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5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Lorian Hartfield
By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 9 min read

An arrest doesn't wait for you to shop around for a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles, and the firms below have handled everything from a first misdemeanor to a case carrying life in prison. Between them they have logged more than 1,000 Google reviews, and the top three all hold a perfect 5.0, so the split that actually matters is not the star rating but who tries cases and who settles them fast.

Short answer: The top-rated pick is Manshoory Law Group (5.0 stars across 372 reviews), a full criminal defense practice covering everything from DUI to federal fraud charges. Close behind are Grace Legal Group (5.0, 234 reviews) and CBS Law (5.0, 230 reviews, and a claimed 93% trial success rate). None of these firms publish flat fees online, since criminal cases are billed by charge severity and case length, so expect a free consultation before any number gets discussed.
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How LA's criminal defense firms stack up

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Manshoory Law Group 5.0 ★ 372 Felony defense / trial View ›
2 Grace Legal Group Inc. 5.0 ★ 234 Client communication View ›
3 CBS Law 5.0 ★ 230 Misdemeanor to felony, trial record View ›
4 Hart J. Levin - Los Angeles DUI Lawyers 4.9 ★ 222 DUI-adjacent criminal charges View ›
5 Costen Ruiz Law 4.8 ★ 215 Multi-county coverage View ›
5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Manshoory Law Group logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Manshoory Law Group

5.0372 Google reviews

Manshoory Law Group is a downtown Los Angeles criminal defense firm handling the full range of charges, from crimes against children and domestic violence to drug crimes, fraud, theft and DUI. The firm also works federal defense, professional-driver cases, and post-conviction matters like probation modification and expungement. Founder Shaheen Manshoory and a bench of associate attorneys represent clients from arraignment through trial.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe not-guilty verdicts and full dismissals on serious felony charges
  • Staff communicate clearly and stay available throughout the case
  • Attorneys explain the legal process and set realistic expectations
  • Handles both misdemeanors and the most serious felony charges

Worth knowing

  • Fees can run high on complex cases, according to at least one reviewer
  • Best results come from requesting the founding attorney directly rather than an associate
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating5 / 5
Review volume372 · 98th
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The top-rated and most-reviewed firm on this list, with a breadth that spans nearly every criminal charge type in California. A strong default pick for anyone facing a felony who wants a firm built for trial, not just a plea deal.

Website+1877-977-7750 Directions

660 S Figueroa St Ste 1888, Los Angeles, CA 90017

CBS Law logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

CBS Law

5.0230 Google reviews

CBS Law is a downtown Los Angeles criminal defense firm representing clients on charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, plus police-misconduct and civil-rights matters. The firm's site cites a 93% trial success rate and lists case results including dismissed attempted-murder and gun-possession charges. Founder Christopher Bou Saeed leads a small team through arraignment, pretrial negotiation, and trial.

What people praise

  • Reviewers cite dismissed felony charges, including attempted murder and gun possession
  • Attorneys are described as personally accessible, with direct calls to share case updates
  • Mental-health diversion outcomes secured for multiple reviewers' family members
  • Same attorney handles a case from consultation through resolution

Worth knowing

  • A smaller team than the largest firms on this list
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating5 / 5
Review volume230 · 88th
Confidencehigh
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The stated trial success rate and the specific dismissals reviewers describe make this a strong pick for a client who wants a fight, not just a plea. The smaller team means more direct contact with the lead attorney.

Website+1213-800-8005 Directions

633 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Hart J. Levin - Los Angeles DUI Lawyers logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Hart J. Levin - Los Angeles DUI Lawyers

4.9222 Google reviews

Hart J. Levin - Los Angeles DUI Lawyers is a downtown LA firm built primarily around DUI defense, including felony DUI, DUI causing injury, and related driving offenses, alongside broader criminal defense work. The firm handles DMV administrative hearings and court proceedings together, and its site cites Super Lawyer recognition for 2023 through 2026.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe favorable outcomes including no jail time and sealed records
  • Attorneys handle DMV hearings alongside the criminal case
  • Clear breakdown of fees given upfront, according to reviewers
  • Consistent communication cited across multiple reviews

Worth knowing

  • One reviewer felt communication fell short on a first-offense case
  • Focus leans toward DUI and driving-related charges rather than the widest range of criminal matters
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume222 · 83th
Confidencehigh
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown97% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Best suited to a defendant whose case involves driving under the influence or a related charge, since the firm's DMV hearing experience adds value most general criminal firms don't offer.

Website+1310-935-3100 Directions

355 S Grand Ave Ste 2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Costen Ruiz Law logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days

Costen Ruiz Law

4.8215 Google reviews

Costen Ruiz Law is a downtown Los Angeles criminal defense firm covering LA, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties, with practice areas including DUI, domestic violence, drug crimes, assault, robbery and fraud. The firm runs a warrant calculator and client portal alongside standard case representation.

What people praise

  • Reviewers highlight individual attorneys as attentive and thorough
  • Covers a wide geographic footprint across Southern California
  • Handles both DUI and broader criminal defense under one roof

Worth knowing

  • Multiple reviewers describe inconsistent communication after representation began
  • A few reviewers report feeling under-informed about case strategy
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume215 · 78th
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown94% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks lowest on this list on review sentiment, with a mixed record on communication, but the multi-county reach is genuinely useful for a case that crosses jurisdictions. Ask upfront how often you'll hear from your assigned attorney.

Website+1844-426-7836 Directions

1200 Wilshire Blvd #615, Los Angeles, CA 90017

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How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not opinion or payment. Rating is the firm’s live Google star average. Review volume measures how many clients have rated them, ranked against other LA criminal defense firms. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 5.0 from hundreds of reviewers carries more weight than a 5.0 from a handful. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No firm can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Los Angeles? (2026)

None of the firms on this page publish flat criminal-defense fees, because cost depends heavily on the charge (misdemeanor versus felony), whether the case goes to trial, and how long it takes to resolve. Most offer a free initial consultation where they’ll quote a case-specific fee. Expect the price to scale with case complexity and courtroom time rather than a fixed menu.

Serving all of Los Angeles

These firms are based in and around downtown Los Angeles, with several covering the wider LA County court system and beyond into Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Searching for a criminal defense lawyer near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number so you can reach the closest option fast.

What to ask before you hire a criminal defense lawyer

  • Have you handled cases with this exact charge before, and what was the outcome?
  • Will you personally handle my case, or will it be passed to an associate?
  • What is your fee structure, and what does it cover through trial?
  • What is the realistic range of outcomes given the facts of my case?
  • How often will I get updates, and who do I contact between court dates?
  • Do you have trial experience, or does your firm mostly negotiate pleas?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these criminal defense lawyers?

We started from Los Angeles criminal defense firms with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

What is the difference between a criminal defense lawyer and a DUI lawyer?

In Los Angeles, DUI defense is one branch of criminal defense, so most firms that handle DUI also handle other criminal charges. If your case is specifically a DUI, our DUI lawyers page focuses on firms with DMV-hearing experience and breathalyzer-challenge track records.

Do these firms offer free consultations?

Several, including Manshoory Law Group and CBS Law, advertise free initial case reviews. Confirm this when you call, since it varies by firm and case type.

The bottom line

Manshoory Law Group is the safest default given its review volume and the range of charges it handles from arraignment through trial, while CBS Law is worth a call if your case looks headed for trial rather than a plea. Whoever you choose, ask about fee structure and trial experience before signing on.

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