Best Lawyers Near You in Mill Valley, California for Criminal Defense: General Practice
With nearly 200,000 licensed attorneys across a state known for its massive industries, progressive laws and regional differences, finding the right legal help in California can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re facing a business dispute in Silicon Valley or a custody battle in San Diego, it’s critical to find a lawyer in California who not only understands the law but understands how it works where you live.
That’s where Best Lawyers comes in. Our platform is more than just a directory. Every lawyer listed has been thoroughly vetted through a rigorous peer-review process, so you can search with confidence no matter what practice area you need.
Using the Best Lawyers Directory in California
The Best Lawyers directory makes it easy to find top-rated legal talent across California’s many regions and industries. You can search by:
- Practice area (e.g., environmental law, immigration, tech and IP, family law)
- Location (city or county)
- Lawyer name (if you’re researching someone specifically)
Each listed attorney has been recognized in the most recent edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, a distinction earned through extensive peer feedback and professional evaluation. That means every name you see has already earned the respect of their colleagues—and likely their adversaries, too.
If you need to find a lawyer in California without wasting time on unverified referrals or endless Google results, start here. Our listings provide clear, up-to-date profiles that help you narrow down your options quickly.
California-Specific Legal Needs and Practice Areas
California law can be tricky. You need someone who knows the ropes. The state is a national leader in tech innovation, environmental regulation and entertainment law—and its legal landscape reflects that. Attorneys here must stay up to date not only with federal law but with fast-evolving state statutes, administrative rulings and court precedents.
Some of the most common practice areas where Californians seek legal help include:
- Real estate law, especially in high-cost markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orange County
- Family law, including divorce, child custody and support disputes, all governed by California’s unique family code
- Tech and IP law, a major concern for startups and established firms alike in the Bay Area and beyond
- Entertainment and media law, vital for clients in Los Angeles and surrounding creative hubs
- Environmental and land use law, which is especially important in light of California’s extensive regulations on development, conservation and climate compliance
California also has strict state bar licensing rules, making it essential to choose an attorney who is not just experienced in the area of law you need, but also well-versed in local procedures and precedent. That’s why using a trusted directory like Best Lawyers—where every listing has local context and professional vetting—can make the difference.
How to Find a Good Lawyer in California
Finding a good lawyer in California feels daunting. With so many billboards and online ads, don’t feel bad if you don’t know where to turn. The best results come from approaching your search with intention. Here are key things to consider:
- Know your legal issue. Attorneys often specialize. Make sure you’re looking within the right practice area.
- Check credentials. Always confirm that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of California.
- Evaluate experience. Ask about similar cases the attorney has handled, especially in your city or county.
- Ask the right questions. When interviewing lawyers, consider asking:
- What is your experience with this specific type of case?
- How do you communicate with clients during the process?
- What outcomes have you achieved in similar matters?
- Read peer and client feedback. While reviews can be helpful, peer recognition carries additional weight. Lawyers know the strengths—and weaknesses—of their colleagues better than anyone else.
Choosing the right legal partner isn’t just about skill. It’s about trust, communication and shared expectations. That’s why using a curated directory that highlights attorneys recommended by their peers can help you filter out guesswork.
Why Peer Recognition Matters in Your Search
The Best Lawyers selection process is rooted in peer recognition—a factor that sets us apart from other platforms. Here’s how it works:
- Nominations come from fellow lawyers, clients and others familiar with a nominee’s work.
- Peer review follows, in which top attorneys confidentially assess the legal skill and professionalism of their peers.
- Analysis and vetting ensure lawyers meet strict ethical and professional standards before being listed.
This isn’t pay-to-play. Lawyers cannot buy their way into the directory and inclusion is never guaranteed. That’s why so many legal professionals and clients trust Best Lawyers as a reliable source of information.
In a field where reputation is everything, recognition from fellow attorneys carries exceptional value. It tells you a lawyer is respected not just by clients, but by those who face them in court or collaborate with them on deals.
Start Your Search with Confidence
Whether you’re seeking representation for a business dispute, criminal matter, estate plan or high-asset divorce, California’s legal market offers no shortage of options. But knowing how to find a lawyer in California—one who brings both credibility and local expertise—is the key to moving forward with clarity.
At Best Lawyers, we make it easier to connect with attorneys who have already earned the respect of their peers. You can explore by practice area, browse by city or search for a specific lawyer using our intuitive filters. No matter where you are in the Golden State, trusted legal help is just a click away.
Find a lawyer in California today and move forward with confidence—backed by a directory built on excellence and trust.
Practice Area Overview
Criminal defense is a branch of law that focuses on defending individuals and organizations who have been accused of committing a crime. The goal of a criminal defense attorney is to protect the rights of their clients and to ensure that they receive a fair trial.
Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Roles
Criminal defense lawyers encompass a wide range of legal issues, including investigations, arrest, pretrial proceedings, plea bargaining, trials, appeals, and post-conviction proceedings. It also involves a variety of different types of crimes, including felonies, misdemeanors, and federal offenses.
Some of the subspecialties of criminal defense lawyers are related to the following types of criminal prosecutions:
- Violent and Nonviolent Crimes
- Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense
- Drug Offenses
- Criminal Investigations
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- DWI Defense
- Criminal Appeals
- Death Penalty
- Juvenile Criminal Defense
- Murder
- Arson
- Traffic Court
- Capital Murder
- And so on…
Right to Representation by a Defense Criminal Lawyer
When an individual is accused of a crime, they have the right to legal representation. A criminal defense attorney is responsible for representing the interests of their client throughout the criminal justice process. This includes advising them of their rights, investigating the charges against them, and advocating for them in court.
Investigation of a Criminal Case
One of the key responsibilities of a criminal defense attorney is to conduct a thorough investigation of the case. This includes reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and examining physical evidence. The attorney will use this information to build a strong defense for their client and to challenge the prosecution's evidence.
Pretrial Hearings
Pretrial proceedings are another important aspect of criminal defense law. During these proceedings, the defense attorney will work to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution. A plea bargain is an agreement between the defense and the prosecution in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence or a dismissal of other charges.
Trials
If a plea bargain cannot be reached, the case will go to trial. During a trial, the defense attorney will present evidence and call witnesses to support their client's innocence. They will also cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses and challenge the evidence presented against their client.
Appeals
If a client is convicted, the defense attorney may file an appeal on their behalf. An appeal is a request for a higher court to review the case and determine if there were any errors made during the trial that may have affected the outcome.
Additionally, criminal defense attorneys can also assist their client during post-conviction proceedings, such as parole hearings, clemency petitions, and expungements, among others.
Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Specialization: When it comes to hiring a criminal defense lawyer, it's important to choose someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in the specific type of crime you have been charged with. For example, if you are accused of drug charges, you'll want to find a lawyer who has experience handling drug cases. Additionally, you'll want to find a lawyer who is familiar with the local court system and the specific judges and prosecutors involved in your case.
- Cost: It's also important to consider the attorney's fees when hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Some lawyers charge a flat fee, while others charge an hourly rate. It's important to understand the fees and to make sure that you can afford to pay them.
- Communication: It's also important to find a lawyer who you feel comfortable communicating with and who you trust. You should feel confident that your lawyer has your best interests in mind and that they are working hard to defend you.
Meeting With a Lawyer for Criminal Defense
When you first meet with a criminal defense lawyer, they will likely ask you to provide them with all the details of your case. This includes information about the charges against you, any evidence that the prosecution may have against you, and any previous criminal history you may have. It's important to be honest and upfront with your lawyer so that they can provide you with the best possible defense.
Keep in mind that a good criminal defense lawyer will not only defend you in court, but also advise you about your rights and options. They will explain the possible outcomes of your case and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
A federal criminal defense lawyer is an attorney who specializes in representing individuals and organizations who have been accused of committing a federal crime. Federal criminal cases are criminal offenses that are defined and prosecuted under federal law, rather than state law. This all happens under a different part of the judicial system than state court: federal judges, federal courts, federal agents and federal investigations. Examples of federal crimes include drug trafficking, bank robbery, and white-collar crimes such as embezzlement and fraud.
For federal criminal charges, the best federal criminal defense lawyers will have experience working with federal prosecutors and the federal government.
State Criminal Defense Lawyers
State criminal defense lawyers are attorneys who specialize in defending people and organizations charged with state crimes. State crimes can include assault, burglary, fraud, drug possession and trafficking, murder, and more. These lawyers represent clients in state court to exonerate them and protect their constitutional rights.
Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
To find the best criminal defense lawyers in America, and the best federal criminal defense attorneys, Best Lawyers has compiled a database of peer reviewed, experienced lawyers.
Criminal Law Legal Guide 2025
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A trial lawyer for over 40 years, Mr. Schwartzbach has been the recipient of numerous distinctions. He won the nationally publicized acquittals of actor Robert Blake, civil rights lawyer Stephen Bingham and organ transplant surgeon Dr. Hootan Roozrokh. He has successfully represented NFL All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch. He also obtained acquittals in the murder trials of NeuroLinguistic Programming co-founder Richard Bandler, and Reuben Vizcarra, a Brown Beret charged with masterminding t...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.