Ryan James Couzens
Former DA helping people defeat criminal charges and avoid charges being filed
Ryan Couzens brings a unique perspective, having spent sixteen years with the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. His deep understanding of what motivates district attorneys and what they need to prove a case is a valuable asset for his clients. During his tenure, he tried 46 jury trials and served as an Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney where he supervised Yolo’s felony trial teams, Case Charging Unit, and Major Crimes Unit, before transitioning into criminal defense.
Ryan’s extensive experience in prosecution gives him a distinct advantage as a criminal defense attorney in Sacramento County and Placer County (Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln). His insight into prosecution strategies is invaluable to his clients, allowing him to craft robust defense tactics. David Cohen of the Cohen Defense Group noted: “Ryan had a reputation in Yolo as a compassionate but tough-as-nails DA who gave his all to every case, working hard, using bold tactics, and checking every detail. He was a fierce and respected prosecutor.” Ryan switched to defense out of passion for helping individuals. He explains, “When you’re a prosecutor, you’re representing the interests of the community at large – the People of the State of California. When you’re defending, you’re representing that person sitting right next to you in court, and only that person. I want to advocate for that person who is in trouble and help them move past it.”
As a third-generation attorney, Ryan views law as a profession dedicated to community service and is committed to improving the justice system. He has a profound commitment to mental health issues, stemming from raising two severely disabled children. His advocacy extends to contributing to the definitive guide for California’s new Mental Health Diversion program. He also authored the Justice Data Accountability and Transparency Act (Penal Code section 13370) and Penal Code Section 741, mandating race-blind charging in criminal cases.
- Criminal Law
- Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
- DUI & DWI
- White Collar Crime
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Free Consultation
I will meet or have a phone call and discuss your case for free before hiring. - Credit Cards Accepted
- California
- State Bar of California
- ID Number: 215818
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- Criminal Defense Attorney
- Couzens Criminal Defense
- - Current
- Criminal Defense Attorney
- Cohen Defense Group
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- Providing criminal defense to people accused of crimes in Placer, Sacramento and Nevada Counties.
- Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney
- Yolo County District Attorney
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- Supervised the trial team supervisors; ran point on legal issues in trials and responded to claims of prosecutor misconduct; wrote policy and two laws for prosecutor transparency and race blind charging. Along with regular assignment, handled small caseload (usually particularly challenging or complicated cases), including multiple jury trials.
- Supervising Deputy District Attorney
- Yolo County District Attorney
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- Manager of the Year 2018. Supervised Charging Team, Conviction Integrity, Data Driven Intervention and Major Crimes; Manager of the Year 2018. Trained Deputy District Attorneys on trial practice and case management.
- Deputy District Attorney
- Yolo County District Attorney
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- Attorney of the Year 2011 and 2016. Worked on hundreds of cases from DUIs, to domestic violence, to drug sales, to homicides; took 46 cases to jury trial as well as multiple court trials. Worked grants for Drugs and Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse. Known as a compassionate prosecutor who used bold tactics and worked hard.
- Litigation Associate
- Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP
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- Worked as litigation associate for construction law, litigation and healthcare divisions.
- Litigation Associate
- Latham & Watkins LLP
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- Worked as a Litigation Associate assisting in the work on teams for clients such as Chevron, the City of San Diego, Charlotte Russe, Crittall Steel, and the National Football League. Learned to conduct legal research and writing from the finest civil law firm in the world. Did work in state and federal courts.
- Judicial Clerk
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District California
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- Reviewed pleadings and filings and conducted legal research to advise the Judge, the Honorable Milton L. Schwartz.
- Judicial Extern Clerk
- California Supreme Court
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- Worked a semester in school reviewing attorney submissions for review by the Supreme Court for Hon. Justice Marvin R. Baxter.
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law
- J.D. (2001) | Law
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- Activities: 1999-2000 Associate Editor, Berkley Technology Law Journal
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- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Law
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- Honors: American Jurisprudence Award for Top Class Grade in Criminal Law and Contracts
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- Univ of Maryland Asian Division
- B.A. (1997) | Information Systems Management
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- Honors: Multiple scholarships for writing; Dean's List
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- Manager of the Year
- Yolo County District Attorney
- Attorney of the Year
- Yolo County District Attorney
- Attorney of the Year
- Yolo County District Attorney
- ABA Pro Bono Challenge
- Latham & Watkins LLP
- ABA Pro Bono Challenge
- Latham & Watkins LLP
- California State Bar # 215818
- Member
- - Current
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- California District Attorneys Association
- Board Member
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- Can I Go To Jail For A Misdemeanor in California?
- Cohen Defense Group
- How Mental Health Diversion Can Help You Avoid Jail Time and Get Treatment
- Cohen Defense Group
- California Penal Code 741 (Crimes: Race Blind Charging)
- California Penal Code
- Penal Code Section 13370 (Justice Data Accountability and Transparency Act)
- California Penal Code
- California Committee on Revision of the Penal Code, Committee Meeting/Webinar, Webinar
- California Committee on Revision of the Penal Code
- Presented on Restorative Justice concepts.
- California Committee on Revision of the Penal Code, Committee Meeting/Webinar, Webinar
- California Committee on Revision of the Penal Code
- Provided testimony on proposed revisions to criminal justice processes and statutes.
