Michael Eric Kraut

After an exchange of words with another patron at a concert venue led to a minor altercation, I was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor battery. Because of my ignorance of criminal law, I failed to press counter-charges against the other individual and found myself spending a night in jail with ...bail set at $50,000. After pleading with a judge and public defender the following afternoon, I was released on my own recognizance and told to hire an attorney. I was facing jail time, fines, and worst of all, a criminal record. After hearing my story, Michael Kraut agreed to take my case. He explained that it would be difficult to fight because the case had been officially filed when the judge released me on my own recognizance. He went on to explain that he would now be dealing with the city attorney in an attempt to get my charges reduced or expunged. Upon meeting with the city attorney, he was told that my charges would not be reduced and that I would be facing the maximum penalties when convicted and sentenced. This is when Mr. Kraut began his work. He gathered evidence, spoke to witnesses and obtained written statements, building a solid “mutual combat” defense. When my court date arrived, I met Michael at the courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. He calmly took me aside and asked if I would be willing to plead “no contest” to a charge of disturbing the peace and attend twelve anger management classes. He went on to explain that, if this plea bargain was accepted and I completed the classes, that this conviction would be expunged and my record sealed. I agreed. Unfortunately, the city attorney again rejected the offer and continued to push for the maximum penalty. The reality of going to jail began to set in. Michael Kraut did not back down. He produced the evidence he had gathered and confidently told the city attorney that he had a solid case and would win if it went to trial. This caused the city attorney to back down and accept the plea deal. Because of Michael Kraut’s personal attention to detail, assertiveness and perseverance, I am now just eleven anger management classes away from putting this whole horrible event behind me. I will forever be grateful for his hard work and personal approach.

Michael Kraut saved & changed my life. Here is my experience with him. I was driving with my dog from Los Angeles to Long Beach for a weekend with my girl friend. I was only a few miles away from her place when my night and life went to Hell. I was pulled over by the CHP for reckless driving and arr...ested for driving under the influence of narcotics. I went to Jail, my dog to the local pound & my car impounded. The previous six months before my arrest, I was suffering from a painful case of Sciatica. I saw several doctors. Each of them trying to find the root of my problem along with giving me some immediate relief for my pain. I received epidurals, steroids and physical therapy but the pain wouldn’t go away. I was prescribed MS Contin (morphine), Vicodin, Norco, Percoset, Soma, Flexiril, Xanax and others. I also take Ambien and Adderall. Over time I slowly built up a tolerance and never thought twice that I should of stopped driving. I had the meds in my travel bag in the car. The mistake was I had one prescription bottle with a few different kinds of pills inside but I didn’t have the correct label or proof I was prescribed these. Some of the medications back at my home came in bulk size containers, so while staying at her house every few weeks, it was more convenient putting them in one bottle. I told the officer there is zero alcohol in me or any illegal drugs in my system other than what I was prescribed. But after some sobriety tests, I was placed under arrest for a driving under the influence of a narcotic. I received a DUI 6 years ago when I used to drink, so if convicted this would of been my second. A second DUI is more than double the costs, twice the school and possible jail time, so I knew I had to find someone with experience to represent me. I called & met a few of the well known DUI Los Angeles attorneys but every time I hung up or walked out of their office, I felt like they were trying to sell me a used car. I was helpless, depressed and still in tremendous back pain. I continued surfing the web looking for information when I found someone who was also arrested for a prescription drug DUI. He was praising his attorney Michael Kraut. I gave him a call early the next morning and an hour later met with Michael in his Hollywood office. I explained my situation and within minutes I saw a difference from him and the previous attorneys. He could see I was rattled and assured me that he could help, not to worry and focus on my health. I walked out of his office feeling I was in good hands. Within a few days, he handled my DMV hearing, explained how the system works, be patient and stay positive. I received a letter stating the Long Beach Court was charging me with a felony DUI. I called Michael up and he explained the severity of a felony, but assured me we can still get through this. First we need to get it out of the felony court until we worry about fighting the misdemeanor. At my arraignment, there were a few other lawyers representing other cases but none of them had the professionalism and confidence that he carried in the courtroom. It was easy to see his good reputation with the prosecutors, court clerks & the Judge. After he briefly explained the circumstances and my clean criminal record, the judge approved his request for an extension. I felt confident knowing I was in good hands with Michael on my side. At the next hearing, Michael walked in with copies of the prescriptions & my medical records and I could see him relentlessly going back and forth with the Prosecutor fighting for me. Minutes later when my name was called, I stepped up to the Judge with Michael. The Prosecutor told the Judge the medications matched up with my blood from the arrest and asked the judge to dismiss the case. The Judge approved. DISMISSED! My life was changed thanks to Michael Kraut. He is my attorney for life & I would recommend him to anyone looking for a DUI attorney. It’s nice to have the best on your side.

I made the biggest mistake of my life and was arrested on a petty theft case. After several consultations with other lawyers who told me there was nothing I could do pre filing, I came across Michael Kraut, whose specialty is squashing the case pre filing. Unfortunately by the time I got to him, my c...ase was filed and I was in danger of losing a job opportunity I had waited years for. Given the knowledge and years of experience Mr. Kraut has, not only as a defense lawyer but a prosecuting attorney I knew he was the right man for the job! This whole situation was a huge burden on not just me but my family! I was guilty of stealing and I would have been happy if the charges were reduced to an infraction or trespassing, even though it could still affect my job. Mr. Kraut was not only willing to work with me and my family on what was a humble budget, he went above and beyond, even when the DA offered him a plea bargain of reducing the charge. Mr. Kraut pushed for the best possible outcome, and in an EXTROIDINARY feat, got the charges dismissed. If you are looking for a Rockstar lawyer Kraut is your man! I was amazed as we walked the halls of the courthouse he knew everyone, and everyone certainly knew him. Seeing him in action made me very glad to have him in my corner. I would have been in BIG trouble if I had met him as a prosecutor! I think that is what gives him an edge, he really knows the in’s & out’s of the law! He was even able to reach the “unreachable” head Corporate Attorney for the store I was arrested at, in an effort that made the DA laugh in conceit and say “congratulations” on the win. You may not always understand his methods, but if you want someone who is willing to work any time day or night to get you the best possible results, Michael Kraut is the attorney for you! I hope I will never be in need of an attorney again, but if I did Kraut Law Group would be the first phone call I would make!

Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for finding Mike, I was already in jail. The charges against me; 84 felony counts (insurance fraud)and bail set at $2 million. Having never been in trouble with the law before and finding myself locked up in LA County Jail, I was terrified. It was actually m...y friends & family that found Mike and immediately after they met with him he was at work. Not only did Mike know the D.A.’s prosecuting me but was able to actually get them on the phone right then and there. Needless to say my friends & family knew they had found the right attorney with Mike and retained Kraut Law Group immediately. My first actual encounter I had with Mike was while I in jail. Although we talked briefly, the discussion was not only comforting but clear to what his priority was at the moment… to get me out of jail. The conversation ended with; “relax and let me take care of it”. 15 days later I was out of jail without paying any bail! Although I was now out of jail, I wasn’t out of the woods. I still had over 80+ felony charges against me that could mean years in prison! The hearings dragged on for over a year, and although this drove me crazy, Mike assured me this was the best strategy. During each court date, Mike methodically chip away at the charges against me by the D.A. until finally, after a year the D.A. gave me a first offer. After a couple of day, an agreement was made… 2 felonies, 90 days community service, restitution and 0 days in jail. Now, if anyone is thinking this was just a lucky outcome, let me remind you that it took Mike working relentlessly for over a year to hammer away at the D.A.’s case, to get me the deal I got. If anyone is unsure about Mike’s abilities, just spend a day with him in the court room and you will see where he shines. The level of respect he has with his colleagues in the court (judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, reporters) and his understanding of the courtroom is why he is able to gets the RESULTS that other attorneys simply can’t.

Mike I know you love what you do, but I also know what you do is sometimes immeasurable and difficult to quantify when you take into account how much you really make your clients lives so much better. Throughout the process it was nice to be able to call you in the evenings, weekends, etc and I than...k you for that especially when you took the time to ease my wife's concerns. For those considering an attorney a litigator, and negotiator on your behalf you can do no better. Mike will be there for you whether you have a problem on the weekends or holidays and he will do whatever it takes to help you in your case. Briefly I was facing 8 felony charges which was extremely demoralizing and daunting as any obstacle you ever want to overcome. Compounded by the fact that my case was high profile it made it even more unlikely for a settlement in what I felt was an over filing against me to send a message. Mike stepped in gleaning his experience as a former district attorney and excellent litigator. Mike negotiated relentlessly with the District Attorney for over two years until we finally settled on two misdemeanor charges, no jail time, and an expungement probably in the near future. I will be forever grateful for all that you have done for me Mike, in what I hope will be my last foray in a court of law. Hire this attorney if you want to overcome the impossible, and preserve your future against any law enforcement entity that may be attempting to take your freedom. Thanks again Mike for everything!