Criminal

Michael Berg is an experienced criminal defense attorney who is dedicated to defending his clients and ensuring they receive excellent representation. He has represented more than 1,000 clients in felony and misdemeanor cases in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Imperial, and Kern counties. He has defended clients against a wide array of charges, including murder, sex crimes, domestic violence, drugs, gun crimes, battery, gang crimes, assault with a deadly weapon, three strikes, child abuse, DUI, theft, embezzlement, credit card fraud, identity theft, and traffic matters. Michael also handles probation violations, pre-filing investigations, and negotiations with officers and prosecutors. He additionally represents victims of domestic violence. Through years of practicing criminal law in Southern California, Michael has built relationships with prosecutors and judicial officers based on his ability to identify strong legal and factual defenses for his clients. When appropriate, he also prepares materials for prosecutors to “humanize” his clients and share mitigating factors that can help to prevent charges from being filed or reduce their severity. He also has successfully worked with expert witnesses on DUIs, DNA, gangs, accident reconstruction, mental health, and other issues to develop defenses and prepare the best arguments for pre-trial and trial phases. Michael graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in 2005. During law school, Michael was a certified law clerk in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and handled over 5,000 arraignments and 2,000 bail motions. He also previously clerked in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

Rated by Super Lawyers, Peter F. Iocona - Attorney at Law, and his partners, Alan Castillo and Marlo Cordero, formed "The SoCal Law Network" and selected as one of Orange County's "Best" or "Top-Rated" DUI Defense Firms. Each lawyer is Rated "Superb" or "10/10" by AVVO, the attorney-rating service and Peter F. Iocona and Alan Castillo have been selected into the list of the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" and part of "The Nation's Top 1% of Attorneys" across the country.

When you are facing serious criminal charges, you deserve a strong advocate in your corner who is not afraid to push back against the prosecution’s case. At Pamma Law Firm in Yuba City, California, I understand what my clients are going through and fiercely defend their freedom in court. As a trilingual attorney — fluent in English, Spanish and Punjabi — I pride myself on being able to take on a diverse range of clients in Sutter County and throughout Northern California who are facing all kinds of felony and misdemeanor charges. At Pamma Law Firm in Yuba City, California, I am dedicated to defending clients throughout Sutter County and Northern California against criminal charges. To discuss your legal rights and options, call 530-329-8424 or contact me online.

Frances-Marie Prizzia dedicates her law practice to upholding the constitutional rights of her clients and zealously defending them. Her passion has always been in criminal defense and public service, as evidenced by her prior work and volunteer history. For the past 15 years, Frances has dedicated herself to the practice of law. Years before opening this firm, Frances worked as an Orange County Public Defender as well as in the Los Angeles County Alternate Defender's Office. While working for Orange County as a trial attorney, she obtained many dismissals, in addition to taking more cases to jury trial and winning more than any other attorney within her unit during that time. Frances is also fluent in speaking Tagalog. Prior to becoming an attorney and while in law school, Frances worked at the Public Defender's office in Santa Cruz. As a law student, she successfully argued and won a motion to suppress evidence due to the unlawful violations of the Fourth Amendment by the investigating police officers. She also researched and wrote motions asking the court to order the disclosure of information regarding confidential informants and confidential police personnel files ("Pitchess motions.") Her compassion and commitment to making a difference and defending those who needed help is what convinced her to apply for law school. She was accepted into, and chose to enroll in, Santa Clara University School of Law, where she had also received her undergraduate degree several years earlier. But some of the reasons Frances chose to return to Santa Clara University was because of its emphasis on criminal defense and public service. In addition to extensive trial advocacy training, the school is also home to the Death Penalty College, Northern California Innocence Project, and Center for Social Justice and Public Service. While in law school, she worked at the Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center, where she wrote two successful political asylum briefs and won a U-visa (victim of violence) application for her client, which allowed the client to obtain her permanent residency ("green card") and a work permit in the United States. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I had a case where Filipino nurses were charged by the Attorney General’s office for criminally negligent death of a patient in a nursing home. These poor nurses did nothing but their best to take care of the patient. The doctors ruled the patient’s death as an accident and inevitable due to a heart attack since the patient was in very poor health, had recently endured surgery that he was not fully cleared for but needed to do to save his life, had a prior heart condition, and expired naturally. The AG simply was on a witch hunt because the patient’s family had a civil case and a lot of pull in this matter. The court, during the preliminary hearing, agreed with me, and refused to have these nurses held to answer. The nurses were discharged, and the court also granted a factual innocence motion I brought up in court. How did you build a successful practice? I built this practice on hard work, dedication, compassion towards my client and a lot of hustle. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Passion and heart as well as competency. Client’s should decide on a lawyer based on who they feel most comfortable with and at sync with. They should choose who they feel actually cares and will fight for their case as well as the attorney’s credentials. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? It is very important because different counties have different ways of running their cases and different policies that could mean a dismissal for your client or a guilty plea. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I provide as much information as the client would like. I do not try to make guesses. I attempt to gather as much information as I can from the client, then look the cases up in the system and attempt to give the best options I can provided with the information I have been given. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? I would need the charges that the clients are looking at, past record history, the facts of the case, what county or court the case is currently in as well as the status of the case. I also ask for what the client wants as the outcome. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I have a lot of heart and compassion. I truly put myself in my client’s shoes to understand their fears and concerns so that I can obtain the best results for them. What are your other interests in addition to law? I like going to musical theatre, dancing, singing, hiking, and yoga. Are you involved in your community? Yes very much so. I am involved in my church as a Catechist for Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church. I am part of FLOC which is Filipino Lawyers of Orange County. And I have been a room mom for my children’s school for years.

Local attorney with 15 years of legal experience. Educated at Harvard College and Berkeley Law School. Most importantly, I spend nearly every day in the courtroom, learning how local courts operate. It is not enough for a lawyer to know the letter of the law. Cases resolve by working with people--judges and prosecutors--who have incredible discretion in how much, if any, punishment is given to a defendant. My clients learn that I can often negotiate much better resolutions than the the "worst case" scenarios they see online. Many charges can be reduced or even dismissed.

Stephen Bernhardt has been an attorney since he was 25 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Bernhardt has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil law. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, first handling misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Battery, Possession of Controlled Substance, Violation of Injunction and many others. Bernhardt was quickly moved to a felony division and become the State Attorney’s Office’s representative for the county’s Drug Court Program. In this role, Bernhardt learned many techniques to help individuals overcome addictions as well as the differences between the many rehabilitation establishments throughout Florida. Prior to leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt was the lead prosecutor in his division. Bernhardt conducted several jury trials that ended in convictions and sentences of more than thirty years, including a mandatory life in prison sentence. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt began practicing civil law for one of the largest creditors’ rights firms in the United States. Bernhardt quickly became the lead litigating attorney for the firm’s Florida office and handled countless civil hearings and trials before leaving to start Bernhardt Law, PLLC. Bernhardt Law focuses on the practice areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Debt Defense. Using the knowledge gained throughout the years, Bernhardt Law is dedicated to making sure each client’s specific situation is handled with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity. How did you build a successful practice? I was fortunate enough to begin my legal career having great mentors and practicing in front of great judges. Having that foundation and always continuing to work hard has helped me build a successful practice. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Clients should look for a lawyer that has a strong work ethic and that conducts himself/herself with integrity. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? Having knowledge of the local judges and attorneys for the other side in very important in all areas of law. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I’m happy to discuss an individual’s legal matter for free over the phone or at one of our locations. I would review their case, discuss the strengths and weaknesses and determine what options may be available for the client What information do you need in a free phone consultation? I would like to review any paperwork they’ve received from the other attorney/party as well as contact information for following up. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? The two things that separate me from other lawyers are (1) my trial experience and (2) my experience on the opposing side. I have handled more trials in my first decade as an attorney than most attorneys will handle in their entire career. Additionally, as it pertains to criminal defense and debt defense, I have been the head attorney in my respective divisions for the sides I now go against. This gives me a big advantage in those cases. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? When someone comes to me, it usually means they’re going through a tough time. Either they’ve been hurt, arrested or sued. Helping someone get through that difficult time by putting these legal issues behind them is very rewarding. What are your other interests in addition to law? I am a big sports fan and I also love to travel.

Robert A. Morris, Jr. has been practicing law in Hernando County since 1991 when he started his career as an Assistant State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit . While working at the State Attorneys Office he prosecuted a variety of crimes including DUI’s, misdemeanors and felony offenses. Born in Indiana Robert graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1984 and then continued on to received his undergraduate degree from Ball State University located in Muncie, Indiana in 1988. Robert graduated Law School from Valparaiso University School of Law, which is located a short distance from Chicago Illinois, in 1991. Robert relocated to Florida after graduation from Law School based upon his work in the horse industry and settled in Ocala where he started his career as a prosecutor. After taking and passing both the Florida and the Indiana bar exams within two weeks of each other he was assigned to Brooksville, Florida where he has remained ever since. Robert started his practice in 1994 while living in the back of his office on a side road in Brooksville. Over the past 14 years his practice has grown into a full service law firm catering to the diverse clientele of the area. Over the past 17+ years he has worked both with, and against the local court systems and County government for the benefit of his clients and has developed an intricate knowledge of the ins and outs of our system

Michael was born and raised in Florida. He spent much of his youth working in orange groves and watermelon fields in Central Florida. Michael knows the roots of this community and works hard to help people in all circumstances. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Utah State University in 2008, Michael pursued a law degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law. He graduated in 2011 and was admitted to the Florida Bar. Michael is also licensed to practice law in Georgia. While in school, Michael interned with the State Attorney's Office and went on to work as an Assistant State Attorney. He learned the criminal justice system first hand and found his passion for criminal defense. In addition to his background working on criminal cases, Michael also has experience in resolving family law and civil litigation.

"I want you to feel comfortable with me as your advocate in the courtroom." More than twenty-one years of handling a myriad of legal issues in both transactional issues and Trial experience in Family Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Litigation. All facets of Litigation and Trial Experience in the Family Division, Criminal Division, Circuit Civil Division, Juvenile Division, Support Matters, and Probate Division, in Miami- Dade County in and for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. Extensive Court Appearances and Hearings in Federal Court in the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida. Trial and Evidentiary proceedings in the following Florida Counties for Circuit Court proceedings: Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Martin County, Monroe County, Collier County, Polk County, Hendry County, Port St. Lucie County, Orange County, Pinellas County, Duval County, Pasco County, and Lee County. Certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Family Mediator. Extensive Alternative Dispute Resolution Training and experience In civil and family law disputes.

When Russell Spatz left the Office of the Dade County State Attorney, then State Attorney, Janet Reno wrote to her former Division Chief: "You have demonstrated the best in prosecution as an Assistant State Attorney and we will miss you. On behalf of all the people of Dade County I thank you for your very dedicated public service." Since that time, Mr. Spatz has tried to live up to those words by championing the causes of his clients, defending and protecting them. Mr. Spatz endeavors to not only represent clients in court but give them the peace of mind of knowing there is one whom they can trust to assist them in dealing with the overwhelming difficulties we all face in life from time to time. Mr. Spatz, is a trial attorney with over 33 years experience, is devoted to providing the highest quality representation and committed to finding answers, settling disputes and assisting in all manner of legal issues. His personal service and professionalism lend themselves to offer his clients the highest degree of personal legal representation.