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2024

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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Santa Ana

Our Recommended Top 20

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 Santa Ana 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.

264

Reviewed

166

Curated

20

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
23 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Professional License
  • DUI
  • Theft
  • Misdemeanor
  • Sex Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes
  • Assault
  • Criminal Immigration
  • Felony

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kareem Aref7 yrs
Tsion Chudnovsky - Managing Attorney22 yrs
Suzanne Crouts22 yrs
Robert Weinberg43 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
5.0 / 5 (37)
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (27)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free Consultation 24/7

848-BookPro
Santa Ana, CA

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Criminal Defense Attorney in Santa Ana? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
18002 Irvine Blvd Ste 108, Tustin, CA 92780

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2010, the Law Office of Hieu Vu assists those accused of crimes in Orange County and Los Angeles County courts. He seeks solutions to legal problems through his procedural and case law knowledge to achieve favorable outcomes for his clients. Hieu Vu represents those charged with crimes including domestic violence, cable theft, DUI, public intoxication and urination, and probation violations, and also handles expungement of criminal records. He is a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Hieu Vu - Principal15 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
5.0 / 5 (45)
Facebook
4.3 / 5 (20)
Avvo
4.7 / 5 (19)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1851 E 1st St Ste 900, Santa Ana, CA 92705

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Christian Kim is a legal firm in Santa Ana with a sole focus on criminal defense. Attorney Kim represents clients facing assault and battery, arson, drug offense, DUI/DWI, gang-related, and vehicular manslaughter charges. Founding attorney Christian Kim served as an Orange County deputy district attorney for seven years prior to opening the practice. He uses his experience on both sides of the law to defend the rights of individuals charged with criminal offenses.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christian Kim - Principal25 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (31)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1800 N Broadway Ste 200, Santa Ana, CA 92706

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick is a Santa Ana-based full-service legal practice working in criminal defense. It defends the liberty and freedom of clients charged with criminal offenses including drug possession and distribution, burglary and theft, and a range of misdemeanors. Sole practitioner Douglas Borthwick is a highly experienced trial attorney who works to achieve favorable outcomes for his clients. Mr. Borthwick is licensed in the state and federal courts of California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Douglas Borthwick - Principal29 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (281)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (108)
Google
4.9 / 5 (104)

(+2 additional sources)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
12832 Valley View St, Suite 203, Garden Grove, CA 92845

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Wais Azami is a criminal defense law firm in Santa Ana. It handles arrest warrant recalls, misdemeanors, and felonies. The firm takes misdemeanor charges seriously in order to protect clients from potentially severe sentencing and repercussions. Its attorneys also defend clients who are facing DUI, sexual offense, assault, kidnapping, and theft charges. The legal team has experience representing documented and undocumented immigrants and mitigating consequences to citizenship.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Wais Azami - Attorney8 yrs
Wais Azami - Principal8 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (47)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (25)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1633 E 4th St Ste 248, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Christopher J. McCann APC is a DUI and criminal defense lawyer serving Orange and Los Angeles Counties, including Santa Ana. Practicing since 2000, Christopher J. McCann protects the freedom, jobs, licenses, and rights of those accused of crimes, including drug charges, domestic violence, theft, fraud, vandalism, and forgery. With his experience and background in criminal defense cases, he evaluates available options to advocate for his clients' best possible outcomes, including mental health and military diversions.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher McCann - Principal23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (39)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (18)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (10)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2677 N. Main Street, Ste 820, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Fontes Law Group, PC, is a small practice serving individuals and families in Santa Ana. It defends individuals facing criminal charges that involve drugs, theft, violence, expungements, domestic violence, and DUIs. In addition, it assists with post-conviction relief. Fontes Law Group offers legal solutions for other practice areas, including immigration and family law. Its legal team can communicate in Spanish. Founder Martin C. Fontes is admitted to practice before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (23)
Google
4.4 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
714 N. Spurgeon Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Federal Crime
  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Attorney Alex Mendoza caters to the legal needs of residents in the Santa Ana metro affected by criminal charges. Mendoza represents defendants in a wide range of criminal cases, from sexual assault and embezzlement to fraud and forgery. He and his team counsel clients in navigating the justice system, starting from retainer and plea deal negotiation to the case resolution. They also help individuals resolve cases of giving false statements to police officers. They can assist clients in Spanish.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.5 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
17671 Irvine Blvd Ste 208, Tustin, CA 92780

Why choose this provider?

With four convenient locations in Tustin, Anaheim, Riverside, and San Bernadino, Seyb Law Group is a criminal defense firm serving Santa Ana and Orange County. The firm is available at any time of the day or night to provide quality consultation to individuals facing criminal charges. It's attorneys have experience in a broad range of criminal matters, from arson to drug trafficking. Seyb Law Group diligently prepares robust defense and aggressively advocates for clients' liberty at trial.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Spencer Seyb - Senior Attorney12 yrs
Spencer Seyb - Managing Partner12 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1851 E 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92705

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Glew & Kim provides multilingual legal services to the Spanish, Korean, and English-speaking residents of Santa Ana. Its criminal defense includes client representation in assault, DUI, theft, and domestic violence, sex crimes, attempted murder, and weapons cases. The firm focuses on narcotics charges, including possession, distribution, and medical marijuana offenses. It has successfully defended individuals at the state and federal levels for more than 15 years. The firm also represents clients in family law matters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Chris Glew - Partner24 yrs
Jina Kim - Partner27 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (25)
Google
5.0 / 5 (19)
Facebook
3.5 / 5 (12)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
300 N Tustin Ave. #100, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Frias Law Firm is a criminal defense practice that serves clients in the Santa Ana community. It assists those facing cases relating to DUIs, domestic violence, drug crimes, sex crimes, probation violations, and violent crimes. Frias Law Firm helps clients clean up their records through expungement, modification or termination of probation, or a motion to vacate a plea. The firm was founded by Ruben, who has over 15 years of practice. He communicates with clients directly.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (14)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1000 Quail St Ste 110, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Randy Collins provides criminal defense assistance to individuals in Newport Beach who are charged with felonies, misdemeanors, drug crimes, DUI,s and white-collar crimes. Attorney Randy Collins has worked as both a prosecutor and defense attorney in 70 jury trials, and he has handled over a thousand cases. Mr. Collins, a graduate of Boston College Law School, is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ryan Rodriguez - Senior Associate20 yrs
Sharon Tekolian - Associate6 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (79)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
404 W 4th St Ste L, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Why choose this provider?

Chambers Law Firm is a bilingual criminal defense firm serving Spanish and English-speaking clients in Santa Ana, with seven Southern California locations. Its attorneys defend clients charged with violent and non-violent crimes, including arson, assault and battery, crimes against children, conspiracy, elder abuse, and gang crimes. They've also successfully represented clients at the federal level in cases involving terrorism, tax and cybercrimes, drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, and bank, Social Security, credit card, and mail fraud.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dan Chambers - Founder33 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (18)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1819 North Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92706
  • Federal Crime
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Duarte Law Group Attorneys at Law is a Santa Ana-based firm providing representation and advice. It assists with federal and state criminal defense cases, including misdemeanors, felonies, expungements, and the sealing and dismissal of prior criminal convictions. It also handles immigration law matters, such as deportation defense, naturalization, post-conviction relief, and family-sponsored immigration. In addition, the firm helps personal injury victims and their families. Its attorney, Santiago, is a Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County member.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.8 / 5 (28)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1851 E First St #900, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Probation Violation
  • Drug Crimes
  • Expungement
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Darwish Law represents individuals in and around Santa Ana who are facing criminal charges. The firm is led by Sabrina Darwish, who honed her penal law expertise as a former public defender. She takes on cases of assault and battery, child abuse, and domestic violence. Darwish also handles drug offenses such as the sale or manufacture of prohibited substances. She has completed studies in Psychology and Economics, and her past cases include accusations of attempted rape.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
17592 Irvine Blvd, Tustin, CA 92780

Why choose this provider?

Wallin & Klarich is a family law firm that represents clients charged with domestic violence in Santa Ana. Its attorneys investigate each case and attempt to negotiate for dismissed or reduced charges in order to help clients avoid jail time and family court penalties. The legal team helps clients arrange counseling or communicate with social workers to help protect their financial assets, right to own firearms, and child custody privileges. Other areas of practice include divorce, child support, and mediation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Paul Wallin - Founding Partner47 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (54)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1717 N. Broadway St., Santa Ana, CA 92706
  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Steven A. Alexander Attorneys at Law counsels and represents clients in the Santa Ana metro and the surrounding locations. It handles various types of criminal defense cases, including attempted murder, burglary, domestic violence, financial fraud, hit and run, and probation violations. It also deals with assaults involving deadly weapons, forgery, and gang offenses. Steven A. Alexander, the attorney, brings over 25 years of experience in the legal field. He can accommodate individuals who speak Spanish.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Google
4.4 / 5 (35)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (7)
Avvo
3.7 / 5 (3)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1043 Civic Center Drive West, #200, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Vigil Defense, PC, addresses the legal needs of people in Santa Ana and its surrounding communities. It offers aggressive legal representation to individuals arrested for DUI, domestic violence, assault, forgery, and felony and theft crimes. Principal attorney Martina A. Teinert reviews clients' cases, prepares a solid defense, and supports them from the time of their arraignment until trial. She is a founding member of the North Orange County Bar Association and also takes on cases under family law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Yelp
4.8 / 5 (37)
Google
4.4 / 5 (14)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (8)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2090 N. Tustin Ave. Suite 240, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Matt Feron, Attorney at Law, is a Santa Ana-based firm that explains the law to its clients and determines facts associated with their cases to help them reach a favorable outcome. Matt Feron protects the legal rights of individuals charged with criminal cases. He handles various criminal cases such as robbery, assault and battery, drug possession and sales, and DUI. He also practices estate planning and mediation for certain cases. Feron started his legal career in 2011 as a deputy district attorney.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

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 withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Contact 714-245-8665 to report non-emergencies to the Santa Ana Police Department.

  • What are the consequences of crimes committed in Santa Ana?

    Depending on the charges, penalties in Santa Ana can vary, including a monetary fine, prison time, or both. The specific circumstances of the case can also affect the penalties. Ultimately, charges and their respective penalties may be influenced by whether the defendant caused physical harm to another person, used a weapon during the crime, and has a prior record of similar offenses.

  • What are the common crimes in Santa Ana, California?

    The most common crimes in Santa Ana include DUI, drug possession, theft and robbery, domestic violence, and gang-related violations. Regardless of the nature of the charge, it is important to seek the guidance of a skilled attorney to assess the charges and build the defense against the case in court. A legal professional can also provide valuable advice and representation in navigating the criminal justice system in the area.

  • Do all criminal cases go to trial in Santa Ana?

    No, criminal cases do not always go to trial in Santa Ana. Defendants and their lawyers can negotiate with the prosecutor to seek favorable plea deals, which may result in reduced sentences or dismissal of charges. In the metro, the most common defenses in criminal cases are self-defense and accidental injury. However, the viability of these rebuttals may depend on the case's specific circumstances and require skilled legal representation to navigate effectively.

  • What should a person accused of a crime in Santa Ana do when interrogated by a police officer?

    If a person is accused of a crime in Santa Ana and interrogated by a police officer, he or she must remain calm and avoid giving information and false statements. It is highly recommended to seek the services of a skilled criminal defense lawyer to protect one's rights and receive fair treatment throughout the legal process.

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