Law Offices of Joseph P Smith 2.95

For over 34 years, Mr. Smith has been involved a wide array of applications for criminal law - from varying prosecution positions in the District Attorney's Office to private practice. Mr. Smith exercises unmatched legal strategies based on experiences developed from all angles of the legal system; these rare opportunities result in sophisticated strategies which will provide you the most leverage... possible in the court of law. As former "Prosecutor of the Year" and past president of Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys, Mr. Smith employs his knowledge above and beyond the client's expectations.


The following are only some high-profile cases that Mr. Smith has successfully leveraged toward the client's favor:

► Client charged with multiple counts of robbery of Fashion Island jewelry store. Allegations of use of firearm, possession of firearm by felon, gang membership and taking over one million dollars value found not true after jury trial. (Hon. Patrick Donahue, presiding)

► Client charged with possession of firearm by felon, also his third strike. Motion to Suppress Evidence for illegal entry granted. Case Dismissed.

► Client charged with Vehicular Manslaughter and Street Racing. Pretrial offer of 4 to 6 years State Prison. Client sentenced to Probation and one year local jail after jury trial. (Hon. Mark Kelly, presiding)

► Client charged with felony child abuse with allegation of serious bodily injury. Client found not guilty after jury trial. (Hon. Susanne Shaw presiding)

► Client charged in U.S. District Court with assaulting a federal officer. Charges against client Dismissed after extensive negotiations with Assistant United States Attorney.


Below you will find the extensive and eclectic nature of Mr. Smith's legal background:

► Professional Experience

2002 to Present -- Private Practice, Law Offices of Joseph P. Smith, specializing in Federal and California Criminal Defense
2002 to 2002 -- Family Support Attorney, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
2001 to 2002 -- Drug Court/Prop.36 Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
2000 to 2001 -- Gang/T.A.R.G.E.T. Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Anaheim Police Department, CA
1994 to 2000 -- Training Coordinator, Legislative Liaison, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
1988 to 1994 -- Major Narcotics Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
1987 to 1988 -- Felony Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
1986 to 1987 -- Misdemeanor Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
1985 to 1986 -- Juvenile Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
1983 to 1985 -- Regulatory Affairs Manager, MCI Telecommunications, Western Region, Sherman Oaks, CA
1978 to 1983 -- Government Relations Manager, MCI Communications, Headquarters, Washington, DC

► Education

1983 -- Juris Doctor (J.D.) -- George Washington University, Washington, DC
1978 -- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) -- Fordham University, New York, NY

► Memberships

State Bar of California
California Public Defenders Association
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) National Legal Committee
Orange County Bar Association
Orange County Peace Officers Association
California Narcotic Officers Association Ð Life Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

► Teaching Experience

(including Homicide, Narcotic Laws, Searches, Confessions, Trial Tactics, Gang Crimes, Domestic Violence, Drunk Driving, Evidence Collection, Report Writing and Courtroom Testimony)

Anaheim Police Department
Asian Gang Investigators Association of California
Azusa Police Department
Brea Police Department
Buena Park Police Department
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)
California Department of Justice
California District Attorneys Association
California Gang Investigators Association
California Narcotic Officers Association
California State University, Long Beach
Cathedral City Police Department
Chapman University
Conference on Illegal Street Racing
Cypress Police Department
El Paso, Texas Police Department
Fullerton Police Department
Garden Grove Police Department
Huntington Beach Police Department
International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators
International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators
Irvine Police Department
Laguna Beach Police Department
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Los Alamitos Police Department
Los Angeles Police Department
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
National College of District Attorneys
National District Attorneys Association
National Homicide Symposium
Newport Beach Police Department
Orange County Crime Lab
Orange County Sheriff's Department
Orange County Sheriff's Advanced Officer Training
Orange Police Department
Palm Springs Police Department
Santa Ana Fire Department
Seal Beach Police Department
Tustin Police Department
Vehicle Theft Task Force Conference
Western States Information Network

► Other Distinctive Experience

California Narcotic Officers Association, Statewide Prosecutor of the Year -- 2000
Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors -- 2001 to 2002
Member, Legislative Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1996 to 2001
Chair, Narcotics Enforcement Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1999 to 2001,
Member, Narcotics Enforcement Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1994 to 2002
Member, Training and Education Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1995 to 2001
Author, CDAA Narcotics Prosecution: Filing and Preliminary Hearing Guide
Board Member, Training Officer, California Narcotic Officers Association, Region V 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001
President, Orange County Deputy District Attorneys Association -- 2001 to 2002
Board of Directors, Orange County Deputy District Attorneys Association -- 1998 to 2002
Orange County Narcotics Officers Association, District Attorney of the Year -- 1992
Orange County Narcotics Officers Association, Prosecutor of the Year -- 1994
Vice President, Tri-Cities Chapter, LeTip International -- 2009