Our Mission Statement
Our goal is to end the perpetual cycle of recidivism by rehabilitating misdemeanor offenders through teaching personal responsibility and helping our clients develop the skills required to move forward as productive, law abiding citizens.
THAT IS FORWARD PROGRESS
DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM
Sheari Taylor earned a BA in Human Development at the University of California, Riverside, and attained a MA in Education Administration at Azusa Pacific University. She is a Certified Educational Consultant and has designed the Forward Progress curriculum specifically for adult learners. Sheari advanced to the top of her profession in education quickly. Her strongest ability is relating to people. Her warm, but professional demeanor, toward her clients increases their willingness to learn strategies that will help them avoid the trap of recidivism.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Los Angeles County for 12 years
In November of 1997, Joe became a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles. Joe served as a prosecutor in the Long Beach, Norwalk, San Fernando, Van Nuys, Santa Monica (now Airport), Bellflower, Downey, Whittier, Huntington Park, East Los Angeles, El Monte, Alhambra, Santa Clarita, and Eastlake courthouses.
During his twelve years as a prosecutor, Joe tried sixty-six felony jury trials including seven homicides, seven attempted murders, and multiple robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, child molestation, sexual assault, domestic violence, witness intimidation, gang enhancement, firearms enhancement, three strikes, burglary, theft, felony driving under the influence, drug possession, and manufacture and sales trials. In addition, Joe tried numerous misdemeanor cases including driving under the influence and domestic violence, and conducted countless juvenile adjudications and preliminary hearings.
Joe is regarded as an elite criminal defense attorney since leaving the District Attorney’s Office to pursue private practice in October of 2008. Joe is a creative and critical thinker with a comforting bed-side manner who utilizes his knowledge of the prosecutor’s job, his trial skills, and his professional relationships to achieve the best possible result for his clients.
As a defense attorney, Joe has obtained several dismissals and reductions for his clients, and Joe’s peers often seek his advice on legal issues and jury trial tactics. Attorney Weimortz has recently been included in the list of California Super Lawyers® for 2014, an honor given to less than 5% of lawyers throughout the state.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Los Angeles County For 14 Years
Anthony continued his legal career by serving the Los Angeles community as a Deputy District Attorney. Hired by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in February of 1995, he held that position with distinction until October 15, 2008. During this 14-year span, Anthony handled thousands of criminal cases and worked throughout the County in numerous courthouses such as Torrance, Long Beach, Inglewood, LAX, Inglewood Juvenile, and the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles (now the Clara Shortridge Foltz Justice Center). He also served in special assignments in the City of Lakewood and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Newton Division.
As an expert in gang prosecutions, Anthony lectured on a number of criminal law topics before distinguished groups. Anthony trained other Deputy District Attorney’s on the prosecution of gang related cases and the application of the S.T.E.P. Act, Penal Code section 186.22. He lectured at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Star Academy before law enforcement officers from numerous police agencies on Miranda Rights and their legal obligation to advise suspects who are under arrest. Anthony gave a seminar to the Los Angles District Attorney’s Office on the filing of murder charges and what evidence is needed before undergoing the prosecution of a homicide case. Further, he participated as a panel member in a seminar for L.A.P.D. detectives on the sufficiency of evidence required in filing gang related charges and the pit falls of an incomplete investigation.
On October 15, 2008, Anthony left the District Attorney’s Office to start his own law firm. As counsel for the defense, Anthony handled dozens of cases in addition to trying his 26th murder trial, a special circumstances double homicide. Using his experience as a prosecutor and talent as a trial lawyer, he consistently obtains the highest possible results for his clients, including the dismissal of numerous criminal cases. The hallmarks of Anthony’s success are his detailed analysis of the evidence and passionate and powerfully reasoned arguments. He combines those skills with his sharp cross-examination and thorough motion work to protect the rights of the accused and achieve exceptional results for his clients.