Best Criminal Lawyers in California

Facing criminal charges in California can be an overwhelming and life-altering experience. Individuals accused of offenses ranging from assault and theft to drug crimes and other misdemeanors or felonies often encounter significant challenges including potential jail time, substantial fines, and the lasting impact of a permanent criminal record. The emotional stress of navigating the complex California legal system while facing prosecution can affect every aspect of a person's life, from employment opportunities to personal relationships and future prospects.

The best criminal lawyers in California provide essential legal guidance throughout every stage of the criminal justice process. Experienced California criminal lawyers thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding charges, analyze evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and develop strategic defense approaches tailored to each client's unique situation. These legal professionals negotiate with prosecutors, protect their clients' constitutional rights, and work diligently to achieve favorable outcomes whether through case dismissal, reduced charges, or trial representation. Those facing criminal allegations are encouraged to connect with a qualified criminal defense attorney to discuss their case and explore available legal options.

Criminal Law Attorneys in California

Nafiz M Ahmed
Nafiz M Ahmed Verified Attorney
Criminal Law DUI Lawyer Traffic Ticket Sex Crime Domestic Violence Federal Crimes White Collar Crimes DUI Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +17 more
San Jose, California Accepting Clients

Nafiz M. Ahmed focuses on criminal matters in San Jose, CA, with attention to case preparation, defense, and court proceedings.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Peter Blair
Peter Blair Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Domestic Violence DUI Lawyer Federal Crimes Sex Crime Traffic Ticket White Collar Crimes DUI Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +17 more
San Diego, California Accepting Clients

Peter Blair's San Diego, CA practice covers criminal law matters, with emphasis on charges, defense strategy, and court proceedings.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Paul J. Wallin, Esq.
Paul J. Wallin, Esq. Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Family Law Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime +15 more
Anaheim, California 40+ yrs Accepting Clients

Founding partner of Wallin & Klarich, representing clients in criminal matters throughout Southern California for more than 40 years.

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James Dunn
James Dunn Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
San Jose, California 38+ yrs Accepting Clients

Senior trial attorney and criminal defense/DUI lawyer in San Jose who won the landmark Brenner v. DMV breathalyzer decision.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Matt A. Sullivan, Esq.
Matt A. Sullivan, Esq. Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
San Francisco, California 15+ yrs Accepting Clients

Owner of the Law Office of Matt Sullivan, a San Francisco criminal defense attorney and former deputy public defender.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
George H. Ramos, Jr.
George H. Ramos, Jr. Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +14 more
San Diego, California 32+ yrs Accepting Clients

George H. Ramos, Jr. is a criminal defense attorney serving clients in San Diego, California.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Leah Naparstek
Leah Naparstek Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
Long Beach, California 18+ yrs Accepting Clients

Leah Naparstek is a criminal defense attorney representing clients in Long Beach, California.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
William V. Pernik
William V. Pernik Verified Attorney
Lawyer at Pernik Law, APC
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
Salinas, California 20+ yrs Accepting Clients

William V. Pernik is a criminal defense attorney at Pernik Law, APC in Salinas, California.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Douglas Borthwick
Douglas Borthwick Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Adoption Alimony Assault Battery Divorce Law Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Estate Planning Family Law Fathers’ Rights Grandparents’ Rights Guardianship Harassment Law Juvenile Law Mothers’ Rights Paternity Property Dispute Property Division Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime Visitation Rights White Collar Crimes +28 more
Rancho Cucamonga, California 35+ yrs Accepting Clients

Douglas Borthwick is a criminal defense attorney serving clients in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Alan Eisner
Alan Eisner Verified Attorney
Lawyer at Eisner Gorin LLP
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
Los Angeles, California 32+ yrs Accepting Clients

Alan Eisner is a Criminal Law attorney at Eisner Gorin LLP in Los Angeles, California, representing clients facing criminal charges.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Maxwell J. Wright, Esq.
Maxwell J. Wright, Esq. Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
Encino, California 12+ yrs Accepting Clients

Encino criminal defense attorney with over 12 years of Los Angeles courtroom experience, including public defender service.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Jacob Glucksman
Jacob Glucksman Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
Beverly Hills, California 20+ yrs Accepting Clients

Jacob Glucksman is a Criminal Law attorney in Beverly Hills, California, representing clients facing criminal charges.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Michael McKneely
Michael McKneely Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +14 more
Fresno, California 25+ yrs Accepting Clients

Michael McKneely is a Criminal Defense Lawyer serving clients throughout Fresno, California.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
David S. Chesley
David S. Chesley Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Assault Battery Domestic Violence Drug Crime DUI DWI Harassment Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket Violent Crime White Collar Crimes +15 more
Anaheim, California 50+ yrs Accepting Clients

Criminal defense attorney serving clients in Anaheim, California.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Mario S. Zapata
Mario S. Zapata Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Asylum Citizenship And Naturalization Employment Immigration Family Immigration Fiancé Visa Green Card Immigration Appeals Investor Visa Marriage Visa Spouse Visa Student Visa U Visa Visa Application Visitor Visa Work Visa +15 more
Anaheim, California 11+ yrs Accepting Clients

Anaheim immigration attorney with 9 years of experience helping clients with deportation defense and immigration matters.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
R. Christian Scott
R. Christian Scott Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Car Accident DUI Lawyer Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Slip and Fall Truck Accident Workers Compensation Wrongful Death Divorce Law Child Custody Child Support Property Division Sex Crime Domestic Violence Brain Injury Dog Bite Uber Accident Hit and Run Accident Bus Accident Bicycle Accident Train Accident Pedestrian Accident Boat Accident Construction Accident Nursing Home Abuse Lyft Accident Spinal Cord Injury Alimony Property Dispute Visitation Rights Fathers’ Rights Mothers’ Rights Grandparents’ Rights Adoption Guardianship Paternity +36 more
Salinas, California Accepting Clients

The Salinas, CA profile for R. Christian Scott highlights family law matters, including custody, support, divorce, and family disputes.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Tsion Chudnovsky
Tsion Chudnovsky Verified Attorney
Lawyer at Chudnovsky Law
Criminal Law DUI Lawyer Traffic Ticket Sex Crime Domestic Violence Federal Crimes White Collar Crimes DUI Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +17 more
Los Angeles, California Accepting Clients

For criminal matters in Los Angeles, CA, Tsion Chudnovsky's practice addresses case preparation, defense, and court proceedings.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Jeremy E. Karpel
Jeremy E. Karpel Verified Attorney
Lawyer at Karpel law group
Criminal Law DUI Lawyer Traffic Ticket Sex Crime Domestic Violence Federal Crimes DUI White Collar Crimes Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +17 more
Encino, California Accepting Clients

Jeremy E. Karpel's Encino, CA practice is focused on criminal law concerns, including charges, evidence, and defense planning.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Richard S. Sterger
Richard S. Sterger Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Domestic Violence DUI Lawyer Hit and Run Accident Immigration Law Juvenile Law Robbery Sex Crime Theft Crime Violent Crime White Collar Crimes DUI Traffic Ticket Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery +18 more
Escondido, California Accepting Clients

For criminal defense matters in Escondido, CA, Richard S. Sterger's practice addresses investigations, charges, and case strategy.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
William S Kroger
William S Kroger Verified Attorney
Lawyer at Kroger Law Group
Criminal Law DUI Lawyer Sex Crime Domestic Violence Federal Crimes White Collar Crimes DUI Traffic Ticket Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +17 more
Beverly Hills, California Accepting Clients

William S. Kroger's practice in Beverly Hills, CA centers on criminal cases, including defense options, court issues, and legal strategy.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Jonathan Reza
Jonathan Reza Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Domestic Violence DUI Lawyer Hit and Run Accident Sex Crime White Collar Crimes DUI Traffic Ticket Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +17 more
Anaheim, California Accepting Clients

Jonathan Reza handles criminal law concerns in Anaheim, CA, including matters related to charges, evidence, and defense planning.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Steven Harold Haney
Steven Harold Haney Verified Attorney
Lawyer at Haney & Shah LLP
Criminal Law Employment Law Estate Planning Intellectual Property Motorcycle Accident Real Estate Law Civil Law White Collar Crimes Pedestrian Accident Premises Liability Trademark Law Patent Law Entertainment Law General Counsel Startup Business Formation Business Litigation Merger And Acquisition Business Financing Business Transactions Business Contracts Contract Drafting Business Disputes Breach of Contract +23 more
Los Angeles, California Accepting Clients

Steven Harold Haney's practice in Los Angeles, CA centers on business law matters, including contracts, transactions, and commercial disputes.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Bobby Shamuilian
Bobby Shamuilian Verified Attorney
Criminal Law Adoption Domestic Violence Drug Crime Drunk Driving Accident DUI Family Law Federal Crimes Hit and Run Accident Personal Injury Robbery Sex Crime Sexual Harassment Theft Crime Traffic Ticket White Collar Crimes Workers Compensation Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Assault Battery Violent Crime +22 more
Rancho Cucamonga, California 17+ yrs Accepting Clients

The Rancho Cucamonga, CA profile for Bobby Shamuilian highlights criminal law concerns, including charges, evidence, and defense planning.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Silva Laura Megerditchian
Silva Laura Megerditchian Verified Attorney
Lawyer at SLM Law, APC
Criminal Law DUI Lawyer Traffic Ticket Sex Crime Domestic Violence White Collar Crimes DUI Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +16 more
Beverly Hills, California Accepting Clients

Silva Laura Megerditchian handles matters in Beverly Hills, CA involving criminal defense matters, including investigations, charges, and case strategy.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments
Vikas Bajaj
Vikas Bajaj Verified Attorney
Criminal Law DUI Lawyer Traffic Ticket Sex Crime Domestic Violence Federal Crimes White Collar Crimes Hit and Run Accident DUI Juvenile Law Harassment Law DWI Drug Crime Sexual Harassment Assault Battery Violent Crime Theft Crime Robbery +18 more
San Diego, California Accepting Clients

This San Diego, CA profile highlights Vikas Bajaj's focus on criminal matters and case preparation, defense, and court proceedings.

Free Consultation Virtual Appointments

Frequently Asked Questions


You can find a criminal defense lawyer in California by comparing attorneys who handle charges, investigations, court appearances, plea discussions, and criminal defense matters in state or local courts.
Contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you are arrested, charged, questioned by police, served with court papers, or believe you are under investigation.
Criminal defense lawyers may handle misdemeanors, felonies, DUI, drug charges, assault, theft, domestic violence allegations, probation issues, and other criminal law matters.
Anyone accused of a crime, contacted by investigators, facing charges, or needing help with court procedures may need a criminal defense lawyer in California.
Important evidence may include police reports, body camera footage, witness statements, text messages, photos, court documents, surveillance video, phone records, and communication with law enforcement.
Yes. FindTheLawyers can help you compare criminal defense lawyers in California by reviewing attorney profiles, practice areas, and location details in one directory.
Ask about criminal defense experience, similar cases, possible defense strategies, communication, court timelines, fees, and what documents or details you should bring.
FindTheLawyers helps users search for California criminal defense lawyers, compare attorney profiles, and find legal professionals who may handle criminal law matters.