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

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.

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

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.