The following criminal defense case results are the outcomes reported by Robert M. Helfend and Helfend Law Group. They include California state cases and federal matters. The original case accounts are preserved below, with a guide to the meaning and source of the reported results.
What do these outcomes mean?
| Reported outcome | What the account establishes |
|---|---|
| Not guilty verdict | The jury acquitted on the identified charges. |
| Dismissal | The identified charge or case was dismissed at the stated stage. The account may not establish whether refiling was legally possible. |
| Hung jury | The jury did not reach a unanimous verdict. A hung jury is not an acquittal and may be followed by a retrial or another resolution. |
| Evidence suppressed | The court excluded evidence. The account must separately establish any dismissal or release. |
| Reduced charge or credit for time served | The account describes a negotiated or sentencing outcome rather than an acquittal. |
Case information and sources
The 2024 murder acquittal is identified as a Los Angeles Superior Court matter in the attorney’s professional profile, and the firm’s release links to its account. Most older anonymous histories do not publish the court, case number or year. Those details are not supplied here when the source omits them. These are firm-reported results; the page does not imply independent verification of every underlying court file.
The federal cocaine conspiracy account reports dismissal after review of the government’s evidence and use of expert witnesses. The federal child pornography account reports evidence suppression and release from custody. The wire and bank fraud account reports seven counts dropped and guilty verdicts on three remaining counts. Those distinctions matter when comparing outcomes.
Robert M. Helfend is a seasoned criminal defense attorney with more than 40 years of experience.
Known for his meticulous approach and tenacious advocacy, Robert has successfully defended clients in a wide range of complex cases. Each case history highlights his commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes, showcasing his expertise in navigating the intricacies of the legal system.
Murder and firearm charges: not guilty on all counts
Los Angeles attorney Robert M. Helfend secured a not guilty verdict for his client, who was charged with murder, shooting at an inhabited vehicle, and negligent discharge of a firearm. The firm’s September 23, 2024 release reports an acquittal on all counts after a two-week jury trial. His Super Lawyers profile identifies the court as the Torrance Branch of Los Angeles Superior Court. The defense concerned the use of force to protect the client and his family. Read more.
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY
Commercial Burglary, Client was charged with felony second-degree commercial burglary and spent 18 years as a fugitive. Mr. Helfend successfully negotiated a reduced sentence for his client. Read more.
13 COUNTS OF CHILD MOLESTATION
The client was accused of 13 counts of child molestation. With thorough investigation and aggressive defense in the courtroom, Mr. Helfend was able to obtain a hung jury.
ROBBERY WITH TWO PRIOR STRIKES
Victim alleged that Mr. Helfend’s client took his money from his pocket after being knocked to the ground by Mr. Helfend’s client. Prior to the first witness taking the stand at the preliminary hearing, Mr. Helfend convinces the District Attorney that the victim is not being truthful. In lieu of 25 to life, client is offered a plea to a non-strike offense, 30 days community labor and RELEASED from custody.
BANK FRAUD WITH WIRE FRAUD
During the trial, Mr. Helfend successfully compelled an FBI agent to admit to failing to collect a key piece of evidence, which could have benefitted the defense. Under Mr. Helfend’s questioning, both the alleged victim and the agent made important admissions to aid the defense’s case.
Seven counts against the defendant were dropped.
The defendant was found guilty on the remaining three, and despite the guilty verdicts, the judge presiding over the case complimented Mr. Helfend’s skillful and vigorous defense of his client.
ATTEMPTED MURDER
Client was accused of passing a firearm to his co-defendant just prior to the co-defendant shooting the victim. At the preliminary hearing, Mr. Helfend artfully coaxes the victim to exonerate his client of his involvement in the shooting. CASE DISMISSED at preliminary hearing.
JURY TRIAL, ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM/ CRIMINAL THREAT/ FIREARM USE
Client was accused of brandishing the barrel of a firearm in the face of an alleged victim, while simultaneously indicating to this person that “I will kill you.” He was charged in Count 1 with Felony Assault with a Firearm and in Count 2 with Criminal Threats with the Special Enhancement of Using a Firearm in the Commission of the Offense. Mr. Helfend was able to demonstrate for the jury the many inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony. After a 5-day jury trial, the jury comes back with a NOT GUILTY verdict in ONE hour.
POSSESSION FOR SALE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
Client, while under surveillance, became suspicious, and decided not to complete an arranged drug transaction. While driving away, Sheriffs Deputies surround his vehicle and force him to stop. After detaining his client, the Deputies search the client’s vehicle and locate ONE POUND of methamphetamine. During client’s preliminary hearing, Mr. Helfend is able to elicit contradictory statements from the arresting Deputy concerning the detention of his client. In the trial court, Mr. Helfend files numerous discovery requests, including a demand for the printout of the Deputy’s radio calls and use of his Mobile Computer. A Motion to Suppress Evidence due to an Illegal Arrest is filed. At the hearing, the ILLEGALITIES of the Deputy’s search are presented and the District Attorney DISMISSED THE CASE!
FEDERAL DRUG CRIME CHARGES
Client charged with arranging an over-the-phone deal to sell 2 lb of methamphetamine. With three prior drug-related convictions, the client was facing life in prison if convicted. Mr. Helfend met with the U.S. attorney and challenged the evidence being used in the case, successfully negotiating a plea to a “phone” count. Rather than a life in prison, the client received only nine months in a halfway house (to keep him employed) and another nine months under house arrest.
ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER
Client charged with allegedly driving his vehicle at a police officer on the way home from a ball game at night. After a four-day jury trial in which Mr. Helfend exposed discrepancies between the two testimonies made by different eyewitness police officers, the client was found NOT GUILTY.
CRIMINAL THREAT
Client accused of threatening to kill a man if he did not turn off his car headlights. Mr. Helfend thoroughly investigated the case before turning over the defense evidence to prosecution. On the day of the trial, the prosecution offered Mr. Helfend’s client charges of an infraction only.
MURDER
An eyewitness identified client as the individual responsible for shooting her boyfriend. After a five-day trial, the jury could not reach a verdict, and Mr. Helfend’s client was charged with voluntary manslaughter and given credit for time served.
POSSESSION FOR SALE
Client is found with 25 LSD sugar cubes and several incriminating text messages. Mr. Helfend hired an expert witness in drug possession and sale of narcotics. On the day of trial, the prosecution offered Mr. Helfend’s client a simple possession of personal use and deferred entry of judgment and a dismissal.
CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE , FEDERAL
Client was indicted for conspiring to purchase and sell 12 kilos of cocaine. Special agents arrested the client’s three co-defendants at the scene with 12 kilos and more than $100,000. The client was supposedly heard on a wiretap arranging the transaction. Through careful analysis of the government’s evidence and skillful use of expert witnesses, Mr. Helfend successfully persuaded the U.S. Attorney’s Office to DISMISS the case prior to trial.
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY , FEDERAL
Armed with a search warrant, officers locate 10,000 images on client’s computer and in his home. Mr. Helfend files a Motion to Suppress Evidence based on the initial illegal entry by police to collect evidence. At the hearing on the motion, Mr. Helfend successfully persuades the Court that the evidence was obtained illegally. Evidence suppressed, client released from custody.
MURDER
Police allege that client’s pregnant wife was kicked in the stomach, which caused death to her unborn son. At the conclusion of the PRELIMINARY HEARING, Mr. Helfend persuades the Court to DISMISS ALL CHARGES.
CHILD MOLESTATION
Client confesses to his wife to inappropriate touching of his step daughter. After five-day Jury Trial, client is found NOT GUILTY OF ALL FIVE COUNTS.
ATTEMPTED MURDER ON POLICE OFFICER
At jury trial, after cross examining the prosecutor’s first police officer witness, Mr. Helfend was able to show that the officer’s identification of his client was flawed and client was then offered CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED and SET FREE.
DRUG SALES
Client was caught on video and audio tape negotiating with an undercover narcotics detective for the purchase of 1 kilo of cocaine. Mr. Helfend successfully persuaded the Court to sentence his client to NO JAIL TIME or community service.
SPOUSAL ABUSE
Wife alleged that husband squeezed her arm too tight in a fit of rage, leaving bruises on her arm, which were photographed by police. The jury came back with a NOT GUILTY verdict in 30 minutes.
METHAMPHETAMINE MANUFACTURING
Deputies find an operating methamphetamine laboratory at the location where client is found. District Attorney was unable to proceed and CASE DISMISSED after Mr. Helfend successfully convinces the Court that location was subject to an illegal search and seizure.
THREE STRIKES CASE
Possession of dangerous weapon. Mr. Helfend convinces the District Attorney that the brass knuckles were for decorative purposes. The District Attorney agrees to TIME SERVED of 45 days.
PERJURY
Client was on probation for a drug possession charge with a four-year state prison suspended sentence. The Court held the violation of probation hearing at the same time as the jury trial. The jury was unable to reach a decision and the Court found NO violation. Client received NO TIME.
POSSESSION OF WEAPON BY EX FELON
Police find loaded firearm on client after a search of his person. District Attorney unable to proceed and the CASE WAS DISMISSED after Mr. Helfend successfully argued to Court that client was illegally searched.
THREE STRIKES CASE
Drug possession Client was seen by officers passing a “crack pipe” to the passenger. After the jury was unable to reach a decision, the CASE WAS DISMISSED rather than re-tried by the District Attorney.
TERRORIST THREAT
Client threatens victim. Case was immediately set for jury trial and DISMISSED on a technicality of violating client’s speedy trial rights.
These statements concerning results obtained in other cases do not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
How a past result can inform a consultation
A past case can illustrate an issue to discuss with counsel, such as disputed identification, witness credibility, the legality of a search or the terms of a proposed plea. The allegations and procedural record in your own case control which strategies are available. Ask what evidence the attorney needs to review before making an assessment.
Learn about the firm’s work in federal criminal defense, homicide defense and sex crimes defense, or request a consultation.