Los Angeles Law Enforcement Defense Attorneys

Are You in Need of a Law Enforcement Defense Attorney in Los Angeles?

If you’re a peace officer under investigation, accused of a crime, or facing administrative discipline, your career and freedom could be on the line. Law enforcement professionals are held to a higher standard. When an accusation is made, whether it’s criminal, administrative, or civil, the consequences are swift, severe, and often public.

At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we have defended law enforcement officers in some of the toughest cases Los Angeles has to offer. Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys understand the unique challenges peace officers face, including media scrutiny, political pressure, and aggressive internal investigations that presume guilt long before the facts are known.

Why Choose Us Over Other Los Angeles Law Enforcement Defense Lawyers

Whether you’re accused of misconduct, criminal wrongdoing, or facing a termination hearing, our firm is ready to step in and fight back hard. Here’s why so many people choose our law firm when the chips are down:

• Decades of trial experience in Los Angeles County courts, representing officers from LAPD, LASD, CHP, and federal agencies.
• Former prosecutors who know how the DA’s office, the Attorney General, and internal affairs units build their cases.
• Proven success defending police officers, correctional officers, and federal agents in both criminal and administrative actions.
• Extensive experience with high-profile cases, handling media-sensitive matters discreetly and strategically.
• In-depth understanding of POBRA (Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights) and how to enforce your due process protections.
• Aggressive motion practice to suppress unlawful evidence, protect statements, and challenge biased internal investigations.
• Trusted experts in forensics, use-of-force analysis, firearms, and law enforcement procedure.
• 24/7 availability—because investigations don’t wait for office hours.
• Respected reputation among prosecutors and judges across Southern California for integrity, preparation, and results.

Protect Your Badge, Your Career, and Your Freedom.

Our experienced Los Angeles law enforcement defense attorneys are ready to fight for you. Call (213) 688-0460 to learn more today.

Reasons to Contact an Experienced Lawyer Right Away

If you’re being questioned, suspended, or notified of an investigation, don’t rely on your union rep to handle what could become a felony case. The moment you become the subject of an investigation; it’s time to give us a call. Here’s why:

• Statements made early on can be fatal to your case. Investigators, even from your own agency, are trained to elicit admissions. Never assume they’re “just getting your side.”
• POBRA deadlines are strict. If you don’t assert your rights properly, you can lose critical procedural protection.
• Evidence disappears fast. We move immediately to preserve radio traffic, bodycam footage, dispatch logs, and GPS data before they’re overwritten.
• Prosecutors build cases quietly. By the time charges are filed, their case is often months old. We engage early to stop that process before it snowballs.
• Administrative and criminal tracks overlap. What you say in one proceeding can devastate you in the other. You need unified legal strategy now—not later.

Threats to Your Job and Freedom

When officers are accused of misconduct or criminal behavior, they face three simultaneous threats:

1. Criminal prosecution in state or federal court.
2. Administrative discipline, including suspension, demotion, or termination.
3. Civil litigation, often from the alleged victim or family.

Each process operates under different rules—and mistakes in one can destroy your defense in another. That’s why you need experienced legal representation that can handle every front simultaneously.

Offenses That May Result in Disciplinary Action or a Criminal Conviction

Law enforcement officers can be accused of a wide range of alleged offenses, including:

• Filing a false report
• Perjury
• Murder or manslaughter
• DUI or alcohol-related offenses
• Drug crimes
• Sex crimes
• Domestic violence
• Obstruction of justice
• Witness tampering
• Planting evidence
• Inappropriate weapons discharge
• Death of a suspect in custody
• Concealing exculpatory information
• Questionable or excessive use of force
• Assault or battery under color of authority
• Police brutality
• Racial profiling
• Public corruption or bribery
• Civil rights violations
• Involuntary manslaughter

Additional Consequences of a Conviction

You’ve spent years building a career defined by integrity and service. Don’t let one accusation erase it. We fight to protect your future as fiercely as you protect the public. A conviction or allegations of misconduct can have devastating effects far beyond the courtroom:

• Permanent loss of your peace officer certification (POST decertification).
• Termination from your agency and loss of pension or benefits.
• Ineligibility for future law enforcement employment anywhere in California.
• Civil liability exposure, including lawsuits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
• Loss of gun rights under state and federal law.
• Immigration consequences for non-citizen officers.
• Reputational harm, media scrutiny, and career destruction.

What Are the Legal Defenses for Law Enforcement Accusations?

While every case is unique, several defense strategies often prove decisive in protecting peace officers:

Lack of Intent or Criminal Intent

Many cases hinge on intent. We prove that what the state calls “misconduct” was an honest mistake, a tactical decision made under pressure, or a misinterpretation of chaotic events.

Justified Use of Force

Force incidents are rarely black-and-white. We rely on forensic reconstruction, training standards, and expert testimony to show that your actions were reasonable under the circumstances.

Constitutional or Procedural Violations

If investigators denied you your rights under POBRA or violated the Constitution through coercive questioning, illegal searches, or denied representation, we fight to suppress evidence and dismiss charges.

False Allegations or Political Motivation

Officers are frequent targets of false complaints, politically motivated prosecutions, and agenda-driven oversight bodies. We expose bias, contradictions, and external pressures driving the case.

Chain of Command and Supervisory Orders

We demonstrate when officers acted within established policy or under command direction, transferring liability away from the accused.

Insufficient Evidence

Many law enforcement cases rest on assumptions, incomplete video, or unreliable witnesses. We attack the prosecution’s case point by point until doubt is undeniable.

How an Experienced Law Enforcement Defense Lawyer Can Help

When your badge is on the line, you need more than a defense lawyer; you need a strategist. Here’s what Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP brings to your defense:

• Immediate intervention with investigators and agencies to prevent damaging statements or premature charges.
• Rapid evidence preservation, including digital footage, radio traffic, and scene photographs.
• Internal Affairs representation—we prepare you for interviews, assert your POBRA rights, and ensure procedural compliance.
• Criminal defense representation at every stage: investigation, filing, arraignment, pretrial, and trial.
• Negotiation and litigation to minimize exposure or achieve outright dismissal.
• Administrative appeals and reinstatement hearings for discipline or termination.
• Media management, protecting your reputation while keeping the case out of public spotlight.
• Post-trial representation, including appeals and record-clearing actions.

Your Rights Under POBRA

The Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBRA) provides vital protections during internal investigations and disciplinary actions. Many agencies ignore or violate these rights—unless you enforce them through legal counsel.

Under POBRA (Gov. Code § 3300 et seq.), you have the right to:

• Be informed of the nature of the investigation before any interrogation.
• Be interrogated at a reasonable hour, for a reasonable period, and by no more than two interrogators.
• Have an attorney or representative present during questioning.
• Review and respond to adverse comments before they’re placed in your personnel file.
• Receive copies of all statements, reports, or complaints made about you.
• File a formal response to any adverse material added to your file.
• Receive notice before any disciplinary action is taken.
• Appeal disciplinary actions through an administrative hearing.

We ensure every one of these rights is respected—and if your agency violates them, we’ll hold them accountable in court.

Your Reputation Is on the Line. Whether you’re facing a criminal charge or internal investigation, our Los Angeles defense lawyers are here to help. Dial (213) 688-0460 today.

Your Constitutional Rights

Law enforcement officers don’t lose their constitutional protections just because they wear the badge. You’re entitled to:

• The Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
• The Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel.
• The Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures—even by your own department.
• The Fourteenth Amendment right to due process and equal protection.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

A phenomenal attorney! -Jenna Jepson (5-Star Google Review)

Alan Jackson is a phenomenal attorney! He is so quick on his feet, detail oriented, and will zealously represent his clients.

I cannot thank him enough - Allen T. (5-Star Yelp Review)

Mark Werksman is a professional, educated, and articulate lawyer. He goes above and beyond to successfully represent his clients. He is full of wit and quick on his feet. Before I came to Mark, my mind was full of doubt with previous lawyers. One of them even told me there was nothing they could do to help me. Mark managed to settle my case beyond my expectations. He kept me updated with constant positive follow-ups. He stays on top of things and he strives to achieve nothing but the best results for all of his clients. I felt this every time I spoke with him. Thanks to Mark, the stress and worries are out the window. I cannot thank him enough. There are many lawyers out there. However, rationale, quick thinking, and intellect are rare. Mark meets the criteria for a top-notch lawyer.

Speak With a Trusted Law Enforcement Defense Attorney Today

Police officers can take pride in the fact that they’re making the world safer for ordinary people every day. But it’s an extremely demanding job, and you are called upon to make split-second decisions that can deeply impact your life and the lives of others.

No one else can appreciate the amount of pressure that a police officer is under at all times to protect public safety and uphold the high professional and ethical standards of your professions.

We understand how careers are built in the field, and how quickly they can be destroyed by politics, media narratives, and administrative overreach. Our clients include LAPD officers, sheriff’s deputies, federal agents, and peace officers from specialized units across California.

Call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP today at (213) 688-0460 to schedule a free consultation. You’ve spent your life protecting others. Now, let us protect you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a law enforcement defense attorney do?

A law enforcement defense attorney represents police officers, deputies, correctional officers, and federal agents accused of misconduct, policy violations, or crimes committed on or off duty. At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we ensure your rights are protected under both state and federal law, including the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBRA).

When should I contact a lawyer if I’m under investigation?

Immediately. The moment you learn you’re the subject of an internal or criminal investigation, you need legal representation. The earlier Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP is involved, the more effectively we can preserve evidence, protect your POBRA rights, and prevent damaging statements that could end your career or lead to prosecution.

What rights do I have under the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights (POBRA)?

POBRA gives California peace officers critical protections during investigations and disciplinary actions, including:

• The right to be informed of the nature of an investigation before questioning.
• The right to have an attorney or representative present during interrogations.
• The right to review and respond to adverse comments in your personnel file.
• The right to a fair and timely administrative appeal before discipline is imposed.
• If your agency violates these rights, we can take legal action to suppress statements, reverse discipline, or seek civil remedies.

What types of cases does your firm handle for law enforcement officers?

We handle every type of criminal and administrative matter affecting law enforcement professionals, including:

• Use-of-force incidents and officer-involved shootings
• DUI, domestic violence, or off-duty arrests
• Filing false reports or perjury
• Civil rights violations or excessive force claims
• Public corruption and bribery investigations
• Sexual misconduct or harassment allegations
• Obstruction of justice and witness tampering
• Drug or firearm-related charge

Whether it’s an internal investigation or felony prosecution, we defend officers in state, federal, and administrative proceedings.

Can I be criminally charged and face administrative discipline for the same incident?

Yes, and it happens frequently. You can face criminal charges in court and internal discipline from your department for the same conduct. These two processes operate independently and under different standards of proof. Statements made during administrative interviews can be used in the criminal case if not properly protected. Our attorneys manage both tracks simultaneously to ensure your defenses remain consistent and your rights are safeguarded.

What happens if I’m accused of excessive force or a civil rights violation?

Accusations of police brutality or civil rights violations can trigger simultaneous investigations by your agency, the District Attorney, and the U.S. Department of Justice. These cases can result in criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and career-ending disciplinary actions. We work with use-of-force experts, forensic analysts, and policy specialists to prove your actions were reasonable under the circumstances.

What if I’ve already given a statement to Internal Affairs or investigators?

Even if you’ve already spoken with investigators, a skilled attorney can help limit further damage by identifying procedural violations, requesting suppression of improperly obtained statements, and managing any follow-up questioning. Our firm has extensive experience remedying POBRA violations and defending officers who spoke before understanding their rights.

How does Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP handle media-sensitive or high-profile cases?

We know how damaging public exposure can be for officers under investigation. Our team manages these cases discreetly, controlling public statements and shielding our clients from unnecessary attention. When necessary, we coordinate with media specialists to protect your reputation while maintaining your legal advantage.

Can you represent me in both criminal court and my departmental hearing?

Yes. Our attorneys routinely handle parallel criminal and administrative proceedings, ensuring that one defense strategy supports the other. We represent clients during:

• Internal Affairs interviews
• Skelly hearings and Board of Rights proceedings
• POST certification challenges
• Civil Service or administrative appeals
• State and federal criminal trials

Meet Our Los Angeles Law Enforcement Defense Attorneys

Mark Werksman

Mark Werksman is a veteran criminal defense attorney and founding partner of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP in Los Angeles. A former federal prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney, he has been practicing law since 1986 and is widely recognized for his ability to handle high-stakes, high-profile cases. Known for his aggressive courtroom presence and strategic precision, Werksman represents clients facing serious state and federal charges, including white-collar crimes, violent felonies, and sex offenses.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is one of California’s most accomplished and respected criminal defense attorneys. A founding partner of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, Alan brings more than 25 years of courtroom experience to every case. As a former Assistant Head Deputy of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Major Crimes Division, he has tried some of the most complex and high-profile criminal cases in California history. This experience gives him a decisive advantage when defending clients against the government’s most serious allegations.

Kelly Quinn

Kelly Quinn is a highly accomplished criminal defense attorney and a partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, one of California’s most esteemed criminal defense firms. Known for her strategic thinking, persuasive courtroom advocacy, and commitment to justice, Kelly represents clients facing the most serious and high-profile criminal allegations in Los Angeles and throughout California. Her practice includes white collar crimes, violent felonies, sexual assault allegations, domestic violence, and major federal cases.