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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in Monterey, CA (2026)

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

17 of the 42 criminal defense lawyers on this list post 24/7 hours. 24/7 law firms come first, then same-day, each ranked by LFR Score with availability weighted higher.

If you or someone you know is arrested: you can stay silent and ask for a lawyer before answering questions. Calls from jail are usually recorded, so do not discuss the facts of the case on them.

The short answer

  1. 1

    #1 for emergency criminal defense in Monterey: Pernik Law, APC, open 24/7.

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

Top emergency criminal defense lawyers in Monterey 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 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Monterey at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1Pernik Law, APC715.0★ (146)Salinas, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2Pernik Law, APC695.0★ (20)MontereyOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3Monterey Criminal Attorney695.0★ (18)MontereyOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4The Crawford Law Firm, Inc.685.0★ (16)MontereyOpen 24 hrs (Google)
5Charles H. Shivers, Attorney at Law685.0★ (51)Salinas, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
6The Worthington Law Centre684.7★ (59)Salinas, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
7James H. Dozier Jr. Attorney at Law664.6★ (30)Salinas, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
8Soltesz Law Group Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers - Salinas Office665.0★ (18)Salinas, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
9The Crawford Law Firm, Inc. Salinas654.7★ (13)Salinas, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
10DUI Attorney Rick Gazipura Santa Cruz655.0★ (36)Santa Cruz, 27 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in Monterey now

24-hour hours mean the firm lists itself as open around the clock on Google; that does not show its phone is answered. A lawyer may not be able to visit a jail or appear in court the same day: ask what they can do now and what it costs before you agree.

The 42 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Monterey, ranked

24/7 first, then same-day service, then the rest. Each group is in LFR Score order on emergency weights.

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 Monterey

    #1 Pernik Law, APC

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 146 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 146 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    40 Central Ave #4, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for Pernik Law, APC(831) 480-9165

  2. #2 Pernik Law, APC

    Based in Monterey

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 20 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 20 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    215 W Franklin St 5th Floor, Suite 502, Monterey, CA 93940
    View profile for Pernik Law, APC(831) 480-9217

  3. #3 Monterey Criminal Attorney

    Based in Monterey

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 18 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 18 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    700 Cass St #202d, Monterey, CA 93940
    View profile for Monterey Criminal Attorney(831) 574-1791

  4. #4 The Crawford Law Firm, Inc.

    Based in Monterey

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 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.

    • 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    215 W Franklin St, Monterey, CA 93940
    View profile for The Crawford Law Firm, Inc.(831) 200-3447

  6. #6 The Worthington Law Centre

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 59 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.7★ from 59 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    215 W Alisal St, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for The Worthington Law Centre(831) 704-1852

  8. #8 Soltesz Law Group Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers - Salinas Office

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 18 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 18 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    137 Central Ave Ste 3, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for Soltesz Law Group Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers - Salinas Office(831) 346-0505

  12. #12 Santa Cruz DUI Lawyer The Crawford Law Firm, Inc.

    Based in Santa Cruz, 27 mi away

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 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.

    • 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1414 Soquel Ave #224, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    View profile for Santa Cruz DUI Lawyer The Crawford Law Firm, Inc.(831) 204-0773

  16. #16 Monterey License Attorney

    Based in Monterey

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    700 Cass St Ste 202D-1, Monterey, CA 93940
    View profile for Monterey License Attorney(831) 296-1191

  20. #20 Chris Cain Law

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 221 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 221 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM · Fri 9 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    6 W Gabilan St Ste 17, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for Chris Cain Law(831) 296-0060

  21. #21 Taylor & Dolowich, A Professional Law Corporation

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 86 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 86 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    241 Salinas St, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for Taylor & Dolowich, A Professional Law Corporation(831) 998-9187

  23. #23 Law Office of Maribel Penaloza

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 34 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 34 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–6 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    307 Main St Ste 140-B, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for Law Office of Maribel Penaloza(831) 800-6395

  24. #24 Thelander Law

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    48/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 31 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 31 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    325 Cayuga St, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for Thelander Law(831) 758-1069

  25. #25 Law Office of John Klopfenstein

    Based in Salinas, 14 mi away

    48/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 47 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.4★ from 47 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    9 W Gabilan St Ste 6, Salinas, CA 93901
    View profile for Law Office of John Klopfenstein(831) 610-5921

All 42 criminal defense lawyers by emergency score

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #42, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in Monterey, ranks 26 to 42
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Jennifer S. Rosenthal, Esq.474.5★ (6)In Monterey
27Andre Steven J Attorney At Law475.0★ (4)In Monterey
28Law Office of Eric C. Fonferek475.0★ (5)2 mi
29Law Office of Cherish Om - Criminal Defense and Family Lawyer465.0★ (24)23 mi
30THOMAS S. WORTHINGTON464.1★ (15)14 mi
31Law Offices of Andrew C. Janecki454.7★ (27)27 mi
32Law Office of Tony Escareno432.9★ (28)24 mi
33The Law Offices of Stuart D. Kirchick425.0★ (5)27 mi
34Jamyrson Law Firm APC403.7★ (3)26 mi
35Law Office of Cherish Om - Criminal Defense & Family Lawyer405.0★ (27)27 mi
36Biegel Law Firm394.9★ (9)In Monterey
37Lavorato & Scott373.8★ (22)14 mi
38Allan, Arlene E Aty353.7★ (6)14 mi
39Jesse Ruben Law, PC344.0★ (14)26 mi
40The Law Offices of Bryan J. Hackett324.3★ (6)27 mi
41Mark A. Garver Attorney at Law325.0★ (4)27 mi
42Law Offices of Geoffrey W. Rawlings, Esq313.7★ (3)27 mi

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in Monterey

Emergency lists move 10 points of the LFR Score from reputation to availability: 15% and 15%. Availability credits 24/7 hours, same-day service, weekend hours and weekly open hours. 24/7 criminal defense lawyers are listed first, then same-day, then the rest; ranks follow that order. Paid placement never changes a rank.

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 from
Reputation15%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it
Bar status10%An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded)
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 months
Availability15%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are

Emergency criminal defense lawyers in Monterey: questions

Which criminal defense lawyers in Monterey are open 24/7?

17 on this list post 24/7 hours, including Pernik Law, APC, Pernik Law, APC, Monterey Criminal Attorney, The Crawford Law Firm, Inc. and Charles H. Shivers, Attorney at Law.

Who is ranked #1 for emergency criminal defense in Monterey, CA?

Pernik Law, APC is #1, with an LFR Score of 71 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in Monterey ranked?

Emergency lists move 10 points of the LFR Score from reputation to availability: 15% and 15%. Availability credits 24/7 hours, same-day service, weekend hours and weekly open hours. 24/7 criminal defense lawyers are listed first, then same-day, then the rest; ranks follow that order. Paid placement never changes a rank.

What should I do before the criminal defense lawyer arrives?

If you or someone you know is arrested: you can stay silent and ask for a lawyer before answering questions. Calls from jail are usually recorded, so do not discuss the facts of the case on them.

How many emergency criminal defense lawyers here list a phone number?

25 of the 25 law firms ranked in full list a phone number. Tap Call to dial it.

Update log for Monterey

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 42 criminal defense lawyers serving Monterey.
  2. November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.

More emergency and criminal defense pages