Practice Areas

Killedjian Law Corporation is a Southern California criminal defense law firm dedicated to defending clients in state and federal court. Attorney Melanie Killedjian, founder of Killedjian Law Corporation, is a seasoned litigator with more than 23 years of experience representing clients in serious felony and misdemeanor cases. We take a collaborative approach to every case we handle, addressing your concerns and working with you to create a compelling defense to the charges you face.

At the Killedjian Law Corporation, we proudly represent clients charged with serious crimes in state and federal courts. Some of the cases we regularly handle on behalf of our clients include:

White-collar crime refers to non-violent offenses that are specifically designed to enrich one person at the expense of another. Some of the most common types of white-collar crime include fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, securities and investment fraud, and identity theft. These cases are often much more complex than “street crime” because they often involve allegations of multifaceted schemes. Most white-collar crimes are charged in federal court.

Violent crimes are some of the most serious criminal offenses in the state, often carrying lengthy prison sentences for those who are convicted. Additionally, for those who have a prior felony or other serious conviction on their record, California’s Three Strikes Law imposes strict mandatory sentences, reaching up to 25 years to life. Violent crimes include murder, mayhem, voluntary manslaughter, rape, robbery, arson, kidnapping, carjacking and more.

A DUI arrest often comes out of nowhere. One minute you are driving home after having dinner and a few drinks, and the next, you find yourself being booked for a DUI offense. Many who are arrested for a DUI have no prior criminal record and no experience in the criminal justice system. Understandably, this can be extremely stressful; however, it is important to remember that an arrest is not the same thing as a conviction. There are many defenses to DUI offenses that may result in the charges being withdrawn or an acquittal—even if you provided a positive blood or breath test. At the Killedjian Law Corporation, we represent clients in their criminal cases, as well as in administrative proceedings, helping them protect their freedom as well as their right to drive.

Domestic violence crimes are some of the most challenging charges to defend against due to the emotions involved. However, in many DV cases, the government often has little physical evidence of a crime, meaning these cases often turn into one person’s word against another’s. While this may sound like a good thing, that isn’t always the case because prosecutors are skilled at explaining why little to no evidence exists. However, an experienced Southern California criminal defense attorney can effectively cross-examine an alleged victim to expose their bias, exaggerations, or outright lies.

While California has moderate laws concerning the possession of controlled substances, that isn’t the case for those accused of selling drugs. A drug conviction can not only subject you to a possible term of imprisonment, but may also limit your prospects in the future, whether it’s getting into school, obtaining a job, or receiving a professional license. However, police in Southern California are often so eager to make an arrest that they overlook a defendant’s constitutional rights. In these situations, an experienced defense lawyer may be able to keep the drugs out of trial through a motion to suppress.

California gun laws are not only strict but also incredibly complex. For example, the state makes possession and use of firearms illegal in many situations but also applies strict sentencing enhancements for those found guilty of a crime involving a firearm. It is imperative that anyone facing gun charges in Los Angeles have an experienced criminal defense attorney at their side to aggressively defend their rights at every stage of the process.

Sex crimes not only carry some of the strictest penalties but also carry mandatory sex offender registration. If you are charged with a sex offense, it may seem that—in a split second—the world turns against you based on nothing more than one person’s allegations. It is essential that you do not give up hope and instead enlist the services of an experienced Southern California criminal defense attorney. 

The effect of a criminal conviction can stay with you for life—if you don’t do anything about it. However, by pursuing an expungement or another form of post-conviction relief you may be able to free yourself from these burdens. At the Killedjian Law Corporation, we’ve helped countless clients clean up their records to avoid the employment, educational and immigration consequences that a conviction carries.

If you face criminal charges in Los Angeles County, there is an incredible amount at stake. Your job, your family, you future and your freedom are all on the line. You need, deserve, and are entitled to a criminal defense attorney who will take your case as seriously as you do. At the Killedjian Law Firm, we understand what you are going through and are prepared to do everything possible to ensure that your arrest has as little an impact on your future as possible. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Melanie Killedjian at the Killedjian Law Corporation, call (818) 986-0888 today. You can also connect with us through our online contact form.