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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Grover Beach, CA: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Grover Beach: San Luis Obispo DUI Attorneys, LFR Score 73/100; 5.0★ from 544 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 29.

  3. 2

    Most-reviewed: Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense, 283 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 29 ranked after San Luis Obispo DUI Attorneys; ranked #2.

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

29 Grover Beach criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 8 are open 24/7, 9 open Saturdays and 7 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 29 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Grover Beach 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 Grover Beach at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1San Luis Obispo DUI Attorneys735.0★ (544)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense715.0★ (283)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours, Most reviews
3Central Coast Criminal Defense685.0★ (64)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Aron Law Firm674.9★ (56)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense644.9★ (23)Santa Maria, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Carlson Criminal Defense, P.C.635.0★ (32)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi awaySat—
7The Law Office of Peter Depew624.7★ (31)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi awaySat · Evenings—
8Law Offices of David Chesley625.0★ (4)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Casciola & Galambos, LLP594.8★ (17)San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away——
10Law Office Of Steven L. Crawford595.0★ (3)Grover Beach——

All 29 criminal defense lawyers in Grover Beach, 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 Grover Beach

    Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    73/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 544 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 544 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    864 Osos St c, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  2. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 64 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 64 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1301 Chorro St Ste a, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  3. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 56 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 56 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    505 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  4. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    63/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 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
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM · Sat 9 AM–5 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    890 Osos St Ste H, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  5. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 31 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 31 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–7 PM · Sat 9 AM–6 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    1119 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  6. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 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 4 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1540 Marsh St #250, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  7. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    59/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 17 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 8:30 AM–5 PM · Wed closed · Thu–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1042 Palm St Ste 201, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  8. Based in Santa Maria, 16 mi away

    59/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.5★ from 6 Google reviews
    Address
    937 E Main St Ste 206, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  9. Based in Santa Maria, 16 mi away

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 48 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.1★ from 48 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    301 E Cook St Ste E, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  10. Based in Santa Maria, 16 mi away

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 15 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 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    106 E Boone St a, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  11. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    55/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 32 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

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

    • 4.0★ from 32 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    940 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  12. Based in Santa Maria, 18 mi away

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

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

    • 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 7 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    2415 Professional Pkwy, Santa Maria, CA 93455
  13. Based in Nipomo, 10 mi away

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.

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

    • 4.7★ from 24 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    267 W Tefft St, Nipomo, CA 93444
  14. Based in Santa Maria, 16 mi away

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 37 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 37 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    301 E Chapel St, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  15. Based in San Luis Obispo, 11 mi away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.

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

    • 5.0★ from 14 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1104 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  16. Based in San Luis Obispo, 12 mi away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.

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

    • 4.3★ from 24 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1305 Marsh St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

All 29 criminal defense lawyers

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #29, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in Grover Beach, ranks 26 to 29
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Fisher Law Office504.3★ (26)11 mi
27Michael J. Scott Attorney At Law494.8★ (23)16 mi
28805 Law Group494.3★ (86)24 mi
29Law Offices of Adrian S. Andrade & Associates463.0★ (5)16 mi

Also serving Grover Beach

9 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 Grover Beach
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Gary A. Bixler Attorney At Law4.0★ (4)In Grover Beach
Grover Beach DUI Lawyer, Defense Attorney3.0★ (2)In Grover Beach
Law office of Edward BernardIn Grover Beach
Law Offices of Stephen G. Geihs5.0★ (2)In Grover Beach
Law Offices of Valdez & Valdez5.0★ (30)In Grover Beach
Paulding Law5.0★ (3)In Grover Beach
The Lancelot Law Firm5.0★ (1)10 mi
The Law Offices of Johnson, Murphy & Jones3.9★ (15)In Grover Beach
TRAVIS DAILY LAW11 mi

How we ranked Grover Beach criminal defense lawyers

We scored 29 Grover Beach 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 Grover Beach 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 Grover Beach: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Grover Beach?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Grover Beach, CA is San Luis Obispo DUI Attorneys with an LFR Score of 73/100. It has 5.0★ from 544 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense (#2) and Central Coast Criminal Defense (#3) follow. We ranked 29 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Grover Beach?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 29 criminal defense lawyers serving Grover Beach, CA. 1 of them is based in Grover Beach; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 9 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Grover Beach are open 24/7?

8 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Grover Beach post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are San Luis Obispo DUI Attorneys (#1), Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense (#2) and Central Coast Criminal Defense (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Grover Beach work on weekends?

9 of 29 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 7 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are San Luis Obispo DUI Attorneys (#1), Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense (#2) and Central Coast Criminal Defense (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Grover Beach criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 29 rated criminal defense lawyers in Grover Beach is 4.8★, with a median of 23 reviews. San Luis Obispo DUI Attorneys has the most, 544 reviews, and ranks #1. 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 Grover Beach count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Grover Beach 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 Grover Beach, 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 Grover Beach, 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 Grover Beach?

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 Grover Beach

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 29 criminal defense lawyers serving Grover Beach.