I have spent nearly two decades building and strengthening relationships and forging a reputation for success. Your team of professionals will include the criminal defense attorney(s), private investigators, paralegals, law clerks, law students, and interns.
About Michael
For nearly 20 years Michael Hernandez has prided himself on providing high quality end-to-end criminal defense services for his clients. He understands the case process, and the results that can be achieved at every stage. If contacted shortly after the client has been arrested, Michael can often engage in pre-charging negotiation with the prosecuting offices (District Attorney or City Attorney) to keep the case out of court. If criminal charges have already been filed, Michael can employ several strategies to assist clients; uniquely formulated pre-plea diversion programs, deferred entry of judgment, reduced charges at sentencing, or even deferred sentencing with a pre-negotiated alternate charge. If a trial is required, Michael is confident litigating cases to the fullest.
Prior to opening his own law office, Michael worked with a certified specialist in immigration law. As such, Michael is keenly aware of the potential immigration consequences of criminal convictions, and is careful to craft case resolutions to minimize the negative impact on a client’s immigration status. For his foreign clients already in the workforce, this means preserving specialty visas and employment; for his foreign students, this means preserving student visas and the ability to complete their studies and engage in optional practical training.
For those clients who retain Michael after a conviction, he can often assist by challenging the conviction or sentence on appeal. Michael has successfully argued before the California Court of Appeal, and has a published opinion in his name.
In the community, Michael is an adjunct professor of law (Federal Criminal Practice and Adjudicatory Criminal Procedure) at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and a volunteer attorney with the California Western School of Law Community Law Project.
Bar Admissions
State Admissions
California
Federal Admissions
Southern District of California
Central District of California
Eastern District of California
Education
University of California Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Emphasis in American Law and Jurisprudence
University of San Diego, School of Law
Juris Doctor
Recipient, Hon. Gerald Brown Progress Award
Community Involvement
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Adjunct Professor of Law
California Western School of Law
Community Law Project Volunteer Attorney
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Member
San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association
Member
