value in understanding your opponent in any negotiation, and Ryan Couzens knows this only too well. He spent sixteen years on the other side of the courtroom, prosecuting cases for the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. As an Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, Ryan supervised Yolo’s felony trial teams, Case Charging Unit, and Major Crimes Unit before deciding to move into criminal defense. His insight into prosecution strategies is invaluable to his clients, but even more important is Ryan’s motivation for changing sides.. Ryan practices criminal defense because he wants to help people, individual people, facing real, specific obstacles in their lives. As Ryan says, “When you’re a prosecutor, you’re representing the interests of the community at large – the People of the State of California. When you’re defending, you’re representing that person sitting right next to you in court, and only that person. I want to advocate for that person who is in trouble and help them move past it.” This passion earned the respect of professional colleagues.  According to David Cohen, founding Partner of the Cohen Defense Group, “Ryan had a reputation in Yolo as a compassionate but tough-as-nails DA who gave his all to every case, working hard, using bold tactics, and checking every detail. He was a fierce and respected prosecutor. Yet his transformation to criminal defense has been rapid and seamless. I knew he would be great with legal analysis, courtroom presence, and trial and negotiation tactics. What I couldn’t see coming was his remarkable ability to work with his clients. Ryan is patient, makes himself available, listens to his clients, explains things clearly, and truly cares about their fate.”. Ryan has the law in his veins. He is a third-generation attorney whose father, Hon. J. Richard Couzens, served as a judge on the Placer County bench. Ryan was raised understanding the gravity of the law and the impact that it has on people’s lives. He sees law as a profession of service to the community and acts to better the justice system wherever he can. For instance, Ryan cares deeply about mental health issues, which stems in part from raising two severely disabled children, for whom he is a constant advocate. This led to him contributing to the definitive guide for the State’s new Mental Health Diversion program (Penal Code ). As a prosecutor, Ryan created a “Harm Reduction” policy diverting those caught with drugs into treatment instead of prosecution. In an effort to make the criminal justice system more transparent and unbiased, Ryan authored Penal Code section 13370, the Justice Data Accountability and Transparency Act (JDATA), and Penal Code Section 741, requiring prosecuting agencies to implement race-blind charging in criminal cases. The adoption of Ryan’s proposed legislation into law is a testament to both his legal expertise and his concern for the welfare of the individual.. One of Ryan’s greatest strengths as a defense attorney is the experience he gained from his years in the DA’s office, where he did 46 jury trials, including multiple homicides, drug conspiracies, domestic violence, DUIs, robberies and other crimes.  He was one of only two attorneys to be twice voted Attorney of the Year by his colleagues.  “I was a prosecutor for 16 years, so I have perspective on what motivates DA’s, what drives their decisions. I know what it takes for them to prove a case.” That means Ryan also sees the shortcomings in the DA’s case and that’s where his passion for the law comes in. Ryan sees litigation as a battle and puts in the work to prepare accordingly. He spends hours researching case law, writing briefs, and preparing arguments. Ryan’s experience coupled with his enthusiasm for the work make him a powerful advocate and an exceptional defense attorney.. Ryan attended McGeorge School of Law where he was at the top of his class in Criminal Law and received the American Jurisprudence Award. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall at U.C. Berkeley, where he extern-clerked for the California Supreme Court and went on to a federal clerkship in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Before he found his calling in criminal law, Ryan practiced civil litigation for four years, including for the prestigious global law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP, where he worked on cases for clients such as the City of San Diego, Chevron and the National Football League.. Prior to practicing law, Ryan served in the United States Navy for five years where, in his free time, he did civic activities such as “Project White Hat,” helping terminally ill children and their families in Chicago, Illinois.. Born and raised in Placer County, Ryan was admitted to the California Bar in 2001. Education: University of Maryland, Asian Division; (B.S., Information Systems Management, 1996); McGeorge School of Law (First Year of Study, 1998); Boalt Hall, University of California, Berkeley (J.D., 2001). Member: Placer County Bar Association.  When he isn’t working, Ryan spends time with his family and engages in activities that support his children, including participation in special needs sports.

"Danielle Nygren works hard and relishes a challenge. She recently graduated from the U.C. Irvine School of Law with High Honors for working more pro bono hours than anyone else in her class. While Danielle was excelling academically, she put in over 400 hours on real-life cases at a number of Public Defender’s offices in Southern California. Her enthusiasm and talent make her an exceptional young attorney, and we are proud to have her on our team.. Danielle currently works in our misdemeanor and domestic violence units, where hard work and dedication matter. Fascinated with the criminal justice system and the power to protect people’s rights, Danielle says, “What motivates me to work so hard is feeling like I am someone’s advocate, their warrior – trained, informed, and ready to go to battle for them.”. Danielle fights many of those battles in the pre-trial phases of her cases. “I get fired up about discovery issues and police misconduct. Holding the District Attorney accountable to turn over their information and challenging police misconduct can really turn the tables in our favor. I love bail review arguments because I can get my client out of custody and that makes a difference for them.”. While in school, Danielle worked for the Sacramento County Public Defender, the Orange County Public Defender, the Santa Barbara Public Defender, the Clemency Project (where she sought a presidential pardon for her client), the Innocence Appeal Project (where she sought exoneration for her clients from the California Supreme Court), and a Criminal Justice Clinic and an Immigrant Rights Clinic through U.C. Irvine.. Her work experience in law school earned Danielle some notoriety in the community and brought her to the attention of the Cohen Defense Group’s managing partner, David Cohen, who says, “Adding Danielle Nygren to the Cohen Defense Group was an easy decision. She graduated from one of the state’s most innovative law schools in the top of her class, worked extensively on informant issues arising from the infamous Orange County jail snitch program, and successfully overturned the deportation of a U.S. Army veteran while working with the UC Irvine Immigration Clinic. This showed me that Danielle has a high level of dedication to the work and, more importantly, Danielle is a winner. She has quickly proven herself a strong advocate for our clients.”. She became a member of the state bar in 2018. Education: University of California, Irvine, CA (B.A. Social Ecology 2014); University of California School of Law, Irvine, CA (J.D., 2018). Member: State Bar of California, Placer County Bar Association."