Michael Eric Kraut

My nightmare started on Mar 30, 2012. I was charged with a FELONY DUI. Let me start out saying that this was my first introduction to the the LA County criminal justice system. I had absolutely no idea of who to go to or where to start. I had a lot of drugs in my system and I had been in two diff...erent crashes and did quite a bit of damage, totalling my car and other peoples' property. Michael Kraut was recommended to me by another attorney friend of mine. Simply put, HE IS THE BEST. At our first meeting, he laid out what I could expect and what the best-scenario timeline and worst scenario timeline could be. We walked through what was going to be required of me during this process. He jumped on the case well before it was filed and was able to convince the police and prosecution to file the case as a misdemeanor rather then as a felony. From start to finish, the entire process only took 4 months, which at the time seemed like forever, but in comparison to all the other cases in the court system is a fraction of what the typical defendant faces. It didn't matter what day or time I called Mike, I always received a prompt response. He was very clear on what I needed to provide him. He's a no-nonesense kind of guy, which I appreciated very much. He doesn't necessarily tell you what you want to hear, but he'll always tell you what you need to hear. There were several extenuating circumstances in my case that could have forced a very serious penalty (state prison, large fine), but Mike was able to convince the DA not to pursue this route. The charges were ultimately reduced to a non DUI misdemeanor (exhibitition of speed) and a small fine. I can't express what a relief it has been to me and my family to have this episode behind us. It was one of the scariest things I've encountered; Mike made it much less scary and allowed me to continue on with my life and career. Mike handled all the himself. I was never relegated to a junior associate or researcher. Mike would be the first call I make if I ever find myself needing an attorney's services again. I couldn't have scripted a better outcome if I tried.

How do you place a review of someone that literally saved your life and your family’s life? I met Mr. Mike Kraut in April of 2012. I researched approximately 10 attorneys before hiring Mike. It was important to me to have a former District Attorney represent me, I felt that he would know the pro...cess better, he would know people, and he would be trusted inside the District Attorney’s Office as an honest and straight forward attorney. And as it turns out I was absolutely right, he knew everyone, and they all respected him. That was so important. I actually witnessed this, not heresay; I personally saw his relationships go to work for me. A criminal investigation was initiated against me by The Los Angeles District Attorneys Office for conversion of funds, misappropriation of funds and several other alleged charges, these potential charges could have led to multiple felony counts against me. Due to the nature of these charges and them being considered by the District Attorney’s office as financial crimes, white collar crime, I felt that only a former District Attorney would be effective for me. To say that I was scared to death would be an understatement, could not sleep, could not rest, this situation consumed my entire life for months. I would literally go off the deep end from time to time. I have a 4 year old son and at the time also had a 3 week old baby at home, the stress was UNREAL, but Mr. Kraut was always there for me, always able to put things back in prospective for me. That’s another thing, Mike Kraut himself answers his phone, every time, not once through this 5 month process did he not personally answer his phone and take my call, EVERY CALL. I hired Mr. Kraut and he immediately contacted the DA’s office on my behalf and started arranging meetings and started relaying my side of the story to them, the way a former prosecutor would do. When you know the process and how it works, like he does, you would know how to relay the proper information. Mr. Kraut really got to know me, know my family, not just by my case, but took time to know me personally and know what I was about, versus just believing the horrendous allegations that were alleged against me. He cares, he cares about me, he cares about the outcome and he cares about his reputation. In closing, this man saved my life. It was a “White Collar” crime, financial crime, he took the bull by the horns from the very first day, just last week Mr. Kraut, myself and my wife had our final meeting, he had received a decision from the District Attorney’s Office, after a five month investigation no charges will be filed against me, the matter is closed and I am free of so much stress and can move forward with my future plans and enjoy my life and family. There was a time during this process that I would have bet MY SOUL that this would never be dismissed, I was CONVINCED, 100% that I was going to State Prison, Prison, that what I thought. In comes Mike Kraut, no charges, goodbye, have a great day, you are free to go. MIKE, UNREAL!!!! Please listen carefully, if you are in trouble, if you have a criminal issue, stop looking for an Attorney. Just Stop. Call Mike Kraut and he will take care of your matter. I promise you, I do not usually post reviews. I assure you, every word written above is the gospel truth, and this man is all that I say he is. He is awesome, honest, tentative, respected, diligent, caring and just an overall winner. I love Mike Kraut, I will have his number in my phone for the rest of my life. He is no longer my Attorney because he resolved all my matters, but he is something more to me, he is my friend. Thank you Mike Kraut I have no words that will ever justify how I feel about you, but thank you Mik

On June 23, 2011, after side-swiping a parked SUV and leveling a stop sign, i was arrested and booked into the WONDERFUL Beverly Hills Jail (no joke- was comparable to a recent stay at the Beverly Hilton) on suspicion of DUI…for the second time. This would have been my second DUI charge, resulting in... a large fine, 9 months of DUI class, community service, and possible jail time, had i not been blessed with meeting Attorney Michael Kraut. After my first and ONLY DUI (thanks to Michael), i realized i had a drinking problem and sought help. After a few months of being sober and an active AA member, i was accused of being under the influence of prescription meds while driving (Still a DUI), as they "found" my prescription bottles hidden on the cushion of passenger seat ;). I have since tapered off ALL my medications. As you can imagine, after working so very hard to get and maintain sobriety, and be booked for taking medications prescribed to me for anxiety, i was furious and very scared. After a quick online search, really good reviews, and a more than proficient understanding of DUI charges, i met Michael Kraut. He's a straight shooter. He will tell you the facts, inform you of all possibilities, but also assure you that he will make things better. AND BOY, CAN HE!!! As i and Mr. Kraut felt the charges were not valid, and should not be treated as a second offense, he stood by me for a YEAR! I didn't have to show up to court until the last day, but would get phone call updates on a regular basis, letting me know what he was working on and what they were trying. In the end, i ended up with a "Dry Wreckless Driving" charge, a 3 month driving school (Half the time of a first DUI charge), no com. service, and no jail time. If i had to do it again (please, oh please, never, ever,ever…did i say ever? EVER again) i would choose Michael. Thank you, sir!

In late 2010 my life was completely changed in one horrible instant. One night, while driving home, I was involved in a fatal car accident. I had been drinking earlier that night so when the police gave me a sobriety test, I blew over the limit. I was arrested and spent the night in a holding cell at... the local police station. For a person who had never been arrested before, that was pretty rough. At the time, I was unaware of the condition of the other driver, so as far as I knew, I would be charged with a DUI and that would be the end of it. The next morning some detectives questioned me and I was informed that the other driver had died. I remember feeling sick and absolutely devastated. It felt like a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. I spent the next day in LA County Jail with $100,000 bail and the charge of “gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated” filed against me. In the days/weeks after my release I felt totally hopeless and helpless. I asked everyone I knew what to do as far as legal defense. Those who worked in legal circles warned me not to go with a public defender, especially considering the severity of my charges. So my wife and I started looking for a criminal defense attorney. We met with several, and let me tell you, the process was not fun. I’m very much a person who goes with his gut feeling when it comes to people and every lawyer we met with made me feel uneasy. They all seemed so heartless, calculating, and money-hungry. Then while searching online, I stumbled onto Michael Kraut’s website. I liked the fact that he had experience as a prosecutor and that he specialized in DUI cases. I decided to give him a call, and to my surprise, he answered on his cell. I explained my charges to him and he seemed to genuinely care about my predicament We set up a time to meet in person to go over the details of the case and determine if he’d be able to help me or not. From the moment I met Mike in his office, I had a good feeling about him. As we discussed the accident, I could tell that he really cared about my mental state and well-being. Now, one thing I really appreciate about Mike is that he doesn’t sugar coat things. He explained that day that should we decide to hire him, the process would be long and trying. It would be months and possibly more than a year before we would have any type of absolution. He also told me that I needed to be prepared for the likelihood that I would be spending some years in prison, and it was just a matter of how many. He assured me that he would do his very best to achieve the best possible outcome.

Upon opening my DUI case with Kraut Law Group, I immediately felt a sense of security dealing with Attorney Micheal Kraut. As soon as we begun our first hearing he dove right in, asking plenty of questions, and he began to assess my situation. After hearing my story he provided me with the best possi...ble options as well as his plans for my case. In his response, not only was he realistic with his foreseen outcomes of my case but he surpassed my expectations by ultimately fighting for and winning me my full dismissal (the best possible outcome). In my opinion Attorney Micheal Kraut and his firm saved my life, my record, as well as a great deal of finances that I would be obligated to pay if I had not chosen Kraut Law Group to represent me in my case. I am very thankful for their hard work, and would definitely recommend them to anyone dealing with a stressful case such as a DUI.