Criminal Law Unfiltered

Criminal Law Unfiltered

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.

Episodes

March 31, 2026 20 mins

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Criminal Law Unfiltered* Robert Helfend breaks down the essential elements that the prosecution must prove to secure a conviction in serious felony cases. From discussing the burden of proof to strategies for defense, Robert provides valuable insights into the nuances of criminal trials.

Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – Elements of a Crime 03:45 – The Burden of Proof 05:20 – Impeachm...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary:

In this episode of *Criminal Law Unfiltered* Robert Helfend delves into the possibility of felony charges being dismissed before trial. He shares insights on presenting evidence, timing, and challenges faced in cases like homicides and sexual assaults.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:45 – Possibility of Case Dismissal Before Trial

03:30 – Challenges in Dismissing Sex Crime Cases

06:15 – Importance of Timing...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary: 

In this episode of *Criminal Law Unfiltered*, the discussion delves into the nuances of jury selection, exploring the impact of judges, differences between prosecutors and defense attorneys, and traits that make jurors open to the defense's case. Robert Helfend, a seasoned attorney, provides valuable insights into the strategic aspects of selecting a jury and the significance it holds for defendants and their lega...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary:

Jury selection is the heart of any criminal trial, crucial for shaping the perspectives of the 12 individuals chosen from the community. Attorney Robert M. Helfend delves into the importance of picking jurors susceptible to the defense's strategy. Discover how strategic questioning can impact the outcome of a trial, offering valuable insights into the intricate process of selecting a fair and impartial jury.

Key Ti...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary: 

In this episode of *Criminal Law Unfiltered*, attorney Robert M. Helfend delves into the intricate world of federal drug cases. From the crucial role of evidence like drug seizures and wiretaps to the complex decisions defendants face regarding cooperation and sentencing, Robert provides valuable insights into the strategies and challenges involved in these cases.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:15 – Evide...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Criminal Law Unfiltered*, Robert M. Helfend and delves into the nuances of federal drug cases compared to state prosecutions. He highlights the stark differences in potential sentencing, mandatory minimums, and the initiation of investigations, offering valuable insights for defendants facing federal drug charges.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:45 – Key Difference Between State and Fede...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, Robert M. Helfend shares insights on evidence evaluation and defense strategies in sex crime cases. He emphasizes the importance of disproving allegations through evaluating victim stories and evidence like DNA and chain of custody. Robert explains the challenges in settling sex crime cases and offers advice for those facing false allegations.

Key Timestamps:

- 00:00 – Introduction

- 01:30 – Evalu...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary: In this episode of Criminal Law Unfiltered, veteran defense attorney Robert Helfend breaks down what happens in the first few days after someone is accused of a sex crime in California. With over 40 years of criminal defense experience, he explains what families need to know, why staying silent is crucial, and how early legal action can protect the accused from serious mistakes. Robert also discusses how investigat...

Listen
Mark as Played
Episode Summary

In this episode of Criminal Law Unfiltered, defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explains the complexities of mandatory minimum sentences in federal court. He breaks down how these laws remove judicial discretion, why prosecutors hold the power to determine sentencing exposure, and what options exist for clients facing mandatory terms. With more than 40 years of experience handling serious state and federal cases, Rob...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary:

In this episode, criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explains the realities of federal investigations and grand juries. With over 40 years of experience defending clients in state and federal courts, Robert breaks down what it means to receive a target letter, why legal counsel is essential if federal agents contact you, and how grand jury proceedings differ from jury trials. He also clarifies the role of p...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group and a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney with over 40 years of experience, explains the ins and outs of plea bargains. Robert breaks down how plea deals are initiated, when judges get involved, what role prior convictions play, and the risks defendants face when choosing between trial and negotiation. With thousands of clients defended and extensi...

Listen
Mark as Played
October 28, 2025 21 mins

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Robert M. M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group and a seasoned criminal defense attorney with over 40 years of experience, explains the timeline of criminal cases. From arraignment to trial, Robert provides insight into the key stages that impact how long a case can take in both state and federal courts. He shares strategies for managing court schedules, navigating discovery, and using time to a...

Listen
Mark as Played

Episode Summary:

Criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explains the federal sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, downward departures, and the strategic role of cooperation with federal authorities. Drawing on over 40 years of experience defending clients across the U.S., Helfend provides essential guidance for anyone facing federal charges.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction 01:45 – How Guidelines Work 05:00 – Probati...

Listen
Mark as Played

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 strategi...

Listen
Mark as Played
Episode Summary

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 p...

Listen
Mark as Played

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 ev...

Listen
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Betrayal Season 5

    Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices