When can a CPS investigation turn into a criminal case, and can statements made in dependency court later create problems for a parent in criminal court? In Part 2 of “Disturbing the Peace,” Legal Vixen host and trial attorney Karren Kenney continues her conversation with Orange County attorney Mitchell “Mitch” Krems about the complicated intersection of CPS investigations, juvenile dependency proceedings, restraining orders, and criminal defense. Karren and Mitch discuss what happens when CPS

What happens when private family conflict ends up in court, and when should the government step in? In Part 1 of Disturbing the Peace,” Legal Vixen host and trial attorney Karren Kenney sits down with Orange County attorney Mitchell “Mitch” Krems, founder of Family First Attorneys, to talk about domestic violence restraining orders, family court, CPS investigations, and the unexpected situations lawyers encounter when family disputes make their way into the courtroom. Mitch shares memorable sto

In this episode of the Legal Vixen Podcast, trial attorney Karren Kenney sits down again with retired federal courtroom deputy Lisa Bredahl for more hilarious stories from federal court. After years of working alongside federal judges and managing jury trials, Lisa has seen just about everything, difficult lawyers, unpredictable jurors, unforgettable witnesses, pro se defendants, courtroom meltdowns, and moments when even the court staff struggled to keep a straight face. Lisa shares some of h

What really happens behind the scenes in federal court? Trial attorney Karren Kenney sits down with retired federal and state court clerk Lisa Bredahl for an inside look at a side of the justice system most people, including many lawyers, never get to see. Lisa spent more than three decades working inside state and federal courthouses, including 21 years in federal court. In this episode of the Legal Vixen Podcast, she shares unforgettable stories from her career and explains just how different

What should you do if Child Protective Services (CPS) contacts you? What rights do parents have during a CPS investigation? Can CPS remove your child without warning? In this episode of the Legal Vixen Podcast, host Karren Kenney, a federal criminal defense attorney, sits down with Attorney Lauren Johnson, an experienced California attorney who represents parents and families in Child Protective Services (CPS) and dependency court cases. Together, they discuss how CPS investigations and how they

What is the federal CASA Program, and what does it really take to be accepted? In this episode of Legal Vixen, federal criminal defense attorney Karren Kenney sits down with former client Ernest, who successfully completed the Conviction and Sentence Alternatives (CASA) Program in the Central District of California. After completing the program, Ernest's federal criminal case was dismissed. The CASA Program is one of the most selective federal diversion programs in the country, and very little i