Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles
The Rodriguez Law Group is the best overall criminal defense firm in Los Angeles. Founder Ambrosio E. Rodriguez spent more than 13 years as a Senior Deputy District Attorney, where he led the Sex Crimes and Homicide Units, before he moved to the defense side. His downtown firm won a not guilty verdict in a first-degree murder trial with gang allegations and holds more than 175 five-star Google reviews. LA Defense Team is the pick for traffic tickets and driving charges. CBS Law is the choice when a divorce or breakup leads to a criminal charge. The Law Office of Jeff Voll fits people who need habeas and post-conviction help.
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Firms at a Glance
| Firm | Best For | Office Area | Lead Attorney Background | Track Record | Consultation and Access |
| The Rodriguez Law Group | Best Overall for Criminal Defense | Downtown LA, Wilshire Blvd | Former Senior Deputy DA with 13+ years; two former prosecutors on staff | Not guilty in a first-degree murder trial; 175+ five-star Google reviews | Free confidential consultation; English and Spanish |
| LA Defense Team | Best for Traffic | Los Angeles | Levon Kyurkchyan and Michael Berg | National Trial Lawyers Top 100 member; California DUI Lawyers Association | Free consultation; reachable 24/7 by phone, text, or email |
| CBS Law | Best for Divorce-Related Criminal Charges | Los Angeles | Christopher Bou Saeed, thousands of cases defended | 93% trial success rate reported; murder charges dismissed | Free 60-minute consultation; 24/7 access |
| Law Office of Jeff Voll | Best for Habeas | Los Angeles | 25 years of defense work; 100+ jury trials | 100+ cases dismissed in one year | Free consultation; Spanish through AbogadoCriminal.com |
1. The Rodriguez Law Group
Best Overall for Criminal Defense
Walk into the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Temple Street on any weekday. The hallways fill with families holding folders and asking the same question. Who should handle this case? For serious charges in Los Angeles, the Rodriguez Law Group is the name that keeps coming up.
Ambrosio E. Rodriguez knows how the other side builds a case because he built them. He spent more than 13 years as a Senior Deputy District Attorney. He ran the Sex Crimes Unit and the Homicide Unit. Managing Partner Sommer Salam is also a former prosecutor, with more than eight years of experience, and she leads pre-trial strategy.
The results carry weight. A client charged with first-degree murder and gang allegations walked out with a not guilty verdict after a jury trial. A client facing up to 28 years on a child molestation charge received probation and therapy instead of prison. In a felony domestic violence case and a sex offense investigation, all charges were dropped.
The firm handles homicide, assault, federal crimes, domestic violence, theft, sex crimes, drug crimes, DUI, juvenile cases, and expungement. Consultations are free, confidential, and offered in English and Spanish.
- Address: 626 Wilshire Blvd Suite 460, Los Angeles, CA 90017
- Phone: (213) 995-6767
- Website: aerlawgroup.com
2. LA Defense Team
Best for Traffic
A traffic stop on the 5 or the 101 can go sideways fast. A simple ticket can turn into a license suspension, a DUI arrest, or a reckless driving charge. LA Defense Team gives drivers across Los Angeles County a firm that treats those cases seriously.
Attorneys Levon Kyurkchyan and Michael Berg handle traffic violations, DUI, drug charges, assault, theft, weapons, and white collar cases. The firm belongs to the California DUI Lawyers Association and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and it holds BBB accreditation.
Access is a strong point. The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with weekend help by phone. Clients can reach the team 24/7 by phone, text, or email, and the first consultation is free.
- Address: 144 N Glendale Ave #200, Los Angeles, CA 91206
- Phone: (888) 589-9994
- Website: ladefenseteam.com
3. CBS Law
Best for Divorce-Related Criminal Charges
A divorce can get ugly. Sometimes a heated argument ends with a 911 call, an arrest, and a criminal protective order. CBS Law defends people in that spot. The firm does not handle the divorce itself. It handles the criminal case that can shape custody and property fights down the road.
Managing Attorney Christopher Bou Saeed and attorney Seth R. Hancock have defended thousands of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. The firm reports a 93% trial success rate. Its results include dismissed murder and attempted murder charges, plus civil rights settlements of $750,000 and $1.5 million.
Practice areas cover domestic violence, violent crimes, sex crimes, drug and theft cases, DUI, weapons, professional license defense, and police misconduct. It offers a free 60-minute consultation and 24/7 availability.
- Address: 633 W 5th St, 26th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
- Phone: (213) 800-8005
- Website: thecbslaw.com
4. Law Office of Jeff Voll
Best for Habeas
Few lawyers know what it feels like to sit in a cell and wonder if they will ever get out. Jeff Voll does. In 2017, federal agents arrested him on RICO charges that carried a possible life sentence. He turned down every plea offer and went to trial. In 2020, a jury found all accused not guilty on all counts.
That experience shapes how he fights for people held in custody. Habeas petitions challenge unlawful detention, and post-conviction work looks for errors after a case ends. Voll’s FAQ covers appeals and post-conviction relief, and he has practiced criminal defense since 2001 with more than 100 jury trials. He reports more than 100 cases dismissed in a single year after he announced ready for trial.
His practice also covers DUI, drug, fraud, and sex crime cases. Spanish speakers can reach the office through AbogadoCriminal.com, and consultations are free.
- Address: 959 E Colorado Blvd #217, Los Angeles, CA 91106
- Phone: (323) 467-6400
- Website: crimeattorney.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Rodriguez Law Group ranked the best criminal defense firm in Los Angeles?
Its founder led the Sex Crimes and Homicide Units as a Senior Deputy District Attorney for more than 13 years. The firm has won a not guilty verdict in a first-degree murder trial and holds more than 175 five-star Google reviews.
How soon after an arrest does a first court date happen in California?
A person held in custody must be brought before a judge within 48 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. People released on bail or a citation get a later date on their paperwork.
Can a criminal record be cleared in California?
Often, yes. Many people who finish probation can ask the court to dismiss the case under Penal Code 1203.4. This is called an expungement. It can help with job applications.
What is a writ of habeas corpus?
It is a court filing that says a person is being held unlawfully. In California, it can raise issues like new evidence or poor legal help at trial. It should be filed without delay.
What should a driver do after a DUI arrest in Los Angeles?
Act fast. The driver has only 10 days to request a DMV hearing to fight the license suspension. The court case and the DMV case run on separate tracks.
