Attorney Paula Drake attended UCLA; she graduated cum laude with a BA in Political Science and a Teaching Credential from the Graduate School of Education.
Ms. Drake taught school in Orange County for five years and received a Bilingual Cross-cultural Specialist Credential from California State University, Fullerton. She attended law school at Western State University, Fullerton. After receiving numerous honors and awards (including Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, three American Jurisprudence awards, Executive Editor of the Law Review), Ms. Drake graduated with honors and with two published law review articles. She was a certified law clerk for the Orange County District Attorney and then for the Orange County Public Defender.
Ms. Drake began her career as a Deputy Public Defender in Orange County, working in Juvenile Court handling both delinquency and dependency cases. She then handled adult criminal matters of all types until 1990, when she established her own private law practice.
She has worked as an ICDA panel attorney in Los Angeles County, handling criminal matters for indigent defendants, and as a Panel attorney in Orange County.
Handling all types of criminal cases, Ms. Drake also handles professional license disciplinary matters. She handles all DUI matters, including related DMV hearings and writs. She handles all cases personally. She has a 37 years proven track record of success due to her experience, knowledge, reputation, and tenacity. If you are under investigation, she can help you to prevent or minimize possible charges. She can advise on how to clear your criminal record.
Ms. Drake was admitted to Federal Practice in three districts in California. She has been affiliated with various organizations over the years. She continues to teach seminars both to legal professionals and to the community. Formerly, Ms. Drake volunteered in Orange County as a temporary judge. She was just awarded Best Lawyers of 2024.
- Criminal Law
- Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Victims Rights
- Juvenile Law
- White Collar Crime
- Traffic Tickets
- Suspended License
- Professional License Disciplinary Defense
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Free Consultation
Individualized fee quote; possible payment plans; discounts for seniors, military and students. - Credit Cards Accepted
- California
- State Bar of California
- ID Number: 127102
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- United States District Court, Central District of California
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- United States District Court, Eastern District of California
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- United States District Court, Southern District of California
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- English
- Spanish
- Western State University College of Law
- J.D. (1985) | Law
- Honors: Graduated with Scholastic Merit (top10%); Honor Roll; National Dean's List; Law Review Executive Editor, Note Editor, Associate Editor; Honor's Moot Court Participant, Board Member, Judge; Recipient Outstanding Editor, Law Review; American Jurisprudence Awards (Professional Responsibility, Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law; Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
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- California State University - Fullerton
- Bilingual Cross Cultural Specialist Teaching Credential (1981)
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- University of California - Los Angeles
- Bachelor of Arts and Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential (1977) | Political Science with emphasis in Public Law
- Honors: Cum Laude; Deans List; Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society; State and University Scholarships; Secretary UCLA Pre Law Society
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- Client Favorite 2024/Best Lawyers of 2024
- Meet Great Lawyers LLC
- Client Favorite, California, Criminal Defense 2024
- NTL Criminal Defense Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California
- National Trial Lawyers
- California State Bar # 127102
- Member
- - Current
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- People v Angeles, Independent State Grounds for Due Process Threatened
- Western State University Law Review, Vol. 13 No. 1
- California v Trombetta: Holding our Breath on the Duty to Preserve
- Western State University Law Review, Vol. 12 No. 1
- NTL Criminal Defense Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California
- National Trial Lawyers
- Q. Appellate court keeps refusing my documents.
- A: Try calling the LA bar association lawyer referral service and see if they have someone on their limited means panel that can assist you.
- Q. Will an infraction show up on my background check / live scan?
- A: More than likely it won’t show up if it was, indeed, an infraction. However, sometimes infractions started off as misdemeanors and were reduced. The misdemeanor arrest might show up. Also I have seen many inaccurate DOJ reports over the years. If you are concerned, there is a means of checking your own record for personal review. When I am hired to clear a criminal record, this is the starting point. Then I can determine the remedy to clear the record, if necessary.
- Q. Why is my friend in jail but there is no case number or next court date
- A: Since you indicate he has had an arraignment, there should be a case number and next court date I’m not sure where you are searching. Check on Monday for an update in the system. The jail will know where he’s housed. If you call a local criminal defense attorney, they know how to find the information and should be able to help you.
