Top Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | 14601 Available

Vigil Defense Law Firm, PC is a premier law firm based in Orange County, California. The foundation of our service is the ability to understand the core needs of our clients, tailor plans for their success, and walk them through each step. We are driven to make our clients feel cared for because going through legal troubles can be the most stressful time for anyone. Our goal is to take away the stress, shoulder the burden, and help you reach justice.. Founder Martina A. Teinert knows her core clients. She grew up in Southern California and is passionate about her community. Martina is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Chapman University’s School of Law.

Benjamin Arsenian is a native of Southern California. He obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego, followed by a Juris Doctorate, with honors, from Chapman University School of Law in Orange County. After graduating law school, Mr. Arsenian spent several years working with prominent personal injury attorneys. He obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients.. In the middle of his career, Mr. Arsenian left private practice and began working at the District Attorney's office. There he learned behind-the-scene intricacies of criminal prosecution and was quickly promoted to Deputy District Attorney IV. Mr. Arsenian worked closely with law enforcement. He went on ride-a-longs with police offices, reviewed police reports, filed criminal charges, negotiated plea bargain deals, interviewed expert witnesses and won more than a hundred criminal trials. He received training in evidence, trial technique and felony sentencing from the California District Attorney Association. Mr. Arsenian learned the prosecution's side of the law from the inside out, with all its strengths and weaknesses. This is unique and vital knowledge for a defense attorney.. Preferring private practice, and being well-armed with first-hand experience in the District Attorney's office, Mr. Arsenian joined a large, state-wide firm and successfully handled thousands of criminal and personal injury cases. With his depth of experience, he knew there were better ways to get favorable results besides the cook-book, impersonal approach often found in big law firms.. Mr. Arsenian opened his own law firm to satisfy clients' needs for individualized, professional services, tailored to the requirements of the client, at a discounted the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian, Mr. Arsenian provides his personalized, aggressive litigation expertise to each and every case. Your case will not be assigned to a junior-level associate. By eliminating most consultants, salespeople and middle managers, Mr. Arsenian provides his clients with "senior-level" experience at the "junior-level" prices of other firms.

When people learn that I am a criminal defense attorney, the question that I usually get is: "How can you defend criminals?" My answer to this question has evolved over time. At first, it used to irritate me. With time, I realized that the problem isn't the question, but rather the misunderstanding that underlies it: That being accused of a crime makes you a criminal, or at minimum, a bad person.. I represent people who make mistakes. My job is to protect those people from making more mistakes and also to protect them against the mistakes that the government will inevitably make when prosecuting them. It is my job to hold the government and prosecuting agencies accountable. The Constitution says we are all presumed innocent until proven guilty and that we all enjoy certain important rights. I make sure those rights are respected.. I have successfully represented individuals accused of misdemeanors and felonies, including DUI, drug crimes, sex crimes, theft crimes, domestic violence, and more. Though I practice primarily in Orange County, I have successfully defended individuals in courts all over Southern California. When you come into my law office, what you see is what you get: a young, aggressive attorney who is honest and will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome given your circumstances.. I am usually in court every single day. On days that I am not in court, you will find me in my office – jeans, T-shirt, and Vans – researching and dissecting client cases. I have learned over the years that clients see past the suit and tie; clients look for someone they can relate to on some basic level; someone that can understand and address their issues. That's exactly what I do. Clients like the fact that I am easy to reach. You can reach me 24 hrs a day by cell phone, text, email, fax, facebook, etc.. I am Trojan (yes, I will represent you even if you are a Bruin). I obtained my B.A. from USC and my law degree from Whittier Law School. I passed the bar exam on my first attempt while planning a tour for my rock band and winning a championship with my soccer team. I have two beautiful daughters – Alissa and Melissa. They are natural born musicians – like their father.

I grew up in Madison, New Jersey.  I graduated Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York (1987) and Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia, PA in (1990).  I worked for a maritime law firm and an insurance company while going to law school.  I passed the California Bar on my first try.  My first job as a lawyer was as a deputy public defender in Orange County, CA.  After that I was deputy district attorney in Orange County, CA before beginning my private practice in 1997.  I play the guitar and enjoy an excellent guitar collection!

Ken Norelli, a seasoned trial lawyer, graduated from Hastings College of the Law in 1994 and began his legal career as a Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defenders Office. Over the course of his tenure, Norelli successfully tried a diverse array of cases, ranging from murder and gang-related crimes to sex-crimes and more. After a decade with the Public Defenders Office, he transitioned to the role of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Island of Kauai, Hawaii, where he handled complex fraud, property crimes, and cases involving career criminals. Following his time with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Norelli returned to the Orange County Public Defenders Office before eventually assuming the role of Supervisor. During his tenure, he oversaw divisions such as Juvenile Dependency and Delinquency, as well as the Newport Beach Facility Division. In 2022, Norelli retired from public service and established his own firm, Ken Norelli, Attorney at Law, while also working as a contract attorney for The SoCal Law Network alongside Alan Castillo, Peter Iocona, and Marlo Cordero.

Christopher Glew, Esq.. Chris Glew Criminal Attorney. “I have always focused my practice on Criminal Defense. I built my legal career with the single vision of representing people charged in criminal courts. I have an excellent record in trial and thrive on successful trial advocacy.”. Orange County Criminal Defense and Family Attorney. Christopher Glew is the leading defense attorney in Southern California for marijuana dispensaries, winning groundbreaking trials in the field of medical marijuana in the state of California.  Called “The hottest criminal defense attorney in Orange County,” he has been recognized as one of the 2013 Top Lawyers in California by American Lawyer Media, and one of the Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers Southern California by the National Trial Lawyers Association.  He has been featured in local and national media, including The Orange County Register, OC Weekly, Culture Magazine, and High Times.  He is a dynamic public speaker, and has provided commentary for ABC and NBC.. An Ohio native, Christopher Glew graduated from Kent State University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, Political Science, and History.  He then moved to California to attend Whittier Law School, where he was recognized on the Dean’s list and honor roll as well as the Trial Advocacy Honors Board.  He graduated from Whittier Law School in 2000 with a Juris Doctorate in Law and is the Founding Partner of Glew & Kim.. Christopher Glew has been admitted to the California Bar, Federal Central District Court of California, Federal Northern District of California, and Court of Appeals.  He attended the Comparative Law Seminar at Oxford University, and has completed the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing certification course to provide additional expertise in DUI cases.. He is a member of National College for DUI Defense, NORML Legal Committee, Orange County Bar Association, American Bar Association, The American Association of Nurses Attorneys, National Trial Lawyers Association, Orange County Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Newport Harbor Bar Association, West Orange County Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Life Member.. Contact Christopher Glew

Building the foundation…. After successfully completing his undergraduate studies in 1978 at the University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, Mr. Ciulla received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and was admitted to Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, CA.  Early on Mr. Ciulla developed his interest in criminal law and courtroom litigation and participated in Loyola Law School’s Center for Juvenile Law and Policy (LLS CJLP).  The CJLP Clinic presents law students the opportunity to participate in actual juvenile cases, preparing the defense and making court appearances on the juvenile’s behalf.  As a third year law student, Mr. Ciulla was named student supervisor and it was in this program that Sal won his first case; he argued and won his first appeal while in law school as a certified law student for the defense in 1981.. Graduating from Loyola Law School in 1981, Sal Ciulla’s law school commencement included his being honored as the recipient of the William P. Hogoboom Award for his leadership in the Juvenile Law and Policy program.. Admission to the California State Bar…. Mr. Ciulla was admitted to the California State Bar on December 1, 1981, and was hired as a prosecutor for the Deputy District Attorney for the County of Orange.  Working as a prosecutor from 1982-1986, allowed him the opportunity to hone his courtroom litigation skills and learn firsthand how the police and prosecution build a case.. Private Practice…. In 1986 Mr. Ciulla opened his criminal defense practice. His philosophy remains constant.  Just win.  His success in courtrooms throughout the State is a product of his dedication to his clients.  In the Law Firm of Sal Ciulla, there is no such thing as a small case.  Every case and every client is important. Whether your case involves a misdemeanor or a felony, a DUI or a homicide, you will be well represented.

Mr. Sanders is a founding partner of Duncan & Sanders LLP. Marc obtained his B.S. from Cornell University’s Industrial and Labor Relations School. He received his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law where he was a member of the child advocacy clinic, Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, and completed a training course in transformative mediation. He was admitted to practice law in California in 2011 and is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association.

Denise Yaniv is not your typical L.A. lawyer. She was born and raised on a horse and cattle ranch in North Dakota, the oldest child of Darryl and Donna Blessum. She has always had determination, and her compassion for all creatures led to her sneaking any kind of domestic or wild animal into her bedroom to care for as a pet when a girl, to pursuing a career as a paramedic, and ultimately becoming a compassionate, aggressive, dedicated criminal defense attorney. Denise's goal to be a paramedic led her to become a police officer (a prerequisite set by her employer, despite her disinclination), ultimately graduating as "The Honor Graduate" of her police academy .  However, Denise's law enforcement service became instrumental in shaping her determination to become the very best criminal defense attorney she could be. During the time Denise was a police officer/paramedic, she witnessed frequent injustices perpetrated by her peers, especially towards minorities, while the system turned a blind eye. She experienced this behavior first hand as a woman. But, being a fighter, Denise stood up to the injustice and beat the department.  In 2000  Denise became a first-generation college student, moving to Southern California with two small children and tons of determination. In 2003 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in psychology. In 2005, Ms. Yaniv obtained her J.D. at Southwestern University School of Law after completing the accelerated SCALE program. Since then Denise has made it her life's mission to passionately fight for those who have been wronged by our legal system and to uphold the U.S. Constitution.   Ms. Yaniv surrounds herself with teammates, other professionals who have displayed dedication and integrity to assist  in the defense of her clients.  Different Defense Team takes the process a step further, and helps to facilitate rehabilitation and life redirection after the criminal process is complete. Denise and her teammates make up the Different Defense Team, and will be in your corner to tirelessly fight for you and your Constitutional rights!

Extensive litigation experience in the following areas: Federal & state criminal defense cases, Civil personal injury cases (motor vehicle, abuse, wrongful death), Professional licensing board hearings. I have 10 years of experiance as a Deputy District Attorney. Worked major narcotics enforcement. Also worked in the homicide unit prosecuting murder cases. Co-authored Livsey Hearing Protocol for Death Penalty Case Reveiw within Orange County. Our Motto- "Whatever it takes"

Mr. Fontes was born and raised in Nogales, Arizona, and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego in 1997. Mr. Fontes played football for the University of San Diego Toreros.. Mr. Fontes graduated from the Arizona State College of Law in May of 2004 and was admitted to the California Bar that year. During law school Mr. Fontes clerked for the Law Office of Gabriel Valdez Jr., which specializes in criminal defense. Mr. Fontes also clerked for the Honorable James A. Soto at the Santa Cruz County Superior Court of Arizona.. Upon completion of law school, Mr. Fontes practiced as an Immigration Attorney for a private law firm in Orange County, CA for approximately two years. Mr. Fontes has represented thousands of immigrants and their families before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and before the Executive Office of Immigration Review in Immigration Court.. Mr. Fontes is admitted to practice law before all California State Courts. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Central District of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

As the founding attorney at The Law Offices of Jerry Schaffer, Jr., Orange County lawyer Jerry Schaffer, Jr. offers tireless legal representation in criminal defense cases. Since 1994, he has been practicing law in California. Prior to entering private practice, Attorney Scahffer was a prosecutor for 17 years. Mr. Schaffer received his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and his Juris Doctor from the Southwestern University School of Law. For a no-cost consultation, contact his firm.

I live in Orange County and I grew up in Orange County. My practice has been here my entire career.

Mr. Molfetta has completed over 250 jury trials all over the country including Idaho, Texas, New York, Florida, Connecticut, Mass., and New Jersey. He has handled cases in Mexico, Italy, and Canada as well. He has been a legal analyst on ABC's World News Tonight as well as many other prominent shows. He is one of the main subjects in two "true crime" novels.

I have been in practice since 1986. Since then, my office has been dedicated to serving the legal needs of individual people from all over the Country and World. I have successfully litigated both bench and jury trials over a wide range of fields, including criminal defense, personal injury (plaintiff), worker's compensation (applicant), family law (dissolution, child custody, restraining orders), guardianship, and immigration/deportation. In each case, my office offers confidential, trustworthy, honest, and professional representation at the highest levels. Personal service, extended office hours, and helping out our clients in their time of need is our forte. With many years of experience in each field, coupled with litigating cases in various Counties and Courthouses, provides our clients with a breadth of experience rarely seen with other firms. We look forward to serving your legal needs. Thank you. Victor M. Cueto