Criminal Defense

At Appelbaum Law, P.C., we provide skilled and strategic defense for individuals facing serious criminal charges in state and federal court. Our deep understanding of the criminal justice system and in depth investigation skills, combined with a proactive approach, allows us to build strong defenses tailored to the unique circumstances of each case.  

We handle a broad range of criminal matters, including:

  • Homicide and Manslaughter
  • Assault and Battery
  • Conspiracy
  • Burglary, Robbery, and Theft
  • Human Trafficking
  • Sexual Assault, Rape, and Sexual Battery
  • Kidnapping
  • Domestic Violence
  • Criminal Threats
  • Arson
  • Torture
  • Weapons Charges
  • Criminal Appeals
  • Attempted Crimes
  • Gang Allegations

Our team provides compassionate, aggressive, and effective defense.  We are committed to securing the best possible outcome for every client we represent.

Representative Matters

Assault

  • Case Dismissed when Victim Wrongly Charged with Domestic Violence
    Case dismissed by prosecutors on the eve of trial after firm’s independent investigation in a case where the actual victim had been charged with domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles County.
  • Contractor Cleared of Violent Assault Charges with Self-Defense Claim
    Case dismissed by prosecutors against a contractor in New York County after the firm’s investigation and presentation of a viable self-defense claim.
  • Mental Health Diversion Obtained for Client Without Plea
    Secured mental health diversion for a client charged with domestic violence in Los Angeles County without requiring the client to enter a plea.
  • No Charges Filed After Domestic Violence Investigation in Riverside County
    Represented a client during a domestic violence investigation in Riverside County where the alleged victim was the true aggressor. After presenting evidence of the prosecutors from an independent investigation conducted by the firm, no charges were filed.

Criminal Threats

  • No Jail Time for College Student Charged with Felony Criminal Threats

    Represented a college student in Fresno County charged with felony criminal threats after posting a joke about initiating a school shooting. Resolved the case with no jail time, and the conviction was later expunged.
  • Criminal Threats and Weapon Possession Charges in Los Angeles County

    Represented a client in Los Angeles County charged with criminal threats and possession of a weapon.

Attempted Murder/Murder

  • Attempted Murder Conviction Overturned on Appeal in Los Angeles
    Defended client at trial in Los Angeles charged with two counts of attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, fleeing the scene, and gang enhancements. Jury convicted, but the case was overturned on appeal due to error made by the Judge which our firm had pointed out and preserved at the time.
  • Public Figure Represented in High-Profile Murder Case
    Represented public figure in Los Angeles County charged with murder, attempted murder, and felony hit and run resulting in death.
  • Non-Life Sentence Negotiated in Attempted Murder Case
    Represented client charged with attempted murder, gang, and firearm enhancements. Negotiated non-life sentence.

Mayhem/Torture

  • Several Enhancements Dismissed in Mayhem and Torture Case
    Represented young client in Orange County charged with mayhem, torture, second degree assault, assault on an officer, resisting arrest, and various enhancements. Succeeded in having several enhancements dismissed at the preliminary hearing.
  • Life Sentence Avoided in Torture Case
    Represented student facing life in prison for rape charges, including allegations of torture in Santa Barbara County. Negotiated with prosecution and successfully obtained a plea deal that did not involve life in prison.
  • Felony Mayhem Charge Reduced to Misdemeanor
    Represented student in Los Angeles County charged with felony mayhem. After defense investigation and negotiation, charge was reduced to a misdemeanor with no jail time.

Robbery

  • Minimal Jail Time for Client Facing Multiple Charges in Robbery Case
    Represented client in Los Angeles County charged with robbery, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of personal identifying information, along with out-of-state warrants. Firm conducted its own investigation and successfully argued for client to plea to a single count and minimal jail time.
  • Lesser Sentence Negotiated in Robbery Case

    Represented client charged with two counts of robbery and gun enhancements in Los Angeles County. Negotiated for a lesser sentence and minimal jail time.
  • Life Sentence Avoided in 3rd Strike Robbery Case

    Represented client charged with two counts of robbery and enhancements in Los Angeles County. This would have been the client’s 3rd strike, and he was facing a life sentence. Resolved the case without triggering 3rd strike sentencing.

Burglary

  • Mental Health Diversion Granted in Burglary Case

    Represented client in Los Angeles County charged with burglary. Investigated and had a mental health evaluation conducted. The judge granted mental health diversion, and the client pled to a lesser count.
  • Third Strike Avoided in Burglary Case

    Represented client in Los Angeles County charged with burglary. After submitting a mitigation packet, resolved the case without triggering third strike sentencing, and the client received minimal jail time and probation.

Kidnapping

  • Reduced Prison Time for Aggravated Kidnapping Case
    Represented student charged with aggravated kidnapping and possession of a weapon in San Diego County. After firm investigation and negotiation, client was able to plea to a lesser charge for reduced prison time.

Child Abuse and Endangerment

  • Case Dismissed Against Wrongly Accused Client
    Successfully defended and proved client had been falsely accused of child sexual abuse in the midst of a divorce dispute.
  • Police Officer Cleared in Child Abuse Investigation

    Represented a police officer in San Diego County falsely accused of child abuse investigation. After conducting an independent investigation and consulting experts, no charges were filed.
  • Felony Domestic Violence and Child Endangerment Charges Reduced for Dentist
    Represented a dentist charged with felony domestic violence and child endangerment in Los Angeles County. Secured a plea to a misdemeanor with no jail time, and the case was later expunged.
  • Domestic Violence and Child Endangerment Charges Reduced for Social Media Employee

    Represented a social media company employee charged with domestic violence and child endangerment in Orange County. Negotiated a plea to disturbing the peace with completion of a parenting and anger management course.

Sexual Assault/Rape/Sexual Battery

  • No Convictions at Trial in Life Case

    Trial for client facing life in prison ended with no convictions after experts and extensive cross-examination of accuser dismantled multiple sexual assault charges.
  • Sexual Battery Charge Reduced for Financial Analyst
    Negotiated a plea to simple battery and summary probation for a financial analyst accused of sexual battery, avoiding sex offender registry conditions.
  • No Charges Filed for Government Contractor
    No charges filed after representing a government contractor under investigation for child sexual assault.
    Preliminary Hearing Representation for Actor Client 
Represented actor charged with multiple counts of rape and special allegations through the preliminary hearing stage in Los Angeles County.
  • Case Dismissed Against Falsely Accused Public Utilities Company Employee Facing Life in Prison
    Case dismissed after firm’s investigation revealed contradictions and falsehoods against a client facing life in prison who had been the target of false accusations due to a nasty divorce.
  • Retired Firefighter Cleared of Sexual Misconduct Allegations

    No charges were filed after the firm conducted an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against a retired firefighter and shared with law enforcement
  • Charges Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing

    Charges dismissed at the preliminary hearing for a client facing multiple child sexual molestation allegations in Los Angeles County.
  • Non-Life Sentence Negotiated
    Negotiated a non-life sentence for a student facing life imprisonment on rape and torture charges in Santa Barbara County, following extensive mental health assessments.