Domestic Violence, Misdemeanor, Criminal Record Cleanup, and Sacramento Cases
angel.sanchez@cohendefense.com
Angel Sanchez is fearless. Skydiving, parasailing, bungee jumping, scuba diving, swimming with sharks – you name it, she’s done it. Courageous and driven in all areas of her life, Angel relishes new experiences and strives to be the best at everything she takes on, including the practice of law. Her ambition serves her clients well. As Angel says, “Criminal defense is my passion. I want to learn everything I can about it and I want to be the absolute best at it. I want to have all the knowledge and tools necessary to be the most effective advocate for my clients.”
With a work ethic that rivals her courage, Angel is a force to be reckoned with. She worked multiple jobs while earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento, and was Vice President of Philanthropy for her Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Graduating a semester early from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Angel received a Juris Doctor with a Certificate of Concentration in Trial and Appellate Advocacy as well as a Public Service Commendation for completing over 150 hours of community service during law school.
Angel graduated from law school in the middle of the pandemic. Because the California State Bar Exam was put on hold, the California Supreme Court implemented a Provisional Licensure Program for 2020 law school graduates. Angel was able to start practicing as a provisionally licensed lawyer just a month after graduating. She was fortunate to begin her career under the mentorship of attorney Michael Wise. In his office, Angel gained invaluable experience handling a wide variety of cases in numerous counties: petty theft, DUI, domestic violence, battery, child endangerment, drug possession, gun cases, and more. She now handles issues at all levels of the litigation process, from pre-charging through expungement and even pardons.
Angel’s desire to help people is what drove her to practice law and is the reason that she works with both paying clients and with indigent defendants who can’t afford to hire a lawyer. As Angel explains, “I think everybody’s entitled to a good defense and I consider it my personal mission to make sure that police officers and District Attorneys are following the law.” That means challenging cases where police are using improper investigation techniques or conducting illegal searches. “The bottom line,” she says, “is that I am here to protect my clients and their rights by holding those who violate their rights accountable.”
Angel prides herself on her ability to find creative resolutions for her clients by thinking outside the box. “I’ve practiced in over 70 percent of the courthouses in Northern California and dealt with a variety of DA’s and judges. That experience is incredibly important when mapping out a game plan for a case because negotiation tactics that I’ve learned in one county may or may not be effective in another county,” she says. “A lot of counties are stuck in their ways, so I think I can offer a fresh perspective or an alternative way to handle some of these cases.”
According to founding member of the Cohen Defense Group, Alison Cohen, “Angel loves the practice of law and doesn’t shy away from a fight. She is extremely organized and efficient, which allows her to optimize the time she spends on her cases. Her dedication to her clients is clear. If you have a battle to fight, you want Angel on your side.”
When she’s not working, Angel enjoys traveling, relaxing, trying new foods, crafting, and going on adventures. She is always taking some sort of class to learn something new. Angel is grateful for her amazing, loving, supportive family who have been with her every step of the way.
Born and raised in Sacramento, Angel became a member of the California State Bar in 2022. Education: Sacramento City College (A.A. Administration of Justice, 2011); California State University – Sacramento (B.S. Criminal Justice, 2015); University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law (J.D., 2020); Cosumnes River College (A.A. Social Science, 2024); Folsom Lake College (A.A. Law, Public Policy and Society, 2024); Sacramento City College (Legal Studies Certificate, 2024). Member: Placer County Bar Association, Criminal Section; Sacramento County Bar Association, Criminal Section; California Attorneys for Criminal Defense; California Public Defender’s Association.