Joseph Briscoe Dane

I called many attorneys regarding a situation in was relatively perplexed about. I was required to complete a year of DV classes after a plea agreement to misdemeanor disturbing the peace, w/ 3 years informal probation, 20 hours of comm service. I enrolled in a program and attended, they dropped... me for missing too many (4) courses (only open 3 days, Saturday/Sunday/Monday, unable to am keeping up or switch courses). Because I was dropped, I had to return to court to be referred back out. It looked AWFUL, as I was dropped 1 week before going back to court for the 1st progress review. I returned to court for the review, and agreed to a probation violation, should I be dropped again I would be subject to 30 days in jail. Being a previous non offender, I was not worried, I would simply mark off all Saturdays and dedicate that day to classes only. I went back to the program, re-enrolled, and attended nearly every session (8 of 9 total weeks), missing 1. I receive a letter on a Thursday (after attending the previous Saturday session) advising me in an extremely brief letter (about 3 lines) that I have been dropped because of was "tardy". I became nervous and concerned as all I thought about was what the judge said, 30 days. I didn't wait, and found another program, enrolled the next day (Friday) and was in session there that Saturday. This was August, so I was concerned that the court would look at the fact that I technically was dropped from the previous program twice (I believe the prev program simply did not like me, I have no idea why as nothing was mentioned in the way of a problem of being dropped, just the letter in the mail). I have attended 18 sessions, with 0 missed at the new program, which allows for multiple sessions in a week and allows one to make up a session of one was missed, tremendously flexible. I attended 18 sessions from Aug 26th to October 20th (4 months worth in 7 weeks) and although my progress review from the new program is sterling, I was concerned if the technical nature of being dropped Aug 22nd from the previous program the second time would trigger an informal probation violation. Many attorneys offered to represent me, and more than a few stated that they believed a violation could occur and included this representation in their fees. I called others around, as I still did not feel right about blowing so much money on a situation that may not merit it - Joe Dane called me back and effectively walked me through the entire situation as it read online in his attorney's portal (He read the notice the previous program sent to the court, much different and filled with adjectives that describe my participation in a very bad manner, than what they wrote me) Before speaking with Joe Dane, I noticed on September 7th, there was (in my case listing) " chambers work", I found that chambers work is work by a judge on a case in his office, a review. This is likely the judge receiving both my drop (dated Aug 22nd) and enrollment (dated Aug 26th) from my old and new programs, where others having been in a similar scenario with no new enrollment, have had bench warrants issued, I looked myself up, no warrant. This still did not stop slight anxiety as I needed an attorney to be straight with me, and Joe Dane was, which I appreciated. He advised me (of which none of the other 7-8 I spoke with did) that because "chambers work" if there was a violation alleged, there would be a warrant issued at that time, none was, so I was ok. He stated that he didn't need to represent me, but would if I wanted, so I elected to, he received my progress review from the new program, presented it to the court and all was well. I appreciated his straight forward honesty, and he also saved me from agreeing to representation which would have been costly and unnecessary. I appreciate the time and calming of my nerves!

Joe was actually my third attorney. I interviewed many attorneys but at the time really did not know what distinguished the good from the bad. They all sell themselves well. My first lawyer was well respected, high profile and very experienced. However most of the case work was handled by lower ranks... of his staff and after a few months I felt it best to find someone else that could put my case higher on his priority list. My second attorney was a much better experience. He represented me through my Preliminary Hearing and did an above average job. However, I felt he wasn’t fighting for issues I felt were important. Leaving this attorney was a difficult decision. My case was fairly complicated and I was afraid another attorney would never catch up and understand the details that took this attorney nearly a year to fully comprehend. Then came Joe. I first learned of him from a case of his in published in the local paper. I then became aware of avvo (wish I had much earlier) and saw his excellent rating, reviews and endorsements. More importantly, I read his contributions and felt extremely confident he was sharp and knowledgeable. I had one concern..he had only been a defense attorney for 5 or 6 years. In my mind I ‘thought’ I needed someone that had been a defense attorney for 20+ years. However I quickly noticed he had been a prosecutor since 1996. In the end this was actually better in my opinion, as Joe was an experienced DA with great knowledge of exactly how the Orange County DAs office functions. My first meeting with Joe was time consuming and I never felt rushed. As stated my case was complicated, but Joe is a very fast learner. My case was multiple counts of the most serious felonies, that carried many years in state prison had I been convicted. Joe was honest and made me no promises. He even questioned my problems with previous attorneys to make sure hiring him was an actual benefit to me. After collecting all of the details of the case, I felt that regardless of the ultimate outcome, Joe would at least fight for me and do everything within his power to put me in the best possible position should the case go to trial. I hired him that day and left him with hundreds of pages of discovery and transcripts. Joe had one week before my first hearing and to my astonishment, he already knew 95% of the entire case and could quote page numbers of information within discovery. He simply told me..”I like to read and write”. I assure you, this is a VERY important and underrated quality to look for in a defense attorney! Working with Joe was very comfortable. When new information came in he made sure I was up to date. He took the time to stay and talk with me in the lobby after each and every court date. He legitimately seemed to care about my case and I never felt like it was just another job to him. I had several hearings after hiring Joe. Most of the hearings were regarding issues contested by the DA. Joe puts his client first and is willing to fight for what he thinks is the right move. An example of his work was a contested subpoena that required 2 additional declarations of facts. This resulted in an in-camera review by the judge which we ultimately prevailed on after 5 or 6 months of fighting for this document alone! Point being, Joe works hard to get results for each issue at hand. In the end his hard work will put you in the best possible position. After receiving all of the facts/discovery of my case the DA asked Joe if he was ready to set a trial date. Joe responded with “I am ready for motions and hearings”. My case was definitely aimed for trial. Yet, while the DA ignored flaws in their case, Joe worked relentlessly to get results that left the DA little choice, other than a full dismissal of all felony counts. I have no doubt that no matter how small the case, or if you are as unfortunate as I was to be facing a long prison sentence, that Joe fights for his clients and gives it his all.

Mr. Dane is an exceptional and trust worthy attorney. He will handle your case with tactic and having been a DA he is vey familiar with the courts and the system. He is an admirable attorney and friend, He will handle your case with care and he is very honest when he speaks with you and what you e...xpect from him and the services he offers on your defense, I know for a fact that he was put in my path by my Guardian Angel, I don't know how else to put it. Thank you Lord and thank you Mr. Dane, I will be forever grateful to you. Bless you.

I came to Joe with an uncommon legal trouble involving DUI and an additional felony charge from the OC DA. Having experienced hell with a very incompetent and fraudulent attorney in LA (who actually catapulted me into deeper legal complications through unethical maneuvers), I thoroughly interviewed q...uite a few DUI & Criminal Defense firms in LA & OC counties. Joe was the most genuine and helpful from the initial complimentary consultation, had compassionate advocate's perspective and poured through the facts and strategized with me and gave me the straight facts and realistic expectations that in hindsight, was accurate and firmly grounded in his deep knowledge of the law as a busy criminal defense attorney, former deputy DA, and his work in law enforcement. I think he also teaches law enforcement trainees. He was accurate in assessing all the realistic moves the DA and the judge may make, and he was very sharp on details and nuances and is very good at explaining both the big picture and the fine prints. The entire legal ordeal has taken a lot out of me, it was painful and painstakingly long, and since it was a DUI it has ongoing consequences in my life, and the it did not go away altogether, but Joe certainly made sure that I was aware of every thing, that we prepared absolutely everything we could. He is extremely busy and sometimes hard to get a hold of sometimes, but always returned calls and emails promptly. I highly recommend Joe as any criminal defense matter, and I will continue to trust him to advocate myself, my family, and my business' legal interests for lifetime.

I searched for and found Joe Dane through AVVO b/c my daughter's bf was arrested and charged with DV. We met with Joe the day before the arraignment. He not only got the City Attorney not to file an unnecessary Protective Order, but, he also got the case dismissed on the 2nd hearing... THANK YOU JO...E!!