Introduction

Before founding Akhavan Criminal Defense APC, attorney Anousheh Akhavan served as a Deputy Public Defender for Los Angeles County, a role that places an attorney in the courtroom on a daily basis across the full range of criminal matters. That courtroom foundation shapes how the firm approaches every case: from the moment charges are filed through any potential trial. Based in Los Angeles, California, the firm focuses on criminal defense, with specialized capacity in juvenile justice, felony post-conviction relief, mental health court, and C.A.R.E. court proceedings. The website is akhavanlegal.com/.

Practice Areas

Juvenile Justice

When a young person faces delinquency charges in California’s juvenile court system, the stakes are significant. A juvenile adjudication can affect educational opportunities, housing, and future employment. The juvenile justice system has its own procedural framework, separate from adult criminal court, and the proceedings are focused on rehabilitation alongside accountability. Akhavan’s background and approach reflect the importance of handling youth cases with the depth of advocacy that adult cases receive, rather than treating juvenile matters as procedurally simpler.

Felony Post-Conviction Relief

A criminal conviction is not always the final word. California law provides mechanisms through which people with felony convictions may pursue record clearing, sentence reduction, and other forms of post-conviction relief, depending on the nature of the conviction and the client’s circumstances. Akhavan Criminal Defense APC assists clients in evaluating which post-conviction remedies apply to their situation and pursuing them through the proper proceedings. This area of practice can have life-altering consequences for people who have completed their sentences and are trying to rebuild.

Mental Health Court

California’s mental health courts provide an alternative legal pathway for defendants whose criminal behavior is connected to a diagnosable mental health condition. Participation in a mental health court diversion or treatment program can result in charges being dismissed upon successful completion of the program. This requires an attorney who understands both the legal procedures of mental health court and the way that mental health diagnoses interact with criminal culpability and case strategy.

C.A.R.E. Court

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (C.A.R.E.) Court is a California legal process designed to assist individuals with serious mental health conditions, particularly those experiencing homelessness or the risk of it. The proceedings involve the court’s authority to order treatment plans for qualifying individuals. Legal representation in C.A.R.E. court requires understanding a framework that combines civil and mental health law with the practical needs of vulnerable clients.

Criminal Defense

The firm’s broader criminal defense practice covers a range of charges for adult clients. Akhavan’s experience as a former Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender means the firm brings extensive courtroom experience to each matter, from arraignment through trial. The firm’s approach centers on protecting clients’ constitutional rights at every stage of the proceedings.

Attorney Profiles

Anousheh Akhavan

Anousheh Akhavan’s foundational legal experience came from serving as a Deputy Public Defender for Los Angeles County. Public defender work is among the most trial-intensive legal practice available; public defenders handle high caseloads across serious criminal matters and develop courtroom skills rapidly. Akhavan carried that experience into private practice when she founded Akhavan Criminal Defense APC.

Her focus on constitutional rights, her work with youth clients in juvenile justice, and her handling of post-conviction relief cases reflect a practice shaped by the recognition that criminal proceedings carry consequences that extend well beyond any single court date. Her client-centered approach means individual clients receive counsel tailored to their specific circumstances rather than a standardized defense.

Location and Service Area

Akhavan Criminal Defense APC is based in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles County court system is the largest in the United States, with multiple courthouse locations across the county handling distinct jurisdictional areas. Attorney Akhavan’s background as a former Deputy Public Defender in Los Angeles County provides direct familiarity with that system.

Website: akhavanlegal.com/

Client Focus

The firm serves both youth and adult clients, and the inclusion of juvenile justice alongside adult criminal defense is not incidental. Young people facing charges in the delinquency system need attorneys who understand the specific rules, courtroom culture, and strategic considerations that juvenile proceedings involve, including the different standards applied, the confidentiality protections available, and the rehabilitation-oriented goals of the system.

For adult clients with prior convictions, the post-conviction relief practice addresses a concrete ongoing need in California. Changes in California law over the past decade have expanded the eligibility for record clearing and sentence reduction, and many people who might qualify are not aware of the options available. Akhavan Criminal Defense APC assists clients in identifying those opportunities.

The mental health court and C.A.R.E. court practices serve clients whose situations sit at the intersection of the criminal justice and mental health systems, an area that demands attorneys willing to engage with a more complex and often underserved population.

FAQ

What is felony post-conviction relief in California?
Post-conviction relief refers to legal remedies available to people after a criminal conviction. Depending on the type of conviction and the individual’s circumstances, these may include petition for dismissal (expungement), certificate of rehabilitation, sentence reduction under changed laws, or other relief mechanisms. An attorney can evaluate which options apply to a specific case.

How does mental health diversion work in California criminal courts?
California law allows qualifying defendants with diagnosed mental health conditions to participate in a diversion program. If the defendant successfully completes the treatment requirements, the criminal charges are typically dismissed. The court evaluates eligibility based on the diagnosis, the nature of the charges, and the defendant’s history.

What is the C.A.R.E. Court process?
C.A.R.E. Court is a California civil process through which family members, certain service providers, or other qualified parties may petition for a court-ordered treatment plan for an individual with serious mental health needs. The court can require participation in a structured treatment program. Legal representation helps individuals subject to these proceedings understand their rights and options.

Does the firm represent juveniles facing delinquency charges?
Yes. Akhavan Criminal Defense APC handles juvenile delinquency matters. The firm recognizes that youth clients require a defense approach that accounts for the procedural differences between juvenile and adult court, as well as the long-term consequences an adjudication can have on a young person’s life.

What types of adult criminal defense cases does the firm handle?
The firm handles a range of criminal defense matters for adult clients. Attorney Akhavan’s experience as a former Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender spans from initial charges through trial across serious criminal matters.

Closing

Akhavan Criminal Defense APC represents a specific kind of Los Angeles criminal defense practice: one built on the courtroom experience of a former Deputy Public Defender, extended to serve clients across juvenile justice, adult criminal defense, post-conviction relief, mental health court, and C.A.R.E. court. For individuals in Los Angeles facing any of these proceedings, the firm’s constitutional rights focus and client-centered approach are available at akhavanlegal.com/.