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2024

Last updated:

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles

Our Recommended Top 21

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

2785Reviewed

1679Curated

21Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

601 S. Figueroa St., Suite 4050, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (232)
Yelp
5.0 (165)
Google
5.0 (110)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin is a criminal defense firm representing clients throughout the Los Angeles metro area. It handles misdemeanor and felony cases, including charges involving drugs and alcohol, white-collar crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, juvenile offenses, homicide, kidnapping, manslaughter, and assault and battery. Attorney Hart J. Levin is a former LA area prosecutor that also helps clients with appeals following convictions. Services are available in English and Spanish.

  • Weapon Crimes
  • Drug Charges
  • Forgery
  • Fraud
  • Domestic Violence

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Hart Levin - PrincipalActive18 yrs

1933 S Broadway Ste 1100, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (30)
Avvo
4.9 (27)
Yelp
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Chudnovsky Law is a team of Former Prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys with more than 75 years of experience handling thousands of cases and trials. The firm handles all misdemeanor and felony charges, including DUI, drug, domestic violence, federal, criminal immigration, gun, homicide, assault, theft, and sex crimes. The firm also practices professional license defense, defending doctors, nurses, realtors, and all professionals in front of licensing agencies. Service available in Spanish.

  • Sex Crimes
  • Criminal Immigration
  • Felony
  • DUI
  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • Theft
  • Professional License
  • Misdemeanor
  • Assault

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kareem ArefActive7 yrs
Suzanne CroutsActive22 yrs
Tsion Chudnovsky - Managing AttorneyActive22 yrs
Robert WeinbergActive43 yrs

2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (224)
Google
4.9 (78)
FindLaw
5.0 (41)

Why choose this provider?

Eisner Gorin LLP, a criminal defense law firm located in Los Angeles and Encino, works throughout California and nationally. Its trial lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience handling high-stakes misdemeanor and felony cases for lawyers, doctors, business owners, police officers, and high-profile individuals. They intervene in cases and attempt to dismiss charges before the first court date. The firm engages in trials and appeals for DUI, domestic violence, assault and battery, drug-related offenses, and violent crimes. Its partners are criminal law specialists certified by the state bar.

  • Federal Crimes
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Alan Eisner - PartnerActive38 yrs
Dmitry Gorin - PartnerActive29 yrs

Los Angeles, CA 90071
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (39)
Avvo
4.8 (18)
Yelp
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

The R.J. Manuelian Law Firm provides criminal defense to clients in Los Angeles. Founding attorney R. J. Manuelian is a criminal defense attorney and legal news analyst with more than 20 years of legal experience. He has handled over 10,000 cases in the metro and across the country, completed hundreds of felony preliminary hearings, and taken more than 75 cases to jury trials. Manuelian defends clients facing white-collar and serious or violent crimes. He has obtained acquittals and secured millions of dollars in civil rights verdicts throughout his career.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Theft Crimes
  • Violent Crimes
  • Sex Crimes
  • Federal Crimes

9431 Haven Ave, Suite #100, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Southwest Legal helps Los Angeles citizens navigate the criminal justice system. The firm offers defense strategies to people accused of DUI and other traffic violations, theft crimes, and domestic violence. The team also seeks favorable outcomes for people accused of violating their probation terms and those who may be eligible for expungement. Southwest's other practice areas include personal injury. Senior counsel Shaffer T. Cormell has been representing criminal defendants in Southern California for over 30 years.

  • Federal Crime
  • Probation Violation
  • Drug Crimes
  • Assault and Battery
  • Hit and Run
  • Domestic Violence
  • Criminal Defense
  • Theft
  • Gun Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Shaffer Cormell - PrincipalActive33 yrs

Los Angeles, CA

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.9 (36)
Yelp
5.0 (33)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Kirk Tarman & Associates provides legal representation to individuals in Los Angeles who are dealing with criminal accusations. Defense attorney Kirk Tarman has over 20 years of experience handling criminal law matters and takes a hands-on approach by conducting thorough investigations, interviewing key witnesses, and gathering evidence, ultimately leading to dismantling the prosecution's case. He and his team work collectively to help those accused of arson, domestic violence, embezzlement, probation and parole violation, and theft. Tarman is a member of the NACDL.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Expungement
  • Drug Crimes

2049 Century Park E, 2525, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (111)
Facebook
4.8 (53)
Yelp
5.0 (23)

Why choose this provider?

Esfandi Law Group provides counsel and representation to clients in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. It handles various types of criminal defense cases, such as attempted murder, controlled substance possession, credit card fraud, false identification, money laundering, and vehicular manslaughter. It also works on claims involving domestic battery, hit and run, indecent exposure, prostitution, robbery, and statutory rape. Seppi Esfandi, one of the attorneys, has been practicing law for more than 20 years.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes
  • Theft & Burglary

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Seppi Esfandi - PrincipalActive24 yrs

9601 Wilshire Blvd STE 1161, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (18)
Google
5.0 (14)
Facebook
4.5 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Peter Berlin is a criminal defense law firm that has been serving the residents of Los Angeles, California, for over 15 years. The firm’s criminal lawyers in Los Angeles focus on defending clients in court in cases that involve white-collar crime, assault and battery, federal crimes, insurance fraud, robbery, and homicide. The National Trial Lawyers Association featured founding attorney Peter Berlin in its Top 100 Trial Attorneys list in 2014.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Peter Berlin - PrincipalActive28 yrs
Peter Berlin - PrincipalActive28 yrs

880 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (13)
Facebook
4.8 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Opened in 2011, Fix-A-Ticket is a full-service law firm of a criminal justice attorney in Los Angeles defending clients charged with traffic-related violations. Attorney Jason Miller works on first-time DUI, DUI with the presence of a minor, and repeat DUI cases. He handles logbook violations, phone offenses, speeding tickets, and out-of-lane offenses. His practice protects the driving privileges of clients by representing them in DMV hearings. The law firm defends clients against traffic misdemeanors, such as driving with a suspended license or without one and reckless driving.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jason Miller - PrincipalActive17 yrs

8888 West Olympic Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (150)

Why choose this provider?

William Kroger is the law firm of a criminal lawyer near Los Angeles. The law firm defends clients charged with or under investigation for internet crimes, sex crimes, theft, domestic violence, drug charges, and white-collar crimes. Attorney William Kroger, the owner and founder of the firm, is a member of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Legal services are also available in Spanish.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
William Kroger - PrincipalActive27 yrs
william kroger - PrincipalActive27 yrs

9595 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Robert M. Bernstein protects the rights of the accused in Los Angeles. Robert M. Bernstein has more than two decades of experience in providing criminal defense to his clients. He handles both state and federal criminal cases, including assault and battery, drug offenses, white-collar crimes, weapons charges, burglary, and murder. He also helps clients in appeals and post convictions. Bernstein uses his former prosecution experience in handling cases. He is admitted to practice law in Florida.

  • DWI/DUI

5670 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (107)
Avvo
5.0 (67)

Why choose this provider?

SLG Saffari Law Group represents accused individuals in and around Los Angeles. The office addresses criminal law charges, such as domestic violence, sex crimes, hit-and-runs, fraud, and juvenile cases. Sole practitioner Ninaz Saffari is a former deputy public defender who has handled over 70 trials, giving her an advantage when representing defendants in federal or state courts. Since 2005, she has been guiding clients throughout the legal process, which involves interviewing arresting police officers and alleged victims and protecting their constitutional rights.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Drug Crimes

8484 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (69)
Yelp
4.5 (24)
Avvo
4.5 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Allison B. Margolin PLC is a boutique law firm that handles criminal defense, regulatory compliance, and business legal matters in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Its attorneys are well-versed in mounting effective defense strategies for individuals facing charges of or under investigation for white-collar crimes. They also provide reliable counsel in a wide range of federal and state criminal cases, from DUI to murder and manslaughter. Additional practice areas include cannabis, intellectual property, environmental, and business law. Atty. Allison Margolin is the author of Jury Nullifications and Reasonable Doubt, published by Phoenix Books in January 2008 and Just Dope, published by North Atlantic Penguin Random House.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Allison Margolin - Founding PartnerActive22 yrs
Raza Lawrence - Founding PartnerActive20 yrs

1801 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (8)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

For over 30 years, The Kaufman Law Group has represented individuals facing white-collar crime charges. Its criminal justice attorneys in Los Angeles offer assistance to professionals convicted for public corruption, mail and wire fraud, and bribery. They assist law offenders in seeking pardon for penalties, such as work permit and license revocation and lifetime imprisonment. The Kaufman Law Group offers defense services for pharmaceutical fraud. Founding partner Gary J. Kaufman is a member of the State Bar of California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Gary Kaufman - PrincipalActive44 yrs

633 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

FindLaw
5.0 (19)

Why choose this provider?

Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense practice in Los Angeles. It mainly represents clients who are under investigation for sex offenses, including failure to register, indecent exposure, lewd acts with a minor, pimping and pandering, production of child pornography, and rape (including statutory rape). The firm helps individuals who are required to register as a sex offender seek removal from the Megan's Law website and other databases. Ronald D. Hedding is a California Attorneys for Criminal Justice member.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ronald Hedding - Managing AttorneyActive30 yrs

12100 Wilshire Blvd Fl 8 Los Angeles, CA 90025, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (109)

Why choose this provider?

Gold & Witham is a criminal defense law firm representing clients in the Los Angeles area. With over 40 years of experience, its attorneys are qualified to protect the rights of individuals facing DUI criminal offenses, such as drugs, DUI accidents, felony DUI, commercial, out-of-state arrests, license suspension, unlawful police stops, and under 21 DUIs. During DMV hearings, they build robust defense strategies to help individuals restore their driving privileges after a DUI arrest. The firm also assists in expungement matters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeffrey Gold - PartnerActive41 yrs
Nigel Witham - PartnerActive28 yrs

714 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 910, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (38)
Facebook
4.7 (35)
Avvo
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Garcia Law Group defends Los Angeles residents who have been accused of crimes. Its attorney, Joel Garcia, independently analyzes the prosecution's evidence and devises specific defense strategies to pursue the most favorable outcome for his clients. He fights to have their charges dropped and penalties minimized. Garcia accepts cases involving drug and weapon offenses, property crimes, assault, traffic violations, and DUI. He is certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests administration under the NHTSA and is a member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association.

  • Domestic Violence

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joel Garcia - PrincipalActive6 yrs

1901 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (59)
Avvo
4.9 (14)
Yelp
4.5 (10)

Why choose this provider?

The Agopoglu Law Corp. PLC advocates for the rights of Los Angeles residents facing charges of criminal offenses. It provides legal guidance and representation to individuals accused of statutory rape, domestic battery, DUI, theft, prostitution, and illegal drug possession crimes. The firm forms defense strategies aimed at reducing serious mandatory penalties or getting them dropped altogether. It also takes on matters related to personal injury and family law. Founder Berc Agopoglu, who has been in practice since 1999, also possesses considerable trial experience under immigration law.

  • Drug Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Berc Agopoglu - PrincipalActive25 yrs
Berc Agopoglu - Founder and OwnerActive25 yrs

900 Avila St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (97)
Avvo
4.6 (30)
Yelp
4.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Andy Miri serves individuals in Los Angeles and nearby metros. It provides state and federal legal representation to clients facing charges for different types of criminal cases. The firm handles domestic violence lawsuits, helping defendants create strategies to settle mandatory penalties, such as fines, probation, and community service. It also takes on matters related to shoplifting or theft, drug, and DUI crimes. The practice utilizes modern research techniques to draft persuasive and winning legal arguments.

  • Expungement
  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence

626 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (194)
Yelp
5.0 (94)
Avvo
5.0 (58)

Why choose this provider?

Manshoory Law Group APC is a criminal defense law firm that has been in operation in Los Angeles since 2014. The firm defends clients who have been accused of serious crimes, such as drug possession and manufacturing, parole and weapons violations, sexual and domestic assault, and homicide. It also modifies clients' probation terms and expunges their criminal records. Attorney and Practice Magazine named founder Shaheen Manshoory among the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Shaheen Manshoory - PrincipalActive10 yrs

701 E. Santa Clara Street Suite A, Ventura, CA 93001
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.7 (31)
Google
4.8 (18)
Facebook
4.9 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Serving the Los Angeles area, Ridley Defense provides legal counsel and representation to people who are under investigation or have been charged with crimes. Its team of attorneys handles cases involving theft and traffic offenses, violent and white-collar crimes, and drug possession and trafficking. They also defend minors accused of trespassing, shoplifting, vandalism, and assault. Managing attorney Douglas Ridley has been in practice since 1998. He is a former Ventura County Deputy District Attorney.

  • DWI/DUI

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Los Angeles, California?

    The Los Angeles Police Department can be reached at 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273) for non-emergencies.

  • What can you do if you are facing arson charges in Los Angeles after accidentally setting a property on fire?

    You need to find a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who has handled a case like this before. A legal team would know how to commute an arson charge (intentional) into "reckless burning" (unintentional) if there was neither malice nor intent involved in what happened. If the charge is not contested, the violator may face up to six months in county jail and be fined up to $1,000.

  • Can criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles help terminate a probation status early?

    Yes, but only under certain conditions. For example, the motion for early probation termination in Los Angeles may only proceed if the defendant has completed at least half of the term. The defendant must also have completed all of the probation's active conditions, such as paying all court-ordered fines and restitution, completing community service or labor hours, and attending mandatory AA meetings.

  • Is it okay to settle for a public defender instead of hiring a private criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles?

    While you definitely have this option, this is not advisable, especially if you're facing serious charges such as those involving federal jurisdictions. Public defenders in Los Angeles do their best, but most are navigating multiple criminal cases simultaneously, which tends to exhaust them. Since they are juggling different types of cases, they most likely do not have the expertise your case requires to yield the best possible result.

  • Would it be wise to accept a plea bargain in Los Angeles?

    It depends on the circumstances of your case, but it would be unwise to accept a plea bargain deal without considering the legal counsel of your criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, who will be able to give you the different pros and cons. If you agree to plead guilty to reduce the penalties or charges, your offenses will go on your permanent record. It is important to listen to what your attorney advises you to do.

  • How do you know if you are eligible for an expungement of records in Los Angeles?

    A criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles can help with the expungement of your records if:

    • You are not currently facing any more criminal charges.
    • You have completed your sentence and its requirements.
    • You were not convicted in a federal court.
    • You do not have any unpaid court-ordered fines.
    • Your felony charge has been reduced to a misdemeanor.