75/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 128 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Santa Rosa, CA: 2026 rankings
38 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Santa Rosa: Wilber Law Offices, P.C., LFR Score 75/100; 5.0★ from 128 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 38.
- 26
Most-reviewed: Vivian & Agil Law, P.C., 104 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 38 ranked after Wilber Law Offices, P.C.; ranked #26.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
38 Santa Rosa criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 15 are open 24/7, 17 open Saturdays and 16 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 38 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Santa Rosa 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 | Wilber Law Offices, P.C. | 75 | 5.0★ (128) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. | 74 | 5.0★ (103) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | The Law Office of Peter Kuykendall | 73 | 4.9★ (91) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Fiumara Law Criminal Lawyers | 72 | 4.8★ (79) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | Law Office of Amy Chapman | 70 | 5.0★ (69) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | Law Offices of David Chesley | 67 | 5.0★ (11) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 7 | Law Offices of Andres Rico, P.C. | 67 | 5.0★ (8) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | Brownstein Law Group, P.C. | 66 | 5.0★ (58) | Novato, 28 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 9 | Steve H Spiegelman Attorney and Counselor at Law | 66 | 4.5★ (8) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 10 | The Law Office of Jonathan Steele | 65 | 4.3★ (6) | Santa Rosa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 38 criminal defense lawyers in Santa Rosa, 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.
Based in Santa Rosa
74/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 103 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
73/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 91 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
72/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 79 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 69 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Novato, 28 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 58 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#13 Quinnan Law
Based in Santa Rosa
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Napa, 25 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Napa, 25 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Napa, 25 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#21 Izaak Schwaiger
Based in Santa Rosa
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Petaluma, 15 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Rosa
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Napa, 24 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
All 38 criminal defense lawyers
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #38, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Vivian & Agil Law, P.C. | 59 | 5.0★ (104) | In Santa Rosa |
| 27 | Hansen & Frisbie Law Firm | 59 | 5.0★ (3) | In Santa Rosa |
| 28 | Eloy I. Trujillo | 59 | 5.0★ (3) | 25 mi |
| 29 | SuperAwesomeLawyer.com | 59 | 5.0★ (16) | In Santa Rosa |
| 30 | The Law Offices of Retana & Vandyk | 58 | 2.3★ (3) | In Santa Rosa |
| 31 | Law Office of Douglas Pharr | 57 | 4.5★ (13) | 25 mi |
| 32 | Hansen & Miller Law Firm | 54 | 4.5★ (26) | In Santa Rosa |
| 33 | Law Office of Walter Rubenstein | 53 | 4.9★ (12) | In Santa Rosa |
| 34 | Andrew Martinez Law Offices | 53 | 5.0★ (12) | In Santa Rosa |
| 35 | Andrian & Gallenson | 52 | 4.0★ (10) | In Santa Rosa |
| 36 | Richard Sax | Trial lawyer in Santa Rosa CA | 50 | 5.0★ (3) | In Santa Rosa |
| 37 | Animal Legal Defense Fund | 50 | 5.0★ (6) | 8 mi |
| 38 | David T. Gracia Law Offices | 46 | 3.5★ (8) | 25 mi |
Also serving Santa Rosa
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.
How we ranked Santa Rosa criminal defense lawyers
We scored 38 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Santa Rosa?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Santa Rosa, CA is Wilber Law Offices, P.C. with an LFR Score of 75/100. It has 5.0★ from 128 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. (#2) and The Law Office of Peter Kuykendall (#3) follow. We ranked 38 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Santa Rosa?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 38 criminal defense lawyers serving Santa Rosa, CA. 28 of them are based in Santa Rosa; 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 Santa Rosa are open 24/7?
15 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Santa Rosa post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Wilber Law Offices, P.C. (#1), Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. (#2) and The Law Office of Peter Kuykendall (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Santa Rosa work on weekends?
17 of 38 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 16 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Wilber Law Offices, P.C. (#1), Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. (#2) and The Law Office of Peter Kuykendall (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Santa Rosa criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 38 rated criminal defense lawyers in Santa Rosa is 5.0★, with a median of 13 reviews. Wilber Law Offices, P.C. has the most, 128 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 Santa Rosa count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa?
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 Santa Rosa
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 38 criminal defense lawyers serving Santa Rosa.
More criminal defense lawyers and Santa Rosa pages
Criminal defense lawyers near Santa Rosa
- Criminal defense lawyers in Rohnert Park, CA53 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Windsor, CA30 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Healdsburg, CA30 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Petaluma, CA57 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Sonoma, CA69 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Novato, CA152 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Napa, CA96 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in American Canyon, CA153 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in San Anselmo, CA148 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in San Rafael, CA148 ranked
Other practice areas in Santa Rosa
- Personal injury lawyers in Santa Rosa97 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Santa Rosa6 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Santa Rosa48 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Santa Rosa49 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Rosa29 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Santa Rosa29 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Santa Rosa25 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Santa Rosa21 ranked
- Tax lawyers in Santa Rosa10 ranked
- Intellectual property lawyers in Santa Rosa14 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Santa Rosa58 ranked
- Mediators in Santa Rosa26 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Santa Rosa105 ranked
- All lawyers in Santa Rosa