Diane Therese Letarte

Diane Therese Letarte

4.8
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 28 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at San Diego, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Appeals

1080 Park Blvd Unit 1008, San Diego, CA

About Diane

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 75%

Lifer Suitability hearing - BPH Post conviction, P36 Three Strikes (Re-sentencing)

75%
Appeals 25%

Writs from Lifer Parole Hearing

25%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 28 years

State: California

Acquired: 1997

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in District of Columbia for 27 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1998

Inactive

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 27 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1998

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Diane Therese Letarte

1080 Park Blvd Unit 1008, San Diego, CA, 92101

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Diane Therese Letarte's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

37 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (37) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 20 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Marie | February 03, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Family

Respected!

I was referred to the law offices of Diane Letarte to handle my immediate family members case site unseen. I called and spoke with Yolanda Navarro who took the time to answer all my questions. She responded quickly to every email and every call from the very beginning. We never met in person however... that didn't matter because as a team attorney Diane Letarte and Mrs. Yolanda guided me in how to secure services as well as the steps needed to get representation started from beginning to end. The office was always patient in answering every question and every email even if I asked my question more than once. Thank you Attorney Letarte for accepting the challenge to represent family member in the best way possible. He told me how you stood your grounds and fought for his best interest. My family and I say...Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Posted by Rudy Gonzalez | June 21, 2022 | Criminal Defense

Diane Is Top Notch

I worked on a complex case years ago regarding lifer parole law. Specifically, the In re Butler decision that affects how the BPH calculates time served/time owed. While other attorneys struggled with the concept and disagreed at the pro se level, Diane understood the issue, and dove in as a sounding... board to help the cause. It speaks volumes about her keen understanding of actual parole law, and she's not afraid to stand up for the good of her clients. Almost a decade later, we can clearly see the outcome of that case, and how it changed the legal landscape. Diane is thoughtful and analytical, not dismissive, and she's very humble and kind. You can't teach those things. She has had a very long streak of success for a reason. I wouldn't hesitate to hire her if I ever had to face the Board. She is the only person among the big names I would actually consult first for representation actually....

Posted by Celia Barrera | March 15, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Client

Very happy she did a great job excellent a lawyer very satisfied personal I recommend Diane Therese Letarte

Posted by Alex | February 28, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

2 for 2 on Helping Us Get our Family Home

We first hired Ms Letarte for one of our family members 3 years ago or so. Then hired her again for a different family member this year. Both times our family members were found suitable for release. Both were given life sentences and with the help of Ms Letarte both have another chance at living a l...ife outside of prison walls. Thanks once again and we highly recommend her services.

Posted by anonymous | January 13, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

True Professionalism and Successful

Ms Letarte: Me and my family cant express enough how grateful we are for Ms. Letarte's service!! My brother was sentenced to 25 to Life, it seemed hopeless to think that he would ever come out. Ms. Letarte was referred to us by a family that had a family member doing life and was granted parole with ...the help of Ms. Letarte, long story short Ms. Letarte was direct and moved swiftly in reviewing my brothers case and made the impossible possible. Ms. Letarte's staff team was also awesome in their professionalism and swift to respond to matters. My brother is now coming home thanks to Ms. Letarte and her team, we will forever be grateful for her services. If you have a family member that needs professional help I'm telling you that YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG BY HIRING Ms. Letarte!!!!! Thank you Ms. Letarte!!!

See All Client Reviews

Diane Therese Letarte's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Diane
Jamie Sprenger headshot
Jamie Sprenger

Appeals lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I had the pleasure of working with Diane when I was a new attorney in California. She was an inspiring mentor and remarkable lawyer. Her passion for justice and for her clients is truly one of a kind. Lawyers have a bad reputation for being money hungry, but Diane is the polar opposite of this stereotype - putting "the cause" as number one, and being willing to sacrifice everything for her clients. If only all lawyers could be as dedicated, passionate, and selfless as Diane."

James Nelson Dicks headshot
James Dicks

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"This attorney works very hard for the client and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney."

Michael Shemtoub headshot
Michael Shemtoub

Appeals lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Your resume speaks for itself and I consider you a valuable member of the attorney community. I would recommend you to anyone and everyone who needs your services. I whole heartedly endorse this lawyer!"

C. C. Abbott headshot
C. Abbott

Appeals lawyer | Jul 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Letarte has dedicated her career to assisting a population within our community that needs zealous advocacy. A true professional."

Serena Faye Salinas headshot
Serena Salinas

Appeals lawyer | Jul 02

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I work under the guidance of Ms. Letarte in the area of parole suitability hearings. I gravitated to her because of her extensive knowledge and experience in the field. Her bright personality and honesty is refreshing, making her one of my favorite attorneys to work with."

View All Endorsements
James Nelson Dicks headshot
James Dicks

Criminal defense lawyer

Serena Faye Salinas headshot
Serena Salinas

Appeals lawyer

Tanya Lee Weston headshot
Tanya Weston

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Evan Beckman headshot
Michael Beckman

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

2013

Attorney of the Month, Attorney Journal

2012

Judge Pro tem Contribution, Judge Advocates Association

2000

Distinguished Service Award, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program

N/A

Service Award, North County Bar Association

Work Experience

1998 - Present

Attorney - Owner, Law Office of Diane T. Letarte

2002 - 2002

Internship, Vista Public Defender's Office

Associations

2000 - Present

San Diego Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

North County Bar Association

Member

Lawyers Club of San Diego (North County chapter)

Former President

2005 - 2006

Lawyers Club of San Diego (North County chapter)

President

Sample of Legal Cases

In re Bolton 40 Cal.App 5th 611 (2019)

The Lassen County Superior Court is directed to vacate petitioner's 91-year state prison term for his juvenile offenses and to hold a sentencing hearing on his juvenile and adult convictions consistent with the Opinion

Fitz v. NCR Corp., 118 Cal. App. 4th 702. (2004)

Employee Procedural win impacting ALL NCR California employee.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2011

Walden University

MS - Master of Science

2002

University of San Diego School of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws

1996

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1991

University of Redlands

MBA - Master of Business Administration

1979

Florida Atlantic University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2011

TIME WARNER - Studio Marsy's Law and its Impact

2011

LIFER FAIR

LIFER SEMINAR - Prison

2011

California Central Appellate Seminar CCAP Lifer Parole Hearing - Making a record

2010

Families of the Incarcerated at LA Church Lifer Parole Hearings - free Seminar

Publications

2011

Private informal tips document Tips for inmate

Languages

French

Spanish

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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