Michael P Cognata

Michael represented me about 10 years ago for a DUI. I got an email from him out of the blue, telling ne about expungement. He offered to clean my record. The fee was a bit higher than I thought it would be, but I trust him after speaking with him, I said yes. Thank God because he filed the paper...work the same day and a few weeks later my case was dismissed! Now and don't have to tell anyone about it when asked. Good for applying for new jobs and now I can refinance my home without getting a higher interest rate that they initially offered, when I answered yes to "have you ever been convicted of a crime?" Everyone should be able to start anew and Michael got the job done!

I hired Michael in the past for a DUO case. I called him recently on an unrelated question and I remembered how well he treated me during my hour of woe. so I decided to make this review. I was arrested for DUi and he took my case. it was a kind of high alcohol case and an accident. no one injur...ed but me. long and short. Michael found a technicality that he brought to the DA. He agreed to reduce my duo to a reckless driving. Michael also saved my license at the DMV. Michael in his firm made it Tolerable the experience, save my license and got me a reduced charge. d

I hired Michael and his firm from a referral from my close friend who had DUI a few years ago and Michael had represented him. He was very informative and gave me a 20 minute consultation about how he works and his experience. That relieved a lot of my anxiety about my case as this was my first ar...rest for anything ever. Michael went to court and after about a month and 2 court dates, he had investigated my case for dismissal mistakes. Unfortunately I had none, but he had a great talk with the government lawyer and got my case reduced from a DUI to s speeding ticket! Yay,,,I just paid a reduced fine and that was it. No license loss nothin' I know I would not have gotten it on my own. Thank God for him.

I had a DUI for the first time in my life. Scared to death I reached out to Michael He was a referral from a friend. He gave me a great talk as to what he wanted to do with my case and what he would look for. He wound up negotiating the case down to a speeding ticket with the DUI dismissed. I have... no idea how he did that as I was over .08%. Anyway, it's not about the result...which was great...it was about how nice and patient he was and that he returned my calls and emails promptly. Thank you Michael!

I hired him after my mailbox got bombarded with numerous lawyer solicitations. He was a great salesman with the whole, "I'm a ex-cop, pro temp judge thing" but immediately it became just about me ponying up the dough. Onset he told me he submitted a proof letter, that there where too many inconsisten...cies in my police report which he later dismissed saying he found no probable cause after he took the first plea bargain the DA put on the table, then got upset when I questioned him about it. I have NEVER met this man in person, he would say sure we can meet to appease me but NEVER had time to consult with me in person and strategize just E-MAILS that's it. He sends this other lawyer Conrad in his place which is very confusing, "If you are sending your legal assistants from Legal Rights Advocates located in Westlake Village why does Conrad's card say Placentia, CA? Michael has no compassion or heart and doesn't have a problem showing it ONCE he's gotten your $2500. I also received a nice bonus from CHP, here's what happened: DMV suspended my license and ordered me to go to AB541 (alcohol classes) I paid the fine $125. to get a restricted license, half way through the classes I got a letter informing me that CHP has went to the judge and had him put a $25,000. warrant out for my arrest for failure to appear in court and/or pay fines (which at the time HE supposedly was appearing on my behalf) he definitely dropped the ball, he then explains over the phone to just ignore, they call that bagging a body and how I'm no longer a human being just a number/ body in the system. Now I have collections agency threatening if I don't pony up $1122. for the CHP being dispatched to my accident scene and me getting arrested for a DUI. If I let a 7 year old read this police report they would say the police keeps changing his story, obviously lied about Field Sobriety Test, huge time gaps that's because the officer omitted vital evidence and lied on witnesses just to build a solid case against me. I hired Michael Cognata to defend me, he acted like I worked for him, spoke to me in a condescending tone and let me down! I asked for calibration and maintenance logs and I have this e-mail from Michael upset because I wouldn't take the first deal saying, I demanded the logs and 911, wait this should have been part of his 4 point investigation and already in his possession? I am emotionally, mentally, physically and financially broken. If you can't afford a lawyer with a PROVEN history settle for a Public Defender.