Attorneys: Coping With the Trauma from Criminal Cases

Percy Duran is the Chair of the Criminal Justice Section at the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Kendra Carman is the Deputy District Attorney at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

Firm founder, Felipe Plascencia, is a well-known criminal defense attorney who has been practicing law in Southern California for over a decade. Mr. Plascencia lectures extensively on current DUI issues, and frequently trains DUI attorneys. He limits his practice to criminal law and DUI defense.

Before opening his own law firm, Mr. Plascencia served as a public defender, standing up for the rights of clients in courtrooms throughout Southern California. As a public defender, Mr. Plascencia set the record for the most cases tried and won. He also served as a deputy city attorney, winning every civil trial on behalf of the City of Compton. Local police departments and district attorneys gave Mr. Plascencia the nickname “Felipe Mad Dog Plascencia” because of his aggressive cross-examination of police officers.

He is a warrior for justice and fears no one. He will fight to protect the rights of his clients. He understands the importance and the need for justice. In January 2009, Mr. Plascencia was named Attorney of the Year by the Mexican American Bar Association.

Joel Koury is the President of the Law Office of Joel C. Koury.