David Vaughn

I know exactly what you are going through right now because I was a client before I was a lawyer: you are searching for an excellent lawyer that you can trust. While I am now a Harvard graduate former Assistant U.S. Attorney (federal prosecutor), Deputy District Attorney (state prosecutor) and Congressional Counsel (lawyer in U.S. Congress) who aggressively defends people and companies, I began as someone who was searching for a lawyer after I was hit by a bus. I remember how overwhelming it was to try to hire a lawyer. My experience as a client means that I treat every client the way that I wanted to be treated when I was a client.

I have won nearly 90% of my career felony jury trials in state and federal courts, and handled approximately 30 trials and 1,000 court hearings.

I limit my practice to representing good people and companies who have made a mistake, been falsely accused of a crime, received a subpoena, or been contacted by the police, FBI or other law enforcement agencies. I also represent current and former employees in government investigations. Finally, I represent college coaches, student-athletes, and universities in investigations by the NCAA, and am one of the very few attorneys who have defended multiple NCAA cases through a hearing.

I work on every case myself, which is different than a lot of law firms. You won't be handed off to another lawyer or a legal assistant and never see me again. If you hire me, you are getting me. Because I provide my clients with personal attention, I do not have time to accept every case. Since I personally fight for you, I also do not take cases unless I believe I can help you and that we are a good fit. I will treat you the way that my lawyer treated me when I was a client: with respect and loyalty.

To learn more about me, the cases I accept, and successes I have achieved, please go to www.VaughnLawOffices.com and if you think we would be a good fit, then call me for a free consultation.

Thank you.

• NCAA Defense
• Sports Law
• University Investigations
• Business Investigations

• FaceTime

• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  The minimum amount to begin representation is typically $15,000, which is due before any services are provided. Fees are then billed on an hourly basis every month. At the end of your case, the remaining retainer is refunded to you.

California

Since 1987

Attorney at Law

Law Offices of David Vaughn

Current

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy District Attorney and Congressional Counsel specializing in defending companies, individuals and universities in state and federal white collar criminal cases and investigations, and NCAA, civil, regulatory and administrative proceedings.

Managing Director, Global Risk and Investigations

FTI Consulting

Current

Started and led the investigations practice in California for a publicly-traded consulting firm which has more than 3,800 employees in 24 countries. Cases included FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act FCPA), fraud, bribery, kickbacks, thefts of trade secrets, unfair competition, employee misconduct, product recalls, public corruption, tax, money laundering, and NCAA Enforcement matters.

Assistant United States Attorney

United States Attorney's Office

Current

Investigated and prosecuted white collar crimes, including bribery, kickbacks, money laundering, student loan fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, healthcare fraud, false claims, illegal imports and exports (ITAR, USML, IEEPA, EAR), and tax crimes.

Deputy District Attorney

Los Angeles County District Attorney

Current

Prosecuted white collar crimes such as political corruption, public corruption, election law violations, as well as violent crimes such as murder and robbery.

District Director

United States Congress

Current

Managed a United States Congressman's District Office.

State Bar Deputy Trial Counsel

State Bar of California

Current

Investigated and prosecuted attorneys for unethical conduct.

Deputy District Attorney

Los Angeles County District Attorney

Current

Prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors, including murder, robbery, fraud, and DUI.

Counsel

United States Congress

Current

Counsel to a Congressional subcommittee.

Legislative Assistant

United States Congress

Current

Policy advisor to a United States Congressman.

Full-Time Judicial Extern

California Court of Appeal

Current

Analyzed pleadings, conducted legal research, and wrote bench memoranda of proposed opinions of the court.

Harvard Law School

Advanced Criminal Procedure and Administrative Law

Honors: Earned grades of "A" or "A-" in every class.

University of California - Berkeley

B.A. | Political Science, including Constitutional Law

Honors: Graduation with Honors

Harvard University

Master in Public Administration (1993) | Coursework included classes at Harvard Law School

Honors: Earned grades of "A" or A-" in every class.

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco

J.D. (1987) | Trial Advocacy, Criminal Law, Business Law

Activities: Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly; Full-Time Judicial Extern to a Presiding Judge of the California Court of Appeal

Appreciation of Efforts

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Appreciation of Efforts

U. S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service

Appreciation of Efforts

U.S. Department of Education, Inspector General

California State Bar  # 132689

Member

1987 - Current

From Tip to Indictment: How Prosecutorial Decisions are Made, University of Southern California

A Comparison of Federal and State Grand Jury Procedures, Criminal Justice Inns of Court

Defending Corruption and Espionage Cases, Presentation to US and Foreign Judges

Best Practices for Internal Investigations, American Bar Association WC White Collar Crime Committee

Best Practices in Internal Investigations, Internal Training for In-House Counsel and Investigative Staff of Fortune 500 corporation

Q. How can i drop domestic violence purchase against someone

May 15, 2021

A: I think you may be asking, "How do you drop domestic violence charges against someone?" The way criminal charges work is that the alleged victim does not have the legal authority to drop criminal charges against anyone (or to bring criminal charges against anyone). Instead, charges are brought by a prosecutor's office, usually a district attorney. In deciding whether to bring charges against someone, the prosecutor considers whether the evidence provided to them is sufficient to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. In making their determination, they typically do consider whether the alleged victim wants to pursue the case and whether the alleged victim is willing to testify. It is fairly common in domestic violence cases that an alleged victim does not want charges to be brought against a potential defendant, so there are ways that the prosecutor can prove their case without the victim and even if the victim testifies that defendant didn't commit the crime. I hope this is helpful to you. ... Read More

Q. My case is on appeal to the appellate court. If I lose can I appeal to the 9th circuit? Law is unconstitutional. .

May 15, 2021

A: It sounds like your case is on appeal to one of the California Courts of Appeal, which is the body that hears appeals from California Superior Courts (trial courts). The California Courts of Appeal are what is called an "intermediate court of appeal," because they are above the California Superior Courts (trial courts) but below the California Supreme Court. So, the usual appeal from a decision of a California Court of Appeal is to appeal to the California Supreme Court.

The Ninth Circuit is an "intermediate court of appeal" for federal cases, because it is above the United States District Courts located in California and a few other states, but is below the United States Supreme Court.

So, the usual appeal from a decision of a California Court of Appeal is to the California Supreme Court, not the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

I hope this helps you. ... Read More

Q. Can police officers execute a warrant on weekends?

May 15, 2021

A: The primary rules for serving a warrant in California are Penal Code sections 1533 and 1534.

1533 states, "Upon a showing of good cause, the magistrate may, in his or her discretion, insert a direction in a search warrant that it may be served at any time of the day or night.  In the absence of such a direction, the warrant shall be served only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m." 1534(a) says, "A search warrant shall be executed and returned within 10 days after date of issuance." So, while the short answer is that, yes, the police can execute a warrant on a Saturday, there are many ways to challenge a search warrant and get the evidence thrown out of court.