Novato Criminal Lawyers

Carin Johnson is a passionate defender of parents’ rights and has practiced dependency and juvenile law for over 27 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Chico State University and is a graduate of Golden Gate University, School of Law, 1993.

In September 2010, Carin presented oral argument in the California First District Court of Appeal, involving a case where the dependency court denied her client reunification services and sought to terminate her parental rights. Carin fought hard for the mother and won a rare REVERSAL, of the lower court’s ruling. This changed California law.

Again, Carin argued a wrongfully-accused...

John Runfola is a highly experienced and effective criminal defense attorney. His cases have at times drawn international attention, and he has succeeded in winning favorable results for clients both at trial and through skillful pre-trial work. He is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has earned the highest rating from the national lawyer registry Martindale Hubbell. Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Runfola served as a Public Defender in San Francisco, where he gained invaluable courtroom experience. He is a seasoned trial lawyer, yet is equally adept at the behind-the-scenes work that often proves critical to a...

The Nieves Law Firm founder Jo-Anna Nieves takes the "criminal" out of criminal defense, and her results speak for themselves. Jo-Anna has been recognized by multiple awards agencies for her exemplary legal work, having been named the Best Criminal Defense Attorney and the Best DUI Lawyer in Oakland by Expertise.com in 2023, as well as being recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for the past 7 years. Oakland Magazine also named her a Top 5 Attorney in their annual "Best of Oakland" awards. Her award-winning legal work extends beyond the criminal defense realm as Jo-Anna has been cited in multiple...

I am a top rated Criminal Defense & Immigration. I have defended 1000's of clients with great results. I have years of experience, having helped thousands of clients with every type of criminal charge, from petty theft, to drug possession, to attempted murder and sexual assault. I've handled DUIs, Domestic violence. I have taken over 30 cases to trial, and gotten cases dismissed. I am fluent in Spanish.

We help people with Immigraiton cases. Family Petitons, fighting deportation in Court, Asylum applications from all over the world. Green card applications,...

The Law Office of Matt Sullivan is dedicated exclusively to criminal defense. The office defends individuals accused of felony and misdemeanor offenses throughout the Bay Area. The office has successfully defended many clients, including small business owners, tech workers, college students, nurses, firefighters, police officers, attorneys, and regular citizens. Matt Sullivan is a University of San Francisco Law School graduate. Mr. Sullivan was selected to the 2018-2024 Northern California Super Lawyers list in the practice area of criminal defense. Prior to opening his own office he was a trial attorney in the Marin Public Defender's Office, and he also worked...

I spent nearly 25 years as a state court prosecutor. The majority of those years were served in Alameda County, and a few years were served in Santa Clara County. I specialized in high profile, complex felony prosecutions. I was the trial prosecutor in the case of People v. Madison, Merel, and Cazares. The case involved the prosecution of three men for the murder of Gwen Araujo, a transgender, teenaged girl from Newark, California. The famous case became the subject of a Lifetime Network movie called, "A Girl Like Me."

There is no aspect of the...

The Applegate Law Office focuses on efficient, effective representation. I provide my clients with exactly the help that they need. I founded the Applegate Law Office in June 2009. I have been practicing law in California since 2003, and I have spent most of those years practicing law in the North Bay. As an attorney for years in Santa Rosa and a former prosecutor in Ukiah and Willits, I am familiar with Sonoma and Mendocino County courts. My office, centrally located in Santa Rosa, serves all of the North Bay – Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, and Marin counties.

A personal injury...

The Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. is a Criminal Defense law office dedicated to defending clients charged with all misdemeanor and felony offenses. We represent clients facing charges in all State and Federal Courts within California. Our office is located in downtown Santa Rosa, California and is located just minutes from the Sonoma County Hall of Justice (Courthouse) and the Jail Detention Facilities.

Our office has successfully handled a vast array of criminal cases involving: DUI, Gang Related Offenses, Sex Crimes, White Collar Crimes, Drug Crimes, Violent Crimes, Federal Offenses, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Crimes, Three Strikes, Theft &...

The Law Offices of Lucy S. McAllister is a California-based administrative law, licensing law and criminal law practice providing legal services for clients in California. Attorney McAllister has successfully won over 250 Superior Court trials as a Defense Attorney.With 30+ years experience as a civil and criminal attorney.

She specializes in the following areas of law:

Licensing Law :
Pre-hearing resolution of licensing issues, Administrative Hearings, Administrative Appeals, License Applications, Legal Advice, Handling License Criminal Disclosures (Applications, Renewals, Reinstatements), criminal record expungement.

Criminal Law:
Restraining orders, DUI charges and convictions, Domestic Violence, Sex Charges, Strikes Charges, Assault and Battery, Theft and Fraud,...

Michael Ross is a California Native and has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over twenty-five years. Recently married, Mr. Ross and his new wife Susan both live and work in San Francisco. A former prosecutor, (Deputy Attorney General for the Criminal Division, and a Special Prosecutor), Mr. Ross has earned a reputation for unrelenting, aggressive representation of persons charged with a crime. Mr. Ross is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco (Criminal Section Member), the Young Scandinavians Club, the Dolphin Club, and the San Francisco SPCA (as a "Patron"). Mr. Ross...

As a former Deputy District Attorney and Deputy Public Defender who has litigated thousands of cases, including misdemeanors and felonies, I know how to fight for you. My background includes adult and juvenile cases, as well as serious and violent felonies and three-strikes cases.

I am also an experienced civil litigator with a corporate and white-collar litigation background at a prestigious "big law" firm who switched sides to sue corporations and other entities (including insurance companies, police departments, governments, and others) on behalf of individuals to obtain justice for my clients.

As a result, I have seen firsthand how corporations and...

Jacob Harker is a San Francisco Bay Area attorney. Mr. Harker has set up and run his law practice in a cost-effective and practical manner. He has done so in an effort to pass on the savings to his clients. As an attorney, Mr. Harker sees his practice as taking the lead in a new era of legal services.

With over 10 years, 2,000 cases and numerous jury verdicts under my belt, I stand by ready to help you. I was a Deputy District Attorney for several years, and will put that experience to work for you. I will keep you informed and confident throughout your case. You let me worry about the case while you get on with your life. I am a United States Navy veteran of Afghanistan and a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal.

Sam is a Bay Area native. He went to college and law school in San Francisco. Sam is more than just a defense attorney and prides himself on helping his clients during difficult times. Sam is never afraid to take the unpopular position in court and will always fight hard for you. No matter what, he will do his best to get the job done and give your case the best result possible. He has represented clients dealing with minor misdemeanor offenses to serious felonious sex offenses. Sam began his defense attorney career as a public...

Lynn Gorelick has been an attorney for over 34 years. Attorney Lynn Gorelick is the Immediate Past President of the California DUI Lawyers Association. This is the only and most well respected legal organization for California Lawyers specializing in DUI defense. Ms. Gorelick has been a member of this organization since its inception and has served on the Board of Directors for over 15 years. She is committed to the protection your rights.

Ms. Gorelick is a Faculty and Sustaining member of the National College of DUI Defense. She has been a featured speaker at the...

Mr. Mitchell is dedicated to defense by training and experience, familiar with the demands of protecting the interests of the criminally accused. He worked for 7 years as a Public Defender and handled thousands of cases before going into private practice. He has experience in representing individuals in cases involving Homicide, Domestic Violence, DUI, Drug Sales and Possession, Weapons, Elder Abuse, Assault and Battery, Burglary, Robbery, Evading, Gang, White Collar Crimes, Conspiracy and Probation Violations.

He also pursues Civil Right Violations, police misconduct cases, ensuring his clients are afforded their rights or compensation for the deprivation of the same.

If you've been...

Attorney Shari Sukaram is one of the founding lawyers with Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, a criminal defense law firm representing clients throughout Northern California. Ms. Sukaram realized that she wanted to be a litigation attorney at a young age; she’s since achieved that goal and dedicates her legal career to standing up for the rights of others. Ms. Sukaram went to the University of California, San Diego, for her undergraduate studies. She then went on to earn her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 2007. During law school, Attorney Sukaram interned for the...

Zack was born and raised in San Francisco but has made Santa Rosa his home for the past fifteen years, owning and operating successful businesses and developing multiple ties to the community before deciding to become an attorney. Early on in his legal career, Zack spent four years with Legal Aid of Sonoma County under the umbrella of the State Bar of California’s Practical Training program. This allowed Zack to provide legal services under the supervision of an attorney. Based upon his calming presence and ability to put people at ease, Zack was asked to work in the Domestic Violence division...

Megan Burns fights for justice on behalf of her clients whether they are charged with a crime or seeking recovery after being injured through no fault of their own. While Ms. Burns has successfully negotiated hundreds of cases, she is also an aggressive and experienced trial attorney. With over ten years of litigation experience in private practice and as deputy public defender in San Francisco and Solano Counties, Ms. Burns possesses the skills necessary to secure the best outcome for her clients. In her criminal defense practice, Ms. Burns has worked on nearly every type of criminal case imaginable...

I am knowledgeable and skilled in the preparation and defense of misdemeanor, felony and juvenile cases from arraignment through jury trial. My experience includes litigation on behalf of Juvenile’s against multiple School Districts and the S.A.R.B. (School Attendance Review Board). I also assist in hearings and trials with matters such as reviewing and analyzing evidence, police reports, interviewing witnesses and preparing clients for court.

My court appearances have included arraignments, pre-trial conferences, probation violation hearings, Proposition 36 court, and readiness conferences. In addition, I research, write, and argue motions on a range of procedural and substantive matters.

I received a B.S....

The DUI Law Firm of Jon Woolsey focuses his practice entirely DUI defense and DMV license suspension hearings, limiting his practice to the court systems of Sonoma, Napa, Marin & Mendocino Counties.

Mr. Woolsey, known as the DUI GURU, has practiced criminal defense in California ever since his graduation from California Western School of Law. His DUI defense experience has taken him to courts in San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Mateo, San Francisco, Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties.

Mr. Rabin Nabizadeh is a staunch, single minded advocate with years of experience and a proven track record in both Federal and State courts. He has represented individuals in cases ranging from Misdemeanor DUI, Theft and Domestic Violence cases to serious felonies including Grand Theft, Burglary, Sex Crimes and even Murder. While defending these clients, Mr. Nabizadeh achieved the remarkable success that Summit Defense demands from their attorneys.

Santa Rosa criminal defense lawyer Ronald Dinan is the founder of Ronald Dinan & Associates, where he and a team of legal professionals offer diligent representation to Northern California residents who have found themselves charged with a crime. In his nearly 40-year career, Mr. Dinan has handled 12,000+ cases, and as a result he has a sophisticated understanding of the California justice system. He is a member of a number of professional organizations, including California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and National College for DUI Defense. In 2013, he founded the VA Free Legal...

Boris has devoted himself to a career in criminal defense and fighting for the rights of the accused—a passion that grew from his experience being erroneously arrested at age thirteen due to a misidentification. This experience left him intimately aware of the kind of anxiety and fear a criminal accusation causes in one's life. Bringing this memory to the courtroom and negotiating table alike, Boris quickly gained a reputation as a fearless and zealous advocate for his clients who fights with integrity and compassion every step of the way.

Smart & Aggressive Criminal Defense. Experienced in representing individuals accused of crimes...

I have helped thousands at my free immigration clinics at dozens of churches and high schools. I have partnered with many non-profit organizations to help people for free, and I provide many services without a fee. Ask your friends or family about me - chances are I already helped them. There is no one in the Northern California Central Valley that has the training or experience in immigration that I do.

Izaak Schwaiger is an advocate and champion for the rights of regular people. A decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a former Sonoma County prosecutor, and a respected presence in the courtroom, Mr. Schwaiger has devoted his practice to defending the criminally accused and upholding the civil rights of those who have been wronged by the police. Following ten years of service to his country in the Marine Corps, Izaak enrolled in law school at the University of Wyoming, where he did not graduate with honors, but was named "most likely to become a rockstar." Called the...

I am a native San Franciscan and have been an advocate for the accused since 2003. My office handles all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. I have represented clients in cases involving life exposure, violent crimes including sex offenses and domestic violence, DUI vehicular manslaughter, DUIs with priors, white collar embezzlement, grand theft, various drug offenses including possession for sale, Fish & Game violations, Juvenile offenses, expungements, DMV licensing issues and more.

I have had many difficult cases over the years for which I have delivered excellent results for my clients. Here are just a few: 1) A mistrial...

Most experienced DUI lawyer in N. California. Over 44 years in practice. Co-founder and past president of the state-wide California Association of DUI Lawyers (CDLA). Received State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law designation in 1985. Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award from CDLA in 2015.

A California State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, Jeffrey B. Hayden represents the residents of the Bay Area in California, which includes the cities in the metro areas of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. He focuses his practice on criminal defense, and juvenile offenses.
Mr. Hayden also hosts the program Your Legal Rights, broadcast weekly at San Francisco NPR affiliate KALW.
https://www.kalw.org/term/your-legal-rights#stream/0
Mr. Hayden graduated the University of California with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, then attended University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, earning his Juris...

Conor attended UCLA for his undergraduate education, where he majored in Political Science. He then stayed at UCLA for another 3 years, graduating with his law degree in 2016. From 2016-2020 he worked as a Deputy DA at the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office, where he handled large misdemeanor and felony caseloads and gained valuable courtroom experience. Since 2020, he has been practicing criminal defense law, with a primary focus on DUI cases.

Mr. Cross is an expert in the field of criminal law. Mr. Cross will fight more aggressively than anyone to bring you the best outcome possible. He passionately cares about defending his clients and does everything within his power to help them. Having attended the University of California, Berkeley for Undergraduate studies, he received a B.A. in Legal Studies. He subsequently attended the prestigious San Francisco Law School to receive his J.D. He is a member of many associations, including the State Bar Association, the Alameda County Car Association, the San Mateo County Bar Association and the Delta Theta Phi...

For over thirty years, Steve and his law firm have successfully helped tens of thousands of clients with tax representation and resolving all types of tax situations that can arise with federal and state taxes. Examples of his services include, but are not limited to: civil and criminal tax representation, including representation in the related non-tax case, such as money laundering, audits with the various federal and state taxing authorities, tax planning, preparation of current and delinquent tax returns, resolution of disputed amounts due or inability to pay balances that the client agrees are due, defense of investors and promoters...

Los Angeles native and attorney Victoria (Tori) Hirsch is eager to fight for you in the legal arena, and she thoroughly enjoys fighting for the rights of every single person she represents. At the Nieves Law Firm, Tori primarily represents clients facing criminal charges, those who find themselves caught up in the juvenile justice system, and those who need assistance with post-conviction relief matters. Her focus on juvenile work stems from her previous experience working as an English Language Arts teacher at KIPP Bayview Academy where she taught what she considers “some of the world’s smartest, funniest, and kindest seventh...

NEIL HALLINAN is a third-generation trial attorney in the San Francisco Bay area, with offices in San Francisco and Oakland. Prior to founding the Hallinan Law Firm, Mr. Hallinan spent a decade as a public defender, mostly in Oakland, CA, during which time he represented thousands of clients in matters ranging from high-stakes felony prosecutions, including murder and white collar fraud, to low level misdemeanors, including hundreds of DUI cases, more than fifteen of which he tried to verdict. His victories include full acquittals in 3-strikes prosecutions as well as a discharge of a murder case at preliminary hearing.

In...

Serving Solano and Contra Costa County, Carol Long is a dedicated, zealous advocate for those who need someone to stand up for them. As a criminal defense attorney for over 23 years, Ms. Long is committed to securing justice for her clients in a system that often fails people. Having represented clients charged with crimes that range from DUI to Homicide, Ms. Long has the necessary experience and reputation needed to get you the successful outcome you deserve.

"I am dedicated to my clients and work hard to achieve the results needed in every case" I have represented clients and continue to to serve the counties of San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Napa, San Joaquin and all other Northern California Counties. No case is to big, and no case is to small. Each one has a certain value to the client and each deserves 110% effort. This is what I do! We Handle everything from: Traffic stop signs; to DMV suspensions; to DUI cases; to serious felonies.