Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Berkeley

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Criminal Defense Attorneys FAQs

Last updated: October 1, 2022

Arguedas,Cassman, Headley & Goldman LLP.

803 Hearst Avenue,, Berkeley, CA 94710

Founded in 1982, Arguedas, Cassman, Headley & Goldman LLP is a legal practice that protects the constitutional rights of individuals facing felony and misdemeanor charges. The criminal defense attorneys in Berkeley handle a wide range of cases, including high-profile murder and manslaughter. It also has experience with assault, battery, domestic violence, sex offenses, narcotics possession, driving under the influence, and white-collar crimes, such as fraud, antitrust violations, and insider trading. Services are available in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Elizabeth Grossman & Peter Orth

1010 Grayson Street, Suite 1, Berkeley, CA 94710

Elizabeth Grossman & Peter Orth is a criminal defense practice with over 38 years' experience representing adults and juveniles in criminal courts. The criminal lawyer in Berkeley has experience handling drug offenses, violent crimes, DUI, vehicle-related offenses, sexual assault, theft, and fraud. Its team also helps clients with bail reductions and property bonds, DMV hearings, early termination, modifications of probation, record clearing, and expungement. The firm also provides services for university and high school disciplinary matters.

Kasowitz Benson Torres

101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Kasowitz Benson Torres is a criminal defense firm near Berkeley that focuses on commercial litigation. Its large legal team has experience handling a wide range of government and internal white-collar criminal investigations. The legal group takes cases involving insider trading, misappropriation of trade secrets, securities fraud, falsifying records, bribery, conspiracy, misapplication of public funds, and criminal anti-pollution statue violations. Other practice areas include bankruptcy representation and restructuring and high-conflict family law matters.

Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP

633 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP is a general legal firm in the Berkeley area representing individuals and businesses facing white-collar criminal investigations and charges. Its full team of attorneys has experience with cases involving big-rigging, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and all types of fraud, such as bank, stock, and mortgage. The practice also handles appeals after a conviction. Other areas of representation include antitrust, professional liability, and consumer and class action lawsuit defense.

Laura Robinson Law

6114 La Salle Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611

Laura Robinson Law is an Oakland-based criminal defense law firm that represents clients in Berkeley. Criminal defense attorney Laura Robinson has experience in handling various criminal cases, including DUI, theft, murder, drug possession, and sex crimes. Apart from this, Robinson also handles white collar crimes covering forgery, bribery, wire fraud, and money laundering. She has won numerous acquittals on cases of kidnapping, arson, rape, and possession offenses throughout her more than 30 years in practice.

Law Offices of David B. Porter

456 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104

Law Offices of David B. Porter has over 25 years' experience representing clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies. The criminal lawyer near Berkeley handles white-collar crimes, including money laundering, tax evasion, reporting violations, conspiracy, forfeiture, obstruction of justice, mail, wire, bank, and insurance fraud. Attorney David B. Porter is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, Section of Taxation. Other practice areas include business law and tax and estate planning.

Law Offices of James Phillip Vaughns

6114 La Salle Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611

Law Offices of James Phillip Vaughns is a full-service law firm that represents individuals charged with felony, misdemeanor, state, and federal charges. The criminal lawyer near Berkeley has experience with a wide range of cases, including driving while intoxicated, drug offenses, assault, sex crimes, and theft. Attorney James Phillip Vaughns is a former Alameda County District Attorney and an NFLPA certified contract advisor that also handles immigration law and entertainment industry services.

Paine Criminal Defense PC

1024 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Paine Criminal Defense PC is a legal firm that represents individuals charged with felonies and misdemeanors in the Berkeley area. Its attorney handles a wide range of crimes, including assault, sex offenses, theft, and drug possession. The law practice's team collects evidence, works with private investigators, hires skilled experts to review forensic evidence, and builds a strong case. Services are available in English and Spanish. Autumn Paine is a member of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.

Ramsey & Ehrlich LLP

803 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710

Ramsey & Ehrlich LLP is a premier boutique firm that focuses on providing streamlined defense strategies for individuals and companies facing complex white-collar crimes across the country. This criminal justice attorneys in Berkeley handle claims involving securities and insider trading, trade secret theft, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Ramsey & Ehrlich LLP also take general criminal defense cases, such as property offenses, narcotics charges, and drug and alcohol-related matters.

Sayad & Biren, PC

456 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104

Founded in 1983, Sayad & Biren PC is a legal practice near Berkeley that provides defense services for individuals and companies charged with white-collar crimes. Its attorneys handle a variety of charges, including money laundering, extortion, forgery, embezzlement, insider stock trading, identity theft, and tax, mail, credit card, health care, and banking fraud. The firm also represents clients facing grand jury investigations. Other practice areas include employment and discrimination law and alternative dispute resolution services.

The Law Offices of Naomi Chung

Pier 9 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111

The Law Offices of Naomi Chung is a legal practice that focuses on representing individuals and organizational clients. Its criminal justice attorney near Berkeley handles state and federal charges involving drugs, assault, sex offenses, conspiracies, cyber crimes, immigration violations, conspiracies, fraud, and other white-collar cases. She also represents clients before charges are filed. The Law Offices of Naomi Chung works to get defendants the most favorable outcome, including getting charges reduced or dismissed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are legal fees for criminal defense tax deductible?

A: Whether legal fees from a criminal case can be deducted on a tax return depends on the circumstances. If criminal charges pertain to activities related to a trade or business, attorney fees can be deducted on a business tax return, as they are considered an expense associated with the normal course of business. However, personal legal fees cannot be deducted.

Q: Why hire a criminal defense attorney?

A: Working with a criminal defense attorney is the best way to minimize the ramifications of committing or being accused of a crime. Criminal attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding a case to prove innocence or inspire reasonable doubt in a jury. Criminal defense lawyers also are better prepared to negotiate with the prosecutors. Due to the high cost and logistics involved with taking a case to trial, many prosecutors are willing to reduce sentences in exchange for avoiding a jury trial. An experienced criminal attorney understands what would be a reasonable deal for a specific criminal charge, and will negotiate it on behalf of the defendant.

Q: What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?

A: All Americans are afforded the right to hire an attorney to act as a defense in a legal case. However, not everyone can afford one. If an attorney isn’t in a defendant’s budget, and the defendant’s income meets designated state or local thresholds, the court system will provide a public defender. This attorney usually works on cases pro bono or without any fees paid by the defendant. Many public defenders have a high caseload, which can limit the amount of time they are able to devote to each case. In most situations, hiring a dedicated criminal defense lawyer ensures the best outcome. This is particularly true in more serious felony cases that can result in a significant prison sentence without the involvement of a skilled, experienced defense attorney.

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