Diane Bass
Top rated White Collar Crimes attorney in Irvine, California
Law Office of Diane C. Bass, a Professional Law Corporation
Practice areas: White Collar Crimes, Criminal Defense
Licensed in California since: 1991
Education: Southwestern Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2026 
Free Consultation Law Office of Diane C. Bass, a Professional Law Corporation
5440 Trabuco Rd.Irvine, CA 92620 Phone: 949-494-7011 Email: Diane Bass Visit website
Details 
Diane Bass has been practicing law for more than 30 years. She has handled thousands of cases involving all areas of criminal defense in State and Federal Court. She has extensive trial experience and has obtained outstanding results for her clients including countless dismissals, many not guilty verdicts and greatly reduced sentences in very serious cases. Ms. Bass has an outstanding reputation with local Judges, proscutors and her colleagues which ensures the best possible results for her clients. Ms. Bass has 28 years of experience in Federal Criminal Defense. She handles all federal offenses including wire fraud, real estate fraud, mortgage fraud, embezzlement, investment fraud, bank fraud, Medicare fraud, extortion, money laundering, identity theft, conspiracy, counterfeiting, forgery, narcotics offenses, weapons charges, bank robberiy, alien smuggling, mail theft, RICO act cases, and all state crimes.
First Admitted: 1991, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.dbasslaw.com/diane-c-bass/
Bar / Professional Activity
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Innocence OC - Board of Directors
- Orange County Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association-Orange County
- Orange County Women Lawyers
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Client charged with Domestic Violence. Case dismissed. , 2021
- I represented a young man who was charged with assaulting an ice agent in federal court. I obtained a NOT GUILTY verdict for him at trial. , 2026
- I represented the bookie involved in the Shohei Ohtani Betting Scandal in federal court. He was charged with running an illegal bookmaking business, money laundering and filing a false tax return. He was facing 18 years in federal prison. I obtained a sentence of a year and a day in federal prison. , 2025
- Client charged with Conspiracy to commit Covid Relief Fraud - DA offered 6 years. Client sentenced to 1 year home confinement. , 2024
- Client charged with $3 million tax evasion case. Sentenced to 6 months. , 2023
- Client convicted of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, facing 10 year mandatory minimum. Government requested 57 months. Sentenced to 6 months credit for time served. , 2024
- Client charged with $3 million tax evasion case. Sentenced to probation. , 2024
- Client charged with $22 million health care fraud- charges dismissed, client pled guilty to attempted obstruction of justice-sentenced to probation. , 2023
- Client charged with felony resisting an obstructing a police officer. Case dismissed. , 2021
- Client charged with multimillion dollar EB-5 Visa Fraud. Sentenced to 1 day in custody and 3 years of supervision + 120 hours community service. , 2021
- Client charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Distribution of Controlled Substances, Distribution of Methamphetamine was granted diversion which will ultimately lead to a dismissal of all charges. This is an extremely rare occurrence. , 2020
Videos
- This is an excerpt from a podcast on "Soft White Underbelly." , Justice isnt' always black and white, Anyone Interested In Criminal Law, 2025
- When the feds subpoena bank records, most of the time, the and will freeze the account or fire the account holder. , Federal Warrant = Frozen Bank Account, Anyone Facing Criminal Charges, 2025
- Bail in federal court is much different than it is in state court. We don't use bail bondsmen in federal court. Bond is usually posted in the form of an affidavit of surety with our without justification (property). , Bail in Federal Cases-How it is different, All, 2017
- This video discusses how federal agents can access encrypted apps that most people think are private. , Encrypted does not mean safe, Anyone Facing Criminal Charges, 2026
- This video summarizes what character letters should say to present to the court for sentencing purposes. , Writing Character Letters for Court, Anyone Facing Criminal Charges, 2026
- This video addresses the law around prolonged detentions. , Can Police Hold you Forever?, Anyone Facing Criminal Charges, 2026
- This video covers the importance of mitigation in any criminal case. , How Mitigation Can Save you from Prison, Anyone Facing Criminal Charges, 2026
- This is a topic that is often misunderstood. There are 2 kinds of immunity. The most common is use immunity. Transactional or total immunity is almost never given., Immunity in Federal Criminal Cases, All, 2024
- This video explains how plea negotiations are different in state and federal court. , Plea negotiations in Federal Court, All, 2024
- Have you heard about the Ohtani Translator scandal? Today, as a Federal Defense Lawyer, I will explain this case's facts. Not only have I been involved with this case and spoken on the facts on the news, but I can also give some other insight into how the laws work when this kind of charge is made. Watch now to find out what is going to happen next!, Federal Defense Lawyer Breaks Dow the Ohtani Translator Case, All, 2024
- What to do when the feds show up at your door. , Hiring the Right Attorney, All, 2024
- This video displays my commitment to compassionate representation in criminal case., Law office of Diane C. Bass-Criminal Defense la Firm in California, All, 2024
- Do not have anyone else complete your PPP Loan application! , PPP Loan Fraud: #1 tip to avoid fraud charges, All, 2021
- This video explains the federal sentencing guidelines. , Federal Sentencing Guidelines, All, 2017
- This video describes the process of a federal criminal case. , The Process of a Federal Case, All, 2017
- If you find out that you are under investigation, it is critical to get in front of it. , What to do if Under Federal Investigation, All, 2017
- Restitution is a part of many federal criminal cases. Paying restitution prior to sentencing can help drastically reduce a sentence in federal court. , Restitution in Criminal Cases, All, 2021
- The US attorney's office is prosecuting individuals who have included misrepresentations on their PPP or SBA loans applications. , PPP Loan Fraud: If you lied on your PPP loan application you could be charged with fraud, All, 2020
Representative Clients
- I primarily represent white collar clients who are charged with or who are under investigation federal crimes. I have handled many multimillion dollar fraud cases over the years.
Pro bono / Community Service
- Mentor to first year attorneys though Orange County Bar Association
- I represented a young man who is a US Citizen who was charged with assaulting an ICE agent. My colleague and I represented him for free, we obtained a not guilty verdict at trial in federal court. , 2026
- I represented a US Citizen who was charged with assaulting an ICE agent. I obtained a dismissal for her. , 2025
- Serving on the board of Innocence OC, a 501 (c) (3) organization created to Champion justice for the wrongfully convicted.
- Member Dean's Leadership Cousel UCI School of the ArtsOrange County Animal Care Agency
Educational Background
- Southwestern University School of Law, 1991
- University of California Irvine, Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors, 1983
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Ethical Dangers and Pitfalls of Social Media, South Orange County Bar Association, Orange County Paralegal's Association
- I have done this presentation for the William Gray Inn of Court, The Harbor Bar Association in Newport Beach, CA and to Law Students at Western State Law School. , Speaker/presenter, Representing the Bookie in the Shohei Ohtani Betting Scandal and dealing with the media in a high profile case, Legal Community
- Lawyers have an ethical obligation to be mentally, emotionally, and physically competent. In order to be exceptional lawyers, we must strive to attain the highest level of skill. In order to do that, we have to take care of ourselves so that we can exemplify the legal professions ideals of public service and provide the best representation possible for our clients. , Author, Lawyer Well-Being and Competence in the Covid Era, Orange County Bar Association OC Lawyer Magazine, Legal, 2020
- What Every Criminal Defense Attorney Needs to Know about Federal Sentencing, North Orange County Bar Association, Harbor Bar Association, Orange County Public Defender's Office
- Federal Bar Association Bill of Rights Volunteer-lecture to at risk 8th grade students about the Bill of Rights. Orange County Bar Association- lecture to graduating seniors at local high schools regarding Legal Survival Skills upon turning 18.
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Top 100 lawyers - lifetime achievement award. , 2024
- Platinum Client Champion - Martindale Hubbell
- Avvo Rating 10
Honors
- Dean's Honor List, Merit Scholarship, Southwestern University School of Law
Office location for Diane Bass
5440 Trabuco Rd.
Irvine, CA 92620
Selections
5 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2026