Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Published on: June 15, 2025

Criminal Defense for Ophthalmologists Accused of Crimes in California

As an ophthalmologist, your career is built on trust, precision, and an unwavering commitment to patient care. However, since your patients are entrusting their eyesight to you — and, in some cases, their lives, especially when surgery is involved — it’s also possible for your actions to come under legal scrutiny and even result in criminal charges. These can arise from a range of situations, including billing disputes, prescription-related concerns, medical mistakes, or misunderstandings with patients or staff.

In California, several penal code sections directly or indirectly apply to licensed medical professionals. Let’s take a look at some of the more common statutes under which ophthalmologists could be charged.

Insurance Fraud (Penal Code §550)

Published on: May 19, 2025

Criminal Defense for Dentists in California

by Michael Kraut

As a practicing dentist in California, you’re held to a high standard of professional trust and responsibility. But if you’re facing criminal allegations, that trust can come under immediate and devastating scrutiny. Whether the accusations involve billing practices, prescription misuse, or alleged misconduct with a patient, the consequences of a criminal conviction extend far beyond your license—they can include prison time, financial penalties, and lasting damage to your reputation and career. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common statutes that could result in criminal charges for dentists.

Insurance Fraud – Penal Code § 550

Insurance fraud is one of the most prevalent crimes in the healthcare industry, including among dentists–and investigators are very much on the lookout for signs of fraud. California Penal Code § 550 makes it a crime to knowingly submit false or fraudulent insurance claims. For dentists, this typically involves:

Published on: April 28, 2025

Criminal Defense for Chiropractors Accused of Crimes in California

by Michael Kraut

Chiropractic care is a vital part of healthcare, offering relief and solutions for patients dealing with pain and mobility issues. However, like other licensed professionals, chiropractors are held to exacting standards under California law. In some cases, violations of these standards can result in more than just disciplinary actions from the Board of Chiropractic Examiners; they may also trigger criminal charges that jeopardize a chiropractor’s career, reputation, and freedom. If you’re a chiropractor practicing in California, let’s look at some common criminal statutes you need to be aware of.

Insurance Fraud (Penal Code §§ 550, 487, 484)

Insurance fraud is one of the most common accusations that chiropractors face. This can include billing insurance companies for treatments that were never provided, inflating the severity of injuries or diagnoses to justify costlier treatments (known as “upcoding”), or even participating in staged accident schemes to generate fraudulent injury claims. Insurance fraud is often charged as a felony.

Published on: March 29, 2025

Criminal Defense for Nurses Accused of Crimes in California

by Michael Kraut

Nursing is an honorable yet demanding profession, requiring technical skill and strict adherence to legal and ethical standards. Nurses in California are held to particularly high standards under the law due to the sensitive nature of their work. They must handle vulnerable patients, medications, and sensitive information daily, often in high-stress situations. And unfortunately, these high stakes sometimes mean if a mistake or misunderstanding occurs, it can sometimes lead to criminal charges–especially in situations where controlled substances are mishandled, or patients become victims–requiring the nurse to seek help from a California criminal defense attorney. Let’s take a closer look at some of the applicable California statutes under which a nurse might find themselves facing criminal charges.

Drug-Related Offenses

While most nurses don’t prescribe medications (the exception being nurse practitioners or NPs), they do have responsibilities to handle and administer controlled substances on behalf of patients. Missteps in this area can lead to charges such as the following:

Published on: February 27, 2025

Criminal Defense for Medical Professionals Accused of Crimes in California

by Michael Kraut

Medical professionals dedicate their lives to caring for others, but navigating the complexities of California’s healthcare laws can sometimes lead to unanticipated legal challenges. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other providers may sometimes find themselves susceptible to criminal charges, even in cases involving unintentional mistakes, misunderstandings, or false accusations. These situations can result in severe consequences, including felony charges, financial penalties, and the loss of a professional license.

If you are a medical professional accused of a crime, it’s essential to understand the laws that govern your field and the legal strategies available to protect your rights and career if you find yourself accused of wrongdoing. Let’s explore some of the most common criminal charges faced by medical professionals in California and outline potential defenses to help you navigate these difficult circumstances.

PC § 550 – Health Care Fraud

Published on: January 22, 2025

Domestic Violence in Blended or Stepfamilies

by Michael Kraut

Blended families, often called stepfamilies, combine two sets of family histories, traditions, and relationships under one roof. While these families often offer a chance for a new start, they may also face unique challenges that complicate daily life. California law does not differentiate in its approach to domestic violence in stepfamilies as compared to other households. If you’re accused of domestic violence within a blended family–or child abuse toward a stepchild–you could face arrest, criminal charges, a protective order that hinders you from returning to your home or having contact with your family, and other complications.

What Makes Blended Families Unique?

Unlike nuclear families, where children are biologically related to both parents, blended families feature a mix of biological and non-biological relationships. For example, a child might be living with a biological parent and a stepparent or be adapting to sharing a home with stepsiblings. This combination of relationships can be complex, as everyone must adjust, communicate, and develop trust within the new structure.

Published on: December 15, 2024

Breaking the Family Cycle of Abuse

by Michael Kraut

If you’ve recently been arrested in California for domestic battery, making criminal threats, or other forms of domestic violence, you may be asking a question that is remarkably common among domestic violence defendants: “How did I get here?” In reality, even if you are aware you crossed a line, you may be baffled as to how or why it happened–let alone how to stop it from happening again.

Domestic violence charges are serious and can have lasting impacts on your future. However, being accused of domestic violence does not make you a bad person—it’s an opportunity to reflect, understand, and change. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to understand the role that upbringing and learned behaviors might play in your actions. For many, a hidden factor perpetuates harmful patterns from one generation to the next. We often refer to this as a “family cycle of abuse.” Simply put, if you were abused as a child, you’re at higher risk of becoming an abuser to your own family. If you feel you may be caught in this cycle of abuse, the good news is that you’re not necessarily doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. Let’s talk about this cycle and discuss some practical steps you can take to disrupt it.

Understanding the Family Cycle of Abuse

Published on: November 12, 2024

Domestic Violence: Can a Medical Condition Trigger Violent Behavior?

by Michael Kraut

Facing a charge of domestic violence can be a bewildering and distressing experience, especially if you’re uncertain about what caused your actions. It may seem like what happened was entirely out of character for you, perhaps as though an invisible force had taken control. Maybe this has happened to you before, or maybe it’s your first offense. Whatever the case, anger and violence are complex issues, and sometimes, underlying medical conditions can trigger behaviors that a person wouldn’t usually exhibit.

Understanding these potential medical contributors doesn’t erase responsibility for your actions. Still, it could provide a foundation for compassion and context that can open the door for you to get the help you need to prevent a recurrence. Let’s explore common health conditions that sometimes (but certainly not always) may trigger unusual anger and violent actions.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Published on: October 14, 2024

Taming Impulsive Behaviors that Can Cause Domestic Violence

by Michael Kraut

While some domestic violence stems from systematic patterns of abuse in the perpetrator, for others, the underlying forces aren’t as straightforward. It may be surprising to discover that many acts of domestic violence occur on impulse–simply acting in the heat of the moment without thinking.

Perhaps you’re in such a situation. Maybe an argument with your spouse or partner got out of hand, and things became physical before you had a chance to think. You’ve now found yourself in a situation you never anticipated–under arrest for domestic battery or some other domestic violence offense–realizing that your actions were driven by impulses that felt uncontrollable at the time.

While you must deal with the immediate legal situation, of equal importance is to figure out how to avoid a recurrence of violence. Believe it or not, impulsive behaviors are psychologically driven, meaning they can be identified and tamed with some effort. Recognizing these impulses and learning how to manage them is an essential step in preventing future incidents and finding resolution in the present.

Published on: September 15, 2024

Understanding Resentment and Bitterness and How They Can Lead to Violence

by Michael Kraut

Resentment and bitterness are powerful emotions that can fester and grow if left unchecked. For those accused of domestic violence, these emotions can often be at the heart of the problem, driving behaviors that lead to destructive actions. If you are facing criminal charges for domestic violence crimes like domestic battery, criminal threats, or other charges, it’s important not just to address the immediate crisis, but to understand the emotions that may have led to this moment. Doing so may help you prevent future incidents and improve your personal relationships.

Understanding Resentment and Bitterness

Resentment and bitterness are emotional responses that often arise from a sense of being wronged, mistreated, or unappreciated. These feelings can accumulate over time, particularly if they are not addressed or resolved. Resentment often stems from unmet expectations, perceived injustices, or feelings of powerlessness. Bitterness, on the other hand, is what happens when resentment is allowed to linger and grow.