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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Fresno, CA

Our Recommended Top 13

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Fresno criminal defense lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

356Reviewed

218Curated

13Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

2300 Tulare St #120, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (144)
Avvo
4.8 (26)
Facebook
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Sam Salhab Law Office provides legal counsel and courtroom representation services to locals of Fresno, California, who need criminal defense. It represents individuals who have been accused of federal crimes such as tax fraud and evasion, interstate drug trafficking, kidnapping across state lines, theft of military property, and white-collar offenses. It also assists clients who wish to have their criminal records expunged. The legal practice has been recognized among the Best Law Firms by the U.S. News & World Report.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sam Salhab - PrincipalActive18 yrs

191 W Shaw Ave Ste 208, Fresno, CA 93704

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.5 (14)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Gregory W. Fox is a criminal defense law firm that's located in Fresno. It provides representation to clients who've been charged with offenses such as drug crimes, domestic violence, gang crimes, or traffic violations. Attorney Gregory W. Fox also provides counsel and representation to those facing driving under the influence/driving while intoxicated charges. He is a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association and an Avvo Featured Criminal Defense Attorney.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Gregory Fox - PrincipalActive20 yrs

5588 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Gerald Schwab, Jr., provides counsel to clients in Fresno, California. It aims to protect the rights and freedom of the accused by representing them in criminal defense matters. Some of the cases handled by the firm include DUI, sex crimes, theft, drug crimes, and misdemeanors and felonies. Gerald Schwab uses his insights as a former probation officer to come up with robust legal strategies that can strengthen the defense. He won the 2022 Top Attorney Award from Attorney.com.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Gerald Schwab - PrincipalActive22 yrs

1060 Fulton Mall Suite 806, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (35)
Avvo
4.7 (25)
Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Magill & Guzman Magill is a criminal defense law firm that assists clients in the Fresno area. Its attorneys defend those who were arrested for theft, fraud, domestic violence, assault and battery, sex offenses, and driving crimes and DUI. They help clients appeal at an administrative hearing to keep and maintain their professional licenses. They extend their legal services to personal injury victims. Charles Magill co-founded the law firm with his wife and law partner, Laura Guzman Magill, in 2002.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

191 W Shaw Ave Ste 209, Fresno, CA 93704

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (87)
Facebook
5.0 (30)
Avvo
5.0 (19)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Jonathan Rooker is led by one of the founding members of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. It delivers criminal defense solutions to residents of Fresno, California, who have been charged and arrested for domestic violence, homicide and murder, sex crimes, and DUI manslaughter. The legal practice works with experts trained in forensic reconstruction of crime and accident scenes to build a defense strategy for its clients. It also accommodates individuals who need help with criminal expungements.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jonathan Rooker - PrincipalActive13 yrs

2445 Capitol Street, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.9 (31)

Why choose this provider?

Hammerschmidt Law Corporation provides criminal defense representation to residents of Fresno and all of California. It crafts aggressive strategies to help clients who are being investigated or accused of a crime. The firm handles matters involving DUI and BUI, worker’s compensation and health care fraud, domestic violence issues, and federal offenses. It offers team-based representation in which the company lawyers work together on cases. Hammerschmidt Law Corporation’s attorney, Jeffrey Hammerschmidt, has been featured on Forensic Files, American Justice, and The Discovery Channel’s Solved.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeffrey Hammerschmidt - PrincipalActive38 yrs

1225 E. Divisadero, 3rd floor, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)
Avvo
5.0 (5)
Facebook
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office Of Jeremy M Dobbins handles clients' legal needs across Fresno and the surrounding cities. It represents individuals charged with criminal cases, including assault and battery, misdemeanors, felonies, and drugs, to defend their rights and reduce their legal consequences. It also caters to clients arrested for domestic violence and white-collar crimes. In addition to criminal defense, the law firm is available to resolve personal injury, elder abuse, civil rights, and employment and business law matters.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

2014 Tulare St, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (26)
Google
4.5 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Serita Rios Attorney of Law aggressively represents the people of Fresno and its neighboring communities. The firm defends the rights of individuals who have been accused of a crime. It covers a wide range of criminal defense matters, including assault, burglary, domestic violence, possession of drugs or firearms, and fraud. Serita Rios, the firm's founder, is a criminal defense and trial attorney who has handled over 100 criminal cases in her 14 years of law experience.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence

6103 N. First St. Suite 102, Fresno, CA 93710

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (79)
Facebook
5.0 (3)
Yelp
2.3 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Hernandez Law has been providing legal representation for individuals, employees, and both seniors and minors in Fresno and nearby areas since 1982. Its attorneys handle a variety of misdemeanor and felony charges, including weapon offenses, homicide, fraud, burglary, and domestic violence at state and federal levels. It also assists clients in applying for sentence reductions while defending drug possession charges. In addition, the firm handles personal injury and employment law cases. Hernandez Law's full team is also fluent in Spanish.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Hernandez - PrincipalActive46 yrs

5151 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (74)
Yelp
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

WeDefendFresno is a criminal defense law firm that fights for the rights of the accused in Fresno and neighboring communities. Its team represents persons facing criminal charges related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sexual offenses, drug possession, and white-collar crimes. It also provides representation during a bail reduction hearing and post-conviction relief matters like expungements and parole or probation violation defense. Former clients recommend firm owner Yan Shrayberman for helping them get their charges dismissed.

  • DWI/DUI

1060 Fulton St #811, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (10)
Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Kendall Simsarian, Attorney, serves neighborhoods in and around the Fresno metro. He provides legal support to individuals who need defense against criminal charges and works to restore their record, good name, and dignity. Some of the cases he handles include property crimes, DUI defense, and appeals. He also accepts crime cases such as robbery and carjacking, assault and battery, threats and hate crimes, sex offenses, and kidnapping. Simsarian has been in service for more than 30 years. He also accommodates Spanish-speaking clients.

  • DWI/DUI

1401 Fulton Street, Suite 906, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (53)
Google
5.0 (37)
Facebook
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Coming soon A new website is in the works!

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

1365 North Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (74)
Yelp
5.0 (4)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Led by a former prosecutor who has been practicing law for over five decades, The Caine Law Firm handles criminal defense cases in Fresno, California. It defends individuals who are accused of committing minor to serious crimes, helping them understand the charges and giving them legal counsel. It also protects their constitutional rights by conducting an investigation and negotiating with the prosecution to dismiss or reduce the charges. The law firm is available around the clock for people who need advice.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Christopher Caine - Partner and FounderActive32 yrs

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Sam Salhab Law Office
2300 Tulare St #120, Fresno, CA 93721
The Law Office of Gregory W. Fox
191 W Shaw Ave Ste 208, Fresno, CA 93704
Law Office of Gerald Schwab, Jr.
5588 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704
Magill & Guzman Magill
1060 Fulton Mall Suite 806, Fresno, CA 93721
THE LAW OFFICE OF JONATHAN ROOKER
191 W Shaw Ave Ste 209, Fresno, CA 93704
Hammerschmidt Law Corporation
2445 Capitol Street, Fresno, CA 93721
The Law Office Of Jeremy M Dobbins
1225 E. Divisadero, 3rd floor, Fresno, CA 93721
Serita Rios Attorney at Law
2014 Tulare St, Fresno, CA 93721
Hernandez Law
6103 N. First St. Suite 102, Fresno, CA 93710
WeDefendFresno
5151 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704
Kendall Simsarian Attorney
1060 Fulton St #811, Fresno, CA 93721
Law Office of Najda Kazarian
1401 Fulton Street, Suite 906, Fresno, CA 93721
The Caine Law Firm
1365 North Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728

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.

Fresno, CA Criminal Defense FAQs

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

    Call (559) 621-7000 to reach the Fresno Police Department for non-emergency concerns.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Fresno, California?

    1. To get a copy of a police report, go to the Records Bureau Public Counter at the address below.
    2. Take a service ticket and wait in line to be called.
    3. Complete the request form provided to you. The form will ask for your purpose of obtaining the report and the Case Number or the incident’s details. You need to present a valid ID in order to receive the report copy. Address: Fresno Police Headquarters 2323 Mariposa St. Fresno, CA 93721 Business hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • What is the Three Strikes Law, and how does it affect criminal cases in Fresno, CA?

    The Three Strikes Law refers to California's habitual offender law. Under this law, individuals who have been convicted of a violent or serious felony for the second time get double the amount of state prison time normally sentenced for their crime. Those who are convicted for the third time result in a state prison sentence of 25 years to life. If you may be facing this situation, a Fresno criminal defense attorney can help you evaluate your legal options.

  • Who is eligible to apply for the expungement of a criminal record in Fresno?

    Individuals who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in Fresno may apply for an expungement under these conditions:

    • The individual has completed probation
    • The individual is currently not facing a criminal charge
    • The individual is currently not on probation or serving time for a crime If the individual’s criminal conviction resulted in a state prison sentence, they are no longer eligible to apply for expungement. Also, certain crimes are barred from expungement, such as crimes involving minor victims.
  • Do you go to jail after pleading guilty to a crime in a plea hearing in Fresno, CA?

    It depends on the Fresno judge’s decision. It must be noted that the please hearing is an avenue to enter your plea (no contest, guilty, or not guilty) and decide on bail, but it is not the trial itself. After the plea hearing, the judge may choose: not to grant bail and put you in jail, set the amount of bail and put you in jail until you post bail, or release you and give the order to return to court.

  • Can a Fresno police officer arrest you without a warrant?

    Generally, no. However, Fresno police officers may arrest without a warrant in certain situations:

    • If the police officer knows you have an existing and enforceable arrest warrant that is in the hands of another officer
    • If the police officer has probable cause to believe that you are presently committing or have committed a felony
    • If the police officer witnesses you committing a misdemeanor
  • Can you face criminal charges in Fresno if you let a friend drive drunk which led to a DUI accident?

    No, you will not be held liable in this situation. In Fresno, you will only be liable if you gave alcohol to a minor and let that minor drive drunk. Generally, bystanders and even social hosts are not made accountable for the drunk individual's decision to drive. California’s Dram Shop laws also do not make individual/social hosts liable for providing impaired guests with alcohol.