- Child Custody and Visitation“I found myself facing contempt charges in a child custody case which are considered criminal charges and could have resulted in jail time. I originally thought the case had no merit and that I would just represent myself in court but I considered that my ex had hired some fancy lawyers to whom she was paying a very hefty sum (I know because she was trying to get me to pay her attorney fees!) and they kept serving me with all these documents and I felt at a big disadvantage so in the end I decided not to go it alone. That was the best decision ever. Michael Kern was confident in the court room and assertive in just the right way. It turns out it wasn't an open and shut case at all but thankfully the way Michael brought out all the evidence and his excellent delivery of the closing statements really made an impact on the judge (who had previously indicated he was leaning a different way during the course of the trial) so that by the time the verdict was made I was happily surprised. Although I was still found "guilty" it was based on a small technicality related to not filing proof of completion of a certain course months before Michael ever came in the picture. I thought I would have to retake the course, pay a fine, and still spend time in jail for having taken my daughter on multiple occasions without having that proof filed but the end result was that during the trial Michael had successfully proven I had indeed taken the course and the proof was now filed so I was in the clear and will continue to get my daughter an extra night every week. I just had to pay a relatively small penalty. I considered it a victory, apparently so did my ex's attorney because he made it a point to share with the judge how displeased he was with the ruling.”
- Criminal DefenseHiring a lawyer who has an exclusive focus on criminal defense has many benefits, including intricate knowledge of how the criminal justice system works and what defenses can be applied in a client's favor.
- DUI/DWIIn the state of California, people who drive after taking drugs, whether legally or illegally, can face an arrest for the charge of driving under the influence of drugs, or DUID. It is prosecuted in a similar manner as crimes involving driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.
- Traffic ViolationsWhile not all traffic violations can jeopardize a driver's commercial license, there are a few that CDL holders should especially watch out for, such as...
- FraudPhysicians have the legal authority to prescribe patients powerful drugs that could be dangerous if abused. For this reason, physicians can end up facing serious repercussions if it determined that they have been writing prescriptions for individuals who do not actually need them. This is commonly referred to as prescription fraud. A doctor might be accused of taking bribes for false prescriptions, or simply just providing prescriptions in a way that does not meet the standards of his or her profession.
- Robbery
- Burglary
- White Collar CrimesIf you think that you are under investigation for a white collar crime, you should arrange for qualified legal representation as soon as possible. My firm has offered committed legal defense in San Diego for 15+ years. No matter the case, I am prepared to apply my experience and determination to protect your rights and freedom.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsHave you been charged with a crime? You need to obtain tough defense to avoid conviction. At my firm, Kern Law, APC, I offer dedicated representation for those charged with both felonies and misdemeanors.
- EmbezzlementThe penalties on the federal level are different for each type of fraud, but they are generally very strict. For example, committing insurance fraud can get you up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 per incident. Embezzlement, on the other hand, can get you a sentence of 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
- Drug CrimesCalifornia state laws are severe when it comes to the crime of drug possession. As your San Diego drug offense lawyer, I can listen to your situation and help you develop a working defense. You may have had a legitimate reason for being caught in the possession of drugs, whether they were planted on you, you were not aware of their presence in your home or car, or you have a valid prescription. During a free case evaluation, I can listen to your story and concerns and answer your questions. You may feel like you have already lost this fight, but my firm can be by your side to ensure that your case is strong and can help you reduce charges or avoid conviction.
- Assault
- Identity TheftIdentity theft, when a person collects, records, or otherwise “takes” personal information such as a Social Security number or bank account number, and uses it unlawfully. For example, taking a loan out in other person’s name would be considered identity theft.
- Restraining OrderAccusations of violence and abuse are not uncommon in military families. Many soldiers suffer from PTSD and other stress-related conditions that could be misconstrued by others, including friends and loved ones. Have you been accused of domestic violence, assault, or battery as a member of the military? Kern Law, APC can provide solid defense in civilian court to fight a restraining order.
- ForgeryLike fraud, forgery can be perpetrated without any intent or knowledge that it was happening. Prosecutors must prove that a person intended to commit the crime, making lack of criminal intent a common, and often appropriate, defense.
- Money LaunderingThe legal language of money laundering as it is defined by Penal Code § 186.10 is dense. Essentially, it definens money laundering as taking money that is illegally gained and using any number of processes to make it look as though it was acquired legally.
- Kidnapping
- Extortion
- Hit and Run“I would like to start off by saying Michael Kern got the best possible outcome in my DUI case. I must say, I was extremely nervous about my DUI outcome. He understood my concerns and advised me from the very beginning what was his plan of action and kept me up to date during the whole process. He told me to try not to worry and said he would notify me if anything came up that I needed to worry about, and he did. He was very professional and did do his best to get the best attainable outcome he could get. In my case I was facing jail time and he was able to keep me out of jail and was able to get me into the first conviction 3 month program. Also had one charge of Hit and Run dismissed by the courts. I would highly recommend Michael to any of my friends and family members.”
- Antitrust