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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Brea, CA: 2026 rankings

720 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Brea: Poseidon Defense A.P.C., LFR Score 70/100; 5.0★ from 201 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Shouse Law Group, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 720.

  3. 6

    Most-reviewed: Manshoory Law Group, 385 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 720 ranked; ranked #6.

Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

720 Brea criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 288 are open 24/7, 400 open Saturdays and 349 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 720 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Brea at a glance

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Brea at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Poseidon Defense A.P.C.705.0★ (201)Fullerton, 3 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Shouse Law Group684.9★ (168)Orange, 9 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian685.0★ (268)Santa Ana, 15 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Chambers & Ball685.0★ (156)Santa Ana, 12 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5ALL Trial Lawyers | CPS and Family Law685.0★ (110)Orange, 9 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Manshoory Law Group675.0★ (385)Los Angeles, 23 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Most reviews
7Law Office of Neeraj D. Singh, APC675.0★ (71)Orange, 9 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8The Law Offices Of Glew & Kim674.9★ (124)Santa Ana, 12 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Bryan R. Kazarian DUI Lawyers675.0★ (32)Fullerton, 3 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Confianza Legal674.7★ (121)Santa Fe Springs, 9 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 720 criminal defense lawyers in Brea, in rank order

Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

  1. Ranked #1 in Brea

    Based in Fullerton, 3 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 201 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 201 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1440 N Harbor Blvd #260, Fullerton, CA 92835
  2. Based in Orange, 9 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 168 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 168 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    333 City Blvd W Ste 1750, Orange, CA 92868
  3. Based in Santa Ana, 12 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 156 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 156 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    404 W 4th St L, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  4. Based in Los Angeles, 23 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 385 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 385 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    660 S Figueroa St Ste 1888, Los Angeles, CA 90017
  5. Based in Santa Ana, 12 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 124 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 124 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1851 E 1st St #410, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  6. Based in Fullerton, 3 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 32 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 32 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1440 N Harbor Blvd Ste 900, Fullerton, CA 92835
  7. Based in Santa Fe Springs, 9 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 121 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.7★ from 121 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    12631 Imperial Hwy. Ste F120, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
  8. Based in Santa Ana, 12 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1604 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  9. 67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 88 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 88 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    12832 Valley View St #203, Garden Grove, CA 92845
  10. Based in El Monte, 13 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 113 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 113 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    11033 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91731
  11. Based in Fullerton, 3 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 30 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    122 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92832
  12. Based in Los Angeles, 22 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 240 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 240 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    633 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
  13. Based in Irvine, 17 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 171 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 171 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    19200 Von Karman Ave #400, Irvine, CA 92612
  14. Based in Rancho Cucamonga, 23 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 337 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 337 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    10737 Laurel St Ste 100, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
  15. Based in Rosemead, 14 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 114 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 114 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2112 Walnut Grove Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
  16. Based in Tustin, 13 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 75 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 75 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    18002 Irvine Blvd Ste 108, Tustin, CA 92780
  17. Based in Seal Beach, 14 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 369 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 369 Google reviews
    Address
    3020 Old Ranch Pkwy #300, Seal Beach, CA 90740
  18. Based in Irvine, 17 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 112 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 112 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    19200 Von Karman Ave Ste 400, Irvine, CA 92612
  19. Based in Newport Beach, 18 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 152 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 152 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1000 Quail St #110, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  20. Based in La Verne, 15 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 104 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 104 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2220 3rd St, La Verne, CA 91750
  21. 66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 177 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.6★ from 177 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    17592 Irvine Blvd, Tustin, CA 92780

Criminal defense lawyers ranked #26 to #50

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 720 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Brea, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26McCready Law Group664.8★ (186)18 mi
27The Criminal And DUI Guys - Criminal Defense Attorneys -665.0★ (166)22 mi
28Law Office of Scott C. Thomas, PC664.9★ (70)12 mi
29The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian665.0★ (64)14 mi
30Wallin & Klarich - Criminal Defense Attorneys - Irvine Office665.0★ (82)16 mi
31Braden & Tucci664.8★ (198)20 mi
32Weber Law | Criminal Defense Lawyers664.9★ (35)7 mi
33Law Offices of Ronald M. Hall665.0★ (144)14 mi
34Law Offices of Natalio Pereira664.8★ (39)7 mi
35Seyb Law Group664.9★ (61)12 mi
36The Law Offices of Kirk Tarman & Associates664.9★ (191)22 mi
37SoCal Defense Lawyer665.0★ (43)11 mi
38JPLaw, P.C.665.0★ (100)19 mi
39The Miller Law Group664.9★ (166)21 mi
40The Rodriguez Law Group664.9★ (187)22 mi
41Wallin & Klarich - Criminal Defense Attorneys - Anaheim Office665.0★ (19)4 mi
42Law Offices of Anthony A. Arzili664.9★ (130)9 mi
43MrsDemeanor.com a DBA of the Law Office of Jansi Muradyan Duarte APC655.0★ (235)27 mi
44My Rights Law Criminal Defense and DUI Lawyers - Rancho Cucamonga654.9★ (184)23 mi
45Perliss Law Firm655.0★ (82)18 mi
46William Weinberg, Attorney at Law655.0★ (76)17 mi
47The Law Offices of Grant Bettencourt655.0★ (39)12 mi
48Hart Levin - Orange County DUI Lawyers655.0★ (95)20 mi
49Law Office of Ray Dinari655.0★ (32)3 mi
50Costen Ruiz Law654.8★ (216)23 mi

Also serving Brea

20 more criminal defense lawyers within 30 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked criminal defense lawyers serving Brea
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Aders & Herrera, APC - 鄧蓉蓉律師事務所5.0★ (50)In Brea
ARG LAW, P.C.5.0★ (14)In Brea
Carlos A Cruz Law Offices4.5★ (54)In Brea
DUI Attorney Los Angeles4.9★ (296)29 mi
DY LAW, APC5.0★ (61)In Brea
Holland & Holland Injury Attorneys5.0★ (53)In Brea
Julia D Wiener Law Office3.8★ (10)In Brea
Kang Law, PC5.0★ (19)In Brea
Kenney Legal Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers4.9★ (65)17 mi
Law Office of Diane C. Bass5.0★ (91)17 mi
Law Office of Evan L. Ginsburg4.5★ (6)In Brea
Law Offices of Katje Law Group5.0★ (5)In Brea
Law Offices Of Werts & Werts5.0★ (6)In Brea
Nassar Law5.0★ (34)In Brea
Olen Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys4.8★ (153)21 mi
Terra Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Brea5.0★ (14)In Brea
The Law Office of Aman N. Shah4.9★ (22)In Brea
West Coast Lemons APC | Lemon Law Lawyer5.0★ (121)In Brea
Wishart Law5.0★ (16)In Brea
Yash Law Group4.3★ (34)In Brea

How we ranked Brea criminal defense lawyers

We scored 720 Brea criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

LFR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Brea data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Bar status10%An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability5%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7Measured
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)Measured
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there areMeasured

How to choose a criminal defense lawyer

  1. Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
  2. Ask how many criminal defense matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
  3. Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
  4. Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
  5. Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
  6. Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the court where your case is filed.
  7. Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.

Questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer

  • How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
  • How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
  • Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
  • What does the flat fee cover, and what costs extra if the case goes to trial?
  • Who will appear with me at each hearing?
  • Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?

Terms explained

Contingency fee
A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
Retainer
Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
Flat fee
One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
Limited-scope representation
Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
Statute of limitations
The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
Good standing
A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
Law society
The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
Board certification
Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
Attorney–client privilege
The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
Conflict check
The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
Pro bono
Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Legal aid
Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.

Criminal defense lawyers in Brea: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Brea?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Brea, CA is Poseidon Defense A.P.C. with an LFR Score of 70/100. It has 5.0★ from 201 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Shouse Law Group (#2) and The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian (#3) follow. We ranked 720 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Brea?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 720 criminal defense lawyers serving Brea, CA. Another 20 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Brea are open 24/7?

288 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Brea post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Poseidon Defense A.P.C. (#1), Shouse Law Group (#2) and The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Brea work on weekends?

400 of 720 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 349 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Poseidon Defense A.P.C. (#1), Shouse Law Group (#2) and The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Brea criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 720 rated criminal defense lawyers in Brea is 4.9★, with a median of 20 reviews. Manshoory Law Group has the most, 385 reviews, and ranks #6. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does LawFirmsRanked rank criminal defense lawyers?

Each criminal defense lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do criminal defense lawyers outside Brea count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Brea city center, our service radius for criminal defense lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.

Can criminal defense lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?

No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.

How do criminal defense lawyers in Brea, CA charge?

Criminal defense lawyers usually charge a flat fee per stage (for example, through a plea or through trial) or an hourly rate. Contingency fees are not allowed in criminal cases under ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $219 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.

What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?

If a charge can lead to jail, the court must appoint a lawyer for you if you cannot afford one (Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963; Argersinger v. Hamlin, 1972). Ask about a public defender at your first court appearance. This is general information, not legal advice.

How is this list of criminal defense lawyers in Brea, CA ranked?

By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.

Does a lawyer need an office in Brea?

No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.

Update log for Brea

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 720 criminal defense lawyers serving Brea.