Ten of the top criminal defense attorneys in the United States will provide you with valuable insights and guide you through dozens of important questions you'll have if you are ever accused of a crime.
About The Authors
Regarded as one of Atlanta's top criminal defense lawyers, Noah received his undergraduate degree from Emory University College in 1992, and his law degree (with distinction) from Emory University School of Law in 1995. In July of 1995, Noah started his career by prosecuting misdemeanor cases in the DeKalb County Solicitor's Office. In 1998, Noah joined the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office where he prosecuted felony cases including: drug trafficking, rape, murder, armed robbery, child molestation and child homicide. Since 2001, Noah has defended people throughout the State of Georgia in all types of criminal cases, including: juvenile delinquencies, misdemeanors, felonies, and criminal appeals. Noah's knowledge of the criminal justice system and the trial skills he gained as a prosecutor makes him an invaluable asset to the clients he represents. His meticulous trial preparation and knowledge of the law makes him a formidable opponent every time he steps into a courtroom.
Noah H. Pines, Esq.
Ross & Pines, LLC
Atlanta, Georgia
Anthony J. Falangetti has his roots in Southern California where the San Pedro native lives and practices Criminal Law. He spent nearly 14 years as a Deputy District Attorney prosecuting thousands of criminal cases for the County of Los Angeles. With more than eight years in the Hardcore Gang Unit, he prosecuted more than 40 gang related homicides. For the last six years he has teamed up with a fellow prosecutor to form his elite criminal defense firm Falangetti & Weimortz. His excellence in criminal law has been recognized by commendations from the U.S. Congress, California State Assembly and Senate, and the District Attorney. He has lectured on defending public officials, homicide, gang cases and Miranda rights. High caliber work, along with an intimate knowledge of the system and its players makes him one of the most successful Criminal Defense attorneys in the State.
Anthony J. Falangetti, Esq.
Falangetti & Weimortz
Long Beach, California
Stephen J. Riebling, Jr. is a partner with the law firm of Riebling, Proto & Sachs, LLP, whose exceptional legal work has earned him recognition and praise from his many clients and members of the legal community. Attorney Stephen J. Riebling, Jr. did his undergraduate work at the University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia and is a graduate of Pace University School of Law in White Plains, New York where he earned his law degree. He has, for nearly 20 years, practiced litigation and criminal defense in Federal courts as well as in the State and local courts of both New York and Connecticut from his White Plains office in Westchester County, New York. With scores of successful jury trial verdicts and countless favorable bench decisions to his credit, attorney Riebling is wellrespected among his peers for his thoughtful and effective courtroom strategies and proven litigation skills. Attorney Riebling was named one of the top attorneys in New York by Super Lawyers Magazine, has been named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers, and recognized by and by being named a top attorney in the New York Metro Area by The New York Times.
Stephen J. Riebling, Jr., Esq.
Riebling, Proto & Sachs, LLP
White Plains, New York
Carmen Gosselin grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan where, some would say, Gosselin showed a penchant for challenging authority from a very early age. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Arizona State University. She went on to study and to earn her law degree at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. Gosselin lives and practices in Phoenix, Arizona, where she specializes in criminal defense cases. She was recently featured in Attorney at Law Magazine in their series, "Lawyers to Watch in 2015." The counselor enjoys her specialty but finds it most fulfilling when she can use her skills to protect the rights of individuals in trouble. In her perfect world, fairness and justice would trump politics in the courtroom. Ms. Gosselin's goal; "…change the system to be less about re-election and retribution, and more about rehabilitation."
Carmen Gosselin, Esq.
C.G. Law PLLC
Phoenix, Arizona
Alex Foster was a professional actor for seven years before going to law school. He appeared on numerous daytime television serials including, "One Live To Live," "Search For Tomorrow," "As The World Turns," "Another World," and "Ryan's Hope." He is a graduate of Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. In law school, he finished first (out of 300 competitors) in the school's Moot Court competition and represented Emory in the National Moot Court competition. Alex Foster then served for 20 years as an Assistant State's Attorney for the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. There, he tried over one hundred jury trials, focusing on cases of homicide, child abuse, sexual assault and animal cruelty. He now practices criminal law in Rockville, Maryland where he utilizes the skills he learned as both an actor and a prosecutor to defend those charged with serious crimes.
Alex Foster, Esq.
Law Office of Alex Foster, LLC
Rockville, Maryland
Criminal defense attorney Lorin J. Zaner achieved his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toledo where he graduated cum laude in 1970. Zaner earned his Juris Doctorate from the same university five years later. Attorney Zaner makes his home and his office in Toledo, Ohio where he practices criminal and juvenile law. While he does not limit his criminal practice in any significant way, his expertise is in the defense against allegations of civil and criminal child abuse as well as shaken baby cases. His background in science has proven to be beneficial in those cases where forensic evidence plays an important role. Zaner has a continuing commitment to staying abreast of the science around false accusations of child abuse, which can be the most difficult to defend. Zaner is admitted to the bar and may practice in Ohio, Michigan, and in Federal Court.
Lorin J. Zaner, Esq.
Law Office of Lorin J. Zaner
Toledo, Ohio
As a criminal defense attorney practicing across several counties in the Southern Pennsylvania area, William DeNardo is known as a top-notch legal mind. After graduating from Widener School of Law in 1997, he began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Pennsylvania's Montgomery County. William entered private practice in 2001 and has been successfully defending his clients ever since. William is an experienced litigator who is passionate about his craft. He is respected by local police, the bench and bar. He has been recognized both locally and nationally for excellence in his field of criminal defense. He enjoys the challenge of the job, the adversarial nature of the work and the opportunity to advise and counsel his clients.
William DeNardo, Esq.
Law Office of William DeNardo
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Jeremiah Allen was born in Orlando, Florida as a fourth generation Floridian. He did his undergraduate work at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and later earned his law degree at the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia. In the years following law school, attorney Allen served as an Assistant State Attorney in Clearwater, Florida for approximately 6 years. There he prosecuted cases involving such crimes as driving under the influence, drug trafficking, aggravated battery, manslaughter, and murder. This prosecutorial experience gives him the background to defend those who come to him now, in his criminal defense practice, affording his clients the winning edge that only experience can bring.
Jeremiah D. Allen, Esq.
Law Office of Jeremiah D. Allen, P.A.
Orlando, Florida
David Mejia graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago where he majored in Criminal Justice Administration with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. He went on to earn his law degree from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1976. He practices from his main office in Louisville, Kentucky. He also maintains an active practice in Chicago, Illinois. Attorney Mejia has over 30 years of trial and appellate experience in the federal and state courts of Illinois and Kentucky. He concentrates in criminal defense, federal criminal defense, defense of capital murder, income tax prosecutions, as well as the litigation of habeas corpus and postconviction petitions. He has successfully defended individuals charged with conspiracy racketeering, white collar crimes, fraud and corruption, murder, narcotic trafficking, pornography and sex crimes prosecutions. Attorney Mejia's reputation is that of a tireless fighter for the rights of his clients. He is also well respected among his peers. He has been consistently recognized by his peers for excellence in both legal ability and professional ethics.
David S. Mejia, Esq.
David S. Mejia, Attorney at Law
Louisville, Kentucky
John Teakell, a widely known and well-respected Texas attorney, attended the University of Oklahoma, and received his law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1985. He has since spent years on both sides of the courtroom, having served both as an Assistant US Attorney, and Senior Trial Counsel for the Securities Commission, before opening his own criminal defense law practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Mister Teakell's practice is focused upon white-collar crimes, drug charges, violent crimes including those of sexual assault. He also defends those charged with Security Exchange Commission violations. Frequently published and often quoted in the National media, Teakell has distinguished himself by representing clients in thousands of complex criminal and securities charges over the years. Lessons learned as a prosecutor are regularly brought to bear in Teakell's high profile cases and media appearances.
John R. Teakell, Esq.
Law Office of John R. Teakell
Dallas, Texas
Contributing Author
Randy Van Ittersum
Host & Founder
Business Leader Spotlight Show
Spring Lake, Michigan
Our all-too-frail human flesh can often take over our otherwise law-abiding selves and land us in big trouble — with the people we love, with the people at work, or, if things go really wrong, with the law. When that happens, we can be propelled into a new and very sticky world of courts, life-long public arrest records, and permanent public scrutiny. It's easy to become entirely trapped — caught up in this web and it's notoriously difficult to come out unscathed. It's at these times when the help of a seasoned Criminal Defense attorney is essential. Most of us have no idea how to choose an attorney of any sort, let alone one that has a long list of trials, like trophies, which prove beyond a doubt that he or she is a champion advocate. To find a lawyer with whom you trust your real estate transactions is one thing. To find an attorney who can save your life— literally—is quite another. When the lives of not just you but also your loved ones stand to be forever crushed by circumstances in which you find yourself, you need to call in the big guns. Between the covers of this book you will find the advice you need to locate the biggest guns—the very best in criminal defense wherever you happen to be — and to bring every advantage possible to bear on the legal problem you face.
DO I NEED A LAWYER?
Yes.
The first words most people utter when they find themselves in legal trouble go something like this: "I can't afford a lawyer." In A Cup of Coffee with 10 of the Top Criminal Defense Attorneys in the United States, you will discover the myriad reasons you cannot afford NOT to hire an attorney. Put simply, the consequences of a conviction of any kind, but particularly a felony conviction, can and will change your life forever. Beyond the specter of prison time and other losses of liberty, including your right to cast a ballot or to own a gun, there are countless other penalties you must pay when you have been proven guilty of a crime. Even if this is the only black mark on your otherwise clean record, it will change the way in which employers, bankers, and even online love interests look at you. Why? Because your record is public and permanent. It's available for everybody to see. In this troubled economy, such a black mark can take you permanently out of the job market and prevent you from the pursuit of your version of happiness. A conviction can put you everlastingly on the outside looking in. Like a life-saving surgery, a criminal defense attorney in your time of need can help you redeem the promise of a happy, fulfilled life. The benefits of recapturing this will far outweigh the costs. The insights contained within this book will help you to adjust your perspective, give you clues to the hidden costs of prosecution that could dog you for the rest of your life, and reveal to you the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel in which you find yourself.
WHY CAN'T I DEFEND MYSELF?
Even if you're a very clever person who has a clear vision of the way the law works, defending yourself in an honest-to-goodness court of law is equivalent to performing your own brain surgery. It's not just unwise, it's stupid. In most jurisdictions, judges won't even allow somebody charged with a felony to represent himself or herself. The consequences are simply too dire. The legal system is far more than statutes and courtroom etiquette. Between the covers of this book, some of the best criminal defense attorneys in the country share with you the secrets of winning courtroom strategy: the things only an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the local system and the players in it can know, the things that can subtly nudge your case into the stack of cases won. In this book, you will be introduced to the amazing skill set a seasoned, experienced defense lawyer brings into the courtroom.
Topics include:
Investigating beyond the investigation
Choosing whether or not you go to trial
Preparing for trial
Jury selection and how it can make or break a case
Helping the prosecution's witness help YOU
The importance of delivering powerful opening and closing statements
What William Shakespeare and Clarence Darrow have in common
PROTECTING YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
Of all the things this book can teach you, perhaps most important is the civics lesson that emerges from every chapter of this book. The Constitution of the United States of America and its first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, are specifically designed to protect the individual liberties of citizens. Within that great document are many protections that can be lost in the hours and weeks following an arrest unless you have an attorney at your side.
Sadly, in the fog of crisis, many people give up these rights and more:
The right to avoid illegal searches and seizures of your property
The right to equal protection under the law
The right to competent counsel
The right to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
The right to due process of law
The right to remain silent
The right against self-incrimination or being forced to testify against oneself (Does this include sobriety tests, you ask? Read on...)
The right to a speedy, public trial
The right to an impartial jury trial
The right to confront your accuser and witnesses against you
The right to call supporting witnesses
The right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment
The right to be free from excessive fines or excessive bail
The founding fathers knew that powerful entities like governments and law enforcement could become bullies if they were not carefully restrained. They had just fought a bloody war to free themselves from tyranny. Hence, the protections that are meant to give every single citizen a level playing field in a court of law in order to preserve liberty were created. Unfortunately, the adversarial system of justice we enjoy also has a flip side. The other side is out to get you. The prosecution is not in the business of teaching history. Unless you actively demand your inalienable rights, the other side is under no obligation to force those protections upon you. They will gleefully use your statements against you and happily search your home and car for evidence against you if you let them. Don't imagine that the Miranda warning will be enough to save you. That warning isn't always necessary, and anything you say before it's given is capable of being used against you. Unless you know and demand your rights or have an attorney that does, your life may change forever.
WHAT ABOUT A PLEA BARGAIN?
Every girl's father warns her about buying a car by herself. Dads know that there are sleazy car salesmen who will take advantage of his daughter's perceived inexperience. The lawyers in this book will each tell you about the perils of plea agreement negotiations, which are especially dangerous when the prosecution knows you have no advocate protecting you. We are certainly not saying that prosecutors are sleazy, but they are out to get a conviction with your name on it. If there is a rule as important to follow as "Never go to court without an attorney," it is this one: "Never undertake a plea bargain agreement without talking to a defense attorney first!" Remember, the prosecutor wants to convict you. It's his job. Unless you know every last possible consequence of making a plea, you have no business signing away your rights.
REMEMBER JOHN ADAMS
If you ever find yourself asking how any self-respecting lawyer could defend someone accused of child molestation or vehicular homicide, this compilation can answer those questions as well. It comes down to this: "It is better for ten guilty men to go free than for one innocent man to suffer." In the world of justice, this bit of policy, also known as Blackstone's formulation, remains as an immutable principle of our nation. The founding fathers of this great nation, who had only recently struggled out from under the fist of tyranny, made it a point to create the Bill of Rights in order to carefully corral and restrain the government's power when it came to revocation of the liberties of any human being. It is in the fabric of the Constitution itself that we begin to understand the need for our adversarial system of government. You will come to understand why the Framers insisted that there must always be Criminal Defense attorneys in our country to fight for the rights of anyone accused of criminal behavior. A Cup of Coffee with 10 of the Top Criminal Defense Attorneys in the United States will open your eyes to the hidden world of justice: how it works, why it works, and, most importantly, how to make it work for you instead of against you. Consider this an investment in your future, because anybody can make a big mistake.
Randy Van Ittersum
Host & Founder - Business Leader Spotlight Show
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