Facing criminal charges in Fontana?
A criminal charge in Fontana is handled at the Fontana courthouse on Arrow Boulevard, part of the San Bernardino County Superior Court, where misdemeanors and felonies follow different paths from arraignment to resolution. The early choices — whether to talk to police, how fast you get counsel — matter enormously, and anyone who cannot afford a lawyer is entitled to the public defender. The private lawyer you choose can shape the charge, the strategy, and the outcome.
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer matters because the prosecution has investigators and resources aimed at a conviction, and the stakes — your record, your freedom, your job — are high. Below are firms that serve Fontana and the wider San Bernardino County, appearing consistently across Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and Expertise.com, with a verifiable criminal-defense focus. Many handle cases at the Fontana District courthouse and across the Inland Empire; each firm's reach is noted. Most offer a free consultation.
How we picked these 9: We reviewed peer rankings (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), trial experience, former-prosecutor backgrounds, focus on criminal defense, and bar standing. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: DUI, felonies, drug crimes, theft, domestic violence
A defense firm that reports more than 25 years supporting Fontana residents, with two former prosecutors who handle cases at the Fontana District of the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Practice focus: DUI, felonies, drug offenses, violent crimes, expungements
A San Bernardino County criminal defense firm that regularly represents Fontana clients across DUI and felony matters and is listed across legal directories.
Practice focus: DUI, drug crimes, assault, criminal defense
A criminal defense firm reporting more than 15 years defending clients in Fontana charged with offenses including DUI, drug crimes, and assault.
Practice focus: DUI, felonies, domestic violence, drug crimes
A defense group that represents Fontana clients throughout San Bernardino County and carries strong client reviews across rating platforms.
Practice focus: DUI, sexual assault, drug offenses, property crimes, homicide
Attorney Michael J. Kennedy has practiced law since 1981 and serves on the board of trustees of the California DUI Lawyers Association, representing Fontana clients in serious felony and DUI matters.
Practice focus: DUI, criminal defense, felonies
A full-service criminal defense firm with the father-and-son team of Daniel and Philip Greenberg, both former district attorneys, who handle DUI and other charges in the Fontana area.
Practice focus: DUI, felonies, drug crimes, criminal defense
Attorney Michael Scafiddi, a former deputy district attorney, is selected to Super Lawyers for criminal defense and handles Fontana-area cases across San Bernardino County.
Practice focus: DUI, felonies, theft, violent crimes, expungements
An established criminal defense firm that handles San Bernardino County cases, including matters arising from the Fontana area, and is widely listed across directories.
Practice focus: DUI, drug crimes, felonies, criminal defense
A criminal defense group that represents Fontana and San Bernardino County clients across DUI, drug, and felony charges.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted criminal defense attorneys in Fontana. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Match the firm to the charge. A first-time misdemeanor or DUI is different from a felony, a sex offense, or a case with potential prison exposure or immigration consequences. For serious charges, you want a lawyer with real trial experience the prosecution knows will take a case to a jury; for a DUI, you want someone who handles them constantly and knows the science and the local court.
Ask each firm how many cases like yours it has handled at the Fontana courthouse, whether the attorney has tried cases to verdict, and who will actually appear for you. Several of the strongest Fontana defenders are former prosecutors, which can be an advantage — they know how the other side builds and values a case.
The firms above are a starting point, not a verdict. The right lawyer for you depends on your facts, your budget, and how you want to be treated. Use these five signals to compare them.
Relevant, recent experience. “We handle everything” is a weakness, not a strength. You want a lawyer who works criminal defense cases in Fontana week in and week out, not one who takes them occasionally between unrelated matters. Recent, repeated experience with cases like yours is the single best predictor of a good outcome.
Straight talk about your case. A good lawyer tells you what is strong and what is weak at the first meeting, not just what you want to hear. If everything sounds easy and the outcome sounds guaranteed, be skeptical — real cases have real risks, and an honest lawyer names them.
Communication you can live with. Most complaints about lawyers are not about losing — they are about silence. Ask who returns your calls, how fast, and whether you will reach the actual attorney or only a screener. Set that expectation before you sign, because it rarely improves later.
Fees in writing, in plain English. You should leave the first meeting knowing exactly what you will pay, what it covers, and what could cost extra. A clear written fee agreement is a sign of a well-run practice; a vague “don't worry about it” is a sign to keep looking.
Local courtroom knowledge. The lawyer who appears in the Fontana courthouse regularly knows how each judge runs a courtroom, how local outcomes tend to break, and which resolutions are realistic. That practical knowledge is hard to fake and easy to verify — just ask.
A Fontana criminal case begins when the District Attorney files a complaint and the defendant is brought to an arraignment at the Fontana courthouse, part of the San Bernardino County Superior Court, where the charges are read and a plea is entered. Misdemeanors move through pretrial conferences toward possible resolution or a jury trial. Felonies add a preliminary hearing, where a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to proceed.
Many cases resolve before trial through negotiation, dismissal of weak charges, or diversion programs, but a contested case can run for months as motions and hearings play out. Anyone who cannot afford a private lawyer is entitled to the San Bernardino County Public Defender, and California's sentencing rules, including the Three Strikes law, can raise the stakes for serious or repeat offenses.
Most criminal defense lawyers in Fontana charge a flat fee based on the charge and how far the case is likely to go — one fee for a misdemeanor or DUI handled short of trial, and more if the case goes to a jury. Serious felonies are quoted higher because they demand far more work. Ask exactly what the fee covers and what would cost extra, such as trial or expert witnesses.
Price is not the only factor. A cheap lawyer who pushes you to plead quickly can cost you far more in the long run — in a record, in jail time, in lost opportunities — than a skilled one who fights the charge. Get the fee and what it covers in writing, and remember that if you cannot afford private counsel, the public defender represents you at no cost.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees how your criminal defense matter will end before reviewing the details, walk away.
The disappearing senior lawyer. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior runs the file unsupervised. Ask in writing who your day-to-day lawyer will be.
No verifiable track record. “We have handled thousands of cases” is marketing. Real evidence is named results, peer recognition such as Super Lawyers or Best Lawyers, and a clean record with the state bar.
Pressure to sign immediately. A reputable firm gives you the fee agreement in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about the cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate firm puts the fee, what it covers, and what could cost extra in writing.
Most firms on this list offer a free consultation. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
The Fontana courthouse. Fontana criminal cases are filed and heard at the Fontana District courthouse on Arrow Boulevard, part of the San Bernardino County Superior Court. A lawyer who appears there regularly knows the judges, the prosecutors, and how local cases tend to resolve.
Misdemeanor versus felony. Misdemeanors move through arraignment and pretrial conferences, while felonies add a preliminary hearing where a judge decides whether the case proceeds. The path shapes the strategy from day one.
Your rights and the stakes. Anyone who cannot afford a private attorney is entitled to the San Bernardino County Public Defender, and California's Three Strikes law can increase the consequences for serious or repeat offenses. Non-citizens should also weigh immigration consequences.
Tell us what is going on. We'll match you with vetted Fontana firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
Most charge a flat fee based on the charge and how far the case may go, with serious felonies costing more. If you cannot afford a private attorney, the San Bernardino County Public Defender represents you at no cost.
At the Fontana District courthouse on Arrow Boulevard, part of the San Bernardino County Superior Court. A lawyer who practices there knows the local judges and prosecutors.
Misdemeanors are less serious, generally punishable by up to a year in county jail, while felonies are more serious and can carry prison time. Felonies add a preliminary hearing to the process.
You have the right to remain silent, and it is usually wise to use it. Politely decline to discuss the case and ask to speak with a lawyer; what you say can be used against you.
Yes. Anyone who cannot afford to hire a private attorney is entitled to a court-appointed public defender in California, and the San Bernardino County Public Defender represents indigent defendants.
The charges are read, your rights are explained, and you enter a plea. It is the first court appearance and an important point to already have counsel.
Yes. As a case develops, charges can be reduced or dismissed — for example, when discovery reveals weaknesses in the evidence or when a diversion program applies.
It can. Certain convictions carry serious immigration consequences for non-citizens, so tell your defense lawyer about your status so the case can be handled with that in mind.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal, and a criminal charge affects your future. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign, and ask each how many cases like yours they have handled at the Fontana courthouse and whether they try cases. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team