Michael Eric Kraut

Michael Kraut saved my life! That is no exaggeration. After receiving a second DUI in as many years, the job I had spent years struggling to get and my ability to support my 11 year old daughter were in jeopardy. I hired very nice Asian female lawyer who was referred by a friend of a friend. In cour...t though she was timid in front of the judge and was afraid to argue with the DA's. She informed me they were looking for 180 days in Jail! I was beside myself with fear. Then she called me one morning to say there was some kind of problem with the interlock company and there was a warrant out for my arrest. But it was her grandfathers birthday party and she couldn't help. Only after much begging and having to pay more money did she agree to go to the judge with me. Once there it was clear to see that there had been a simple clerical mistake but the Judge didn't see it. She was going to send me to jail right then and there. My lawyer would not fight for me. Only by begging the judge myself did she order the original documents to be supplied to the court by the following week. I got out by the skin of the teeth. My lawyer was upset that she was late for her grandfathers party and at this point it was very likely I was going to do at least 6 months in jail! What was going on? It was spiraling out of control! I have a daughter to support! While in court I noticed another lawyer who walked around the room with a easy confident air, spoke to the judge as an equal and was willing to go toe to toe with the DA. I quickly got his card. By the end of the day Michael Kraut was my new lawyer. Things changed immediately Michael had spent years in the DA office himself. He knew the courts and how they worked. He spoke to me with a straight forwardness that was refreshing and gave me the hard truths. I was not in a good place, I was screwed. But he would do his best if I followed all his direction. I agreed. First we proved that the clerical mistake was indeed an error and not my fault. He stood in-front of the Judge and pointed it out himself. He did what the other lawyer would not! He then gave me specific steps to take to reprove myself as a good citizen to the court. I did them. The DA was still adamant about 6 months in Jail but Michael was relentless. After a few months of following direction went by I was back in the courthouse in front of the Judge. It was do or die. Michael informed me that the DA's would not budge. I was near tears. He said stay strong, he had a plan. He refused the DA's offer and put it to the Judge. He walked to the bench with the DA. After 5 of the scariest minutes of my life he returned with a thumbs up. I would have a scram bracelet for 6 months and do 7 days in jail. I was not going a way for 6 months! I would not lose my job and I could provide for my daughter. He had worked a miracle. But it got better. Once again he told me to follow his direction when it came to turning myself in to the jail. I went where he said when he said. I'm still not sure how he did it but I was booked and released. Of the 7 days I was to do - I did 5 minutes! As far as a review goes you don't need to take my word that he is an honest man who put the well being of his client first and is a top notch attorney. Let the facts do the talking. My life was in jeopardy and he saved it. I still have my job and my daughter has food on the table. Not to mention that I am a better person for following the directions he gave me. Make your own decisions, do your own homework, but in my opinion to hire anyone else but Michael Kraut would be an act of insanity.

Mike Kraut is an excellent man. I had a terrible DUI accident, totalling my car and crashing 2 other cars in the process. Luckily, and so fortunately, I did not injure or kill anybody but it was bad enough that the worst case senario could have happened. I was hospitalized immediately and releas...ed at 4am in the morning. The next morning, I did not feel like myself and wondered if it all was a dream. I had no pink slip, my license was there, the only indications of reality was my car being gone and my injuries. Without any information on my case, I panicked, and started looking up DUI attorneys and calling them up. Most of them gave me the same package, that it was a serious case, we understand your distress, and we could help you out blah blah. Surprisingly, a few places did not tell me to go see them, and wanted money right away. All the attorneys seemed the same and it worried me even more. Nobody left me at ease as I talked to them. In fact, some left me more distressed when they just listed all the penalties I would be facing as if reading from a book and just called me to go see them. Then, one morning at 7am, I found Mike Kraut online and called him immediately. I saw his office did not open that early, but left him a message. Surprisingly, he called me back right away. He did not list the penalties, and he sounded like a real human being. I went to see him. I realized immediately that Mike might be the person I wanted to give my full trust on my case. What was different about Mike Kraut was that he did not talk about working with how to minimize affects after conviction, no matter how bad a situation I was in. I asked him if my penalties are going to be very severe and he said, "Dont talk like you are convicted already." Before, I felt so hopeless since I had a blood test taken instead of a breath test, and all the sites online told me the breath test could be fought but the blood test was very accurate. When I told the other lawyers that I took a blood test, they all gave me a response that left me hopeless too. Mike was the only one who told me to not think that I am convicted just because I had a blood test and I was sure that the BAC was higher than the limit. There is another thing special about Mike, and this is why I chose him. He said, lets fight it together. Unlike the other attorneys, he gave me something I could do to help myself and that was a huge comfort knowing that somehow, I could help to save myself and not leave myself completely in the hands of someone I just met an hour ago. He made me go back to the accident site and take pictures of the curve, ask for witnesses, and try to get them to cooperate. What finally made me comforted was his confidence in his abilities and his air that he has around him just tells you that everything is alright. Mike is also special in that he is a falconer and rodeo rider. I actually walked in right before his short trip to San Fransisco to compete in rodeo riding. I know that someone who can enjoy life like that and also be so confident in his job must be someone with real abilities in his work. I chose Mike Kraut and got off with minimum penalties for a first time DUI. My 9 month alcohol class was reduced to an amazing 3 months. I am really thankful and reassured by the results. I know now after hearing my outcome that I worked with the best attorney on DUIs that I found out of the countless law firms I called and researched. I am really honored to have found him, although I did not want to end up in a situation like this in the first place.

Michael Kraut is a miracle worker!!! Competent, connected and caring, Mr. Kraut is an astounding attorney. He handled my DUI case swiftly and got my case rejected. When I was pulled over at a Hollywood sobriety check point, I panicked and did the absolute worse possible thing… I refused to take b...oth the voluntary field sobriety test and the mandatory chemical test. I was arrested for the first time in my life and locked up for the maximum holding time. I was terrified and worried when I found out that by refusing the tests, my driver’s license would be suspended by the DMV for 1 year, and if convicted of DUI, I would face criminal charges, fines of almost $2,000, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, and potential jail time. Frankly, it couldn’t get much worse! As a real estate agent, my life and business would be ruined if I lost my driver’s license and was unable to drive my clients around to show them houses. I needed to find a DUI attorney that could reduce my charges and some how help me retain my driver’s license. After a great deal of research and interviews with many attorneys, I felt that Michael Kraut was the right person to help me reach my goal. Michael exceeded my expectations, he got my case rejected BEFORE the court date and saved me time and money from having to pay the fines and attend additional alcohol treatment programs. Best of all, I don’t have a DUI on my record and my automobile insurance rate will not increase. Thank you so very much Mike, I am forever appreciative of your remarkable representation and recommend you to anyone who finds themselves in this unfortunate situation.

DUI in Los Angeles New Year’s of this year I was pulled over at a police checkpoint on the way back from a private party I played at. I was tested at the location, found to be .09 and was subsequently arrested. That’s the short of it. This was my first offense and I’ve promised myself, the last! ... I’m an artist/musician and ofcourse have been in situations that are uncommon to “normal folks”. That being said, I discovered pretty quickly that it was very difficult to maintain my cool!. What seemed like an eternity in jail ended the next afternoon. I was released. I just wanted to get home, be in familiar surroundings with my girlfriend and friends and forget about my “problem” until the next day. I woke up into a world where my life had changed. After spending hours online researching I realized the severity of my situation! A quick mental visit to the possibility of representing myself ended when I realized I didn’t want to be the guy who had a fool for a client! Much too risky knowing what the consequences might be. The search for lawyers began. I put in calls to friends while I looked on line. I learned two things during my many conversations with prospective candidates. They were very generous with their phone time and that I realized I had to put my fate in the hands of someone I did not know!! I felt helpless and uncomfortably not in control. No calls from my friends. Guess they came up empty handed. Then, I had an epiphany. Go to a legal forun, and go to YELP. Find someone interesting with good reviews then double check with the California Bar Site! A name kept coming up: Michael Kraut, of The Kraut Law Group. He captured my interest. I’m a jaded “Industry” guy. These reviews sounded too good to be true and were probably orchestrated by him, or so I figured! I called him anyway! He was busy, said he’d call me right back. He did! Good sign number one! He was also very generous with his time. He finally said, that I needed to come to the office. The consultation would be free. He needed to see if he could work with me! What? Now that’s interesting because that’s the way I work! He was the only one who wanted to see me! Now he really had my interest! I was still cautious,jaded and suspicious. I’m not going to write the great American novel here so I’ll now get to the point. On the way to his office, I was a distraught, anxious first time offender who was in a lot of trouble and couldn’t stop beating himself up for being so stupid!! By the time I left after being there for approx, 2 hours, I had found my Lawyer, was relieved and was calmed by his demeanor and confidence. Michael Kraut very deftly navigated us through the process. He knows the law. He also was a deputy DA for many years! He doesn’t play games. This was a serious offense and he acted accordingly. My DUI (misdemeanor) was dropped to a Wet Reckless (infraction), my fine was nowhere near what it might have been, looks like my license will only be suspended for a month, and my “alcohol school” will end after 12 weeks ! I have learned my lesson! Michael Kraut breaks the caricature of the archetypical lawyer! He is the kind of person who cares about you, makes you feel at home during your rough ride and most of all someone you can confide in as if he was a good friend. He is a busy man and sometimes he just can’t speak because he may be in court or is taken away on urgent matters. He always gets back in a timely fashion! I was a very demanding client in terms of questions. His mantra with me always was “relax you’re in good hands”. He proved that I was ! I am not a religious man but bless you Mr Michael Kraut. Maybe you really do walk on water! If you get into trouble because of a momentary lapse into stupidity, don’t be stupid in your choice of an attorney. Call Michael Kraut! I am not affiliated with Mr Kraut. I am writing this without any input from him.

Last year I was arrested in Palm Spring and charged for possession of a controlled substance. I was facing felony charges and saw my life destroyed before my eyes. Michael cut his ski trip short and came into his office on a Sunday to meet with me and discuss my case. Michael kept telling me it would... turn out fine but I was doubtful. Well, he proved me wrong. Michael was successful in not only reducing the charges to a misdemeanour but had the judgement deferred pending the completion of a diversion program. I can't imagine having gone through this ordeal without you Michael. Thank you for everything. You are truly the best at what you do.