Robert M. Helfend is a Southern California criminal defense attorney who has practiced since 1984. He represents people facing state and federal charges, including homicide, drug offenses, sex crimes, DUI, and white collar allegations. At Helfend Law Group, his approach centers on careful preparation and direct communication with each client.
This page brings together his background, professional recognition, and approach to trial preparation and jury selection. For office locations and consultation information, visit the contact page.
About the Firm
Nobody plans on being the subject of a criminal investigation or the defendant in a criminal case. Going through the criminal justice system can be a frightening and confusing ordeal.
Throughout the process, I keep an open and honest line of communication with you. This can be an anxious time — but I have your back.
I have a criminal defense law firm, serving clients charged with state and federal crimes. I have multiple offices in the Los Angeles area to serve you. You can view my locations and contact info here.
At the Helfend Law Group, my priority is protecting your constitutional rights and preparing a strong defense. I work methodically to assess the facts, challenge unsupported allegations, and explain the choices you face. Throughout the case, you should understand what is happening and why.
About Robert M. Helfend
Robert M. Helfend personally handles the firm’s criminal defense cases. His experience includes defending more than 4,000 criminal cases, from investigations and preliminary hearings through jury trials. The charges and available options vary, but each case requires a close examination of the evidence.
He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University in 1983. He was admitted to the State Bar of California on June 13, 1984. His State Bar profile, license number 113380, lists his license as active.
His practice includes California state court matters and federal criminal defense. His professional profile lists admissions to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California.
Examples from the firm’s case history
The firm’s published results include a not guilty verdict on all counts in a 2024 Los Angeles Superior Court case involving murder, shooting at an inhabited vehicle, and negligent discharge of a firearm. Other reported matters include dismissal of an attempted murder case at a preliminary hearing and dismissal of a methamphetamine possession-for-sale case after a challenge to the search.
You can read the circumstances on the case histories page. Results in other cases are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your matter.
About this website
We maintain this website for general information and marketing. Its content does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship. Laws and procedures change, and the information on a page may not resolve the issues in your particular case.
For website questions, contact [email protected]. For representation or a consultation, use the contact page. The privacy page explains the site’s information practices.
Professional recognition
Super Lawyers
Robert M. Helfend was selected to Super Lawyers for 2020–2023. The Super Lawyers profile lists those selection years and describes his criminal defense background.
Expertise.com
The firm received recognition in Expertise.com’s 2021 selection of criminal defense attorneys serving Thousand Oaks.
The National Trial Lawyers
The firm’s published recognition history includes a 2015 Top 100 designation from The National Trial Lawyers. The organization describes Top 100 as a professional membership designation organized by state or region, rather than a national ranking of attorneys.
Lead Counsel
The firm’s recognition history records a Lead Counsel rating beginning in 2013.
CNBS.org
In 2023, the firm was included in CNBS.org’s selection of cannabis attorneys serving Los Angeles.
Expert Network
Expert Network named Robert M. Helfend a Distinguished Lawyer in 2018. This recognition is also recorded in his Super Lawyers profile.
How Robert M. Helfend prepares for trial
Organizing witness statements and evidence
Preparing for a criminal trial, especially one involving sensitive witnesses, takes extensive organization. Helfend compares witness statements to identify inconsistencies and keeps the relevant material accessible for cross-examination. The purpose is to present the jury with the facts it needs to evaluate the case.
Keeping cross-examination focused
Questions should contribute to the jury’s understanding of a significant point. Repeating minor details can distract from the evidence that matters. When a witness gives evasive or conflicting answers, the questioning must remain persistent and methodical, with the record available to test the account.
Assessing fairness during jury selection
Judges control the scope of questioning during jury selection. Within those limits, the defense looks for attitudes and experiences that may affect a juror’s ability to consider the evidence fairly. The goal is an impartial jury, not a promise that a juror will accept the defense’s position.
Helfend’s discussion of jury selection emphasizes listening to jurors, understanding their reactions to the case, and preparing clients for the process. Procedures differ between state and federal court, so counsel must work within the rules of the particular courtroom.
Jury selection when a case has received media attention
Publicity can leave potential jurors with information or opinions formed before they enter the courtroom. Questions about what they have heard and whether they can set it aside help identify issues that need further examination.
Neither side has an unrestricted right to exclude jurors. Jury selection operates under legal limits, including rules against discriminatory challenges. The focus remains on whether jurors can decide the case from the evidence presented in court.
Frequently asked questions
How long has Robert M. Helfend practiced law?
Robert M. Helfend was admitted to the State Bar of California on June 13, 1984, and has practiced criminal defense since 1984.
Does Helfend Law Group handle state and federal criminal cases?
Yes. Robert M. Helfend represents people facing California state charges and federal criminal allegations, including drug offenses, white collar crimes, homicide, and sex crimes.
How can I contact Robert M. Helfend?
Call the Helfend Law Group at 800-834-6434 for a free initial consultation, or visit the contact page for office locations and contact options.
Contact the Helfend Law Group
To discuss an investigation or criminal charge with Robert M. Helfend, call 800-834-6434 for a free initial consultation.