Sara Azari
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Los Angeles, California
Law Office of Sara Azari, APC
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in California since: 2005
Education: Southwestern Law School
Languages Spoken: English, French, Persian (Farsi), Portuguese, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2011 Call today:
213-622-5000
Law Office of Sara Azari, APC
333 S. Hope St., 40th FLLos Angeles, CA 90071 Visit website
Details
Attorney Sara Azari is the founder and principal of the Law Office of Sara Azari in Los Angeles, California. Regarded as one of the nation's leading trial attorneys, Ms. Azari devotes her practice primarily to criminal defense. She has achieved notable success advocating on behalf of clients throughout Southern California and in federal district and circuit courts across the county who stand accused or are under investigation for serious state and federal criminal offenses.
As a criminal defense attorney, Ms. Azari has earned a reputation for providing aggressive and uncompromising representation to those she serves as she fights hard to protect their rights and interests while helping them obtain the most favorable outcomes possible for their situations. From her efforts, she has received numerous accolades from her peers, including designation as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in California as well as a "Power Player" from Angeleno Magazine.
A 1994 cum laude graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, Ms. Azari attended Southwestern University School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor cum laude in 1999. She began her legal career working at a prominent international law firm in Rio de Janeiro, where she focused on business mergers and acquisitions. After honing her legal skills and obtaining invaluable experience working alongside some of the most respected lawyers in Los Angeles, Ms. Azari established her own legal practice in 2005.
Along with maintaining a successful criminal defense practice, Ms. Azari remains actively involved in her legal community. She is the director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and she serves on the Beverly Hills Bar Association's Executive Committee. She is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, The Federal Bar and American Bar Associations, the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and the Criminal Courts Bar Association.
A leader in her field, Ms. Azari has conducted numerous lectures and seminars across her region on topics related to alternative sentencing, ethics and bias, and other legal subjects.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, White Collar Crime
- 50% Criminal Defense
- 50% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 2005, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.azarilaw.com/sara-azari
- HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATOR CHARGED WITH FRAUD Magdalena G. was a healthcare administrator who was federally indicted for defrauding the government and receiving illegal kickbacks patient referrals. In a multi-defendant case with a loss amount of over $12 million, Ms. Azari's exceptional negotiation skills led to the dismissal of the charges in lieu of a disposition whereby Magdalena was placed on one-year of probation for a significantly lesser count of aiding and abetting in the making of false claims to a U.S. agency. Â As a result of this disposition, Magdalena was able to avoid jail time, and more importantly the collateral consequences of deportation and inadmissibility to the United States
- AIRFORCE SERGEANT ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED RAPE OF FEMALE SENIOR AIRMANTechnical Sergeant Anthony C. was accused of attacking, assaulting and attempting to rape a female airman and was charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a federal felony military crime. Â If convicted, Anthony could have served a sentence of up to 20 years and would be discharged from the military. At the close of the trial (a military court martial) at the Edwards Airforce Base in Rosamond, California, Anthony was acquitted on all counts
- NURSE FACED LICENSE REVOCATION BY THE CALIFORNIA BOARD OF NURSINGS vitlana M. was a vocational nurse who faced permanent license revocation by the Board of Vocational Nursing in California. Â This followed a conviction for petty theft. Ms. Azari was able to negotiate a warning letter in lieu of revocation or any type of suspension, restriction or ineligibility in her chosen profession
- MAN RECEIVES INFORMAL PROBATION FOR GRAND THEFT CHARGES Charged with felony grand theft of property in the amount of $19,500, Brian P. received only one year of informal probation for a lesser misdemeanor offense as a result of Sara Azari's investigation, comprehensive defense, and aggressive negotiations
- MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT & BATTERY OF A TENANT, WITH GREAT BODILY HARM (STRIKE OFFENSE) Hamid R., a non-US citizen, was charged with multiple counts of assault and battery of his tenant upon collecting unpaid rent. Â After a year-long and very zealous investigation as well as full trial preparation, on the first day of trial, prosecutors agreed with Sara Azari's re-enactment of the incident and the proposed defense. As a result, the prosecution succumbed to the fact that they could not proceed with proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt. All charges were fully dismissed. Â As a result, Hamid was able to avoid the inevitable immigration consequences he would have faced if he were convicted of the subject offense
- MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A MINOR Charged with several counts of sexual conduct with two unrelated minors, G.T. faced up to 16 years in state prison. The month long trial resulted in a not-guilty verdict on all charges
- YOUNG MAN CHARGED WiTH DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Chris J. was charged with a DUI after allegedly being stopped for speeding. His blood alcohol was well over the legal limit, at 0.15%. Ultimately, the DUI charges were dismissed and Chris received a speeding infraction
- PREGNANT WOMAN CHARGED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING, SALES & TRANSPORTATION OF DRUGS Elizabeth G. was indicated in the U.S. District Court in New Mexico. She faced charges for possession for sale of 49 kilos of marijuana with a value of $93,120, and for possession of a firearm in the commission of the drug offense. Instead of a 10 year mandatory prison sentence, Sara Azari was able to obtain a disposition limited to 6 months of home confinement as part of a 2-year probation term. Elizabeth was able to work, maintain her freedom and her ability to give birth and bond with her child in the privacy of her own home
- YOUNG MAN CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE (ARMED ROBBERY) While on probation for a previous robbery conviction, Brejone R. was charged with two counts of first-degree (armed) robbery. This would a second "strike" for Brejone under California law. Upon the close of the preliminary hearing defended by Sara Azari, all of the charges against Brejone were fully dismissed
- WOMAN CHARGED WITH TRANSPORTATION & POSSESSION FOR SALE OF DRUGS In a multi-defendant case arising from arrests made at the Casino Morongo in Riverside, California, Miriam S. was charged with several violations of the California Health & Safety Code including transportation and possession for sale of methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine, as well as possession of paraphernalia. Miriam was facing substantial time in state prison, and prosecutors persisted on the maximum sentence. Ms. Azari aggressively negotiated the dismissal of all charges against Miriam pending completion of three years of probation. The dismissal was in the interest of justice, and not merely a product of an expungement petition. Miriam served no time in jail. Â She has since obtained a Bachelor's degree as well as a license to practice as a real estate broker in California
- ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN CHARGED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING, SALES & DISTRIBUTION IN FEDERAL COURT In a 2-defendant federal case, Glen G. faced a 10 year mandatory minimum sentence after having been indicted for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and sell in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami. Through rigorous defense, Ms. Azari was able to reduce Glen's sentence to a one-year drug program
- PREGNANT WOMAN CHARGED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING, SALES & TRANSPORTATION OF DRUGS Elizabeth G. was indicated in the U.S. District Court in New Mexico. She faced charges for possession for sale of 49 kilos of marijuana with a value of $93,120, and for possession of a firearm in the commission of the drug offense. Â Instead of a 10 year mandatory prison sentence, Sara Azari was able to obtain a disposition limited to 6 months of home confinement as part of a 2-year probation term. Elizabeth was able to work, maintain her freedom and her ability to give birth and bond with her child in the privacy of her own home
- MAN CHARGED WITH SPOUSAL BATTERY (FELONY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESULTING IN CORPORAL INJURIES) Joseph J. was charged with felony domestic battery in the Orange County Superior Court. The Complaint alleged serious injury to his spouse resulting from the alleged acts of violence. Joseph ultimately walked away with a citation/infraction for disturbing the peace
- GRAND THEFT CHARGES DISMISSED! Phillip C. was charged with grand theft of property in the amount of $6000 based on allegations that he stole merchandise from his workplace. Phillip faxed 16 months to 3 years of imprisonment, or at a minimum county jail time. Ms. Azari obtained a full dismissal of all charges against Phillip C. Phillip was able to complete his college education and pursue his dream of becoming a law enforcement officer
- Volunteer Attorney, FAME (First African Methodist Episcopal) Church – Legal Clinic
- Volunteer Attorney/Legal Clinic Coordinator, Homeboy Industries
- Board Member, Mesereau, Ephraim, Villaraigosa Legal Clinic, Brookins A.M.E.
- International Bar Association
- United States Circuit Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- State Bar of California
- Federal Bar Association
- United States District Court, Central District of California
- Criminal Courts Bar Association
- United States Military Courts, Edwards Air Force Base
- Women Lawyer's Association
- United States District Court, District of New Mexico (Las Cruces/Albuquerque)
- New York City Criminal Court
- Life Member and CLE Committee Member, NACDL (National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- United States Supreme Court
- American Health Lawyers Association
- United States District Court, District of Arizona (Phoenix)
- United States District Court, Southern District of New York
- American Bar Association
- California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
- Supreme Court of California (All California Courts)
- Executive Committee, Beverly Hills Bar Association
- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
- University of California, B.A., French Literature, Cum Laude, 1994
- Protect Your Rights: What to Say and Do When Confronted with Law Enforcement provides the reader with the basic do's and don'ts when confronted with law enforcement, be it a police officer, agent or detective. Such encounter is both confusing, intimidating, and critical to the outcome of your case should one be filed against you. For a copy of this publication, please visit my website: www.azarilaw.com and click on the FAQs link, 2009
- "Legal Consequences of Addiction", Moments of Change Conference, 2008
- "Treatment v. Prison - Alternative Sentencing", Moments of Change Conference, 2007
- "Ethics & Bias - Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession", University of Southern California, 2006
- "Ethics & Bias", University of Southern California - Law School, 2005
- Featured as a "Power Player" by Angelino Magazine, 2017
- Super Lawyer, 2009 - present
- One of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in California, 2013
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2011
