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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Orange, CA: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Orange: 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): Shouse Law Group, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 587.

  3. 30

    Most-reviewed: Manshoory Law Group, 385 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 587 ranked; ranked #30.

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

587 Orange criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 225 are open 24/7, 318 open Saturdays and 276 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 587 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Orange 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 Orange at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian725.0★ (268)Santa Ana, 6 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Shouse Law Group724.9★ (168)OrangeOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3Chambers & Ball715.0★ (156)Santa Ana, 3 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4ALL Trial Lawyers | CPS and Family Law715.0★ (110)OrangeOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5Poseidon Defense A.P.C.715.0★ (201)Fullerton, 8 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6The Law Offices Of Glew & Kim704.9★ (124)Santa Ana, 3 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7Law Office of Neeraj D. Singh, APC705.0★ (71)OrangeOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Johnson Criminal Law Group704.9★ (171)Irvine, 8 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9LAW OFFICE OF SHENY GUTIERREZ705.0★ (83)Santa Ana, 3 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Law Office of Hieu Vu705.0★ (75)Tustin, 3 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 587 criminal defense lawyers in Orange, 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 Orange

    Based in Santa Ana, 6 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 Orange

    72/100LFR 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, 3 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 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 Fullerton, 8 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 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
  5. Based in Santa Ana, 3 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 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 Irvine, 8 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 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
  7. Based in Santa Ana, 3 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 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
  8. Based in Tustin, 3 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 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
  9. Based in Newport Beach, 9 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 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
  10. 70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 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
  11. Based in Irvine, 8 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 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
  12. Based in Irvine, 10 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 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
  13. 69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 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
  14. Based in Tustin, 3 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 61 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 61 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    17671 Irvine Blvd #208, Tustin, CA 92780
  15. Based in Costa Mesa, 11 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 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
  16. Based in Seal Beach, 13 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 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
  17. 69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 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
  18. Based in Irvine, 12 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 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

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

criminal defense lawyers in Orange, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26The Law Offices of Grant Bettencourt685.0★ (39)3 mi
27Law Offices of Stull & Stull685.0★ (81)11 mi
28The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian685.0★ (64)9 mi
29Kenney Legal Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers684.9★ (65)8 mi
30Manshoory Law Group685.0★ (385)30 mi
31The Law Office of Richard Wagner, APC685.0★ (61)11 mi
32Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC685.0★ (50)9 mi
33Law Offices of John D. Rogers685.0★ (50)9 mi
34Law Office of Diane C. Bass685.0★ (91)8 mi
35Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo684.7★ (99)3 mi
36John Christl Law675.0★ (43)8 mi
37Law Offices of David Chesley675.0★ (20)In Orange
38Law Offices of Joseph P. Smith674.8★ (32)3 mi
39Newman & Allen674.9★ (337)27 mi
40McCready Law Group674.8★ (186)20 mi
41Klugman Law PC675.0★ (33)In Orange
42Chudnovsky Law - Criminal & DUI Lawyers674.9★ (60)13 mi
43Confianza Legal674.7★ (121)15 mi
44Costen Ruiz Law674.8★ (18)In Orange
45Bryan R. Kazarian DUI Lawyers675.0★ (32)8 mi
46CBS Law675.0★ (240)29 mi
47Law Offices of David Chesley675.0★ (30)7 mi
48The Logrue Law Firm675.0★ (46)12 mi
49Law Offices of David Chesley675.0★ (47)12 mi
50Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers674.5★ (66)9 mi

Also serving Orange

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 Orange
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
$795 Bankruptcy Lawyer Abogados de Bancarrota4.9★ (358)In Orange
Andal Law Group5.0★ (102)In Orange
Burris Law4.8★ (48)In Orange
CA Ticket Lawyer4.9★ (188)In Orange
CCLG: Orange County Criminal Attorney4.8★ (35)8 mi
Family First Attorneys5.0★ (51)In Orange
Hicks Law Firm5.0★ (68)In Orange
Jacoby & Meyers Accident & Injury Lawyers - Orange4.9★ (475)In Orange
Jimmie W. Kang, Accident Attorney, 교통사고 전문 변호사4.9★ (67)In Orange
JOS Family Law4.7★ (197)In Orange
Law Office of Dominic Rossetti5.0★ (15)2 mi
Law Office Of Kurt D. Elkins4.9★ (336)In Orange
Law Offices of Nam Q. Doan | OC Legal Defense5.0★ (12)In Orange
Manulkin, Tanner & Associates4.6★ (61)In Orange
OCLA Accident Lawyer4.9★ (49)In Orange
Orange County Lemon Law Attorney4.8★ (59)In Orange
Orange County Lemon Law Experts - Expertos en Ley Limón4.9★ (114)In Orange
Sky Law Group4.9★ (55)In Orange
Stevens & McMillan4.5★ (40)In Orange
Wilshire Law Firm4.8★ (164)In Orange

How we ranked Orange criminal defense lawyers

We scored 587 Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Orange, 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. Shouse Law Group (#2) and Chambers & Ball (#3) follow. We ranked 587 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Orange?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 587 criminal defense lawyers serving Orange, CA. 7 of them are based in Orange; 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 Orange are open 24/7?

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

Which criminal defense lawyers in Orange work on weekends?

318 of 587 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 276 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian (#1), Shouse Law Group (#2) and Chambers & Ball (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Orange criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 587 rated criminal defense lawyers in Orange is 4.9★, with a median of 20 reviews. Manshoory Law Group has the most, 385 reviews, and ranks #30. 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 Orange count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Orange 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 Orange, 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 Orange, 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 Orange?

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 Orange

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 587 criminal defense lawyers serving Orange.