Juvenile Defense
danielle.nygren@cohendefense.com
Danielle Nygren isn’t afraid to take on the justice system on behalf of her clients. She’s done everything from seeking exoneration from the California Supreme Court to pursuing a presidential pardon from the White House. She worked on informant issues arising from the infamous Orange County jail snitch program, and successfully overturned the deportation of a U.S. Army veteran. Committed to protecting people’s rights, Danielle says, “What motivates me to work so hard is feeling like I am someone’s advocate, their warrior – trained, informed, and ready to go to battle for them. The constitution allows us to go up against the government to protect and defend our clients’ rights. That is a powerful thing.”
One of our primary juvenile delinquency lawyers, Danielle devotes herself to defending children charged with crimes. Children can be charged with all levels of crime, including sex offenses, DUI’s, and serious felonies. They may be experiencing drug addiction, mental illness, or homelessness. The skills Danielle has honed working with adults in criminal court make her exceptionally well-qualified to handle the multiple issues raised when a child is accused of breaking the law.
Before moving to our juvenile team, Danielle worked with family situations in domestic violence court. She had tremendous success representing clients in pre-charging situations where the client sought her help immediately after arrest. Danielle convinced District Attorneys in multiple cases, in multiple counties, not to file charges, saving her clients time, money, and the stress of having to appear in court.
In our felony unit, Danielle’s hard work and dedication secured life-changing results for her clients. Through a tough litigation process, Danielle was able to knock 30 years off one client’s sentence and expedite his parole eligibility. She kept another client out of prison altogether and prevented her from having to register as a sex offender. Danielle has a track record of getting felony charges reduced to misdemeanors by successfully litigating preliminary hearings. According to David Cohen, a founding partner of the Cohen Defense Group, “Danielle has a high level of dedication to criminal justice work and, more importantly, Danielle is a winner. She has proven herself to be a strong advocate for our clients.”
Danielle is driven to help people. She graduated from the U.C. Irvine School of Law with High Honors for working more volunteer hours than anyone else in her class. During her time in law school, she put in over 400 volunteer hours at Public Defender’s offices throughout Southern California. “The most satisfying part of the job is working closely with my clients to get the desired result, whether that is through trying the case, negotiating a resolution, or convincing the DA to decline charges.”
Danielle’s experience and desire to help make her an excellent fit for juvenile court. Her young clients know that she is on their side and will communicate their needs to the court, helping to minimize long-term consequences so that they can move forward in a positive way. “I prioritize making sure my clients feel heard. I am honored to be their voice in the courtroom or to amplify theirs when appropriate. In a system that can be overwhelming and confusing it is important to me that my clients understand the process, their rights, and their options. I enjoy being able to provide long term support and continue to speak up for them as they navigate probation.”
When she is not working, Danielle enjoys being a mom, listening to music, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Danielle was born in Fair Oaks and raised in El Dorado Hills and Folsom. She became a member of the state bar in 2018. Education: University of California, Irvine, CA (B.A. Social Ecology 2014); University of California School of Law, Irvine, CA (J.D., 2018). Member: State Bar of California, Placer County Bar Association, Pacific Juvenile Defender Center.
Danielle’s Results
Danielle’s Recent Posts
- What Should I Do If My Child is Arrested?
- When Can a Juvenile Be Tried as an Adult in California?
- What You Need to Know About Having Juvenile Records Sealed
- Can a Juvenile be Questioned by Police Without a Parent Present in California?
Danielle’s Press
Veteran Who Was Deported to Mexico Returns Home to the U.S.
Army Veteran, Deported to Mexico Under Obaba, Reunites With Family in Azusa