Top Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | 26020 Available

Jessica McElfresh is a San Diego criminal defense lawyer and founding attorney at McElfresh Law, Inc. Her practice areas include all types of criminal defense including drug and marijuana crimes. She is devoted to defending the rights and protecting the futures of her clients. An aggressive and dedicated defense attorney, Jessica is also involved in drug policy reform. Jessica has taught educational programs for other lawyers and authored proposed ordinances and ballot initiatives to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries. She currently serves as the Community Director for the San Diego Chapter of the NORML Women’s Alliance.. Jessica is a summa cum laude graduate of Scripps College and received her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, where she was a Dean’s Honor Scholarship recipient. While attending law school, she interned with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, where she gained valuable experience in analyzing search and seizure issues. Jessica is a current member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the California Public Defenders Association, the San Diego County Bar Association, and the Lawyers Club of San Diego. She has been sought out for her legal commentary by media outlets including The Los Angeles Times, The San Diego U-T, NBC, KPBS, and more.

Andrew Leventhal is a dynamic, passionate, and charismatic criminal defense lawyer. Andrew spent the first seven years of his career battling in the courtroom trenches as a Los Angeles Public Defender. Here, Andrew developed a reputation for being a fearless trial lawyer. In 2015, Andrew left public practice and created THE LEVENTHAL FIRM; he has defended thousands of criminal cases and conducted many jury trials involving everything from DUI and domestic violence to theft and murder. Andrew's legal knowledge and passion for justice has led him to a 90% jury trial non-conviction rate.. Andrew loves the underdog and fights for his clients to the end. He treats his clients like family and advocates for them like they’re his own flesh and blood. Andrew earned a 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019 invitation into the National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers” club. He also received the Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” Award in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state. In addition to the Top 100 and Super Lawyers honors, Pasadena Magazine named Andrew a “Top Attorney" for criminal defense in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Andrew was also re-selected among America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys for Southern California in 2019. And, last but not least, the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys selected Andrew as one of the "10 Best Attorneys" for California in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He truly strives to be regarded as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in U.S. history.. Andrew Leventhal has dedicated his life to defending people. His strong reputation, vast network and authentic approach separates him from the rest. Andrew is direct and to the point. He is respectful and respected. You will know if he can help.

Based in Marin County, Peter Chambers proudly defends his clients against their government. Mr. Chambers is at the vanguard of criminal defense law, regularly leveraging the latest legal and technological tools to improve his clients' situation. Never afraid of taking a case to trial, Mr. Chambers takes just as much pride in the number of cases dismissed before ever reaching the jury.. Before swapping coasts and counsel tables, Mr. Chambers served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, NY, prosecuting cases from attempted murder to petty theft. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School, where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, the Journal of Law & Policy, and worked as research assistant for the preeminent New York evidence treatise, Prince, Richardson on Evidence. A Dannenberg Scholar at Oberlin College, Mr. Chambers also completed non-degree legal coursework at Harvard University.. Mr. Chambers is on the Board of Directors of the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children's Center, where he helps support low-income families receive essential child care. He lives in Marin with his partner Julia, a housing attorney, and his son Otis, a kindergartender.

Will Morehead is certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in criminal law, an essential qualification conferred on only a handful of attorneys practicing in San Francisco and Marin.. Will is a seasoned trial lawyer with over fifteen years experience.  He has never lost a felony trial.  As an adjunct law professor and expert on the rules of evidence, he teaches future lawyers how to be trial lawyers.. As a former prosecutor, Will understands how the other side thinks about a case.  He knows what levers, and what leverage, prosecutors respond to.. Will was trained at Harvard Law School where he graduated in 2004 with honors.  He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford.

I provide my clients with excellent, effective, efficient and ethical representation.  I do not shy away from difficult cases.  I am able to negotiate favorable dispositions or take a case to trial and win.  I will treat you with respect  and dignity.  I make myself available to answer any questions or concerns as they develop.  I enjoy being active in my community and volunteering my time coaching youth football.. I handle all types of criminal cases, from felonies to misdemeanors.  I also represent clients in post conviction proceedings such as probation violations, expungements, and motions to terminate probation early.  I handle DUIS, drug crimes, violent crime, domestic violence cases, property crime, and all other types of criminal offenses.

Pezhman Pakneshan graduated with honors from UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Mr. Pakneshan also received a Certificate of Study in Business and Public Policy from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member in good standing with the State Bar of California.. Since receiving his law degree, Mr. Pakneshan has focused his practice on criminal, DUI & Civil Rights law. Upon graduating from law school, he worked as a Deputy District Attorney. As a prosecutor, he successfully prosecuted thousands of misdemeanor and felony criminal and DUI cases and tried numerous jury trials. During that time, Mr. Pakneshan grew to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution of criminal and DUI charges.. As a prosecutor, Mr. Pakneshan handled over 1,000 DUI cases. Now, he specializes in DUI defense. Over the years, he has received extensive training by the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services, in all aspects of DUI cases. That extensive training included alcohol extrapolation studies, as well as EPAS and Intoxilyzer analysis. He has also received extensive training and has experience handling DUI cases involving prescription medications and illegal drugs.. As a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Pakneshan specializes in virtually every area of criminal law ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies.. Mr. Pakneshan's intricate knowledge of the criminal justice system affords his clients with unique "inside information" and gives him the advantage in defending criminal matters. Knowing how the prosecutor thinks gives him the opportunity to develop an effective defense designed to counter the government's strategy.. Mr. Pakneshan is also one of California’s foremost authorities on how to clear (expunge) criminal convictions. He is committed to helping people who have been unfairly saddled with a criminal record to expunge or seal their record.

Vincent R. Maher is a native of Solano County. Early on, he was exposed to the criminal justice system due to the rampant crime in his neighborhood. He knew he wanted to be a lawyer because he strongly believed in the pursuit of legal justice. Mr. Maher went on the complete his law degree from Empire Law School in 1999. Since then, he has seen numerous successes in jury trials, appeals, Three Strikes cases, and more. He has tried over 100 jury trials. He is a passionate attorney who is not afraid to slug it out against the DA or the police.  In fact, it is the police and DA who often call on him when their loved ones are charged with crimes.  Mr. Maher is also a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law.

No one in Stanislaus County has more experience, or had more success as  criminal defense attorney. I've represented hundreds of individuals charged with every kind of criminal defense. I’ve defended each one aggressively,  passionately, knowledgeably, and with compassion. I've had over a hundred jury trials, and won or hung most. I’ve represented  fourteen clients facing the death penalty and do not have a single client on death row. I’ve challenged and changed California law. (Madrid v. Municipal Court, People v. Dustin).  Now I’d like the opportunity to help you.

I come to work everyday so that I can make a difference in someone's life.  My passion is helping others.  I provide criminal defense and DUI defense representation.  Outside of my law practice, I operate two non-profits that serve the homeless community, those additcted to drugs and alcohol and the battered women of our community.

Howard Williams earned his undergraduate degree at Kent State University in 1995. He went on to enroll in law school at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He earned his Juris Doctor from this institution in 1998. In 1999, Attorney Williams earned a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law.. In 2005, Attorney Howard Williams accepted a job as Deputy Public Defender at the Riverside County Public Defender’s Office. He remained in this position until 2008. Attorney Williams went on to become Partner in the firm of Lieber Williams & Labin. From 2013 to 2014, Attorney Williams also spent time working as Judge Pro Tempore for the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa.