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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Fresno, CA

Our Recommended Best Fresno Criminal Defense Lawyers

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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.

351Reviewed

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8Top Picks

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Providers

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
2300 Tulare St #120, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (154)
Avvo
4.8 (27)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

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.

Sam A. Salhab previously served as a lead attorney in Fresno County’s DUI Court Pilot Program. He has been the recipient of many awards, such as the Rising Star distinction from Super Lawyers Magazine for three years in a row and the Top 40 Under 40 recognition from the National Trial Lawyers Association.

  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
5151 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

A Google-reviewed firm in Fresno, WeDefendFresno aims to resolve the legal issues of residents in the local community and the surrounding California metros. Focusing on criminal defense law, its team discusses the circumstances of each case and crafts a strategy that could serve as a strong argument for the defendant. The firm handles a wide range of allegations, from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies, such as drug offenses, sex crimes, white-collar crimes, and DUI/driving charges.

Yan Shrayberman opened his own private practice with the mission of offering the best criminal law services in Fresno. Under his leadership, the firm has resolved more than 500 cases and assisted over 500 clients with their cases.

  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
2445 Capitol Street, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (36)
Google
5.0 (33)
Justia
5.0 (1)

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.

Jeffrey T. Hammerschmidt is a criminal defense attorney who served as the Fresno County Prosecutors Association’s president and senior legal advisor of the Fresno Police Department. He has been interviewed by Court TV regarding his role in the prosecution of the People v. Dana Ewell triple homicide case. Hammerschmidt graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia’s School of Law.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
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.

Jonathan Rooker started his legal career at the public defender's office. He got a Masters Degree in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida to supplement his legal expertise as a DUI defense attorney. Jonathan is also a member of the National College of DUI Defense.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
1401 Fulton Street, Suite 906, Fresno, CA 93721

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (57)
Google
5.0 (40)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

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  • DWI/DUI
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Domestic Violence

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
191 W Shaw Ave Ste 208, Fresno, CA 93704

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (82)
Avvo
5.0 (17)
Facebook
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Gregory W. Fox offers criminal defense services to locals of Fresno, California, and the surrounding communities. It defends individuals who have been accused of white-collar crimes such as bank and tax fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. It also helps clients with appeals after conviction, criminal expungements, DMV hearings, probation modifications, and juvenile proceedings. The legal practice is led by Gregory Fox, who received the Superb Attorney Rating from AVVO in 2022.

Gregory W. Fox is a criminal defense lawyer who got his Juris Doctor from the San Joaquin College of Law in 2005. He received his bachelor's degree in criminology from California State University with magna cum laude honors. Gregory is a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
5588 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (21)
Avvo
5.0 (10)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

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.

Gerald Schwab Jr. has over 18 years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer. He served as an army military policeman during the Persian Gulf War and in the Army National Guard. Jerry was part of the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Fresno
1365 North Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (121)
Yelp
4.6 (10)

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.

Christopher Caine graduated with honors and received his J.D. from the University of Rhodesia in Zimbabwe. In 1976, he served as a solicitor in London. He then migrated to the U.S. in 1992 and established his law firm in 1999. 

Compare Best Fresno Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Sam Salhab Law Office
2300 Tulare St #120, Fresno, CA 93721
WeDefendFresno
5151 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704
Hammerschmidt Law Corporation
2445 Capitol Street, Fresno, CA 93721
THE LAW OFFICE OF JONATHAN ROOKER
191 W Shaw Ave Ste 209, Fresno, CA 93704
Law Office of Najda Kazarian
1401 Fulton Street, Suite 906, 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
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.