Best San Francisco Criminal Defense Lawyers

Pelta Law handles criminal defense cases across California, with attorney Marc Pelta leading the firm. Pelta served as a prosecutor for three years before opening his practice in 2008. He defends clients facing DUI charges, drug offenses, restraining orders, and felony crimes. The firm has represented clients for over 15 years in Bay Area courts. Pelta uses his prosecution background to build strong defense strategies. Clients pay nothing upfront and get direct attorney access throughout their case.

Summit Defense operates as Northern California's largest exclusively criminal defense firm. Their team comprises three former prosecutors, one former police officer, and a Board-Certified Appellate Specialist. With 120+ years combined experience, they handle DUI, domestic violence, and federal cases throughout the Bay Area. A+ BBB rating for six consecutive years. Free consultations and 24/7 availability.

Morales Law Firm defends criminal cases throughout California with offices in San Francisco and Redwood City. Attorney Christopher Morales is a California Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a distinction held by few attorneys. He has practiced criminal defense since 1991 and defended thousands of clients. The firm handles DUI, drug crimes, assault, theft, white collar crimes, and murder cases. Morales earned AAA ratings from Attorney Search Network and an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. He graduated from UC Berkeley and Santa Clara Law School. No-cost consultations available.

The Law Offices of Jonah Chew handles criminal defense cases in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. Attorney Jonah Chew has over 20 years of courtroom experience and served five years as a Deputy Public Defender. He's been recognized by Super Lawyers from 2019 to 2025. The firm defends clients facing fraud charges, sex crimes, DUI, white collar offenses, and major felonies in state and federal courts. They represent clients across San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

Law Office of Sergio H. Benavides provides criminal defense and immigration services throughout Hayward and the Bay Area. Attorney Sergio Benavides earned recognition as one of America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in 2018. The firm handles DUI defense, immigration matters, and domestic violence cases. They serve Alameda and San Francisco counties with over 15 years of legal experience.

Valery Nechay is a San Francisco criminal defense attorney specializing in state and federal cases, civil rights violations, and post-conviction relief. Founded in 2017, the firm serves all nine Bay Area counties. Nechay offers aggressive representation for charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. No-obligation consultations available.

Gasner Criminal Law provides criminal defense representation in San Francisco federal and state courts. Attorney Adam G. Gasner holds board certification as a criminal law specialist from the California State Bar, a distinction shared by fewer than 400 attorneys statewide. The firm handles serious felonies, homicides, and DUI cases. Free consultations are available at their Franklin Street office. Gasner maintains an AV Preeminent rating and serves as past president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of Northern California.

Former Deputy District Attorney Pezhman Pakneshan defends clients throughout the Bay Area. With 20+ years of experience and over 1,000 cases handled, the firm specializes in DUI and criminal defense. Their expertise includes forensic analysis training and prescription drug DUI cases. Serving Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and surrounding counties, they offer aggressive representation. The firm also assists clients in clearing their criminal records through expungement.

Jayne Law Group is a San Francisco criminal defense firm with offices in Oakland. They handle white-collar crimes and complex federal cases. Former prosecutors run the practice, giving clients insider knowledge of how the system works. The attorneys have earned recognition from Chambers USA and Super Lawyers. With 25 years of trial experience, they take on both state and federal criminal charges.

Ginny Walia Law Offices provides family law and criminal defense services in Fremont and San Jose. The firm handles divorce, child custody, DUI, and domestic violence cases. Their attorneys bring over 20 years of experience to the San Francisco Bay Area. They focus on protecting client rights and reducing legal impact. The team provides personalized representation to clients throughout the Bay Area.

Hickey & Chung, LLP is a boutique San Francisco criminal defense firm handling federal and state cases. Harvard-educated attorney Brendan Hickey brings extensive trial experience to complex white-collar crimes. Naomi Chung earned 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star recognition. The firm accepts a limited caseload to provide focused client attention. They handle wire fraud, securities fraud, regulatory offenses, and RICO cases throughout the Bay Area.

Matt Sullivan is a San Francisco criminal defense attorney and former deputy public defender. Recognized by Super Lawyers from 2018-2024 and National Trial Lawyers Top 100. His firm handles DUI, domestic violence, and serious felony cases throughout the Bay Area. Sullivan offers free consultations and has won numerous dismissals and acquittals. The practice serves all Northern California counties including San Francisco, Alameda, and Marin.

Hallinan Law Firm defends criminal cases throughout the Bay Area from offices in Oakland and San Francisco. Neil Hallinan, a third-generation trial attorney, founded the firm in 2018. He served nearly a decade as a public defender before starting private practice. The team has tried over 45 cases to verdict. They handle DUI, drug charges, and serious felony matters. Hallinan Law provides 24/7 availability and representation across Northern California counties.

Hickey & Chung, LLP are San Francisco criminal defense attorneys specializing in federal and state cases. Brendan Hickey brings federal defender experience to complex trials. Naomi Chung, a 2023 Rising Star, focuses on white-collar crimes. The firm creates tailored defense strategies for clients facing serious criminal charges throughout California.