Steve Escovar | Pasadena Criminal Defense Lawyer

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About Steve

Steve Escovar was recently recognized as one of the"Nation's Top 1%" of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. He is an experienced trial attorney with over seventy-five jury trials to verdict. He was elected and served as President of the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association in 2006. He is an active member of the Los Angeles and Pasadena Bar Associations. He has served as a "Criminal Justice Act" (CJA) Panel attorney in Federal court where he was qualified as Federal Death Penalty Trial Counsel. He began his distinguished career as a Deputy Public Defender in San Diego and Los Angeles Counties. Mr. Escovar has been named one of Pasadena's Top Attorneys by Pasadena Magazine and he was recently selected by The National Trial Lawyers as one of the "Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers -2016". Mr. Escovar has commentated on current issues nationally on the Univision and NBC-Telemundo Spanish language television networks and internationally on CNN Espanol. Mr. Escovar has served as an arbitrator for the San Gabriel Valley Lawyer Referral Service and has volunteered as the Criminal Procedure instructor for Judge Takasugi's Pro Bono Bar Course.

Free Initial Consultation Accepts Cash, Check, Credit Card

Experience

Managing Partner

Escovar & Avila, LLP

2005- Present

Admission

Verified California

1994

Verified 9th Circuit

Education

California St Univ Northridge; CA

Bachelor

Recognitions & Achievements

Associations
  • Member | Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Member | Pasadena Bar Association
  • Past President | Member | Criminal Courts Bar Association
  • Member | Mexican American Bar Association
Honors / Awards
  • American Society of Legal Advocates, Top 100 Lawyers
    2016
  • The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers
    2016
  • Martindale-Hubbell, Client Distinction Award
    2015
  • National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Nation's Top One Percent
    2015
  • Pasadena Magazine, Top Attorneys
    2010

Notable Work

Publications

Escovar & Avila, LLP Newsletter         Immigration Post Conviction Newsletter         

2013

Questions & Answers

Please describe a case in the last year or two where you made a big difference.

In the Norwalk Courthouse, I recently represented a client that was charged with a Fourth DUI within ten years. In addition, he had previously been convicted to two felony strike convictions. That meant that he should presumptively be sentenced to state prison. The initial offer from the prosecution was 32 months of State Prison. That was the low term for a felony DUI of 16 months, doubled, because of the prior strikes, therefore, 32 months of prison. Moreover, because of the strike priors, my client would have to complete 80% of his sentence in prison instead of the 50% if he had had no strikes. I negotiated with the prosecution and proposed an open plea to the Judge. This judge is one of the strongest, most sensible and most compassionate judges in Los Angeles county. Since my client was married, had a child and had a great job, the judge was willing to consider our ""Romero Motion"". A ""Romero Motion"" allows a judge to dismiss prior strikes in the interest of justice. After hearing our facts, evidence and presentation, the judge granted the ""Romero Motion"" and struck the strikes for the purpose of sentencing. The Judge agreed to sentence my client to house arrest for one year with SCRAM monitoring. Three years of prison were suspended but not executed (ESS). So as long as my client stays sober and does not violate probation, he will only do house arrest and no prison. He stays united with his family and keeps his job. Awesome! I recently had the mother of a client call me to thank me again for having defending her son in a three-week long Jury Trial at the San Fernando Courthouse. My client was 18 years old. He was accused of two counts of Attempted Murder (Penal Code section 664/187) with ""Gun"" and ""Gang"" allegations. He was looking at two consecutive life sentences. The pre-trial offer was 39 years of state prison! After three weeks of evidence, the jury came back in only three hours . . . Not Guilty on all counts! It took two years to get my client to trial, all the while he was in custody on two million dollars bail . . . free at last, thank God Almighty . . . free at last!

How did you build a successful practice?

I started my career as a public defender in both San Diego and Los Angeles Counties. I gained an enormous of amount of experience and I had great success in trials. I opened my own law practice in 1998. I focused on achieving great results for my clients. I am bilingual in English and Spanish and my word of mouth referral network grew quickly.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?

Knowledge and experience are critical. Overtime we refine our skill and craft. You simple know how to get better results the longer you practice law. The attorney should be profession, aggressive and compassionate. Look for someone with a good reputation. If the DA's and Judges trust the attorney, they are more willing to agree to creative resolutions.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?

Knowledge and Experience are king. I often tell people resolving criminal cases is like solving a riddle. The riddle is: How do I get the result my client needs, how can justice truly be served for all parties?

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?

On a free telephonic consultation I can provide a road map of what lies ahead. The number of court dates, the personalities we will likely deal with and what the probable resolution will be.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?

need the name, date of birth, court house, and contact phone number for the client.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?

With over 21 years of experience and an outstanding reputation in the courts as an honest and aggressive trial attorney, I bring superior credibility. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I attended U.C. Berkeley-Boalt Hall School of Law (Currently ranked 8th in the Nation). We charge reasonable fees.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

When we achieve an outstanding result and consequently a family stays together and clients keep their jobs, reputation and freedom.

Escovar LLP Highlights

Criminal

Firm Size: 1
Firm Locations: 1