Longo, Roberto

Melissa A. Weinberger devotes her practice to criminal defense of individuals and corporations in pre-indictment, grand jury and post-indictment matters before state and federal courts.  She is a trial attorney at heart and has won multiple not guilty verdicts, but she is also a skilled negotiator, and often obtains excellent results through discussions with government counsel.  In addition, Ms. Weinberger writes and successfully argues many motions including motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, motions to sever and federal sentencing memoranda.  As a result of Ms. Weinberger's motion writing, charges have been dismissed and cases more favorably settled.

In law school, Ms. Weinberger was an editor for the Loyola International and Comparative Law Review and served as a class representative and Evening Student Body Social Chair. She graduated magna cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1999, where she was in the University Honors Program and elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Client was charged with resisting arrest and Ms. Weinberger handled the jury trial.  After the government rested, Ms. Weinberger made a motion to acquit before the judge.  The motion was granted and the client was found not guilty.

Former Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner was charged with conspiracy, bribery, mail and wire fraud in a multi-count, multi-defendant case.  Ms. Weinberger wrote a motion for severance which was granted.  Ms. Weinberger then successfully negotiated a federal diversion (also called a Brooklyn Plan) which resulted in all charges being dismissed. 

Physician was charged with federal misbranding offenses.  After Ms. Weinberger wrote motions to suppress and dismiss, including a motion to dismiss based on prosecutorial misconduct before the grand jury, the case was resolved with a federal diversion which resulted in all charges being dismissed.

Successful businessman was accused of domestic violence after an altercation with his wife. Ms. Weinberger thoroughly investigated the case and then wrote a detailed letter to the District Attorney which convinced the prosecutor to dismiss the charges.

Alleged head of international crime family was extradited to the United States and charged with RICO conspiracies and drug trafficking.  Ms. Weinberger wrote a motion arguing that the doctrines of dual criminality and specialty had been violated, resulting in multiple overt acts being stricken from the Indictment.

Businessman was charged with money laundering in federal court in the Eastern District of New York. Ms. Weinberger wrote a motion to transfer venue to the Central District of California which was granted.