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Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Mateo, CA: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in San Mateo: Silver Law Firm, LFR Score 71/100; 4.9★ from 425 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys - Redwood City Office, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 214.

  3. 6

    Most-reviewed: Javier Rios San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney, 390 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 214 ranked after Silver Law Firm; ranked #6.

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

214 San Mateo criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 83 are open 24/7, 116 open Saturdays and 107 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 214 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in San Mateo 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 San Mateo at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Silver Law Firm714.9★ (425)Oakland, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys - Redwood City Office704.9★ (138)Redwood City, 7 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3Lamano Law Office705.0★ (263)Oakland, 17 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Torres & Caraves Law704.9★ (273)Oakland, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5The Nieves Law Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys695.0★ (308)Oakland, 16 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
6Javier Rios San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney695.0★ (390)San Jose, 27 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Most reviews
7Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Oakland Office694.9★ (155)Oakland, 17 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Morales Law Firm685.0★ (50)Redwood City, 7 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Redwood City Office684.9★ (46)Redwood City, 7 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - San Jose Office684.9★ (239)San Jose, 25 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 214 criminal defense lawyers in San Mateo, 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.

  1. Ranked #1 in San Mateo

    #1 Silver Law Firm

    Based in Oakland, 16 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 425 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 425 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2100 Embarcadero #204, Oakland, CA 94606
    View profile for Silver Law Firm(510) 683-5769

  3. #3 Lamano Law Office

    Based in Oakland, 17 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 263 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 263 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1901 Harrison St Ste 1100, Oakland, CA 94612
    View profile for Lamano Law Office(510) 842-0750

  4. #4 Torres & Caraves Law

    Based in Oakland, 16 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 273 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 273 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1211 Embarcadero Ste 210, Oakland, CA 94606
    View profile for Torres & Caraves Law(510) 953-5551

  8. #8 Morales Law Firm

    Based in Redwood City, 7 mi away

    68/100LFR 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”.

    • 5.0★ from 50 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    605 Middlefield Rd Ste a, Redwood City, CA 94063
    View profile for Morales Law Firm(415) 674-6640

  16. #16 Vera Law Office

    Based in Oakland, 18 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 75 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 75 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    460 Boulevard Way #3, Oakland, CA 94610
    View profile for Vera Law Office(510) 434-2700

  17. #17 Shnider Law Firm, PC

    Based in San Jose, 28 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 175 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 175 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    181 Devine St Ste 4, San Jose, CA 95110
    View profile for Shnider Law Firm, PC(408) 438-5491

  19. #19 Circle Law Firm

    Based in Oakland, 17 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 55 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1999 Harrison St #1800, Oakland, CA 94612
    View profile for Circle Law Firm(510) 905-0220

  21. #21 Mayr Law Firm PC

    Based in Santa Clara, 25 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 274 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 274 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2005 De La Cruz Blvd #295, Santa Clara, CA 95050
    View profile for Mayr Law Firm PC(408) 403-5997

  24. Based in Oakland, 17 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 96 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 96 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1423 Broadway #1025, Oakland, CA 94612
    View profile for Huff Legal, PC(510) 296-8343

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

criminal defense lawyers in San Mateo, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Law Office of Derek R. Ewin665.0★ (127)28 mi
27Morales Law Firm664.7★ (70)16 mi
28Morris Law PC, A Criminal Defense Firm664.8★ (56)16 mi
29Law Offices of Shelley D. Dwyer664.8★ (24)7 mi
30Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers664.9★ (35)15 mi
31Morris Law PC, A Criminal Defense Firm664.9★ (65)22 mi
32Lamano Law Office - Oakland Criminal Justice Attorney655.0★ (32)16 mi
33The Law Offices of Lucy S. McAllister654.8★ (34)16 mi
34Law Office of James Dunn654.4★ (20)7 mi
35Doctor Alex Abogado Penalista654.3★ (80)17 mi
36Pelta Law654.9★ (108)16 mi
37Law Firm of Aaron Bortel645.0★ (19)15 mi
38Law Offices of Thomas Nicholas Cvietkovich645.0★ (55)28 mi
39Law Offices of Thomas Greenberg (DefendCA)644.8★ (21)7 mi
40Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office644.9★ (41)24 mi
41Law Offices of John M. Runfola644.8★ (20)16 mi
42Leon Mezzetti Criminal Law Offices Bay Area644.6★ (31)19 mi
43Law Offices of David Chesley645.0★ (14)16 mi
44Pernik Law, APC645.0★ (38)27 mi
45Silver Marcia644.9★ (28)15 mi
46Oakland DUI Attorneys635.0★ (13)16 mi
47Gorelick Law Offices635.0★ (22)14 mi
48Vijay Law635.0★ (38)28 mi
49Gorelick Law Office634.9★ (29)25 mi
50Demetrius Costy Law635.0★ (102)18 mi

Also serving San Mateo

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 San Mateo
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
1-800-NoCuffs4.2★ (22)16 mi
Chauvel & Glatt, LLP4.6★ (10)In San Mateo
D Evelyn Alfonso Law Office4.4★ (10)In San Mateo
GFF&F - Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, LLP5.0★ (139)In San Mateo
Kash Legal Group - San Mateo Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers5.0★ (21)In San Mateo
Kletter.Law4.8★ (56)In San Mateo
Law Office of Allister R. Liao, P.C.4.8★ (51)In San Mateo
Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed San Ramon4.7★ (25)24 mi
Law Office of Nors Davidson4.5★ (16)16 mi
Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C.4.7★ (105)In San Mateo
Law Offices of Curtis L. Briggs5.0★ (8)16 mi
Law Offices of Geoff Wiggs4.9★ (55)In San Mateo
McDowall Cotter5.0★ (15)In San Mateo
Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. - Divorce Attorneys4.8★ (25)In San Mateo
Seeley Family Law3.6★ (14)In San Mateo
Shjeflo, Riley & Cruz LLP4.7★ (17)In San Mateo
The Law Offices of Lucy S. McAllister4.6★ (36)28 mi
The Law Offices of Robert Byers4.0★ (29)16 mi
Vaksman Khalfin, PC4.7★ (53)In San Mateo
Viola Law Firm4.4★ (32)In San Mateo

How we ranked San Mateo criminal defense lawyers

We scored 214 San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in San Mateo?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in San Mateo, CA is Silver Law Firm with an LFR Score of 71/100. It has 4.9★ from 425 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys - Redwood City Office (#2) and Lamano Law Office (#3) follow. We ranked 214 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in San Mateo?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 214 criminal defense lawyers serving San Mateo, CA. 1 of them is based in San Mateo; 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 San Mateo are open 24/7?

83 ranked criminal defense lawyers in San Mateo post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Silver Law Firm (#1), Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys - Redwood City Office (#2) and Lamano Law Office (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in San Mateo work on weekends?

116 of 214 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 107 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Silver Law Firm (#1), Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys - Redwood City Office (#2) and Lamano Law Office (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do San Mateo criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 214 rated criminal defense lawyers in San Mateo is 4.9★, with a median of 19 reviews. Silver Law Firm has the most, 425 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 San Mateo count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the San Mateo 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 San Mateo, 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 San Mateo, 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 San Mateo?

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 San Mateo

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 214 criminal defense lawyers serving San Mateo.

More criminal defense lawyers and San Mateo pages