Charged with a crime in L.A.? Don't say another word.
A criminal charge in California changes your life before you ever see a courtroom. Bail. Job. Immigration status. Custody of your kids. The first 72 hours after an L.A. arrest are the most consequential — and the easiest to make worse. The right defense attorney gets you through arraignment, in front of a judge who'll listen, and toward an outcome that doesn't follow you for the rest of your life.
We've shortlisted 10 L.A. criminal defense firms with credible track records in DUI, felony, federal, and white-collar matters. Every firm here offers a confidential consultation. If you've been arrested or contacted by a detective, call before you talk to anyone else.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: DUI, federal cases, white-collar, sex crimes, drug crimes
Top 5% U.S. Preeminent Criminal Defense Firm (Martindale-Hubbell). Dmitry Gorin — Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers, State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Former Senior Deputy DA.
Practice focus: Federal criminal, white-collar, fraud, sex crimes
Mark Werksman is a former federal prosecutor (Central District of CA). Best Lawyers 'Lawyer of the Year' Criminal Defense. Strong record in federal cases.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, federal cases, civil rights, high-profile
Mark Geragos is one of the most recognized criminal defense lawyers in America. Has represented executives, athletes, and public figures in major state and federal matters.
Practice focus: Criminal appeals, post-conviction, sex crimes, federal
Aaron Spolin is a former NY prosecutor. Strong criminal appellate practice — one of L.A.'s top post-conviction firms. Multiple Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
Practice focus: DUI, felony, federal, juvenile
Multi-generational L.A. criminal defense practice. Multiple Super Lawyers, strong record in DUI suppression and felony defense.
Practice focus: DUI, narcotics, white-collar, sex crimes
Darren Kavinoky is a long-time L.A. DUI defense authority and frequent legal commentator. Strong DMV hearing practice.
Practice focus: Sex crimes, DUI, expungement, federal, juvenile
40+ years of CA criminal defense. Strong sex-crimes and post-conviction practice. Heavy advertising and 24/7 intake.
Practice focus: White-collar, federal, securities, criminal litigation
Premier L.A. white-collar boutique. Multiple former federal prosecutors. Chambers ranked. Strong in SEC and DOJ investigations.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, white-collar, celebrity client
40+ years L.A. criminal defense. Multiple high-profile representations. Strong celebrity and entertainment-industry client base.
Practice focus: DUI, drug crimes, sex crimes, federal
Ronald Hedding is a former L.A. County DA. Strong DUI and drug-crimes practice with heavy intake across SoCal.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →From arrest to arraignment within 48 hours (often the next business day if arrested on a weekend). Misdemeanor cases (DUI, petty theft, simple assault) often resolve in 4-9 months through motions, plea negotiations, or dismissal. Felonies (DUI with priors, robbery, drug sales) take 12+ months and may include preliminary hearing, suppression hearings, and trial. Federal cases (Central District of California) run 12-24 months.
Most L.A. criminal defense lawyers charge a flat fee through a defined stage. A first-time misdemeanor DUI typically runs $3,500-$8,500 through plea or trial. Felonies start around $15,000-$25,000 and rise with complexity. Federal cases run $35,000-$150,000+. Hourly billing is rare. Always ask: what's covered, what triggers an additional fee, and what happens at trial.
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Los Angeles criminal defense firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Los Angeles lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Most Los Angeles firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
Los Angeles is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. L.A. Superior Court, Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Los Angeles firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Not without consulting a lawyer first. Police questioning that begins as 'we just want to clear this up' often ends with charges. You have the right to an attorney even if you haven't been arrested. Use it.
Often yes. A skilled DUI lawyer attacks the stop, the field sobriety tests, the breath/blood machine maintenance records, and the chain of custody. Many first-time L.A. DUIs end in a plea to a 'wet reckless' (lesser charge) or are dismissed after pretrial motions.
State charges are prosecuted by the L.A. County DA. Federal charges (Central District of CA) involve the FBI, DEA, IRS, or HSI and carry stricter Sentencing Guidelines. You want a lawyer admitted to practice in the federal court handling your case.
DMV automatically suspends your license unless you request an Administrative Per Se hearing within 10 days of arrest. Most lawyers handle this hearing as part of representation. A restricted (work) license is usually available.
If the case ended in dismissal or acquittal, you may petition for sealing under Penal Code §§ 851.87 or 851.91. If you pleaded guilty, expungement under § 1203.4 is available after completion of probation for most non-violent offenses.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team