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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Newport Beach, CA: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Newport Beach: The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian, LFR Score 72/100; 5.0★ from 268 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Law Offices of Randy Collins, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 373.

  3. 25

    Most-reviewed: CheapTrafficAttorneys, 369 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 373 ranked; ranked #25.

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

373 Newport Beach criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 136 are open 24/7, 186 open Saturdays and 163 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 373 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Newport 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 Newport Beach at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian725.0★ (268)Santa Ana, 7 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Law Offices of Randy Collins724.9★ (152)Newport BeachOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3JPLaw, P.C.715.0★ (100)Costa Mesa, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Johnson Criminal Law Group714.9★ (171)Irvine, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5Law Offices of Christian Kim705.0★ (112)Irvine, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Chambers & Ball705.0★ (156)Santa Ana, 10 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7Chudnovsky Law - Criminal & DUI Lawyers704.9★ (60)Newport BeachOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC705.0★ (50)Newport BeachOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Law Offices of John D. Rogers705.0★ (50)Newport BeachOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Braden & Tucci694.8★ (198)Irvine, 10 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 373 criminal defense lawyers in Newport 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 Newport Beach

    Based in Santa Ana, 7 mi away

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 268 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 268 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    4 Hutton Centre Dr #240, Santa Ana, CA 92707
  2. Based in Newport Beach

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 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
  3. Based in Costa Mesa, 2 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 100 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 100 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    131 E 18th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
  4. Based in Irvine, 5 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 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
  5. Based in Irvine, 5 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 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
  6. Based in Santa Ana, 10 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 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
  7. Based in Newport Beach

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 50 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 50 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    4100 Newport Pl Ste 550, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  8. Based in Newport Beach

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 50 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 50 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    East Tower, 4000 MacArthur Blvd #615, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  9. Based in Irvine, 10 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 198 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 198 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    82 Discovery, Irvine, CA 92618
  10. Based in Newport Beach

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 47 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 47 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2801 West Coast Hwy Ste 270, Newport Beach, CA 92663
  11. Based in Newport Beach

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 46 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 46 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    620 Newport Center Dr Suit 1100, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  12. 69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 82 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 82 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    18022 Cowan #285, Irvine, CA 92614
  13. Based in Newport Beach

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 43 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 43 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    5015 Birch St Unit 121, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  14. Based in Orange, 12 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 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
  15. Based in Santa Ana, 10 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 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
  16. Based in Costa Mesa, 5 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 65 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 65 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2900 Bristol St Suite C204, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
  17. Based in Fullerton, 18 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 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
  18. Based in Irvine, 11 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 98 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 98 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    16520 Bake Pkwy #280, Irvine, CA 92618
  19. Based in Santa Ana, 10 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 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
  20. Based in Seal Beach, 14 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 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

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 373 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Newport Beach, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers684.5★ (66)In Newport Beach
27Law Offices of Stull & Stull685.0★ (81)11 mi
28CCLG: Orange County Criminal Attorney684.8★ (35)In Newport Beach
29The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian685.0★ (64)9 mi
30Law Office of Hieu Vu685.0★ (75)11 mi
31Law Office of Wais Azami | OC Criminal & DUI Defense Lawyer685.0★ (88)13 mi
32Wallin & Klarich - Criminal Defense Attorneys - Tustin Office684.6★ (177)11 mi
33Attorney Scott Henry: Criminal & DUI Defense685.0★ (63)11 mi
34Law Office of Neeraj D. Singh, APC685.0★ (71)12 mi
35Law Office of Scott C. Thomas, PC684.9★ (70)10 mi
36The Law Office of Richard Wagner, APC685.0★ (61)11 mi
371-800-NoCuffs684.4★ (48)In Newport Beach
38Right Choice Law674.7★ (65)In Newport Beach
39Seyb Law Group674.9★ (61)11 mi
40McCready Law Group674.8★ (186)21 mi
41My Rights Law Criminal Defense and DUI Lawyers - Newport Beach675.0★ (16)In Newport Beach
42The Law Offices Of Jeff Tatch675.0★ (16)In Newport Beach
43Law Office of Diane C. Bass675.0★ (91)11 mi
44Law Office of Alan Castillo675.0★ (15)In Newport Beach
45The Law Offices of Grant Bettencourt675.0★ (39)10 mi
46Simmons Wagner, LLP665.0★ (33)11 mi
47Liberty Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers664.9★ (35)11 mi
48Parker Law Center664.8★ (25)8 mi
49Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo664.7★ (99)11 mi
50Law Offices of Joseph P. Smith664.8★ (32)10 mi

Also serving Newport Beach

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 Newport Beach
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Confianza Legal4.7★ (121)22 mi
Demidchik Law Firm 安娜律师楼 (Irvine)4.5★ (156)In Newport Beach
FBT Gibbons LLP4.9★ (69)In Newport Beach
Green Maple Law Group5.0★ (272)In Newport Beach
i Accident Lawyer4.9★ (193)In Newport Beach
Joe Naz Accident Lawyers5.0★ (234)In Newport Beach
Johnson Attorneys Group Injury & Accidents4.9★ (138)In Newport Beach
Khalil Law Group5.0★ (363)In Newport Beach
Kohan & Bablove4.9★ (164)In Newport Beach
Law Office of Niko Paris4.9★ (62)In Newport Beach
Law Offices of David Chesley5.0★ (42)16 mi
Libra Law Firm4.9★ (151)In Newport Beach
Max Alavi, Attorney at Law, APC4.8★ (123)In Newport Beach
Minyard Morris5.0★ (245)In Newport Beach
Russell & Lazarus, Personal Injury Lawyers & Accident Attorneys Newport Beach, CA4.9★ (235)In Newport Beach
Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C.4.9★ (414)In Newport Beach
Super Woman Super Lawyer4.9★ (189)In Newport Beach
Sweet Lawyers4.9★ (323)In Newport Beach
Talkov Law Partition Attorneys4.9★ (76)In Newport Beach
The H Law Group Irvine4.6★ (19)6 mi

How we ranked Newport Beach criminal defense lawyers

We scored 373 Newport 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 Newport 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 Newport Beach: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Newport Beach, CA is The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian with an LFR Score of 72/100. It has 5.0★ from 268 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Law Offices of Randy Collins (#2) and JPLaw, P.C. (#3) follow. We ranked 373 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Newport Beach?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 373 criminal defense lawyers serving Newport Beach, CA. 15 of them are based in Newport Beach; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

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

136 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Newport Beach post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian (#1), Law Offices of Randy Collins (#2) and JPLaw, P.C. (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Newport Beach work on weekends?

186 of 373 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 163 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian (#1), Law Offices of Randy Collins (#2) and JPLaw, P.C. (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Newport Beach criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 373 rated criminal defense lawyers in Newport Beach is 4.9★, with a median of 18 reviews. CheapTrafficAttorneys has the most, 369 reviews, and ranks #25. 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 Newport Beach count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Newport 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 Newport 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 Newport 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 Newport 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 Newport Beach

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 373 criminal defense lawyers serving Newport Beach.

More criminal defense lawyers and Newport Beach pages

Other practice areas in Newport Beach