Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Visalia Area

We deliver effective, reliable legal representation for families facing criminal charges or accusations. Our clients trust us to defend their freedom and future, and that of their families, as if they were our own, and in each case, we bring the knowledge, experience, and judgment to bear to obtain the best result possible. We deliver excellence in representation, a commitment to your cause, and the best lawyers, experts, and investigators in the Central Valley. In other words, we will make every effort to obtain the right result for our clients.. After graduating from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2005, Jamil first went to work for a large and prestigious real estate law firm in the Bay Area. From there, in January 2007, Jamil was hired as a criminal prosecutor for the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. Over the next 12 plus years, Jamil rose the ranks of the office and was made a supervising district attorney in August 2016. As a prosecutor, Jamil tried numerous major-crimes felony trials, including homicide, attempt homicide, 1st Degree home-invasion burglaries, robberies, felony assault on police-officers and gang enhancements. Jamil was also named the county law-enforcement gang task-force coordinator.. In June 2019, Jamil started his private criminal defense practice. Since then, he’s handled approximately hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases. In private practice, Jamil has applied his expertise in major litigation to help countless families successfully get through very difficult times. For example, Jamil has achieved not-guilty verdicts and dismissals in cases involving murders charges, rape allegations and felony assaults.

Victoria Denalee Vertner is a seasoned attorney with over a decade of experience, specializing in criminal law. A graduate of Santa Clara University Law School, she was raised in the Bay Area by a family of criminal defense lawyers who imparted a strong sense of justice and analytical her career, Ms. Vertner has successfully represented clients across multiple California counties in a diverse array of criminal cases, ranging from DUI and domestic violence to more severe offenses like attempted murder. She has demonstrated skill in crafting effective legal motions, including those aimed at suppressing from criminal law, Ms. Vertner is adept in family law, dependency cases, and select civil litigation. She also offers expertise in business law, particularly in contract drafting and employment issues. During the pandemic, she gained specialized experience advising cannabis in both Spanish and Italian, Ms. Vertner has effectively served numerous Spanish-speaking clients and has also assisted Italian-speaking individuals.

Tulare County criminal defense attorney Greg Hagopian is a former prosecutor for the district attorney’s office and a graduate of Loyola Law School, one of the country’s top law schools. Mr. Hagopian has been involved in criminal cases involving DUI, sex crimes, domestic violence, drug crimes, and much more. Having worked as both a prosecutor and defender, he has keen insight in the California legal system and the methodologies used by the district attorney’s office. Mr. Hagopian is also well-versed in the realm of expungement, and has helped countless clients resume life with a clean start by having their conviction and arrest erased from their record. All clients of The Law Office of Gregory Hagopian work directly with Mr. Hagopian himself and he is available for free consultation.

Scott Lyons was admitted to the State Bar of California in July of 1982, and has been practicing ever since in a wide area of law. His areas of focus and expertise are Bankruptcy Law, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Family Law and Civil Litigation. During his legal career Scott Lyons has had over 1,400 jury and bench trials, demonstrating his willingness to take actions all the way to trial if necessary. Scott Lyons owns and operates his office at 1010 West Main Street in Visalia, California with his son, Louis Lyons. In July of 2014, Scott Lyons opened two additional office locations in both Hanford and Porterville, in order to better serve the residents of Tulare County and Kings County.

Michelle D. Wallis is a seasoned attorney with a diverse educational and professional background, with an extensive focus in criminal defense and family law. She earned her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, supplemented by studies at the University of Bergen in Norway and a minor in Global Peace & Security. Michelle attended California Western School of Law in San Diego and furthered her legal training with a comparative law program at Trinity College, Dublin. Her legal career began with valuable experience at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego Public Defender’s Office, and Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. As a prosecutor in Kings and Tulare Counties, she handled a wide breadth of cases, focusing on narcotics trafficking, gang activity, and juvenile cases. Michelle also served at the Office of the Inspector General, providing oversight for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Since establishing Wallis Law in 2015, she has provided clients with skillful, comprehensive advocacy—particularly for those facing overlapping criminal, family, and civil legal matters. Michelle’s extensive litigation experience and multifaceted expertise allow her to deliver effective and integrated legal solutions.

If you are facing criminal charges, your best asset is an attorney who focuses his practice exclusively on criminal defense and who is an experienced trial attorney. You will find such an attorney at the Law Offices of Christopher Martens, located in Visalia. The firm represents those involved in criminal cases in Tulare County, Kings County, and Fresno County. As the firm's founding attorney, Christopher Martens knows how to fight for your rights, is not afraid to take your case to trial, and has an impressive track record of positive results as a trial attorney throughout the local court systems.

Central Valley Criminal Defense Attorney M. Richard Alvarez has been practicing criminal law for the past 10 years. He got his start in the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office before going exclusively into criminal defense. Having worked as a prosecutor allowed Attorney M. Richard Alvarez to understand the criminal justice system from the “other side’s” perspective. Knowing how the “other side” thinks and acts allows him to better represent his clients because Attorney M. Richard Alvarez can anticipate how the prosecution will proceed.. Criminal Defense Attorney M. Richard Alvarez was born in the Central Valley, raised in Northern California and educated in Southern California. He has lived all his life in California and understands its people and way of life. Attorney M. Richard Alvarez uses this native knowledge to the benefit of his clients every time he walks into the courtroom.. Criminal Defense Attorney M. Richard Alvarez earned his Associate of Arts Degree from the College of the Sequoias, in 2000. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, Fresno, in 2002. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of California Los Angeles, School of Law, in 2005.

Andrew James Stark has known that he wanted to be a criminal defense attorney since before he had a clear idea of what a defense attorney does. After graduating from high school, Andrew attended U.C.L.A. where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in economics. Andrew then enrolled in The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law where he concentrated his studies on criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and other subjects of special interest to criminal attorneys.            After earning his J.D. in 2006, Andrew interned in the Nevada County Public Defender’s Office, an experience that confirmed that criminal defense was the path he should follow. After receiving word that he had passed the California Bar Exam, Andrew accepted a job as an attorney with the Tulare County Public Defender’s Office in Visalia, California in 2007; a position he held until 2016, when he was promoted to supervising attorney. During his tenure as a deputy public defender, Andrew has handled almost every kind of case on the spectrum; from driving under the influence to capital homicide and everywhere in-between, as well as way out in left field. He has also handled several high-profile cases. As a supervising attorney, Andrew continues to handle the most serious of cases while supervising other deputy public defenders.            Andrew is certified by the California Bar Association Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in criminal law. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the California Public Defenders’ Association. He has spoken about trial practice and other topics of interest to attorneys on several occasions. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California.            Andrew lives in Visalia with his wife, Shannon, and his golden retriever, Henry. In his spare time, he enjoys ice hockey, astronomy, and learning to cook.

A little more about me.... Criminal law is my passion. It was my passion long before law school. I obviously picked the right career, right?  Even when I am not working, I still find myself watching true crime shows or reading true crime stories.  My favorite show of all time is "Forensic Files," and I have watched all 14 seasons... twice.  I also love "Death Row Stories."