Greg Hagopian
The Law Office of Greg Hagopian
115 S. Church Street
Visalia, CA 93291
Map
Phone: (559) 972-5078
http://www.hagopianlawoffice.com
http://www.visaliaduihelp.com
Former Deputy District Attorney Working for You
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to handle criminal defense cases.
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 2006
Bar Number: 245158
Other Court Admissions
All courts within the state of California.
Association Memberships
Los Angeles Count Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Tulare County Bar Association, California Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorney's, Former Member of the California District Attorney's Association.
Continuing Education
During the past years I have exceeded the required number of continuing education hours several times over through attendance of seminars on various criminal law topics.
Example Cases
Recent cases include:
• Client charged with a felony for being an accessory to a assault with a deadly weapon.
Case settled with client pleading guilty to a misdemeanor with no jail time.
• Client charged with felony gang allegation for making threats.
Case settled with client pleading to a misdemeanor with no jail time.
• Client charged with felony vehicle theft.
Charge dismissed at the preliminary hearing.
• Client charged with felony child abuse.
Charge dismissed at the preliminary hearing.
Education
Loyola Law School
Juris Doctor
Los Angeles
CA
2006
Dean's List 2006
University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Los Angeles California
CA
2003
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I opened my office in October of 2008.
I represent clients within the Central Valley who have been accused of a variety of criminal offenses ranging from traffic infractions to violent homicides.
Previous Employment Summary
Before opening my own office I worked as a Law Clerk for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and as a Deputy District Attorney for the Tulare County District Attorney's Office.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
You should always educate yourself as much as possible about the law before deciding whether or not to speak to an attorney. If you have a legal issue that is simple, such as no fault divorce, or a simple will, it may be possible for you to take care of it without the need for an attorney. Even if you have a problem that does require you to hire an attorney to represent you, reading up on the law will allow you to ask the right questions, and achieve a greater peace of mind.
Being the client of a lawyer is, in many ways, like being the patient of a doctor. If you have a minor cold, or scratch, or burn, you can get along taking care of it yourself and reading up on how to treat your ailment. If, on the other hand, you need to have open heart surgery, you should still read up as much as you can, but you should do it with an eye towards asking the right questions, and volunteering the right information when you consult with the surgeon.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I would absolutely be willing to review anything that a client had to bring me.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
For a criminal attorney, this would be completely unethical. It would be impossible for me, or any other criminal defense lawyer, to coach a layman well enough that he would stand a chance of a fair trial opposite a Deputy District Attorney who is a licensed attorney trained in criminal, constitutional and evidence law. It would be wrong for me to take a client's money and then set him up to fail like that.
If you cannot afford to hire an attorney to represent you, I would strongly urge you to avail yourself of the services of your county's Public Defender's Office.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
The law holds society together. The law ensures peace, because the law delivers justice. The law makes people free, because the law makes people equal, in theory; lawyers make it so in practice.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have handled hundreds of cases ranging from traffic infractions to violent felonies.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
When I was a child, I would question the rules, I would speak my mind when the "adults" said silly things. "This is not up for debate" they would say. So when I went to high school I joined the debate team. "You should be a lawyer" I was told. So when I got out of college I went to law school. "You should do something good," I thought, so I became a Deputy District Attorney. Over time I came to disagree with the things I was being asked to do as a prosecutor. "If that's the way you feel, you should be a defense attorney" my manager told me. I don't think he was serious, but he was right.
What do you like best about your career?
The aim of all decent and ambitious men is to "do well while doing good."
Defense attorneys serve the vital role in our world of preventing law enforcement from becoming oppressive and dangerous to the rights of all. I am proud to serve in that function. It is a "good" career, and I do "well" enough to get by.
On a more emotional level, I also enjoy the game. It does not diminish the seriousness of the criminal trial to call it a game. Politics is a game, business is a game, and law is a game. I have always enjoyed matching my knowledge, my persuasion, and my wits against the opposition to "win" the best position for my client, whether that client was the government or an individual.
Tell us about your law firm:
I run a solo law practice. All of my clients deal directly with me. I answer my own phone, return my own messages, and make all of my own court appearances. The phone number listed here is not an office line, it's my cell phone.
What are your strengths and style?
The largest advantage I have representing clients in criminal matters is the experience that I gained working as a Deputy District Attorney. Because I have sat at the other table, I have a better understanding of what weaknesses the prosecution suffers from and what they are willing to settle for in negotiations.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and playing chess.
Office Hours
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Like every other attorney, I must say that cost will depend on the complexity of the case. I offer a free initial consultation at the termination of which I will be able to quote you an exact figure as to what it would cost to have me represent you. That being said there are a few "general" guidelines for what most cases would cost.
For most misdemeanor cases, I charge roughly $1,000 to take the case pre-trial and then $500 a day in front of the jury.
For most felony cases I charge roughly $2,000 to take the case through pre-trial and the "preliminary hearing" (a mini trial in which the District Attorney is forced to call witnesses to show that there is enough evidence for the judge to send the case to a jury) and then $500 a day in front of the jury.
For reference sake, most misdemeanor trials take one to two days, and most felony trials take two to four days.
Hourly Rates
Most services are offered as a flat fee, however for limited areas I charge an hourly fee of $100.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes.
Typical Retainer
See above.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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