Attorney Joseph Shemaria has over 45 years working “in the trenches” grappling with federal judges, prosecutors and law enforcement.

Mr. Shemaria has always received Martindale-Hubbell's Attorney Rating of “AV” – their highest rating – since 1976 to 2016.

Mr. Shemaria has been honored by Martindale-Hubbell's Attorney Information Directory and Rating Service (the oldest and most prestigous of its kind) from all counties and states, to have the highest possible ratings for competency and integrity, and to be selected as a Member of “The Bar Register” of Preeminent Lawyers, from 1970 to 2016!

Mr. Shemaria has been certified as a Specialist in Criminal Law (1978-2016), by the Board of Legal Specialization, California State Bar, by examination, periodic confidential interviews with other Criminal Defense Lawyers, State and Federal Prosecutors, and Judges of both the Superior Court of California and the United States District Courts.

Mr. Shemaria has handled over 275 jury trials (and courts martial) from June 1970 to 2016.

Mr. Shemaria has handled over 1,000 appeals (and petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus) in both state and federal appellate courts, resulting in over 35 published Official Court Opinions (available on-line and in your local library). 

Mr. Shemaria has devoted his entire practice solely to criminal defense, federal and state, trial and appellate, and Habeas relief (state and federal).

Mr. Shemaria graduated in the top 10% of his class at U.C.L.A. Law School (Class of 1969). Elected to “Order of the Coif”, and served as a Senior Editor, U.C.L.A. Law Review, 1967-1969; published a nationwide Law Review article in 1968. (15 U.C.L.A. Law Review). See “Biography and Cases”.

Mr. Shemaria is a member of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Criminal Courts Bar Association, and Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Mr. Shemaria is experienced, current to the day, on Federal and California State criminal law and–as it applies to your case–meticulous trial preparation, thorough investigation (using local, former law enforcement, experienced investigators).

Call now if you are looking for an aggressive, cutting-edge (a.k.a. the “Pitbull”) Criminal Defense Representation, with a constant focus on results, guaranteed.

You can trust someone who has never worked for any State or Federal Prosecutor's office. Mr. Shemaria's first years of experience came from both The Federal Indigent Criminal Defense Panel (Central District of California) and Indigent Criminal Defense Appointments (Los Angeles County Bar Association).