Criminal Law Unfiltered

By criminallawunfiltered

Criminal Law Unfiltered is hosted by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group. With decades of courtroom experience in serious state and federal

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· True Crime

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FAQs about Criminal Law Unfiltered:

How many episodes does Criminal Law Unfiltered have?

The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.

Criminal Law Unfiltered episodes:

November 25, 2025 Federal Investigations & Grand Juries Explained: What It Means If You’re Under Federal Investigation
Episode Summary:
In this episode, criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explains the realities of federal investigations and grand juries. With over 40 years of experience defending clients in state and federal courts, Robert breaks down what it means to receive a target letter, why legal counsel is essential if federal agents contact you, and how grand jury proceedings differ from jury trials. He also clarifies the role of public defenders, the risks of ignoring federal inquiries, and the steps defendants can take to protect themselves during high-stakes investigations.
Key Timestamps:
00:01:00 – What Does It Mean to Be Under Federal Investigation?
00:03:00 – What Is a Target Letter?
00:05:00 – Can You Be Investigated Without Knowing It?
00:08:00 – How Do Grand Juries Work in Federal Cases?
00:12:00 – Subpoenas and Witness Rights Before a Grand Jury
00:15:00 – The Role of Public Defenders in Federal Cases
00:17:00 – Best Advice if Contacted by Federal Agents

About the Show:
Criminal Law Unfiltered is hosted by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group. With decades of courtroom experience in serious state and federal cases, Robert provides unfiltered insights into how the justice system really works. Each episode sheds light on the realities of criminal defense, separating TV fiction from the truth inside the courtroom.
Resources:
Learn more about Robert M. M. Helfend and schedule a free consultation: robertmhelfend.com
...more
20min
November 11, 2025 Plea Bargains Explained: How Criminal Case Negotiations Work
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group and a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney with over 40 years of experience, explains the ins and outs of plea bargains. Robert breaks down how plea deals are initiated, when judges get involved, what role prior convictions play, and the risks defendants face when choosing between trial and negotiation. With thousands of clients defended and extensive experience in both state and federal courts, Robert shares how plea negotiations can shape the outcome of a case and why strategy is critical at every step.
Key Timestamps:
00:01:00 – What is a Plea Deal?
00:05:00 – Who Initiates Plea Discussions?
00:07:00 – Negotiating Serious Cases
00:10:00 – Risks of Rejecting a Plea Deal
00:12:00 – Prior Convictions and Plea Offers
00:15:00 – Can Judges Reject Plea Agreements?
00:17:00 – The Role of Justice in Plea Negotiations

About the Show:
Criminal Law Unfiltered is hosted by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group. With decades of courtroom experience in serious state and federal cases, Robert provides unfiltered insights into how the justice system really works. Each episode sheds light on the realities of criminal defense, separating TV fiction from the truth inside the courtroom.

Learn more about Robert M. Helfend and schedule a free consultation: robertmhelfend.com
...more
20min
October 28, 2025How Long Does a Criminal Case Take?
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Robert M. M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group and a seasoned criminal defense attorney with over 40 years of experience, explains the timeline of criminal cases. From arraignment to trial, Robert provides insight into the key stages that impact how long a case can take in both state and federal courts. He shares strategies for managing court schedules, navigating discovery, and using time to a defendant’s advantage, offering listeners a clear understanding of what to expect during the criminal justice process.
Key Timestamps:
00:01:00 – Factors Affecting Case Duration
00:03:00 – Stages in a State Criminal Case
00:05:00 – Differences Between State and Federal Cases
00:10:00 – Federal Guidelines and Probation Reports
00:13:00 – Court Backlogs and Strategic Timing
00:15:00 – Importance of Discovery
00:18:00 – Pros and Cons of Case Timing
00:20:00 – Managing Client Expectations

About the Show:
Criminal Law Unfiltered is hosted by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group. With decades of courtroom experience in serious state and federal cases, Robert provides unfiltered insights into how the justice system really works. Each episode sheds light on the realities of criminal defense, separating TV fiction from the truth inside the courtroom.
Resources:
Schedule a free consultation with Robert M. M. Helfend and the Helfend Law Group: robertmhelfenm.com
...more
22min
October 14, 2025 Federal Sentencing Guidelines Explained: How They Work and What Impacts Your Sentence
Episode Summary:
Criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explains the federal sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, downward departures, and the strategic role of cooperation with federal authorities. Drawing on over 40 years of experience defending clients across the U.S., Helfend provides essential guidance for anyone facing federal charges.
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
01:45 – How Guidelines Work
05:00 – Probation Officer Interview
07:30 – Mandatory Minimums
10:00 – Cooperation With the Government (5K1 Motions)
15:00 – Government Evaluation of Cooperation
18:30 – Conclusion & Advice

About the Show:
Criminal Law Unfiltered is hosted by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group. With decades of courtroom experience in serious state and federal cases, Robert provides unfiltered insights into how the justice system really works. Each episode sheds light on the realities of criminal defense, separating TV fiction from the truth inside the courtroom.
...more
20min
September 23, 2025Federal vs. State Criminal Charges: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Episode Summary:
In this episode, criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group, discusses the critical differences between federal and state criminal charges and why understanding these distinctions can significantly impact the outcome of a case. With over 40 years of experience and more than 4,000 clients defended, Helfend explains how charges are filed, what types of cases go federal, and the strategic steps individuals should take if contacted by federal authorities.
Key Takeaways / Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction to Federal vs. State Charges
02:00 – Types of Cases in Federal Court
04:30 – How Federal Investigations Begin
08:30 – Target Letters and Federal Notifications
10:30 – Actions to Take When Contacted by Federal Authorities
14:00 – Conclusion and Key Advice

Episode Description:
Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming, and understanding whether your case falls under state or federal jurisdiction is crucial. In this episode, Robert M. Helfend, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney with over four decades of experience, breaks down the differences between state and federal charges. He explores how cases are initiated, which offenses typically escalate to federal court, and the importance of strategic legal guidance when approached by federal agencies like the FBI or DEA. Listeners will gain practical insights into navigating investigations, potential penalties, and how to protect their rights with expert legal representation.
Resources & Links:
Learn more about Robert Helfend and Helfend Law Group: roberthelfend.com
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15min
September 09, 2025 How Social Media Can Wreck Your Criminal Defense
Episode Summary
In this episode of Criminal Law Unfiltered, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explores how social media can make or break a criminal case. With more than 40 years of experience defending clients against charges ranging from federal indictments to murder and sex crimes, Robert shares real-world insights into how online activity is increasingly used as evidence in court.
He explains how deleted posts, private messages, browsing history, and even being tagged in photos can be used by prosecutors to build a case. From human trafficking investigations to high-profile criminal trials, Robert provides practical advice on how defendants and their families should handle social media when under investigation or facing charges.

Key Timestamps
0:41 – 2:53 | How law enforcement uses phones and social media in investigations
3:15 – 5:16 | Why texting or searching about crimes can be devastating evidence
5:16 – 7:51 | How deleted posts, private messages, and browsing history are still used in court
9:10 – 12:29 | The impact of tagging and third-party posts on criminal defense
13:20 – 15:27 | Why clients and families should stay offline during pending cases
15:30 – 16:53 | Robert’s advice on why social media silence is the best defense strategy
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17min
September 02, 2025 Murder Charges in Real Life: What TV Gets Wrong About Criminal Defense
Episode Summary:
In the debut episode of Criminal Law Unfiltered, veteran Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend shares his insights from more than 40 years of courtroom experience and over 4,000 criminal cases handled. Robert discusses what murder defense looks like in real life compared to the dramatized versions on television. The conversation covers jury selection strategies, the difference between truth and evidence, timelines of murder trials, and the real role of forensic evidence like DNA. Robert also explains why most criminal cases don’t go to trial, what defendants and families should do when facing homicide charges, and why staying silent is critical.
Key Timestamps:
00:01 – Introduction to Criminal Law Unfiltered with Robert Helfend
01:05 – Robert Helfend’s background and career in criminal defense since 1984
03:15 – Why he chose criminal law and the importance of thinking on your feet
05:10 – Winning a murder case with all 12 jurors and the importance of evidence vs. truth
09:25 – Jury selection strategies and understanding juror biases
13:50 – What TV gets wrong about murder trials compared to real life
17:40 – The real timeline of a murder case (often 2–3 years, not one hour like on TV)
22:15 – The impact of social media and text messages on modern criminal cases
27:45 – The role of forensic evidence and when DNA really matters
32:20 – Why most criminal cases settle instead of going to trial
36:10 – Options for mitigation: reducing felonies, mental health diversion, and avoiding jail
40:05 – What families should do first if a loved one is arrested for homicide
44:30 – Closing thoughts and preview of future episodes
About the Show:
Criminal Law Unfiltered is hosted by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group. With decades of courtroom experience in serious state and federal cases, Robert provides unfiltered insights into how the justice system really works. Each episode sheds light on the realities of criminal defense, separating TV fiction from the truth inside the courtroom.
...more
20min

FAQs about Criminal Law Unfiltered:

How many episodes does Criminal Law Unfiltered have?

The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.