Attorney Debra J. Wegman
Los Angeles County Criminal Defense Attorney
Debra J. Wegman has represented clients with integrity and dedication in civil and criminal cases for more than 43 years, focusing on complex cases and appellate work. She handles the firm’s appeals and writs and the motion practice that turns on legal research.
Admissions. State Bar of California, License No. 110141. Admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Central District of California and the Northern District of California.
Education. University of California, Berkeley. Loyola Law School, J.D.
Published decisions. Ms. Wegman appears as counsel in three published decisions of the California Court of Appeal: Bernstein v. Consolidated American Insurance Co. (1995) 37 Cal.App.4th 763; Thompson v. Mercury Casualty Co. (2000) 84 Cal.App.4th 90; and National & International Brotherhood of Street Racers, Inc. v. Superior Court (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 934.
Professional activities. A former board member of California’s statewide trial attorneys’ association, Ms. Wegman has lobbied legislators in Sacramento to protect the rights of individuals against powerful corporations and governmental entities. She testified before the California State Senate Judiciary Insurance Subcommittee during the corruption scandal involving former Insurance Commissioner Quackenbush after the Northridge earthquake. She is a former editor of The Advocate, a trial lawyer journal, and has moderated and spoken at numerous educational seminars for attorneys.
Ms. Wegman believes there is no substitute for thorough preparation of each client’s case, regardless of its nature. She is committed to providing every client the same standard of excellence and attention. While no lawyer can guarantee the outcome of a case, her meticulous attention to detail and legal scholarship ensure that each of her clients receives an exhaustive and high-quality defense.
Notable Cases
Each result below depended on the facts of that case, and results will differ if based on different facts.
People v. To (Murder Conviction Reversed)
People v. To (Cal. Ct. App., 2d Dist., Div. 4, Nov. 20, 2008, No. B201292). To was convicted of second-degree murder at trial. The trial judge refused to instruct on self-defense, imperfect self-defense, involuntary manslaughter and accident. Ms. Wegman wrote and argued the appeal to the Second District and won a full reversal; the Court of Appeal adopted her arguments and ordered a new trial. From the opinion:
“In light of this conclusion, reversal for retrial is required. . . . Needless to say, if the evidence is identical to that presented at the first trial, the trial court is required to submit instructions about self-defense, imperfect self-defense, a killing committed in the heat of passion, involuntary manslaughter, and accident. If the evidence differs, the trial court is to apply the principles and authorities set forth in this opinion in deciding on the instructions to be used.”
If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime in Los Angeles County, call Wegman & Levin APC at 818-980-4000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.