Indexed from official State Bar of California records · Identity verification · Updated regularly

The RegistryPractice Area · Statewide

Find Criminal Defense Attorneys in California

Counsel for the accused: from arraignment through trial and record clearance. This is the statewide record for criminal defense in California: every attorney on the State Bar of California's official roll whose published practice reaches this area, shown in neutral directory order.

Californians search this field under many names · criminal defense lawyer, criminal defense attorney, criminal lawyer, felony defense lawyer, misdemeanor attorney · and the registry answers all of them from the same source. Below: the governing deadline with its citation, what to weigh as you read the record, the questions Californians ask with the code sections that answer them, and criminal defense coverage county by county, from Del Norte to San Diego.

The clock & the craft

Statute of limitations

Most misdemeanors: one year to charge; most felonies: three years.

Cal. Penal Code §§ 799–802

Charging deadlines scale with the offense: crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment, and embezzlement of public money, may be prosecuted at any time (Cal. Penal Code § 799). After arrest, arraignment must generally occur within 48 hours (Cal. Penal Code § 825).

Reading the roster

For criminal charges, the useful questions are concrete: how often the attorney appears in the specific courthouse where your case is set, their experience with the charged offense, who will actually stand up in court with you, and how fees are structured (criminal defense is typically flat-fee by stage of case). Move fast: early representation matters at arraignment and bail, and pre-filing intervention can sometimes shape charging decisions.

Criminal Defense · statewide roster

15,323 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list criminal defense among their practice areas, with an address of record in 58 of California's 58 counties.

14,708 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.

The largest county rosters are Los Angeles (4,211), San Diego (1,531), Orange (1,271), San Francisco (1,043) and Sacramento (794).

294 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation, a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.

For 601, the registry records a language other than English, almost always from a firm website published in that language; that describes the website, not an attorney's own ability.

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In the last 30 days attorneys have read 11 filed matters on the registry.

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Legal information, not legal advice

Criminal Defense matters in California

The matters this field covers, as Californians search for them. Each attorney's own profile states which of these they take.

  • felony charges
  • misdemeanor charges
  • drug possession and sales charges
  • theft, burglary and robbery charges
  • assault and battery charges
  • weapons and gun charges
  • domestic violence charges
  • homicide and murder charges
  • sex crime charges
  • fraud and white-collar charges
  • gang-related charges
  • arson charges
  • warrants and bail
  • probation violations
  • expungement and record sealing
  • juvenile matters

Criminal Defense questions, cited

How long can California wait to file criminal charges?

It depends on the offense. Most misdemeanors must be charged within one year (Cal. Penal Code § 802) and most felonies within three years (Cal. Penal Code § 801). Offenses punishable by eight or more years run six years (§ 800), and crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment have no limitations period (§ 799). Certain sex offenses and fraud offenses follow special discovery-based rules.

What happens at an arraignment in California?

The court formally states the charges, advises you of your rights, takes your plea, and addresses release, bail, own-recognizance release, or conditions. Cal. Penal Code § 825 requires that a person in custody be arraigned within 48 hours of arrest, excluding Sundays and holidays. It is also where counsel is appointed for defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

Can I get a conviction expunged in California?

Many convictions can be dismissed under Cal. Penal Code § 1203.4 after probation ends: the plea is withdrawn and the case dismissed, though the conviction still counts for some purposes (licensing disclosures, priors). Since 2023, Cal. Penal Code § 1203.425 also provides automatic record relief for many older non-serious convictions, and arrest records that ended without conviction can be sealed under § 851.91.

Do I have to talk to police if I am being investigated?

No. The Fifth Amendment and California law let you decline to answer questions, and anything volunteered can be used against you. You may state that you are exercising your right to remain silent and want an attorney; questioning of a person in custody must then stop under Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436. Providing identification during a lawful stop is a separate, narrower obligation.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in California?

Chiefly the maximum punishment: misdemeanors carry up to a year in county jail (Cal. Penal Code § 19), while felonies are punishable by imprisonment (Cal. Penal Code § 17). Many offenses are "wobblers" that can be charged or later reduced either way under Penal Code § 17(b), a frequent target of defense motions, since reduction restores rights and narrows collateral consequences.

Legal information, not legal advice.

From the registry's blog

Criminal Defense Lawyer in California: What the Law SaysLearn what California criminal law covers, the rights guaranteed to the accused, and where the public roll shows who is licensed to practice.How Felony Charges Work in California and What Defense Lawyers DoWhat a felony defense lawyer handles in California: how felonies are classified, the stages of a case, plea options, and where the law sets deadlines and rights.California DUI Charges: What Happens and What to DoA plain-English guide to California DUI charges: the DMV hearing, criminal court, penalties, and the statutes that govern a first arrest and beyond.

From the answer files

Can I get a conviction expunged in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1203.4How long does California have to file criminal charges?Cal. Penal Code §§ 799–802How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in California?Cal. Penal Code § 987What are the stages of a California criminal case?Cal. Penal Code § 859bWhat should I do about a warrant for my arrest in California?Cal. Penal Code § 978.5How does bail work in California?In re Humphrey (2021) 11 Cal.5th 135How quickly must a criminal trial start in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1382How do plea bargains work in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1192.5What shows up on a background check in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1786.18Can police search my phone or car without a warrant in California?Riley v. California (2014) 573 U.S. 373How do I choose a criminal defense attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148

Criminal Defense in all 58 counties

Criminal Defense in Los Angeles CountySeat: Los AngelesCriminal Defense in San Diego CountySeat: San DiegoCriminal Defense in San Francisco CountySeat: San FranciscoCriminal Defense in Alameda CountySeat: OaklandCriminal Defense in Santa Clara CountySeat: San JoseCriminal Defense in Sonoma CountySeat: Santa RosaCriminal Defense in Humboldt CountySeat: EurekaCriminal Defense in Shasta CountySeat: ReddingCriminal Defense in Sacramento CountySeat: SacramentoCriminal Defense in Yolo CountySeat: WoodlandCriminal Defense in Monterey CountySeat: SalinasCriminal Defense in Santa Barbara CountySeat: Santa BarbaraCriminal Defense in Fresno CountySeat: FresnoCriminal Defense in Kern CountySeat: BakersfieldCriminal Defense in El Dorado CountySeat: PlacervilleCriminal Defense in Riverside CountySeat: RiversideCriminal Defense in San Bernardino CountySeat: San BernardinoCriminal Defense in Orange CountySeat: Santa AnaCriminal Defense in San Joaquin CountySeat: StocktonCriminal Defense in Stanislaus CountySeat: ModestoCriminal Defense in Ventura CountySeat: VenturaCriminal Defense in Tulare CountySeat: VisaliaCriminal Defense in San Luis Obispo CountySeat: San Luis ObispoCriminal Defense in Alpine CountySeat: MarkleevilleCriminal Defense in Amador CountySeat: JacksonCriminal Defense in Butte CountySeat: OrovilleCriminal Defense in Calaveras CountySeat: San AndreasCriminal Defense in Colusa CountySeat: ColusaCriminal Defense in Contra Costa CountySeat: MartinezCriminal Defense in Del Norte CountySeat: Crescent CityCriminal Defense in Glenn CountySeat: WillowsCriminal Defense in Imperial CountySeat: El CentroCriminal Defense in Inyo CountySeat: IndependenceCriminal Defense in Kings CountySeat: HanfordCriminal Defense in Lake CountySeat: LakeportCriminal Defense in Lassen CountySeat: SusanvilleCriminal Defense in Madera CountySeat: MaderaCriminal Defense in Marin CountySeat: San RafaelCriminal Defense in Mariposa CountySeat: MariposaCriminal Defense in Mendocino CountySeat: UkiahCriminal Defense in Merced CountySeat: MercedCriminal Defense in Modoc CountySeat: AlturasCriminal Defense in Mono CountySeat: BridgeportCriminal Defense in Napa CountySeat: NapaCriminal Defense in Nevada CountySeat: Nevada CityCriminal Defense in Placer CountySeat: AuburnCriminal Defense in Plumas CountySeat: QuincyCriminal Defense in San Benito CountySeat: HollisterCriminal Defense in San Mateo CountySeat: Redwood CityCriminal Defense in Santa Cruz CountySeat: Santa CruzCriminal Defense in Sierra CountySeat: DownievilleCriminal Defense in Siskiyou CountySeat: YrekaCriminal Defense in Solano CountySeat: FairfieldCriminal Defense in Sutter CountySeat: Yuba CityCriminal Defense in Tehama CountySeat: Red BluffCriminal Defense in Trinity CountySeat: WeavervilleCriminal Defense in Tuolumne CountySeat: SonoraCriminal Defense in Yuba CountySeat: Marysville

Criminal Defense by city

Criminal Defense in Los AngelesLos Angeles County · Los AngelesCriminal Defense in Long BeachLos Angeles County · Los AngelesCriminal Defense in PasadenaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesCriminal Defense in Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesCriminal Defense in San DiegoSan Diego County · San DiegoCriminal Defense in Chula VistaSan Diego County · San DiegoCriminal Defense in San FranciscoSan Francisco County · Bay AreaCriminal Defense in OaklandAlameda County · Bay AreaCriminal Defense in San JoseSanta Clara County · Bay AreaCriminal Defense in Santa RosaSonoma County · North CoastCriminal Defense in EurekaHumboldt County · North CoastCriminal Defense in ReddingShasta County · Shasta CascadeCriminal Defense in SacramentoSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyCriminal Defense in DavisYolo County · Sacramento ValleyCriminal Defense in FolsomSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyCriminal Defense in SalinasMonterey County · Central CoastCriminal Defense in Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County · Central CoastCriminal Defense in FresnoFresno County · San Joaquin ValleyCriminal Defense in BakersfieldKern County · San Joaquin ValleyCriminal Defense in South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County · SierraCriminal Defense in RiversideRiverside County · Inland EmpireCriminal Defense in San BernardinoSan Bernardino County · Inland EmpireCriminal Defense in IrvineOrange County · Orange CountyCriminal Defense in AnaheimOrange County · Orange CountyCriminal Defense in Santa AnaOrange County · Orange CountyCriminal Defense in Palm SpringsRiverside County · DesertCriminal Defense in StocktonSan Joaquin County · San Joaquin ValleyCriminal Defense in ModestoStanislaus County · San Joaquin ValleyCriminal Defense in OxnardVentura County · Central CoastCriminal Defense in FremontAlameda County · Bay AreaCriminal Defense in VisaliaTulare County · San Joaquin ValleyCriminal Defense in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

Adjacent shelves of the law

DUI DefenseCal. Veh. Code § 13353.2Civil Rights42 U.S.C. § 1983 / Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1Immigration8 C.F.R. § 1003.38

Full Criminal Defense rosters, by surname

Abdurrahim – Grossman · Alameda County218 attorneysGuneratne – Nikaein · Alameda County218 attorneysNoonan – Zukor · Alameda County217 attorneysAbea – Katz · Contra Costa County163 attorneysKessler – Zelis · Contra Costa County163 attorneysAbel – Kim · Fresno County176 attorneysKinder – Yoo · Fresno County176 attorneysAdelson – Zerbib · Kern County187 attorneysAbdo – Bagdasaryan · Los Angeles County209 attorneysBaghram – Bousaeed · Los Angeles County202 attorneysBouyer – Cavalluzzi · Los Angeles County207 attorneysCazares – Croomes · Los Angeles County201 attorneysCross – Eisen · Los Angeles County203 attorneysEisner – Galindez · Los Angeles County202 attorneysGallardo – Greenfield · Los Angeles County203 attorneysGreenhalgh – Holbrook · Los Angeles County207 attorneysHolder – Karey · Los Angeles County205 attorneysKarkanen – Lakobrija · Los Angeles County203 attorneysLakshmi – Luna · Los Angeles County203 attorneysLungu – Melnick · Los Angeles County203 attorneysMelnik – Neptune · Los Angeles County199 attorneysNerenberg – Pereyra · Los Angeles County204 attorneysPerez – Rinaldi · Los Angeles County206 attorneysRingold – Sarkissian · Los Angeles County205 attorneysSarmiento – Solomon · Los Angeles County206 attorneysSolouki – Thompson · Los Angeles County206 attorneysThornton – Weingrow · Los Angeles County199 attorneysWeinrauch – Zweiback · Los Angeles County204 attorneysAbriel – York · Marin County138 attorneysAnderson – Wouden · Monterey County137 attorneysAbbes – Clark · Orange County205 attorneysCoggins – Gomez · Orange County207 attorneysGonzales – Kung · Orange County204 attorneysKurdi – Nguyen · Orange County205 attorneysNguyenmcdonald – Skyhar · Orange County195 attorneysSmith – Zoellner · Orange County202 attorneysAbuluyan – Zubeideh · Placer County138 attorneysAcuna – Gray · Riverside County204 attorneysGrech – Olson · Riverside County203 attorneysOmeara – Zois · Riverside County204 attorneysAbdullah – Dorfman · Sacramento County191 attorneysDratman – Leal · Sacramento County189 attorneysLebel – Richter · Sacramento County189 attorneysRiedel – Zur · Sacramento County189 attorneysAblard – Leal · San Bernardino County238 attorneysLee – Zelaya · San Bernardino County236 attorneysAbuzaid – Carbajal · San Diego County208 attorneysCarberry – Forteza · San Diego County209 attorneysFoster – Itzhaki · San Diego County210 attorneysIvers – Mcelwaineleto · San Diego County207 attorneysMceuen – Ramirez · San Diego County217 attorneysRamos – Spitzberg · San Diego County206 attorneysSpradley – Zunigahuizar · San Diego County209 attorneysAbel – Davis · San Francisco County206 attorneysDawson – Howard · San Francisco County196 attorneysHuang – Michaels · San Francisco County203 attorneysMickels – Schwartz · San Francisco County199 attorneysScoble – Zwerin · San Francisco County206 attorneysAlcaraz – Zendejas · San Joaquin County192 attorneysAguayo – Wolcott · San Luis Obispo County104 attorneysAaron – Zelinger · San Mateo County193 attorneysAjaman – Zens · Santa Barbara County176 attorneysAbdelrahman – Gonzalez · Santa Clara County203 attorneysGood – Nordstrom · Santa Clara County203 attorneysObilor – Zayas · Santa Clara County199 attorneysAlejandre – Ziebron · Santa Cruz County119 attorneysAfzali – Ycasas · Solano County126 attorneysAbrica – Zelig · Sonoma County194 attorneysAlegre – Zientek · Stanislaus County138 attorneysAcosta – Zieglerlopez · Tulare County109 attorneysAcosta – Zohrab · Ventura County284 attorneys

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279,000+ attorney records · 58 counties · Official State Bar records