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Michael James Kennedy

Criminal defense Attorney at Yucca Valley, CA

3.9   16 reviews
  • Licensed for 42 years
    State CA
    Acquired 1981
    Status
    Active Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 1994

About Michael

Learn Michael’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas
  1. Criminal defense
    55%

    41 years, 2,500 cases

  2. DUI and DWI
    40%

    36 years, 750 cases

  3. Juvenile law
    5%

    26 years, 300 cases

I am second to none in a combination of scholarship, effective aggressiveness for my clients, and insights into the system and what it does and should be doing. You could do no better than have me on your side in a fight against the system; you could, however, do much, much worse.

 

It is imporant to understand that I handle cases in all of Riverside and San Bernardino and Imperial counties, and I will take cases in Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties if the issues are interesting enough or if the client is facing certain hardships or criminal sanctions that I suspect would not be properly handled by attorneys in those areas. Unfortunately, AVVO's system does not allow a person to reflect that he handles anywhere that he does not have a physical office, thereby depriving those seeking help the full range of possibilities for the help they seek.  I am availble in most places where the Constitution is in peril; feel free to contact me wherever your problems might be occurring. No matter where they are, you could do no better than having me help, and you always could do much, much worse.

Contact Michael

Law Office of Michael J. Kennedy, PC
56244 Papago Trail
Suite 7
Yucca Valley, CA, 92284
Law Office of Michael J. Kennedy, PC
56244 Papago Trail
Suite 7
Yucca Valley, CA, 92284
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Reviews

3.9 / 5.0
  16 customer reviews
Posted by anonymous | September 17, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent lawyer
I hired Michael Kennedy for a legal issue stemming from Coachella music festival in April. Mr. Kennedy communicated with me throughout the process. Of the 6 or 7 lawyers I spoke to, Mr. Kennedy was the only one who said that my case could be resolved in the most desirable way, a non-filing. Kennedy fought for me for months, and in the end the case was indeed settled with a non-filing.
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Posted by anonymous | April 21, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Like None Orher
I hired Mr Kennedy to represent my Son in a DUI case 2 years ago. He did an exceptional job fighting for my Sons rights and is extremely knowledgeable in DUI legalities and explained the steps he would take to fight for my son. Mr Kennedy won my sons DMV case and got the court case dismissed. I would highly recommend him!!!
Posted by anonymous | June 19, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
DUI/ Pending Teacher Credential Renewal
Mr. Michael James Kennedy's professionalism, experience, and DUI expertise proved to stellar, and favorable in my case. Not only did he have my teacher credetnial renewed, he also had my case dismissed. Mr. Kennedy directly communicated with me promtply throught the case and always accomplished what he told me. He won the DMV hearing, he supressed motions, had my credential renewed and had my case dismissed. What more can I ask for? I highly recommend Mr. Kennedy to any teacher who finds themselves in a simliar situation.
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Posted by Pedro maldonado | August 15, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best attorney you will ever find.
I had a lost case from the beginning to start with but after hireing mr. Kennedy not only he kept me out of jail but fought hard enough to dismiss my case and he did it.
Posted by Michael | June 21, 2015
Small town, big help
I was involved in a situation that warranted legal services and had no contact with my friends or family at the time. From across the country, my family was able to look online, and call around for referrals when Mr. Kennedy’s name was suggested. They decided to contact his office and ask for his service which he accepted. I was facing felony charges and after deliberation was released on misdemeanor charges with minimal fees. Mr. Kennedy was able to take care of my case while balancing multiple other cases of varying degree. I would recommend his service to friends or family.
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Posted by anonymous | May 21, 2015
Great lawyer/straight shooter
Mr Kennedy defended me in a DUI case. Mr Kennedy was extremely knowledgeable and willing to fight for me. I had spoken to other lawyers prior to contacting Mr Kennedy and the first thing they wanted to do is just plead the case down. Mr Kennedy fought for me for over three years. Ultimately I chose to take a plea but the conditions of plea where better than I ever expected. I can say with confidence that if I had chosen to go to trial Mr Kennedy would have been one of the best people to have in my corner. Thank you Mike for your hard work.
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Posted by anonymous | May 14, 2015
DUI Defense
Michael, is simply the best in his profession. I have used him on several occasions and his approach and defense arguments were excellent. He will NOT plead you out, does his homework and will go the distance for you. He is not afraid of hard work and is extremely thorough in every aspect of your case. His reputation is well known and he gets respect in the court system. I can't say enough about how comfortable I felt due to his competence.
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Posted by Mark | March 3, 2015
DUI
I was pulled over last year and placed under arrest for DUI. I was directed to contact Michael Kennedy because of his good reputation. I contacted Mike and after talking with him I decided to retain his services. He is a bull dog in the court room and fights for you. My case did take some time to get resolved, in the end he was able to get it the DUI charge dismissed. I would highly recommend Mike’s services to anyone.
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Posted by Holly | March 2, 2015
Out of state bench warrant and dui
Mr. Kennedy represented me for my bench warrant and DUI case in California.  He is knowledgeable, confident, and strategically plans your defense based on the facts of your case and his experience. I do not reside in the state of California, so all of our communication was done by phone and email. He responded quickly and never left me wondering about my case. I explained to Mr. Kennedy the facts and also explained that time was a huge deal for me. He worked quickly and efficiently on my case and before I knew it the case was over in which resulted in a win for us. The scales have definitely been balanced. I am no longer crippled by the downward spiral of effects caused by my DUI arrest. I can breathe easy now that I no longer live in fear of arrest because of a bench warrant. A huge weight has been lifted! Warrant quashed, case dismissed! I can finally move forward again! Had I known then what I know today, Mr. Kennedy would have been my first call!
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Posted by Ashley | August 30, 2013
Thank you Mr. Kennedy
I was referred to Mr. Kennedy to help with a case a few years ago and am very lucky to have hired him. I was facing both felony & misdemeanor charges and loss of personal items that had been confiscated. After a few months of court visits the charges were dropped and my property eventually returned. I am very grateful to have a clear record and my valuable property back in my possession. I don't think I could have found a better attorney to handle the case, he definitely got the job done. He was very informative after each court appearance and helped me to feel confident that I would not face jail time. I can't say enough good things about Mr. Kennedy, he got me out of the biggest mess of my life. I am forever thankful for his hard work, effort and hours spent on my cases. I hope I do not ever have to, but I would hire him again if needed.
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Posted by Dustin | July 30, 2013
An Excellent Lawyer
Mr. Kennedy is truly the best lawyer I have ever known. He was initially recommended to me by a friend of mine, for a DUI charge I had recently been accused of. I had, unfortunately, already hired another lawyer. After dealing with my initial lawyer (and his terrible attitude/cost/apathy), I decided to make a change and hire Mr. Kennedy. This choice was simply one of the best decisions of my life. Mr. Kennedy took my case to a four day jury trial which ended with the beautiful words of “not guilty”. What may be even more amazing is that he actually got a little of my money back since I had been overcharged for court documents by the previous lawyer! Mr. Kennedy was very well versed in the areas of DUI/DWI/driving charges, and tremendously professional. He has good relationships with courtroom personnel (including judges), and is well respected by all. I recommend anyone in need of assistance hire Mr. Kennedy the first time – he will be the resolution to your legal problems.
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Posted by David Quesenberry | May 17, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
I've learned my lesson in more ways than one
First off, my name is David and I am a former client of two plus years and not a competitor of any kind. I've deliberated on how I would write this review for some time now and have decided to offer up only the facts about my experience. Mr. Kennedy has a great deal of experience in the DUI arena. His knowledge of the subject matter is unmatched. He has argued on behalf of a great many people and he has had a certain level of success over his many years. That said, my personal experience was as follows. (Just the Facts) If you're looking for great communication between you and your counsel, you will be very disappointed. Among my emails, texts and phone calls, I found that he would answer about half of what I asked. That was a big deal for me, it may not be for you. I was told multiple times that my case was "winnable" and along with his boundless self promotion, I bought into the idea that we could win this case. In my first meeting with him I was given his oral resume' quoting statistics of his successes which I was never able to confirm. Mr. Kennedy is prone to pushing paper and requesting postponements, his nickname is "Captain Motion". We spent months/years searching for the perfect judge to hear our case, in the end there was no such thing as the perfect judge. Over this two year and five month episode in my life, we did not win a single motion with either the court or the DMV. We took my case all the way to a jury decision which we lost unanimously after an hour and a half of deliberation during the lunch break. We lost to a rookie ADA who was arguing her very first DUI case. And finally, while Mr. Kennedy and I walked out of the courthouse, we discussed some follow up with the DMV and the appeals process which he promised to keep me abreast of. I never heard from the man again. Fact: Hiring a lawyer along with a an expert witness cost me an extra $10,000. If I had plead guilty day one and avoided taking my case to court, I would have already completed all classwork, had my full driving privileges reinstated by now and would have saved myself a ton of stress and anxiety along with the aforementioned cash. I will offer my one and only opinion to the reader. Do not get caught up in the idea that your case is "Winnable". If you're truthful with yourself and you know what you did was wrong and you know that most reasonable people will find what you did was wrong as well, give that fact just as much weight as you do anything else. We all want to walk away with the least amount of damage done. And in the end, your lawyer wasn't driving the car, You Were...
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Response from Michael Kennedy June 2, 2017
I recall David very well. Between email communications to him and about his case, I stopped counting at 80; there are many more. It is a grotesque waste of scarce time for me to have to respond to repeated and anxious “what’s going on” types of queries with “nothing new” constantly. Indeed, there was more communication between him and me than between any other 20 of my clients and me in the aggregate. I know people are anxious about what’s going on in the odious arena of drunk driving, which is a political crime investigated and prosecuted remorselessly, but people need to stand back and let things happen. And most of the people to come to me for help do so. I am now more careful than ever about whom I’ll represent, and because of the quality of my work, I always have more who want my services than I will agree to help. Attorneys who are criticized by clients may answer those criticisms, so long as unnecessary confidences are not revealed, and all that I will say here is in the public domain. On the public facts of his case, I did not cram 2½ times the legal limit of alcohol down David’s gullet, nor did I cause his car to careen recklessly down the road and through construction caution barriers, nor did I cause him to say much, much more to the cops than is necessary [and which is highly incriminating], nor did I force him to try to perform balancing tests that no one can perform on their best day and with perfect sobriety. But it was my task to try to make it look as though none of that happened. I was to create an impression of alternative facts. Because his BAC was so high, the prosecutor wanted David to spend a considerable time in jail. Did I tell him it was a winnable case? Indeed, I did. If we could revisit the days of the Founding Fathers, when the purpose and function of juries was to have a body of citizens stand resolutely against government and on the side of the accused, and who are to look skeptically at whatever government introduces to strip people of their liberties, which includes looking skeptically at what judges do and say and think and wish to have happen, virtually all cases would be winnable. And we sometimes get those sorts of juries, although more often we do not; too often we get juries who think the judge and prosecutor and cops are their best friends who would never lie, cheat, steal liberty, and who wear white hats. Wrong! But if we had properly functioning juries, virtually all cases are winnable, and David’s would have been won. There were forensic anomalies and discrepancies in the evidence the government introduced here, and had certain meritorious objections been sustained and certain meritorious motions been granted, the outcome here would have been vastly different. And it should have been. So certain was I that things would be different had the law been properly applied to only properly found facts that I offered to do the appeal for David free of charge, if he would merely pay for the transcript. That is, I would donate $10,000 of my efforts if he would pay the $2,500 for the transcript. But he declined, preferring to sulk and then attack me here. Yep, there were many postponements: part of my expertise includes knowing which judges are neutral and intelligent enough to let hear my cases, and which ones are simply the best friends the cops and prosecutor ever had, with nary a clue of how to find the courtroom. Both sorts sit in the Riverside County courts at varying times. And I will continue cases until I get the tribunal that I think is best suited for my task. Because of the quality of my work in this case, the appreciative judge gave David no time in jail, despite the government’s insistence that he go to jail along the lines of their initial prayer because of the enormously high BAC and the man-endangering driving pattern. Had I not postponed to a suitable tribunal, David would have done 6 months in jail.
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Posted by Kevin | May 10, 2015
Rude, judgmental, insulting and expensive
I tried to contact mr.kennedy for representation and from the first phone call he was rude and insulting an combative, like he was mad at me? His fees were 4 times(not even my real issue but worth mentioning) what anyone elses were and his attitude is horrible. Made me feel like I was being judged and looked down on, like I would be standing in court with 2 people judging me an no one in my corner. He may be the greatest lawyer on earth but I will never know because he treated me like dirt an I would NEVER hire him. Maybe he would go in and fight like hell or maybe his gruff arrogant attitude would make the da hate him too... not a chance im willing to take.
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Response from Michael Kennedy May 13, 2015
The attorney-client relationship requires confidentiality, which I will protect at all costs, more so than many attorneys who will tell the court certain things to make themselves look good to the oppressors. But the one area which allows breaching that inviolable relationship of silence is when the client attacks the attorney in public, utters a libel against the attorney and the practice of law, as occurred here. Then the attorney can divulge the context to defend himself. At least this attack, unlike the others on this page, is from a true client [although he had not yet hired me, but this is not from an envious competitor, unlike the others]. Of course, it is foolish to attack me, when I can protect myself, because judges and DAs who respect me [and most grudgingly do because of the quality of my work and my grit] read my postings, and pages about me, like this one. Judgmental? Yep. This Kevin Steele was sent to me by one of the preeminent DUI specialists because he knew that I was one of the few who could back the court and DA down in Victorville on drunk driving matters, where I have had many noted successes, felony and misdemeanor. I started looking into the matter before being retained so I would know the lay of the land and could decide if I wanted to take the case and what was involved. It turns out that Kevin has two drunk driving cases, 4 years old, one committed while Steele was pending appearance on the other, and both now have literally years of failures to appear. I asked Kevin what on earth was going on with two drunk driving cases and persistent non-appearances, and his answer was that he refused to go to court because he could not afford an attorney and he didn't trust the public defender! Yep, I was judgmental - to essentially thumb your nose at the judge [which is how a failure to appear is viewed by most judges] because you do not trust the attorney that the judge will appoint to assist you is idiotic, counter-productive, irresponsible, and it is setting up an uphill battle that can be won, but which is more problematic and involved than should be the case. These are two separate and distinct DUIs with different facts and different issues, even though they are now set on the same date for a new arraignment, and I charge and receive $7,500 for a DUI locally [Indio], and much more at a distance, because of the quality of my work, the excessive time and effort I put into the matters, and the often astounding results I can pull off, so that would theoretically cost Kevin $15,000 if in Indio, and potentially much more at that distance, but I offered him a fee of $10,000 for both, chopping off $5,000. He went nuts and only then started criticizing my tone. [Many of the top-rung DUI specialists charge more than that through trial for one DUI case, let alone two!] I am sure Kevin has found low-ballers who charge much less. There is a group of attorneys statewide who will charge $2,500, or less, and will make a couple of appearances, and then will, with earnestness leaking from all their pores, tell you that you have to plead guilty, but they will have gotten you a "good deal" of on;y 10 days in jail for a first time DUI. [The statutory minimum is zero days, and everyone appearing on their own can get the 10 day "deal"!] Unlike me, they don;t do extensive motions, back-room fights, trials, etc., to maximize their clients' position. I told Kevin that before he hired one of those bottom-feeders, he would be better off with the public defender, who does fight for their clients, and generally effectively so. I wished him best of luck and I thought that was the end of Kevin Steele and me. Not everyone can afford me; but few transfer that into an attack on me! But Kevin decided to deflect his own self-loathing by attacking me instead of following that sage advice. That is always a big mistake, for courts, prosecutors, whomever.
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Posted by anonymous | January 7, 2014
I AM A VERY DISSATISFIED CLIENT OF MICHAEL JAMES KENNEDY
MR. KENNEDY REALLY DIDN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING. HE WRITES BELOW: "I don't know of one CLIENT who would not come back to me if they ran into trouble again ... " I AM 1 CLIENT WHO WILL NEVER GO BACK TO HIM, SEND HIM ANY WORK, OR OTHERWISE. HE DID A VERY HALF HEARTED JOB, IN MY OPINION, AND DID NOT COMPLETE HIS WORK FOR ME. IT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING. I WOULD NOT GO BACK. I PAID ABOUT $20,000.00, ENOUGH TO GET A GOOD JOB IN MY OPINION, BUT I GOT A HALF WITTED JOB, IN MY OPINION. HOWEVER, FROM READING KENNEDY'S REPLIES TO UNHAPPY CLIENTS IT SEEMS HE'S GOING TO SUE EVERYBODY UNDER THE SUN FOR JUST TELLING THE TRUTH. THAT IS WRONG. I WISH HE WAS AS PASSIONATE ABOUT MY CASE AS HE IS ABOUT KEEPING HIS FICTION THAT HE'S SOME KIND OF SUPER LAWYER GOING. HE'S A VERY BAD LAWYER. AND OVERCHARGES. AND DOESN'T WORK HARD ENOUGH. AND DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE.
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Response from Michael Kennedy January 7, 2014
I think I know exactly who the cretin is who is posting this, and he is a competitor, and one thing that makes it all clear - I have not had any appellate clients who have paid me $20,000. The biggest disservice this AVVO system makes to the public is that they allow anonymous attacks, and they allow libelous attacks that without federal internet protection., would be very profitable for the person who is wrongfully attacked. That is a thing the Congress is going to have to review, because one's reputation is a property interest, and to allow, by law, it to be trashed is constitutionally despicable. However, one can read the comments of those who know me best [here and on LinkedIn], those who see me in court and who are taught by me at seminars, and he or she can draw their own conclusions about my scholarship, effectiveness, and qualities as an attorney. I don't recall a real client who has complained to me about anything I did or didn't do, and if they had real complaints [and if they were really clients and not competitors], they would complaint to the State Bar. The problem for them with that is that they would have to reveal their identities! And then the fraud would be exposed. No one works harder, nor more competently, than I in the service of those victimized by overreaching government - and some of my competitors know that and want to bring me down to their level. People attacked Galileo too.
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Posted by anonymous | December 18, 2013
Don't believe the hype!
Would not recommend! This Attorney is somewhat arrogant and despot. The only time he spends explaining anything in detail and (mostly telling you how great he is at appeals), is when he is courting your business for retainer, the rest of the time he seems perturbed by any questions regarding a case. Terrible at returning calls or emails. Did not produce a retainer agreement when asked many times to do so by me and main council. Expensive and does not deliver on his personal hype. Very dismayed...Too bad for me for paying this guy for poor use value. At one point he had no idea that I was even his client; I had to remind him! : (
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Response from Michael Kennedy December 19, 2013
This is an utter falsehood, doubtlessly penned by competitors, possibly by the same one who penned the other false nasty-ism. People can see from the other comments about me that whoever is publishing this bilge has some agenda other than expressing the truth. One thing that makes it clear that this is false is that I never brag about appeals outcomes, because I know our appeals courts are quixotic and unreliable and I never predict what the outcome will be, nor can any attorney. It is interesting and telling that those who anonymously try to bring me down on this site have never complained to the State Bar about my performance, because unlike this "service," which will publish anything, the Bar requires proof and identity of those complaining. AVVO really needs to rethink its policy of permitting libelous utterances on these pages, hiding, as it does, behind the protection unwisely afforded by federal law for internet defamation. I have many, many happy clients, past and present, and I don't know of one who would not come back to me if they ran into trouble again [and there are many who have come back to me], because the results of my efforts on the behalf of those accused of crimes is unsurpassed. Naturally, if appeals or trial outcomes do not favor a criminal defendant, many times they start looking for someone to blame, since looking in the mirror frequently produces an unwelcome image, but if this comment really has been written by someone who is unhappy about the outcome of something I did, he or she needs to be reminded that I am not the one who committed any crime; I am the one who tried to put the horses back in the barn after they were loosed by this individual's activity. Perhaps falsely attacking me makes them happy or gives them a measure of peace that was disrupted by their own conduct, but if so, that is perverse. But I think I know who is doing this, and it is not an unhappy client, and there will be a deserved reckoning. As an aside, because I don't think it applies to this false attack, people should understand that appeals are a risky business, because about 98% of trial outcomes are affirmed on appeal: appeals in this state are not a remedy often obtained.
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Posted by KennedyRippedMeOff | May 26, 2013
AWFUL SOUTHWESTERN LAWYER PRETENDING TO BE SOMETHING HE'S NOT. BEWARE THE "HIGH BROW" SALES PITCH. DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO LAWYER!
BEWARE! WATCH OUT!!! This man is very confused. First off, he tried to come off as some Ivy League intellectual, but don't buy it. If he were such an intellectual he would have taken his education more seriously and not gone to Southwestern. Kennedy spends so much time SELF promoting and trying to blow himself up into something he's not really qualified to be -- an intellectual. As Clint Eastwood said, "A man needs to know his limitations". Kennedy does not. So he spends so much time on this intellectual kick, that he's better than others, that he doesn't spend the time to do the hard work of figuring out how to handle a case at the trial court. That's not to say he's valuable to you on appeal either, but he's a total disaster at the trial court. Kennedy has pissed everyone off for starters, so you're not going to get any love from anybody with Kennedy as your lawyer. So, in order to get a good deal or good result you'll have to go to trial. Kennedy will gleefully accept your case and charge you a LARGE sum to do it, a little at a time, but not put in any work preparing it. He doesn't have a clue what to do when he gets to court, with no ability to figure out a case, how to present it, or what to do about much of anything. I believe he's spent too much time blowing himself up into being this huge intellectual to actually stoop to ask someone else how to do things, watch how others do things, or maybe even take a seminar on how to do them. He thinks he know everything already. Kennedy is a disaster and does not have a clue on how to handle your case, no matter how large or small. I had a very small matter and Kennedy could not even follow my directions to only accept a Judge on the case and not agree to a commissioner, and especially not a particular commissioner I pointed out by name. He accepted him anyway. I told him we would not get a fair hearing from that man. He didn't want me to attend that or any other stages of the proceeding. He apparently didn't want me to see the disaster of a job he was doing. The Commissioner I said to reject ruled against Kennedy. It set up an interesting appeal issue that Kennedy then, inexplicably, did not want to handle on appeal claiming a "conflict", due the fact that he had handled the matter at the trial court he said he could not be the appellate lawyer too as that created a "conflict" per him. He only said this AFTER we lost and it was time to appeal. "In every case you should have different counsel handle the appeal" he said, which was strange as we had specifically discussed at the time he was hired that he would be handling the appeal, if necessary, and that's largely why he was hired. Kennedy cost nearly 25K then refused to fight for me. Only after when it was time for the appeal which was discussed far in advance did he come up with the trial lawyer shouldn't do the appeal BS. He didn't say that when he took my money. Also, that's kind of a "Catch-22", isn't it. If Kennedy doesn't handle the trial court proceedings he will claim that your trial court lawyer screwed it up and so he can't win, or more likely didn't win, as he said he would when he takes your 25K or so. "It was the trial court lawyers fault." Kennedy has some supporters in the legal profession (see below), but they aren't his clients and almost never get to see his actual work (DAs are in the courtroom with him generally and not defense lawyers), so don't buy it. Also, on this honest review Kennedy was quick to file some sort of dispute to try to get it eliminated. Kennedy cannot eliminate the truth that he is a DISASTER of a lawyer. Kennedy charged BIG and did a half assed job -- largely due decades of being a "know it all" and not doing the hard work of learning how to handle a case in the first place. But there remains the endless self promotions and big talk. He'll take your money, and you'll get convicted/screwed.
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Response from Michael Kennedy May 13, 2015
I trust everyone reading this false and defamatory screed against realize that it has no connection to reality, and it remains clear to me that it was penned by a envious competitor and not by any former client. It is regrettable that AVVO allows such baseless, and potentially harmful, attacks on their pages, and I am working with Congress to eliminate the immunity that internet broadcasters enjoy to utter libels against people which if uttered in other setting would invite hefty civil penalties. If they allow their pages to be used for patent falsehoods, then one cannot rely on anything AVVO has published about anything [except my "superb" rating - they are accurate about that!]. The quality and aggressiveness and scholarly precision of my service to those accused of crimes is second to none, and real clients who have actually retained me stand firmly in my corner on that.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 90 minutes
  • Retainer Always
Payment methods
Cash, Check

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1994.

Public reproval with/duties issued in CA, 1994
updated on 02/21/2015

A censure or reprimand issued by the Supreme Court or the State Bar Court that is not a matter of public record unless imposed after the initiation of formal disciplinary proceedings. No period of suspension is imposed. The reproval may be imposed with duties or conditions.

Michael's comment: “Solely for two drunk driving incidents within 6 years of each other, over 20 years ago. Never anything related to competence nor ethics. If drunk driving disqualified a person from serving the public's needs, GW Bush could not have been president, Don Rumsfeld could not have been secretary of defense, and Dick Cheney could not have been vice president!”

Work Experience

  • Attorney - Owner
  • Law Office of Michael J. Kennedy
  • 2012 - Present
  • Attorney at Law
  • Kennedy & Roe
  • 2007 - 2012
  • Attorney at Law
  • Ledger & Kennedy
  • 2004 - 2007
  • Deputy Public Defender
  • San Bernardino County Public Defender
  • 1991 - 2004
  • Attorney at Law
  • Law Office of Michael J. Kennedy
  • 1986 - 1991
  • Deputy District Attorney
  • District Attorney of Riverside County
  • 1984 - 1986
  • Attorney at Law
  • United States District Court
  • 1982 - 1984
View all work experience

Education

  • Southwestern Univ SOL
  • Juris Doctor
  • 1981
  • Widener Univ
  • B.A.
  • N/A

Legal Cases

  • People v. Kent Morgan
  • Trtal acquittal.

Associations

  • National College of DUI Defense
  • Faculty; California Delegate
  • 2014 - Present
  • California DUI Lawyers Association
  • Board of Directors
  • 2006 - Present
  • California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • California Public Defenders Association
  • Member
  • 1990 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Top Lawyers
  • Palm Springs Life Magazine
  • 2015
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • The Private Defenders of California, Inc.
  • 2013
  • Top Trial Lawyers
  • Palm Springs Life Magazine
  • 2012
  • Lifetime Achievement Award ["The Eddie"]
  • California DUI Lawyers Association
  • 2011
  • Top Trial Lawyers
  • Palm Springs Life Magazine
  • 2011
  • Top Trial Lawyers
  • Palm Springs Life Magazine
  • 2010
View all awards

Speaking Engagements

  • Many, many, starting date 1990 through date below
  • Criminal, Constitutional Law and Defense
  • 2015

Attorney endorsements

Received (38)
Given (12)
Endorse Michael
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Michael Kennedy is one of the most intelligent, dedicated, and bold attorneys I have had the privilege to learn from. He is truly an advocate for justice, and one of the greatest defenders of the Constitution that you will find in Riverside County and the surrounding counties. Through hard work, true intellectual brilliance, and experience, Mr. Kennedy (aka Captain Motion) has earned the right to be the boldest justice advocate in SoCal, and the judges take notice when the Captain challenges the prosecution. Captain has been a mentor and a hero to me for as long as I've known him. I am privileged to have him as a colleague. If I ever faced criminal charges, Captain would be my first call. He's a hero, a champion, an outspoken wizard in legal matters. Thank you Captain for all you do to promote justice and to halt the overreaching of the government. We have all learned from you, and it's been our privilege. I wholeheartedly endorse this attorney."
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 26
Relationship: Other
"I've seen some of the motion work he has done. I have seen him at seminars he's given for attorneys. I have heard about his results from fellow attorneys. He may seem eccentric at times. But no one in the criminal defense business, including judges, and of course DA's, and including the "criminal law specialists," know their stuff like this man. Anyone who is not aware of that, including judges, and opposing prosecutors, learn that REAL fast. My endorsement for Mr. Kennedy is one word: Amazing."
Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Michael Kennedy is in a class of his own as a criminal defense attorney in Southern California. His zeal in fighting for the constitutional freedoms our founders envisioned is UNMATCHED, and I envy and admire his incredible ability to do so. I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I found Mr. Kennedy's "Ruminations on Motions" from a seminar and sample motions online while doing some research. After reading his material, I'm thoroughly convinced this man is a champion of liberty and the constitution. His writing skills are impressive."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Nov 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer.This lawyer has an expertise in DUI defense. By attending DUI seminars throughout the year to keep up on the latest in the law, field sobriety testing, blood testing, and breath testing, this attorney is an asset to the clients. I endorse this lawyer."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Nov 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Outstanding."
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Michael for about 24 years, I opposed him when I was a prosecutor, and have seen him perform hundreds of times. Michael is legendary in the legal community. Referred to as "Captain Motion," Michael's research and writing skills are second to none. But, he is equally skilled within the courtroom. He is afraid of nothing, and never gives up. Hire Michael, I would"
DUI and DWI Attorney | Oct 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael Kennedy is one of the most respected constitutional lawyers in the State of California. Captain Motion as he is known is a knowledgeable scholar and sought after speaker and consultant. Anyone arrested for DUI in Palm Springs, Riverside or anywhere in the Inland Empire is doing a disservice to himself if he does not contact Michael Kennedy immediately."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. GREAT LAWYER!"
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Michael Kennedy is an icon in the legal community. His research and writing skills have earned him the title of "Captain Motion". He is the consummate lawyer's lawyer. I highly recommend him."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Michael Kennedy is the most tenacious lawyer in America when it comes to filing and fighting pre-trial motions in criminal cases. That is why he is nationally known as CAPTAIN MOTION. If you are in criminal trouble, this is YOUR GUY."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a fantastic lawyer. I have referred clients to him and they were delighted with his work. I would highly recommend him."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer!"
DUI and DWI Attorney | Sep 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Kennedy is a practicing scholar: fearless, relentless, and unyielding in the defense of his clients and the constitution. Experienced DUI lawyers and criminal defense attorneys across the state turn to him for insight, strategies and ideas. I strongly endorse him."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"You really can't get a much better lawyer than Michael Kennedy. He is truly in the top 1/10 of one percent of criminal defense lawyers. He is devoted to staying current on the law, generous with his time and a fierce, fierce advocate. I have called him up repeatedly and he has been unfailingly helpful. Perhaps what sets Michael apart, however, is his grasp of the subtleties of the law, his mastery of a wide variety of negotiation techniques and how best to present a motion to the court. If you want the best criminal defense attorney, Michael is the man. If I were a prosecutor facing Michael, I would be concerned I were about to be embarrassed."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Jan 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Michael defends the US Constitution one case at a time. It's not just a tag-line. It is his mission, and he takes his duty and obligations to his clients seriously. He is a zealous advocate in the courtroom and has an excellent string of victories under his belt. I recommend and endorse him without any reservation."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Dec 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael Kennedy works tirelessly and aggressively to defend his client's rights. He is a constitutional scholar and fierce advocate for his clients."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Whether Mr. Kennedy is speaking at a seminar, or providing his vast expertise on any given criminal issue, I stop and listen. I go to him for direction with tough legal questions and he never ceases to amaze me. I heartily recommend him and have referred cases to him if you're looking for the best attorney you can get!"
DUI and DWI Attorney | Sep 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Michael is one of the most dynamic lawyers in the country. He is a tireless advocate for his clients and other lawyers' clients as well. I have had the pleasure of hearing Michael speak to both state and national practitioners many, many times. Each time he has always been very impressive. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to see Michael's advocacy behind the scenes. You could not hire a better, more prepared lawyer than Michael."
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Criminal defense
DUI and DWI
Criminal defense
DUI and DWI
Yucca Valley Criminal defense Lawyer Michael James Kennedy
Michael James Kennedy
Criminal defense Attorney
Yucca Valley, CA
Licensed for 42 years
Free Consultation
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1994. See details