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Shawn C. Mills
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Shawn C. Mills
Moraz & Mills
659 Abrego Street
Suite 8
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 648-7060 | Fax: (831) 648-7065
http://www.Monterey-Defender.com
Legal Services In Your Time of Need
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
Educate criminal defendants, empower them to see reasonable goals and outcomes, advocate for them in the courtroom.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- Parole
- Probation
- Probation
- Plea Negotiation
- Search & Seizure
- Victims' Rights
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Hacking
- Malicious Code
- Unauthorized Access
- Expungement or Expunction
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- 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
- Robbery
Bar Admissions
CA, Oct 1997
Bar Number: 189893
Other Court Admissions
California/U.S. Supreme Court
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, Monterey County Bar, United States Supreme Court Bar
Continuing Education
Continuing education in criminal defense through self-study and as provide through my membership in the California Public Defender's Association, in which I am a private member.
Example Cases
Felony elder abuse matter (financial) - 12 Felonies charged. All charges dismissed.
DUI - .32 Blood Alcohol - Defendant found not guilty.
Education
Degree:
B.A. in Psychology & B.A. in Social Work Education
School:
San Francisco State University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1983
Focus and Accomplishments:
Received two degrees: Organizational Psychology and Social Work Education.
While completing my upper-division studies, I spent two years working in San Francisco's County Jail as an intern for a non-profit agency providing counseling services to jail inmates and their families.
Degree:
Juris Doctor (JD)
School:
Monterey College of Law
City:
Monterey
State:
CA
Year:
1996
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Moraz & Mills- Established May 1999-Michaleen Moraz is a family law attorney with 20 years experience. Shawn Mills (me) handles the firm's criminal defense and domestic violence matters. We are assisted by an assistant holding a JD who ran a local crisis center's Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) clinic for 5 years and has appeared in court as a victim's advocate in over 200 cases.
Previous Employment Summary
Federal law enforcement - US Coast Guard - 13 years - disability retirement in 1991.
Drug and Alcohol Counselor with Monterey County's largest non-profit - 5 years.
Non-profit administration - Finance Department, Monterey County non-profit - 5 years.
Business owner-Computer Consulting- 8 years
Activities and Awards
On air host: Local progressive talk radio station with an attorney from Santa Cruz County; Discussing local and regional political issues, interviews with candidates, and other news makers.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Education of the client is key. Education allows for proper decision making and reasonable expectations regarding outcomes in criminal matters. Information about the strengths and weaknesses of the case allow the client to see both sides of the case. I spend at least an hour in my first meeting with a potential client discussing the relevant legal issues and concepts, the facts of the particular case, how the facts and law interact, the good the bad and the ugly of the case, possible tactics and processes. I continue to work with the client through the process defining issues and strategies to empower and educate to the end of the case and beyond as necessary.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
My clients are asked to bring every document that they have they think is related to the case. I have the client write as much as they know about the case on paper or by computer, making sure that they know that this is not a spelling test or writing contest, but the best way for me to get to know what they know. I tell them to go crazy on paper not to worry about spelling or grammar, just content. Things that they do not think are important can sometimes help me win their case. I tell them that too much information is way better than too little and I can read whatever volume they provide.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
In the criminal arena I advise against it, but will work with someone who feels it is something they want to do. Most people want a lawyer in a criminal court. I advise them of the pitfalls of self-representation, but love the discussion of how the case would work if they should insist on this dangerous path.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I have always wanted to be an attorney. I spent many years in the military and doing civilian jobs that gives me the life experience to advise people about these important matters. I did not start laws chool until my early 30s. I have more life experience than many people with ever have. My education in counseling and my personal growth being an imperfect being on this imperfect world allows me work as a powerful partner with my clients and their loved ones. I often share my life experience with my clients so they can see that good can follow difficult times, and so they see that where they are now is just where they are now and not necessarily how their life has to turn out.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I was a social worker in San Francisco County Jail talking to inmates and families about difficult times and issues, I worked with the US Coast Guard as a paramedic and law enforcement officer; I often had to counsel the families of victims of maritime accidents and death. I was drug and alcohol counselor and also worked in the administration of these programs, I have met many people who have left me with something that I can pass on to my clients. My parents were college educators, they imparted on me that information is power and that educating others by sharing information in empowering to both people involved in the exchange.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
As a young child in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury in the 60s to a teen in the mid 70s, in Monterey, California, and my 20s in San Francisco, I was surrounded by people who sometimes did not follow the traditional path, some would end up in trouble. Many of my high school and college class mates ended up involved in the criminal justice system, it was all around me. I saw that these people need guidance from someone who shared the same life view they did, who was non judgmental and who they could really connect. From my work with inmates in County Jail, as a drug counselor, a Federal boarding officer and a member of my community I saw that there was a real lack of communication between people in the legal system and those served by it. People who got in trouble had to be satisfied with excellent but over worked attorneys in the public defender's system or private attorneys who had no clue what their life was like and about. What I call "real lawyers" look down their noses at the people I call clients, I look across the table at them, eye-to-eye.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the people.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a law partner of seven years. She handles all the family law matters and is the perfect person for this kind of work, she is very intelligent but also very down earth and connects with our clients. I have a paralegal who is currently studying to take the Bar for the second time. She is a person of color, who ran the DVRO unit for a crisis center for 5 years. She connects with our clients and understands what they are going through. She was also a person who went to law school late in life and has more life experience than you can shake a stick at. I have a front office manager/receptionist who has been with me since I was hired by a law firm after law school ten years ago. She has also weathered many life challenges and is a wonderful person. My clients love her and sometimes call to hear her voice when they are having a down day. My partner and my staff share the same compassion and values as do I. It is nearly a perfect place to work.
What are your strengths and style?
Communication, connection, compassion.
Down to earth, easy to talk to, informal in the office, tiger in the courtroom. Liked by clients and court staff, I work well with the court room DAs and do not turn cases into my personal issues with the system.
Personal Interests:
My family, married 13 years. My wife suffered through law school where I worked full-time to support us, and went to school at night. I have an 8 year old daughter who I work my schedule around. I volunteer in the local schools, give me time to worthy non-profits. I love computers and appear on a local radio program with an attorney from the adjoining county, we stream much our past programming on the internet as we provide public service content which is then used by the guest to promote their agency, position or views by promoting their appearance on our program.
Office Manager/Assistant
Anne
Fax
(831) 648-7065
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Quote each case as a flat fee, breaking down the fee to prior to the pre- trial process and then the trial process, allowing clients to hire only for the pre-trial process and then the trial process if necessary.
Hourly Rates
Pretty much flat fee only. This way the client knows the financial responsibility and impact on their life. Flat fee clients do not have to worry about paying for phone calls or the many hours I spend with them when working their case. The focus should be on the defense of the matter at hand, not on how little or how much time the client can afford to spend with the attorney.
Free Initial Consultation?
Always FREE.
Typical Retainer
$1,500 to $2,000
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