Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Francisco CA

Lawyer Legion connects people with attorneys who are best-suited to solve their legal problems. We have curated a list of over 300 Criminal Defense lawyers currently practicing in San Francisco County, California. We scored each lawyer based on purely objective criteria such as: specialty certifications, distinguished fellowships, professional involvement, community leadership, speaking engagements, and other merit-based criteria.

If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime, consider using Lawyer Legion to discover and connect with criminal defense lawyers in San Francisco, California who are ready to help.

Directory of Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Francisco County, CA

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in San Francisco
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Criminal Defense Lawyers by Cities in San Francisco County, CA
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San Francisco County, CA Legal Resources
Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations
Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense
San Francisco County Government and Court Resources

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in San Francisco

Lawyer Legion Top Picks for 2026

Lawyer Legion created this list of the top picks in 2026 for the best criminal defense attorneys in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. To rank the top Criminal Defense attorneys, and other lawyers in San Francisco County we used both objective and subjective criteria.

The top criminal defense attorneys were selected based on their career accomplishments, professional involvement, community leadership, and board certification.

This list represents some of the most highly accomplished Criminal Defense lawyers currently practicing in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. When reviewing this list, please be aware of each of the following:

Lawyers cannot pay to be included in this list.
Only lawyers who are active on Lawyer Legion were selected.
No online directory can accurately determine a countywide list of attorneys who are actually “the best" at practicing criminal law (but our list comes close).

Showing attorneys 1–11 out of 250

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Criminal Defense Lawyers by Cities in San Francisco County, CA

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San Francisco County, CA Criminal Defense Legal Resources

Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations
Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense
San Francisco County Government and Court Resources

Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ) - The California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ) was formed in 1973 and is the country's largest statewide organization of criminal defense lawyers . The CACJ works to defend the rights and due process of the accused while providing quality continuing legal education to its members. Since strengthening its presence in the California State Capitol, CACJ provides the criminal defense bar with a more unified voice on legislative matters.

California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) - The California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) was founded in 1989. Attorneys in the CDLA promote the rights of the accused to encourage a fair criminal justice system with a focus on DUI charges. The CDLA uses its influence to advocate for legislative changes in the criminal justice system. The California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) is an affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA).

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) - Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges.

Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense

Criminal Law - In California, attorneys can become certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS). Board-certified attorneys include criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders, or prosecutors. These attorneys work within the criminal justice system at the local, state, or federal level.

Appellate Law - Attorneys who are board certified in Appellate Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization have demonstrated significant knowledge and experience in the areas of civil and criminal appeals. Lawyers represent people throughout the appellate law process in both state and federal appellate courts, including the California Court of Appeals, the Federal Court of Appeals, the California Supreme Court, or the United States Supreme Court.

Criminal Trial Law - The specialty area of Criminal Trial Law is offered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) to lawyers. To earn NBTA board certification, the criminal defense attorney must show substantial involvement in at least 45 days of trial, must have served as lead counsel in jury cases through verdict; conducted direct examinations and cross-examinations, and conducted a specified number of voir dire, opening statements and closing arguments.

DUI Defense Law - The National College for DUI Defense, Inc. (NCDD) is an organization that grants specialty or board certification for DUI Defense Law. The ABA has recognized the NCDD as an organization that is accredited to award certification in this specialty area of the law. The purpose of granting board certification in DUI Defense Law is to recognize DUI and DWI lawyers who focus their practice on representing men and women accused of drunk and impaired driving offenses. In order to qualify for board certification in "DUI Defense Law," the attorney must meet specific qualifications and apply for board certification with NCDD.

San Francisco County Government and Court Resources

San Francisco District Attorney's Office
San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
San Francisco County Government
California Office of the State Public Defender
Federal Courts in San Francisco County, CA

San Francisco District Attorney's Office

San Francisco District Attorney's Office - The San Francisco District Attorney's Office is dedicated to promoting public safety, equity, and justice throughout San Francisco County. The office handles felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, supports crime prevention initiatives, and provides victim services. The website outlines the office's innovative programs, including restorative justice initiatives, alternative sentencing, and community engagement projects. It also features resources for victims, witness services, and legal information related to criminal prosecutions. The DA's office is committed to transparency, reform, and building public trust through fair and impartial prosecutions.

San Francisco District Attorney's Office
350 Rhode Island Street, North BuildingN Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 628-652-4000

San Francisco Public Defender's Office

San Francisco Public Defender's Office - The San Francisco Public Defender's Office is dedicated to providing effective legal representation to those unable to afford private attorneys. The website outlines services related to criminal defense, juvenile law, and immigration defense. It features resources for clients and families, including information on court procedures, community programs, and advocacy initiatives. The office's commitment to justice reform is reflected through updates on policy advocacy, public education efforts, and links to legal aid services.

San Francisco Public Defender's Office
555 7th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-553-1671

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco - The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco website offers a wealth of information regarding the court's operations, divisions, and services. It provides online access to civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile court resources, including case searches and tentative rulings. The site supports e-filing services, jury information, and instructions for attending remote hearings. Detailed sections outline the court's mission, judicial leadership, and self-help services for self-represented litigants. The website also includes multilingual resources, fee schedules, and guidance on public access to court records, reflecting the court's commitment to accessibility and justice for all San Francisco residents.

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
400 McAllister St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-551-4000

San Francisco County Government

San Francisco County Government - The San Francisco Government website is the official online resource for both the City and County of San Francisco. It provides extensive information on municipal services, city departments, and local initiatives. The website allows residents to access services such as bill payments, permit applications, and public safety updates. Users can also explore resources on housing, transportation, and environmental programs. The portal is designed for easy navigation, offering tools for public engagement, including city council meeting schedules and community outreach events.

San Francisco County Government
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-701-2311

California Office of the State Public Defender

California Office of the State Public Defender - The Office of the Public Defender in California is a pivotal force for justice, providing expert legal representation to underserved individuals. With a dedicated team of defense attorneys, it ensures equitable trials and upholds the principle that quality legal advocacy is a fundamental right for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. By championing fairness, the office contributes significantly to the integrity of the legal system and the protection of constitutional rights.

Federal Courts in San Francisco County, CA

United States District Court - Northern District of California - On September 28, 1850, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California was established. The court obtained its first courthouse five years later. Before the establishment of the United District Courts for the Eastern and Central Districts of California, the court had influence in the Central Valley and the eastern mountainous regions of the state. Currently, the court encompasses fifteen (15) counties, it has four (4) courthouses, fourteen (14) district judgeships, and twelve (12) magistrate judgeships.

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Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Francisco, California

Directory of Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Francisco County, CA

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in San Francisco

Christopher Francis Morales

Michael Stepanian

Aaron Reuben Bortel

Christopher Anthony Kerosky

Jose Caetano de Castro Hecht

Phillip Louis Neiman

Amethyst Puri

Pamela Rae Davis

Kali Saveria Grech

Erin Crane

Alexis Wilson Briggs