5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Riverside (2026)

Ranked by real Google ratings and review volume · How we chose

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

We compared 20 criminal defense lawyers in Riverside on Google Maps · 5 listed · How we rank

A criminal charge does not leave much time for shopping around, and the criminal defense lawyers in Riverside you call in the first few days shape what follows. The firms on this page hold 1,283 Google reviews between them, and every rating sits between 4.9 and 5.0, so the stars barely separate them. What does is how deep each review record runs, from 122 reviews at the smallest to 591 at the largest.

Short answer: Kia Law Firm leads on proven volume with a 5.0 rating across 591 Google reviews, followed by Greenberg & Greenberg at 4.9 across 290. The Law Offices of John L. Michels, Law Offices of Graham D. Donath and DeLimon Law all show a flat 5.0 on 144, 136 and 122 reviews. Reviewers mention diversion, dismissals and reduced outcomes, but fees are quoted case by case, so ask for the fee structure in writing at the first consultation.

Jump to a business

1. Kia Law Firm
2. Greenberg & Greenberg
3. The Law Offices of Joh…
4. Law Offices of Graham…
5. DeLimon Law
Get listed

Riverside Defense Attorneys, Side by Side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Kia Law Firm	5.0 ★	591	Largest review record	View ›
2	Greenberg & Greenberg	4.9 ★	290	Team approach	View ›
3	The Law Offices of John L. Michels	5.0 ★	144	Serious felony charges	View ›
4	Law Offices of Graham D. Donath	5.0 ★	136	Former public defender	View ›
5	DeLimon Law	5.0 ★	122	Probation outcomes	View ›

5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Riverside (2026)

The firms, reviewed one by one

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Kia Law Firm

5.0591 Google reviews

Kia Law Firm is a criminal defense practice on Main Street in Riverside, listed on Google as a criminal justice attorney and trial attorney. The reviews describe work on possession charges, requests for judicial diversion and a case that ended in dismissal. Its Google profile carries no website description, so the picture here comes from client accounts rather than the firm's own copy.

What people praise

Two reviewers describe winning diversion rather than a conviction
Clients say Kia explains each step of the court process and answers questions
One reviewer reports a dismissed case after thorough preparation in court
A reviewer mentions the office was willing to set up a payment plan

Worth knowing

Google shows two 1-star ratings behind the 5.0 average

Reputation scorecardrank in Riverside

Rating5 / 5

Review volume591 · 98th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks first on volume: 591 reviews at 5.0 is the deepest record here, and the praise is specific about diversion and dismissals. Ask about payment options early, since one reviewer says a plan was available.

Website +1951-686-4818 Directions

4275 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Greenberg & Greenberg

4.9290 Google reviews

Greenberg & Greenberg is a criminal defense firm on University Avenue in Riverside, listed on Google as a criminal justice attorney and law firm. Reviewers name several lawyers and an office manager, which points to a team practice rather than a solo one. Cases described include a dismissed charge and a case that ran more than 18 months.

What people praise

Clients say emails and calls are returned the same day
One reviewer describes a dismissed case and a lawyer who dug into the facts
A long-running case drew praise for access outside normal office hours
Reviewers credit the office staff for keeping them informed

Worth knowing

A few low ratings sit behind the 4.9 average (6 one-star ratings out of 290)

Reputation scorecardrank in Riverside

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume290 · 93rd

Confidencehigh

Recency8 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Its 4.9 sits a tenth below the 5.0 firms, but 290 reviews is roughly double the next record on the page, so it ranks second. A good fit if you want a full team behind your case.

Website +1951-574-2281 Directions

3750 University Ave Ste 550, Riverside, CA 92501

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

The Law Offices of John L. Michels

5.0144 Google reviews

The Law Offices of John L. Michels is a Riverside criminal defense office on Indiana Avenue, with a dedicated Riverside criminal defense website. Reviews describe a vehicular manslaughter case that ended in judicial diversion and dismissal, a domestic violence arrest where prosecutors declined to file charges, and a mental health diversion that avoided jail. Clients also mention a second team member by name.

What people praise

Reviewers say he gives realistic expectations rather than promises
Multiple accounts of diversion programs and no jail time
Clients describe fast answers to calls from him and his staff
One reviewer describes charges that were never filed

Worth knowing

Smaller review base than the top two names, at 144 reviews

Reputation scorecardrank in Riverside

Rating5 / 5

Review volume144 · 88th

Confidencemoderate

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It holds a perfect 5.0 but ranks third because 144 reviews is a shorter record than the two firms above it. The serious charges described in the reviews make it worth a call if your case is a felony.

Website +1951-276-8900 Directions

7095 Indiana Ave STE 200, Riverside, CA 92506

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Law Offices of Graham D. Donath

5.0136 Google reviews

Law Offices of Graham D. Donath is a criminal defense practice on University Avenue in Riverside. Its site describes Donath as a former Riverside County deputy public defender and lists assault, domestic violence, sex crimes, child abuse, burglary, firearm, theft and juvenile cases, with additional offices around the Inland Empire. Google lists daily hours from 8 AM to 9 PM.

What people praise

Reviewers say the team replies to emails and calls promptly
Clients mention having cases dismissed
One reviewer says everything was explained in depth through the court process
Listed hours run into the evening, seven days a week

Worth knowing

Fewer reviews than Kia Law Firm or Greenberg & Greenberg, at 136

Reputation scorecardrank in Riverside

Rating5 / 5

Review volume136 · 83rd

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A flat 5.0 on 136 reviews, backed by a clearly stated practice list on its site. Choose it if your charge falls under violent or property crimes.

Website +1951-667-5293 Directions

3801 University Ave Ste 260, Riverside, CA 92501

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

DeLimon Law

5.0122 Google reviews

DeLimon Law is a Riverside criminal defense office on Spruce Street. Its Google profile has no website description, so what we know comes from clients. They describe cases handled in the Riverside area and as far as the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse, and one mentions the firm's investigator by name.

What people praise

Every one of its 122 Google reviews is five stars
A reviewer reports probation instead of a 2 to 8 year prison exposure
Clients say he gave a candid worst case and was available for calls
Reviewers praise the investigator for explaining things from a law enforcement view

Worth knowing

Shortest review record on the page, at 122 reviews

Reputation scorecardrank in Riverside

Rating5 / 5

Review volume122 · 78th

Confidencemoderate

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A clean 5.0 where every review is five stars, ranked last only because its record is the shortest. A strong option if you want a lawyer who is blunt about the risks.

Website +1951-382-5559 Directions

1533 Spruce St Ste 260, Riverside, CA 92507

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

How the scorecards work

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the live Google star average. Review volume is how many people have rated the firm, compared with other local criminal defense lawyers. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 5.0 from several hundred clients counts for more than a 5.0 from a few dozen. Recency shows how recently people still leave reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

What do criminal defense lawyers charge in Riverside?

Criminal defense fees depend on the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, how likely a trial is, and how many court dates the case will need. Firms quote flat fees or hourly rates case by case, and some offer payment plans. We don’t list a price table because none of the firms here publish one, so ask each office for a written fee agreement before you hire.

Defense attorneys across Riverside

These offices sit around central Riverside, on Main Street, University Avenue, Indiana Avenue and Spruce Street, which puts them within reach of most parts of the city. Searching for a criminal defense lawyer near me? Each listing shows a phone number and map link so you can call the closest office. Some firms also take cases in neighboring Inland Empire courthouses.

Questions to ask a defense lawyer before you hire

Have you handled this exact charge in the Riverside County courts?
Will you personally handle my case, or will it be passed to an associate?
Is your fee flat or hourly, and what does it cover?
Do you offer a payment plan?
What outcomes are realistic for my case, including the worst case?
How quickly do you return calls between court dates?

Frequently asked questions

Should I hire the lawyer with the most reviews?

Not automatically. Review volume shows a long track record, but the best fit depends on your charge, the court involved and how the lawyer communicates. Use the reviews to see which cases each firm has handled.

Can a criminal defense lawyer guarantee an outcome?

No. Reviews describe dismissals, diversion and reduced sentences, but every case is different. Be cautious of any lawyer who promises a result.

Where to start

Kia Law Firm is the safest default on proven record, with Greenberg & Greenberg close behind for a team approach. Call two offices, ask for the fee in writing and pick the one that explains your risks plainly.

Best Lawyers in other cities

More categories in Riverside

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50 or Premium $100 for the top spot, held a full year. Both include a permanent link to your site.

Get listed See pricing