Michael E. Kraut
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Los Angeles, California
Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in California since: 1993
Education: Harvard Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2027 Call today:
323-435-2124
Virtual Appointments 
Free Consultation Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers
6255 Sunset BoulevardSuite 1520
Los Angeles, CA 90028 Visit website
Why Choose Michael Kraut as Your Criminal Defense Attorney?
Michael Kraut is a top-rated Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer with over 30 years of legal and trial experience. As the founder of Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers, he represents individuals, professionals, executives, and corporations facing criminal investigations and charges throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Call Michael Kraut today at (323) 464-6453 for a free consultation.
Former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Representing You
Before establishing his defense firm, Michael Kraut served for over 14 years as a senior prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, leading investigative and prosecution teams. Mr. Kraut’s extensive background on both sides of the courtroom provides him with an invaluable understanding of how prosecutors build, negotiate, and try criminal cases. Mr. Kraut especially draws on his prosecutorial experience in pre-file interventions, frequently negotiating with prosecutors to drop investigations or reduce charges before formal filings.
Honors & Education
Mr. Kraut has earned numerous honors and top ratings, including selection to Super Lawyers and both Avvo 10/10 and Justia 10/10 ratings. He was also named a Top Attorney by EliteLawyer.com, Top One Percent of Criminal Defense Attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. During his career as a prosecutor, Michael has received the Citizen's Award from the Black Prosecutors Association of Los Angeles (BPLA), the Outstanding Homicide Prosecutor award from Justice for Homicide Victims, and the ADDA Award from the Association of Deputy District Attorneys. Michael Kraut attended Cornell University, Case Western School of Law, and Harvard Law School.
Experience
Michael Kraut's criminal defense practice represents clients facing DUI, domestic violence, drug crime, white collar crime, fraud, theft, violent crime, homicide, and other felony and misdemeanor criminal charges. He has represented clients in high-profile criminal cases in both California and Federal Courts. Michael Kraut is often called upon by executives and professionals to intervene in criminal investigations to try to prevent the filing of charges.
As a prosecutor in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Michael Kraut tried more than 80 felony jury trials with a 99% success rate, including assignments in the Hardcore Gang Division and Major Frauds Division. Mr. Kraut also gained national attention for uncovering corrupt police officers connected to the LAPD Rampart scandal and has taught police and prosecutors on criminal investigative techniques.
Media
Michael Kraut has also been recognized for sharing his courtroom experience and legal commentary, and has appeared on Good Morning America, BBC News, KTLA, CNN, Fox News, and other national and local media outlets.
Experience, Focus, and Dedication
Dedicated, experienced, and widely respected, Michael Kraut fights to defend his clients in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California, combining trial-tested advocacy, investigative skill, and a prosecutor's perspective to protect their freedom, careers, and reputations. Call Michael Kraut today at (323) 464-6453 for a free consultation.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Sex Offenses, Theft, White Collar Crime
- 60% Criminal Defense
- 20% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 20% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 1993, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.losangelescriminallawyer.pro/michael-e-kraut-man...
Bar / Professional Activity
- Admitted to the State Bar of California, 1993. License Number: 167623, 1993
- Admitted to the State Bar of Texas, 2025. License Number: 24054869, 2005
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- National Criminal Defense College
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- In the case of People v. Come Chantrel out of the Van Nuys Courthouse, client had been held to answer on charges of felony assault and battery causing Great Bodily Injury when Michael Kraut took the case over after preliminary hearing. The Court agreed to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor and the client was placed on a one year informal diversion, which resulted in a dismissal without ever being convicted., 2024
- In the matter of People v. Tian Liu, our client was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse in the West Covina Courthouse. He was accused of driving his car at another person while his children were in the car. Because the alleged deadly weapon was his vehicle, he would lose his driver's license for life if convicted. We were able to get the client an informal diversion in which he did not have to plea to any offense and the case was dismissed after six months., 2025
- In the matter of People v. Niloufar Banished in the Los Angeles Airport Courthouse, our client was charged with 16 felony counts of grand theft against the grandson of a celebrity. Following a daylong preliminary hearing, the Court dismissed all 16 counts., 2024
- In the matters of People v. Elsa Sheikhpour and People v. Maliheh Sheikhpour in the Los Angles Airport Courthouse, the clients were sisters charged with felony grand theft. At preliminary hearing, we were able to get the judge to reduce the felony to misdemeanors for each client following preliminary hearing, both clients were granted diversion. The charges were dismissed upon successful completion of diversion without there ever being a conviction., 2025
Representative Clients
- Represented 22-year-old defendant charged with four counts of murder in the matter of People of the State of California v. Fraser Bohm involving the death of four Pepperdine students, a case that made national headlines., 2023
- Represents Puddle of Mudd lead singer Wes Scantlin who was facing multiple different cases throughout Los Angeles county, including felony drug charges and domestic violence, in cases that have attracted national media attention. Mr. Kraut was able to have the domestic violence charges dismissed entirety and client was granted a diversion which will result in the dismissal of charges., 2025
- Represents Los Angeles Police Department officer accused of unemployment insurance fraud in the matter of People of the State of California v. Peter Mastrocinque, a case that has received significant media attention., 2026
- Represents defendant charged in $22 million fraud involving the Los Angeles Unified School District in the matter of People v. Gautham Sampath, a case garnering significant media attention both in Los Angeles and throughout the county., 2026
Pro bono / Community Service
- Heavily involved in the Alliance for Housing and Healing, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that offers housing assistance, food and other services to those living with HIV/AIDS. Co-sponsoring the annual Best in Drag fundraiser, 2025
Educational Background
- Harvard Law School, 1992-1993
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D. (1993), 1990-1992
- Cornell University, B.S. Natural Resources (1988), 1984-1988
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- MCLE seminar on domestic violence., Domestic Violence Seminar MCLE, 2012
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Citizen's Award from the Black Prosecutors of Los Angeles., 2015
- Homicide Prosecutor Award from Justice for Homicide Victims, 2006
- ADDA Award from the Association of Deputy District Attorneys., 2002
Honors
- Selected to Super Lawyers: 2027, Super Lawyers Selection, https://profiles.superlawyers.com/california/los-angeles/lawyer/michael-e-kraut/924a17ae-ba7a-4e39-9f01-4ef68da26960.html, 2026
- Rated 10/10 on Avvo, Avvo Superb Rating, https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/90028-ca-michael-kraut-302720.html, 2026
- Rated 10/10 on Justia, Justia Top Rated Lawyer, https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/michael-eric-kraut-154028, 2026
- Selected as an Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer Selection, https://www.elitelawyer.com/profile/12524-michael-kraut, 2026
Office location for Michael E. Kraut
6255 Sunset Boulevard
Suite 1520
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: 323-435-2124
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2027
