68/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 127 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Brentwood, CA: 2026 rankings
97 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Brentwood: Law Office of Derek R. Ewin, LFR Score 68/100; 5.0★ from 127 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Gil Somera, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 97.
- 21
Most-reviewed: The Maher Law Group, APC, 167 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 97 ranked; ranked #21.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
97 Brentwood criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 22 are open 24/7, 34 open Saturdays and 32 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 97 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Brentwood 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.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law Office of Derek R. Ewin | 68 | 5.0★ (127) | Walnut Creek, 20 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Gil Somera | 65 | 4.8★ (54) | Stockton, 20 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office | 65 | 4.9★ (41) | Pleasanton, 21 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Law Office of Conrad J. Kuyawa | 65 | 4.6★ (47) | Pittsburg, 12 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 5 | Gorelick Law Office | 64 | 4.9★ (29) | Pleasanton, 20 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | Laina T. Chikhani, Attorney at Law | 64 | 4.8★ (74) | Fairfield, 29 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 7 | Law Offices of Thomas M. Fleming | 64 | 4.8★ (61) | Walnut Creek, 20 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 8 | Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed San Ramon | 64 | 4.7★ (25) | San Ramon, 19 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 9 | Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation | 63 | 4.8★ (48) | Walnut Creek, 20 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 10 | The Blalock Law Firm, PC | 63 | 4.8★ (42) | Walnut Creek, 20 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
All 97 criminal defense lawyers in Brentwood, 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.
Scores below: based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
#2 Gil Somera
Based in Stockton, 20 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 54 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Pleasanton, 21 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 41 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Pittsburg, 12 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 47 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Pleasanton, 20 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Fairfield, 29 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 74 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Walnut Creek, 20 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 61 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in San Ramon, 19 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Walnut Creek, 20 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 48 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Walnut Creek, 20 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 42 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Dublin, 20 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Hayward, 28 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 35 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Stockton, 21 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
#14 1-800-NoCuffs
Based in Walnut Creek, 20 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Walnut Creek, 20 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Pittsburg, 15 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Dublin, 20 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 90 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Dublin, 21 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Martinez, 25 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Manteca, 29 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Fairfield, 29 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 167 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Walnut Creek, 20 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 67 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Walnut Creek, 20 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 85 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Fairfield, 30 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
#25 209 Ticket Fixer
Based in Stockton, 19 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.8★ from 52 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
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 97 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Brentwood
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.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ace California Law | 4.2★ (26) | In Brentwood |
| Alvis Quashnock and Associates, LLP | 4.6★ (9) | In Brentwood |
| Arise Law Group | 3.0★ (2) | 6 mi |
| Ayala, Morgan & Buzzard | 5.0★ (673) | In Brentwood |
| Coimbra Law Firm | 4.8★ (31) | 22 mi |
| Criminal Conflicts Panel | 5.0★ (2) | 25 mi |
| Golden Legacy Law Group | 4.8★ (86) | In Brentwood |
| H. F. Layton Law Office | 4.3★ (27) | In Brentwood |
| H. Nathan James Attorney at Law | 5.0★ (1) | In Brentwood |
| Joya Law Firm | In Brentwood | |
| Kraeber Law Office | 4.8★ (26) | In Brentwood |
| Law Office of Anne Hydorn | 5.0★ (4) | In Brentwood |
| Law Office Of Edward Younger | 4.9★ (54) | In Brentwood |
| Law Office of Joan Grimes | 5.0★ (1) | In Brentwood |
| Law Offices of Ali Javaheri | 3.0★ (2) | 21 mi |
| Law Offices of Terence D. Broughton | 3.0★ (2) | 21 mi |
| Pereira Law | 4.9★ (42) | 19 mi |
| Stockton Criminal Defense Lawyers | 5.0★ (2) | 22 mi |
| The Buzzard Law Firm | 5.0★ (12) | In Brentwood |
| VS Trial Lawyers (Villapudua and Somera) | 4.6★ (58) | 20 mi |
How we ranked Brentwood criminal defense lawyers
We scored 97 Brentwood 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.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Brentwood data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | 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 volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose a criminal defense lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many criminal defense matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the court where your case is filed.
- 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 Brentwood: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Brentwood?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Brentwood, CA is Law Office of Derek R. Ewin with an LFR Score of 68/100. It has 5.0★ from 127 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Gil Somera (#2) and Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office (#3) follow. We ranked 97 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Brentwood?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 97 criminal defense lawyers serving Brentwood, CA. Another 20 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Brentwood are open 24/7?
22 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Brentwood post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Law Office of Derek R. Ewin (#1), Gil Somera (#2) and Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Brentwood work on weekends?
34 of 97 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 32 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Law Office of Derek R. Ewin (#1), Gil Somera (#2) and Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Brentwood criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 97 rated criminal defense lawyers in Brentwood is 4.7★, with a median of 19 reviews. The Maher Law Group, APC has the most, 167 reviews, and ranks #21. 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 Brentwood count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Brentwood 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 Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, 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 Brentwood?
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 Brentwood
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 97 criminal defense lawyers serving Brentwood.
More criminal defense lawyers and Brentwood pages
Criminal defense lawyers near Brentwood
- Criminal defense lawyers in Oakley, CA85 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Discovery Bay, CA80 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Antioch, CA140 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Pittsburg, CA129 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Clayton, CA164 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Bay Point, CA147 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Livermore, CA167 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Danville, CA187 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Concord, CA182 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in San Ramon, CA187 ranked
Other practice areas in Brentwood
- Personal injury lawyers in Brentwood471 ranked
- Workers’ compensation lawyers in Brentwood5 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Brentwood27 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Brentwood115 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Brentwood151 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Brentwood94 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Brentwood217 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Brentwood190 ranked
- Business lawyers in Brentwood14 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Brentwood57 ranked
- Tax lawyers in Brentwood54 ranked
- Intellectual property lawyers in Brentwood63 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Brentwood129 ranked
- Mediators in Brentwood51 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Brentwood215 ranked
- All lawyers in Brentwood