64/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 36 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
DUI And DWI Lawyers in Capitola, CA: 2026 rankings
8 DUI and DWI lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Capitola: DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura Santa Cruz, LFR Score 64/100; 5.0★ from 36 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Knight Law - DUI & Criminal Defense, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 8.
- 2
Most-reviewed: Knight Law - DUI & Criminal Defense, 200 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 8 ranked; ranked #2.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
8 Capitola DUI and DWI lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 7 are open 24/7, 7 open Saturdays and 7 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 8 rated law firms.
Most of this list also appears on the DUI and DWI lawyers in Mountain View ranking. See DUI and DWI lawyers in Mountain View
Top 8 DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola 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 | DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura Santa Cruz | 64 | 5.0★ (36) | Santa Cruz, 4 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Knight Law - DUI & Criminal Defense | 64 | 5.0★ (200) | San Jose, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours, Most reviews |
| 3 | DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura | 64 | 5.0★ (36) | Scotts Valley, 6 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Santa Cruz DUI Lawyer The Crawford Law Firm, Inc. | 61 | 5.0★ (9) | Santa Cruz, 3 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | Soltesz Law Group Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers - Salinas Office | 58 | 5.0★ (18) | Salinas, 26 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers | 58 | 5.0★ (14) | San Jose, 26 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 7 | Soltesz Law Group Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers - San Jose Office | 56 | 5.0★ (7) | San Jose, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | The San Jose DUI Experts | 51 | 5.0★ (5) | San Jose, 25 mi away | Evenings | — |
All 8 DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola, 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.
Based in San Jose, 25 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 200 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Scotts Valley, 6 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 36 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Santa Cruz, 3 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Salinas, 26 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 18 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in San Jose, 26 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in San Jose, 25 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in San Jose, 25 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
How we ranked Capitola DUI and DWI lawyers
We scored 8 Capitola DUI and DWI 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 Capitola 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 DUI lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many DUI and DWI 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 fee includes the license suspension hearing as well as the criminal case.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask a DUI 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?
- Does your fee include the license hearing?
- What happens to my license while the case is open?
- 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.
DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola: frequently asked questions
Which DUI lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Capitola?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked DUI lawyer in Capitola, CA is DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura Santa Cruz with an LFR Score of 64/100. It has 5.0★ from 36 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Knight Law - DUI & Criminal Defense (#2) and DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura (#3) follow. We ranked 8 DUI and DWI lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many DUI and DWI lawyers are there in Capitola?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 8 DUI and DWI lawyers serving Capitola, CA. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola are open 24/7?
7 ranked DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura Santa Cruz (#1), Knight Law - DUI & Criminal Defense (#2) and DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola work on weekends?
7 of 8 ranked DUI and DWI lawyers post Saturday hours and 7 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura Santa Cruz (#1), Knight Law - DUI & Criminal Defense (#2) and DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Capitola DUI and DWI lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 8 rated DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola is 5.0★, with a median of 16 reviews. Knight Law - DUI & Criminal Defense has the most, 200 reviews, and ranks #2. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank DUI and DWI lawyers?
Each DUI 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 DUI and DWI lawyers outside Capitola count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Capitola city center, our service radius for DUI and DWI 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 DUI and DWI 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 DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola, CA charge?
DUI lawyers usually charge a flat fee for the criminal case, sometimes with a separate fee for the license hearing or a trial. Contingency fees are not allowed in criminal cases. Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
Is there a deadline after a DUI or DWI arrest?
Often, yes. Many states suspend your license separately from the criminal case and give you only days to ask for a hearing: 10 days in California and 15 days in Texas, for example. Check the papers you were given. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of DUI and DWI lawyers in Capitola, 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 Capitola?
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 Capitola
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 8 DUI and DWI lawyers serving Capitola.
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