Case Successes

Case Successes

Ms. Kenney passionately defends and fights for her clients’ rights and freedom, which is best exemplified by her outstanding track record in the courtroom. She practices state and federal criminal defense exclusively all over Southern California and diligently handles each of her cases with persistence, passion, and principles. She is an experienced and aggressive trial attorney and believes in thorough case preparation in order to provide the best possible defense for her clients.

White Collar Crime

• The client was charged with grand theft with the aggravated white collar crime enhancement.  The case was tried before a jury.  Ms. Kenney presented a stellar “mistake of fact” defense and the jury found the client NOT GUIILTY as to all charges.  The client avoided a substantial prison term.

• Client was charged with multiple felony counts involving grand theft, computer access fraud , filing false deeds and the aggravated white collar crime enhancement, all resulting from real estate loans.  This matter proceeded to trial by jury.  Ms. Kenney successfully impeached the alleged victim, resulting in a NOT GUILTY verdict on all counts.   By fighting the case and proceeding to trial, the client avoided punishment for crimes he did not commit.

• Client was charged with securities fraud, grand theft, forgery and aggravated white collar crime enhancements all resulting from an alleged investment scam.  This matter was tried before a jury which lasted 2 months.  Cross-examination was extensive for all 11 alleged victims.  The jury deliberated for several days and ended up hung as to all counts. 

• The client was charged with grand theft with the aggravated white collar crime enhancement.  Ms. Kenney filed a motion to suppress evidence that was allegedly seized at the Canadian border, including $40,000 cash the client had stuffed in his underwear before attempting to get through customs.  Because the police reports never stated who exactly seized the evidence, the D.A. was unable to figure out the necessary witnesses for the motion.  Ultimately, the case was DISMISSED.

• Client was charged with 118 felony counts involving theft by false pretenses with the aggravated white collar crime enhancement.  After a 6 week preliminary hearing, the client was only held to answer on 4 of the 118 counts.  After aggressive negotiations, the client ended up pleading guilty to only 1 misdemeanor charge without any probation.   

Serious and Violent Felonies (strikes)

• The client was charged with one count of murder facing 25 years to life in prison.  The case went to trial where Ms. Kenney presented a defense of “imperfect self-defense”.  After several days of deliberation, the jury came back with a “not guilty” verdict on 1st degree murder and was hung on 2nd degree murder.  Due to the passionate defense presented, the client will not be serving 25 years to life in prison.

• Client was charged with assault with a deadly weapon (machete), felony criminal threats (strikes) and dissuading a witness.  The case went to trial where Ms. Kenney vigorously cross examined the victims.  The jury was hung and Ms. Kenney was able to get the judge to pressure the D.A. in giving an offer of only 1 strike and credit time served.

• The client was charged with robbery (strike), assault with a deadly weapon (strike), petty theft with a prior and commercial burglary of a well-known store.  This case went to trial where the loss prevention officer, the prosecution’s main witness, crumbled under cross-examination due to very damaging impeachment.  The jury found the client NOT GUILTY on all the strike charges, and guilty of the petty theft with a prior, commercial burglary and misdemeanor assault.  This client avoided a substantial sentence due to the jury’s verdict.

• Client was charged with felony criminal threats (strike) with 2 prior strikes.  He was facing a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.  This case went to trial where Ms. Kenney was able to successfully undermine the alleged victim’s testimony.  The jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY on the strike charges.

• The client was charged with one felony count of Penal Code section 288 (child molestation).  This case went to trial where Ms. Kenney’s cross-examination brought out the victim’s credibility issues.  The jury returned a verdict on NOT GUILTY on the child molestation charge but guilty of a lesser included offense, misdemeanor battery.  The client avoided the life time sex offender registration requirement.

DUI

• Client was charged with felony DUI with 2 prior felony DUI convictions.  After the preliminary hearing, Ms. Kenney filed a motion to dismiss (995 motion) due to insufficient evidence presented during the prelim.  The 995 motion was granted and the case was dismissed.
• The client was charged with misdemeanor DUI with 2 prior DUI convictions.  This case was tried in front of a jury, which resulted in a conviction.  However, due to the prosecutor’s “egregious misconduct”, the appellate court reversed the conviction during the appeal.

Domestic Violence

Client was charged with felony domestic violence, Penal Code section 273.5, which carried a potential prison sentence.  This case proceeded to jury trial where the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY on the felony DV charge, and only convicted him of a lesser included misdemeanor.  The client was not given any custody time after trial.

Drug Charges

• The client was charged with possession of drugs for personal use.  Ms. Kenney filed a motion to suppress evidence which was heard concurrently with the preliminary hearing.  The officer lied on the stand about evidence he claimed he booked.  Ultimately, the evidence was suppressed and the case was DISMISSED.

• Client was charged with possession of drugs for sale in a hotel room.  Ms. Kenney filed a motion to suppress evidence which ended up lasting 3 court days.  Ultimately, the evidence was suppressed and the case was DISMISSED.

Vandalism

• The client was charged with felony vandalism as a result of taking copper wiring from a construction site.  Ms. Kenney thoroughly investigated the case, which revealed several important factors including permission given from one of the construction workers.  This case went to trial where the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY. 

• Client was charged with felony vandalism for kicking out a window while in jail, awaiting an attempted murder trial.  The client was NOT HELD TO ANSWER for the charges after the prelim.  The client avoided a felony conviction that could’ve been used against him during his subsequent attempted murder case.