Our Successful Cases
Every result on this page comes from Bryan Kazarian's own account of a case our office handled. Each one shows what the client was facing when they first called, where the case ended, and the step that changed the outcome.
Past results do not guarantee, warrant or predict the outcome of any future case. Every case turns on its own facts, the client's record and the court it is in. Names, cities and identifying details have been left out to protect client privacy.
Showing all 26 results.
A teacher's first DUI, reduced to a wet reckless
DUI under Vehicle Code 23152(a) and (b)
- License suspension and an ignition interlock device
- A DUI on his record while holding teaching credentials
- Possible jail or community service
Reduced to a wet reckless
- Both DUI counts dismissed
- One year of informal probation
- No license suspension
What made the difference: before any negotiation, he installed an ignition interlock device and enrolled in the three month alcohol program. Bryan then sent the DA a written mitigation letter explaining what a DUI conviction would do to the client's career, compared with a wet reckless.
A physician assistant school applicant, and a deal tied to her acceptance letter
First offense DUI
- Three years of informal probation
- A DUI conviction in front of every PA school she had applied to
Reduced to a wet reckless
- One year of informal probation instead of three
- Accepted into PA school
What made the difference: she enrolled in the three month program and started attending AA right away. Bryan gathered her actual PA school applications and reached an agreement with the head DA at the North Justice Center: if she was accepted, the charge would come down. She was, and it did.
A rear-end collision where our client was the one who stayed
Second offense DUI with a collision
- A collision almost always takes a wet reckless off the table in Orange County
Reduced to a wet reckless
- No DUI conviction despite the collision
What made the difference: the client rear-ended a car stopped at a light. The other driver left the scene; our client stayed. With a blood alcohol level around 0.08 and a full mitigation package, Bryan used those facts to get past the DA's usual objection that a collision means public safety was at risk.
A Vietnam era veteran, and the one form of diversion a DUI can get
DUI with a very high blood alcohol level
- California bars diversion on DUI cases, with one exception
Case dismissed and sealed
- Admitted to military diversion under Penal Code 1001.80
- Completed treatment and counseling
What made the difference: the client had PTSD from his service, documented in his military records. Our office placed him in alcohol treatment first and had him evaluated by a psychologist. We then filed the military diversion motion with the psychologist's report, so the court saw treatment already underway.
A felony DUI with injury, resolved without a day in county jail
Felony DUI causing injury, Vehicle Code 23153(a) and (b)
- At least a year in county jail, and realistically up to six years in state prison
- Three years of formal probation and an 18 month program
Reduced to a misdemeanor
- DMV hearing won
- 90 days of private home confinement instead of jail
- Three years of informal probation
What made the difference: the officer did not read the complete chemical test admonition, and Bryan won the DMV hearing on that ground. At the same time the client went straight into detox, then a three month intensive outpatient program, so the negotiation started from a position of strength.
A federal employee with a commercial license who kept his career
DUI causing injury after a collision
- Possible fractured toe and soft tissue injury in the report
- Jail exposure, and a government job that depended on his commercial license
Reduced to a misdemeanor, no jail
- Caltrans work and labor instead of jail time
- Kept his federal job, moved to non-driving duties
- Commercial license reinstated after the suspension period
What made the difference: before negotiating, the client completed a 30 day residential program, started a 90 day intensive outpatient program, enrolled in the DMV alcohol program and installed an interlock device. Bryan sent the DA a mitigation letter while the client was still in outpatient treatment, showing work already done rather than promises.
A scratch or stitches: the whole case came down to one injury
Felony DUI causing injury, Vehicle Code 23153
- The DA claimed the passenger's cut needed stitches, which would mean great bodily injury
- Great bodily injury adds prison time and a strike
Reduced to a misdemeanor DUI with no injury
- Felony 23153 down to misdemeanor 23152
- Injury allegation gone entirely
What made the difference: the passenger was the client's best friend, and he said the injury was a scratch. His account went to the DA through the Victim Witness office. In Bryan's words, it "was a great disposition, not something that is always expected." The usual floor on a case like this is a misdemeanor 23153.
A green light, and a driver who turned in front of our client
DUI causing injury plus hit and run
- A T-bone collision with injuries
- The client left the scene
Reduced to a DUI with no injury
- Misdemeanor 23153 down to misdemeanor 23152
- Hit and run charge dismissed
What made the difference: a DUI with injury requires proof that something other than the alcohol, such as an unlawful act or a failure to drive carefully, caused the injury. Our office found an independent witness who saw the other driver turn left without a green arrow while our client had a green light and was not speeding.
A felony and a misdemeanor theft, both ending in dismissal
Felony grand theft plus misdemeanor petty theft
- A DA pushing hard because of the repeat incidents
- A theft conviction that put his union membership at risk
Case dismissed
- Felony reduced to a misdemeanor
- Judicial diversion granted over the DA's objection
- By law, the arrest is treated as if it never happened
What made the difference: restitution to the store was paid up front and the client started counseling for his theft problem. That got the felony reduced and the case moved to a misdemeanor courtroom, where Bryan filed for diversion under Penal Code 1001.95.
A backpack he thought was abandoned, and a client with several prior thefts
Felony grand theft, property over $950
- 16 months, 2 years or 3 years in county jail, or jail as a condition of probation
- Not eligible for diversion because of his prior convictions
Misdemeanor, no custody
- One year of probation
- Six months of counseling
What made the difference: with diversion off the table, Bryan got the client into treatment with a psychologist, who treated him for a theft compulsion. Showing the court that the cause was being addressed is what turned a felony with jail exposure into a misdemeanor with counseling.
A licensed engineer, and the work done before anyone saw a judge
Petty theft from a department store
- A theft conviction reported against his state license
Judicial diversion granted
- Diversion under Penal Code 1001.95, which ends in dismissal
What made the difference: before the first negotiation, the client was already in counseling, had finished a four hour online theft class and had done community service. None of it was ordered by a court, and it is why the court was open to diversion.
A second theft after hiring us, and both cases still went to diversion
Two separate misdemeanor theft cases
- A new theft committed while the first case was still pending
Both cases into judicial diversion
- Resolved together, on the path to dismissal
What made the difference: a second offense before the first case reaches court is, in Bryan's words, "offensive" to a court. He held the first case until the second one was filed, then presented both together for diversion rather than letting each one be judged against the other.
Cited at her front door days later, from store camera footage
Shoplifting under Penal Code 459.5
- About $150 in items not scanned at self-checkout
Case dismissed
- Judicial diversion completed
- By law, the arrest is treated as if it never happened
What made the difference: nobody stopped her at the store. Police reviewed the store's video and came to her house with a citation. Our office moved the case into judicial diversion so it ended without a conviction.
An unscanned vacuum cleaner, and a DA who wanted to make it a felony
Misdemeanor theft, with a felony threatened
- A large, expensive item missed at self-checkout
- The DA threatened to refile it as a felony
Case dismissed
- Stayed a misdemeanor
- Diversion granted immediately and completed
- By law, the arrest is treated as if it never happened
What made the difference: Bryan talked the DA out of the upcharge and asked the judge to grant diversion right away, before the case could drift toward a felony filing.
A doorway on the way to school drop-off, dismissed at arraignment
Domestic violence under Penal Code 273.5
- A charge that carries a year long batterer's program and a protective order if convicted
Dismissed at the first court date
- No plea, no program, no conviction
What made the difference: the client had put his child in the car, came back for something he forgot, and gently moved his wife out of the doorway. There were no injuries, and the police report said exactly that. Bryan contacted the DA before the case was filed and argued there was no violence or unlawful touching. The DA still filed the case, and it was dismissed at arraignment.
A felony domestic violence case that ended in dismissal
Felony domestic violence under Penal Code 273.5
- An alleged strangulation attempt, recorded on a home camera
- A tense standoff with police at the house
- A no contact order keeping him out of his own home
Case dismissed
- Mental health diversion under Penal Code 1001.36
- 18 months completed, substance free and violence free
- Protective order changed to peaceful contact so he could return home
What made the difference: a written mental health diversion motion, supported by a medical report and the client's treatment, along with many pretrial arguments with the DA and the judge. His wife came to court and told the judge she was not afraid of him and needed him at home, which is what changed the protective order.
Bruises reported a week later, and a motel video that told a different story
Domestic violence charges
- A girlfriend's hospital visit and photos of bruising
Case dismissed by the DA
- Three month DA continuance
- Ten online anger management classes
What made the difference: she said the assault happened on a Friday. Our office found video of the two of them checking into a motel together the following Monday, and she had no visible bruising. That contradiction moved the DA to a short continuance and a dismissal.
A broken item in an argument, and the label that blocked diversion
Vandalism, labeled domestic violence on the complaint
- No assault, but the label made the case ineligible for diversion
Domestic violence label removed
- DA refiled a new complaint for vandalism only
- Case became eligible for judicial diversion
What made the difference: in Orange County, a domestic violence note on the complaint turns almost any charge into a domestic violence case, with the mandatory consequences that come with it. The fight here was over the label, not the charge.
Two roommates, one argument, and a dismissal without a trial
Assault and battery
- Police named our client as the aggressor
Case dismissed
- Judicial diversion under Penal Code 1001.95
- Ten online anger management classes, six months crime free
- By law, the arrest is treated as if it never happened
What made the difference: setting the case for trial would have put the client at risk of losing and cost her more. Our office first tested whether the DA could prove it, then went after a dismissal through diversion, with trial held back as the next step if needed.
A college athlete who wanted to be a police officer, and a felony that did not stay a felony
Felony assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, plus robbery
- Two, three or four years in state prison
- His gun rights, his athletics and his career plans
Reduced to a misdemeanor, then expunged
- Suspended sentence; after one good year, reduced to a misdemeanor
- One year of informal probation, completed
- Expunged under Penal Code 1203.4
What made the difference: the incident grew out of a staged phone purchase arranged by someone else. Our office built a mitigation package around who the client actually was: a college student and athlete planning a career in law enforcement. That persuaded the DA to agree to the suspended sentence structure.
Our client threw the first punch, and the case still closed without a conviction
Assault
- He swung first, believing he was about to be hit
- A job that required a clean record
Closed without a conviction
- Resolved through a DA continuance
What made the difference: Bryan laid the facts out for the DA honestly and early. The other man then told the DA's office he did not want charges pressed. A victim's wishes never end a case on their own in Orange County, but here they helped close it.
From felony possession for sale to a misdemeanor, by treating the addiction first
Felony possession for sale of methamphetamine
- A serious drug problem that made reoffending likely
Reduced to misdemeanor simple possession
- Health and Safety Code 11377, a misdemeanor
What made the difference: our office contacted the DA and monitored the case before it was filed, while the client went through detox, a short residential program and then intensive outpatient treatment. That showed the DA a user, not a dealer, and addressed bail at the same time.
Prior sales convictions and mandatory jail, restructured into a misdemeanor
Felony possession for sale
- Prior possession for sale convictions that triggered mandatory jail
Felony dismissed after one clean year
- Sentenced on a misdemeanor only
- Time served plus one year of informal probation
What made the difference: many pretrials and long negotiations built on proof that the client had changed, including steady work in construction. The DA added a misdemeanor count, the client pled to both, and sentencing was held for a year. A clean year meant the felony went away.
A seven year prison offer, cut to a county jail sentence with no parole
DA's offer: seven years in state prison, then three years of parole
- Well over 50 grams of fentanyl, firearms and a large amount of cash
- A prior sales conviction and a second case pending
Four years in county jail, no parole
- All gun enhancements stricken
- Served under Penal Code 1170(h), about half the term
What made the difference: refusing the first offer. This case took more than a year and a half of work. Bryan's view is that every case needs mitigation, "even the hardest of the hard cases."
A "ticket" that turned into mandatory jail, and a charge with zero points
Driving on a license suspended for a DUI, Vehicle Code 14601.2
- Mandatory 30 days in county jail because of a recent prior
- Two points on his DMV record
Reduced to driving without a license, VC 12500
- Prior allegation stricken, no mandatory jail
- Zero DMV points
- Valid driver's license restored
What made the difference: the citation was written as an infraction, but the client had prior suspended license convictions and a prior DUI. Bryan expected the DA to refile it, and it did. Getting the client a valid license back before negotiating is what opened the door to the reduction.
A car onto the sidewalk, a family with a baby, and a dismissal
Reckless driving causing bodily injury, Vehicle Code 23104(a)
- A mandatory minimum of 30 days in county jail
- Two DMV points, plus risks to her college enrollment and immigration status
Case dismissed
- Judicial diversion under Penal Code 1001.95
- A driving safety class, restitution and six months with no new violations
- By law, the arrest is treated as if it never happened
What made the difference: she lost control on a corner and went onto the sidewalk, where a father carrying a baby fell while getting out of the way. The injuries were scrapes. Our office worked with the court, the DA and the family, and paying restitution was part of what persuaded the court to grant diversion.
Every one of these cases started with a phone call.
Most of the results above turned on something done early, before the first court date. If you or someone in your family has just been arrested or cited in Orange County, talk to our office now.
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The criminal defense attorney you hire to represent you is one of the most important decisions you will make.
Here are the values that guide our services:
- Experienced: Our firm has over 23 years of experience, so you can feel confident you will receive quality legal counsel.
- Client-Centered: We put our clients first. Drawing on that belief, and our knowledge of criminal law, we find solutions that best meet our clients’ individual needs.
- Superior Results: Regardless the legal matter, we work tirelessly to achieve exceptional outcomes for our clients.
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“Bryan is a miracle worker, his reputation goes beyond making slim to nothing chances, almost impossible… Possible. I highly recommend Bryan for any obstacle or unfortunate bind you get yourself into. You won’t regret it…”
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“I wouldn’t be able to see these beautiful surroundings that I am experiencing now if I did not have my freedom, I owe that to you Mr. Kazarian and for that I am eternally grateful.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
These terms are used interchangeably to describe attorneys who defend people accused of crimes. Both criminal lawyers and defense attorneys provide the same services – representing clients facing criminal charges and protecting their legal rights throughout the legal process.
You should contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately after any arrest or if you learn you’re under investigation. Getting a criminal defense lawyer early can help protect your rights, potentially prevent charges from being filed, and ensure you don’t inadvertently harm your case by speaking without representation.
A criminal justice attorney is a broad term including prosecutors, public defenders, and private defense attorneys. A criminal defense attorney specifically represents accused individuals. Understanding the difference between criminal justice and defense attorneys helps you choose the right legal representation for your situation.
Yes, the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction far outweigh attorney fees. A conviction can result in lost employment opportunities, damaged reputation, and potential jail time. Why criminal defense attorneys are worth the investment becomes clear when you consider the lifetime impact of a criminal record.
Criminal defense attorneys defend people accused of crimes, not necessarily criminals. Many clients are law-abiding citizens who made mistakes or are wrongly accused. How criminal defense attorneys protect the innocent is a fundamental part of ensuring everyone receives fair treatment under the law.
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