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Cedric Joseph Severino
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Cedric Joseph Severino
The Law Offices of Cedric Joseph Severino
3630 Marathon St.
Suite 315
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: 1-818-649-0228
http://www.severinolaw.com
Passionate, Powerful, and Persuasive Advocacy
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
Anyone facing criminal legal troubles or anyone who wants to sue someone or something that wronged them.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Appeals
- Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
- Environmental Violations
- Felonies
- Grand Jury Proceedings
- Juvenile Crimes
- False Identification
- Truancy
- Misdemeanors
- Parole
- Probation
- Perjury
- Plea Negotiation
- Search & Seizure
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
- Animal Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Parking Tickets & Towing
- Traffic - Moving Violations
- Open Container
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving without a License
- DWI
- Hacking
- Malicious Code
- Unauthorized Access
- Expungement or Expunction
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Medical Marijuana
- Constitutional Rights Defense
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insider Trading
- Insurance Claims
- Money Laundering
- Public Offerings
- Racketeering & RICO
- Securities Fraud
- Smuggling
- Tax Evasion & Fraud
- Trade Secrets
- Wire Transfer
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Trespass
- Vandalism
- Abduction
- Child Abuse
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Trafficking in Women
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Anyone facing criminal legal troubles or anyone who wants to sue someone or something that wronged them.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury - Defense
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Construction Site Injuries
- Jones Act
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Defamation
- Invasion of Privacy
- Libel
- Slander
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- False Charities
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Pyramid Schemes
- Telemarketing
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Domestic Violence
- Police Misconduct
- Sexual Assault
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Ships & Boats
- Financial Malpractice
- Legal Malpractice
- Religious Malpractice
- Anesthesia Malpractice
- Birth Injuries and Defects
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Dental Malpractice
- Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
- Emergency Room Errors
- HMO Managed Case
- Lasik Eye Surgery
- Medication Malpractice
- Optometry Malpractice
- Prescription/Drug Malpractice
- Psychiatric Malpractice
- Surgical Errors
- Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Asbestos Mesothelioma
- Chemicals & Cosmetics
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Hazardous Waste
- Medical Products & Devices
- Pesticides
- Radiation & Electromagnetic Energy
- Tobacco
- Toxic Mold
- Amputation
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 2006
Bar Number: 247648
Other Court Admissions
California and U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Association Memberships
Criminal Law Section of California Bar; Solo Practitioner Section of California Bar; Litigation Section of California Bar; Labor and Employment Section of California Bar; Los Angeles County Bar Association; Orange County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I have attended seminars on employment, discovery, litigation, and criminal defense law issues. I have also done a lot of self-study involving criminal law that is approved by the American Bar Association or the Continuing Education of the Bar.
Example Cases
See above. Also, as a public defender, I was able to get two notable cases dismissed.
The first case was an alcohol related hit and run that occurred on New Year's Eve, in which I had to argue that my client's "confession" to the police when they came upon him hiding in his car, in which he stated "I'm sorry I tried to get away" was not an admission of guilt and he was justified in leaving the scene, since there were a group of men yelling and chasing him.
In the other case, I was able to get my client who was on felony probation for a felony DUI, and had been convicted of various other drunk in public cases in the past in trial.
Although there was supporting evidence that my client was intoxicated, his girlfriend contradicted that testimony, as I brought out that it was their first date.
But, I ultimately got the case dismissed arguing that Angels Stadium did not constitute a public place, because it was not open and accessible to all members of the public, but only those who paid admission, comparing it to concert venues and bars. After the jury was out for a day, they came back with a question about the public place argument.
Although the judge, incredulous that anyone could think Angels Stadium was not a public place, reopened arguments, but after giving the prosecutor a second chance, the jury was still hung hours later, and the case was dismissed.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Oberlin College
City:
Oberlin
State:
OH
Year:
2003
Honors:
Triple Major, with a Minor
Focus and Accomplishments:
Majors: Pre-Law; Politics; and English Minor: Philosophy.
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of Southern California
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
2006
Honors:
Recipient of High Honors in many classes, and recipient of Honors Awards
Focus and Accomplishments:
Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Labor and Employment Law.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I established my firm in November 2008, after practicing as a misdemeanor trial attorney in North Court in Orange County, and deciding to start my own practice. (Also, the commute was too long).
In my first felony case, my defendant was facing eight years of prison on first degree burglary, kidnapping, and felony spousal abuse.
I was able to get the entire complaint against him dismissed at the preliminary stage and he was immediately released at the courthouse.
I primarily focus on criminal defense cases, I am willing and able to defend all types of cases.
I have been successful in getting many matters dismissed through motions and pretrial proceedings, preliminary hearings for felonies, and during trial.
I am a compassionate advocate for all my clients, having been a public defender, and have many clients who can attest to that.
I am also interested in trial litigation, especially discrimination and tort cases.
Previous Employment Summary
I spent nearly a year as a public defender in Orange County from February 2008 to November 2008., after leaving private practice. Prior to that, from September 2006 to February 2008, I was an associate at one of the 20 most prestigious law firms internationally, O'Melveny & Myers.
I edited and wrote articles for the Newsletter of the Employment and Labor Department, which is considered the best department in the firm. I also assisted in writing innumerable motions, memorandums, and various other documents.
Activities and Awards
Member of USC Law Review; Recipient of American Jurisprudence Awards for Receiving the highest grades in Employment and Labor Law in law school GPA of 3.59 (top 10 percent=3.62).
Will have an intern from my undergraduate college in Ohio, Oberlin College, this summer.
Recipient of Los Angeles Pro Bono Award for work with Neighborhood Legal Services Employment and Criminal Defense Pro Bono Clinic; Recipient of Merit Based Scholarship from USC. Other Interests include Film, Politics, and Philosophy.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am an advocate of self-education in all respects. When it comes to criminal law, I believe that self-education is important and helpful since the client can take a more active role in his defense.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I encourage clients to know the specifics of the charges they're facing and to supply facts that demonstrate their innocence, and discuss and help prepare them for testifying, but I would advise against drafting their own legal documents.
I would love to hear ideas, but other than low level cases, such as traffic tickets, I would caution against clients writing their own legal documents.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
If a client is only planning on suing someone in small claims court or challenging a minor speeding offense in traffic court that they are dead set on arguing themselves, I would be willing to discuss those matters with a client.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I enjoyed making creative arguments and wanted to be a criminal defense trial attorney ever since I met a family friend who had been wrongfully convicted of murdering his parents and was on death row, despite there being no physical evidence, and no confession. I wanted to do what I could to stop these injustices.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I grew up in a working class area in Chicago and then a lower middle class area of Iowa, where many of my friends and acquaintances were themselves involved in lower level criminal activity.
I am amiable and am able to relate to my clients due to my upbringing in a way many attorneys cannot. I am also very argumentative and creative, and being a trial lawyer allows me to use these skills to my clients' benefit.
I wanted to find a way to use those skills to help people, especially those neglected by most everyone else, and being a criminal defense trial attorney allows me to do that.
Finally, my strong personal convictions are that our society is in danger of becoming a police state with 1 in 30 people in prison, on parole or probation.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
From the beginning, I was attracted to it. I wanted to represent people and fight against the excesses and abuses of power.
What do you like best about your career?
The smiles and happiness on my clients faces when I am able to get their case dismissed or they are found not guilty.
I love my independence, since even as a public defender I was restrained by office policies that often were not in the best interests of my clients.
I also am very interested in the law and the public policy around it and want to do what I can to do what I can to fight against the over-criminalization in society.
For instance, I am an advocate of decriminalizing all victimless crimes.
Tell us about your law firm:
I like dealing directly with my clients, answering my phone and feeling free to talk to them.
I can do the best for my client by knowing about him or her personally.
I am relatively informal, but none of my clients have ever been concerned by that, they've welcomed by ability to relate to them and are confident that I not only will fight for them, but that I actually really care about them too.
In trial, I play up my strengths of being conversational and ensuring that I not only present a great argument, but that the jury is awake and on the edge of their seats while I'm presenting my client's defense.
What are your strengths and style?
My ability and desire to relate to my clients.
In addition to assisting with my personal relationship with the client, it enables me to present my client as the good people they are, because I know that no matter what, some jury members will prejudge him or her.
I am conversational, knowledgeable, and passionate in trial. I especially enjoy making creative and inspired arguments on my clients' behalf.
Personal Interests:
Film; non-fiction; philosophy; politics.
Office Hours
10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. I will accept calls and conduct consultations on the weekend if I am free or if the client experiences an emergency. However, I am always available 24/7 for my clients at my work number (818) 649-0228.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Sí, puedo hablar español.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I charge a minimum of $2,000 for misdemeanors and $4,000 for felonies, depending on the severity of the offense charged. The retainer goes toward these fees and I am more than willing to work out payment plans for lower income clients, where they can make installment payments to pay the remainder of their bills.
Hourly Rates
I charge based on a fixed fee, and what stage the proceedings end. I will discuss all agreements thoroughly with my clients beforehand.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, I offer completely free consultations with no set time limit.
Typical Retainer
I have a typical retainer of $1,000 for a misdemeanor and $2,000 for a felony.
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 applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
