We checked peer rankings, bar directories, and each firm's own practice pages to find Long Beach's most credible criminal defense firms. Here are 9 worth a call, with fees, focus, and what to ask.
Updated March 01, 202614 min readEditorially independent
If you have been arrested or charged in Long Beach — a DUI, a theft, a drug case, or something more serious — the first 48 hours and the lawyer you hire shape everything that follows. A good defense attorney can mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, jail and probation.
This guide lists Long Beach-area criminal defense and DUI firms with verifiable experience and free consultations. We note which ones focus on DUI specifically and which handle the full range of misdemeanors and felonies.
Use this list as a starting point, not a final verdict. Call two or three firms, compare what they tell you, and pick the one that explains your options most clearly. Every firm here offers a free consultation, so a second opinion costs you nothing but an hour of your time.
How we picked these 9: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Long Beach-area criminal defense practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Law Offices of Taylor & Taylor
Long Beach + 5 officesDUI only since 1979Free consult
Practice focus: DUI defense exclusively — breath, blood, and field-sobriety challenges
A four-attorney firm that has defended DUI cases exclusively since 1979, with a Long Beach office among six locations. Concentrating on one charge type lets the firm focus on the science of breath and blood testing.
Why they made the list: If the charge is DUI, a firm that does nothing but DUI knows the testing and suppression issues cold.
Practice focus: DUI and serious misdemeanor and felony defense
A Long Beach DUI and criminal defense firm with more than 40 years of combined experience and a 'Top 100' trial-lawyer profile, offering free case evaluations to people facing drunk-driving and related charges.
Why they made the list: Four decades of local courtroom time is hard to substitute when your case may go to trial.
Serves Long BeachFormer senior prosecutorFree consult
Practice focus: DUI and felony defense, sex crimes, theft, violent charges
Founder Michael Kraut is a former senior deputy district attorney whose courtroom reputation among prosecutors and judges carries weight in DUI and felony matters across the Long Beach courts.
Why they made the list: A former prosecutor knows how the other side builds and values a case before it ever reaches a jury.
Practice focus: DUI, drug charges, violent crimes, and federal defense
Located at 5150 Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, the firm handles DUI and a full range of criminal matters from misdemeanors to felonies for clients in the Long Beach and Los Angeles County courts.
Why they made the list: A Long Beach street address and broad criminal coverage make this a practical local option.
Practice focus: DUI and criminal defense, business and civil crossover
A multi-practice firm serving Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Long Beach. Attorney Anthony J. Falangetti handles a high volume of DUI and criminal matters each year.
Why they made the list: High annual case volume means familiarity with the local prosecutors and the usual plea ranges.
Serves Long BeachThousands of DUI casesFree consult
Practice focus: DUI and DMV defense, domestic violence
Matthew Ruff has tried thousands of criminal cases, the majority DUI and DWI matters, and reports a strong record in jury trials including recent not-guilty DUI verdicts.
Why they made the list: A heavy trial record is reassuring if your case cannot be resolved by plea.
Practice focus: Serious felonies, sex crimes, three-strikes, record clearing
A Southern California criminal defense firm where attorney Stephen Klarich has defended thousands of serious charges over 40 years, including murder, sex offenses, three-strikes cases, and Megan's Law petitions.
Why they made the list: For the most serious felonies and registration issues, deep experience with high-stakes charges matters most.
Practice focus: DUI, theft, drug, and violent-crime defense
A veteran Long Beach criminal defense attorney with more than three decades of local practice, recognized on independent best-of-Long-Beach attorney lists for criminal defense.
Why they made the list: A solo veteran who handles your file personally is a fit if you want one consistent lawyer throughout.
Practice focus: DUI and general criminal defense in the Long Beach courts
A Long Beach criminal defense attorney recognized on independent local best-of lists, handling DUI and a range of misdemeanor and felony matters in the area's courts.
Why they made the list: A locally recognized solo practitioner offers personal attention close to the Long Beach courthouse.
Tell us what happened. We'll connect you with one of these Long Beach firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Long Beach
Match the lawyer to the charge. A first DUI and a felony are different worlds. Some Long Beach firms do only DUI; others handle serious felonies. Pick experience in your exact charge.
Ask about local court experience. A lawyer who appears in the Long Beach courthouse weekly knows the judges and prosecutors and the realistic plea ranges.
Get the fee structure in writing. Most criminal defense is a flat fee by charge. Confirm what it covers — and whether trial is extra — before you sign.
Beware guarantees. No ethical lawyer promises a dismissal. Look for honest assessments of the evidence and the likely outcomes.
Read recent reviews, not just the average. A high star average matters less than what recent clients say. On Google, Avvo, and Yelp, read the newest Long Beach reviews and watch for patterns in how the firm communicates and returns calls.
Trust your read of the consultation. You may work with this person for months. If they talk over you, dodge questions, or rush you at the free meeting, that rarely gets better after you sign.
What criminal defense help typically costs in Long Beach
Criminal defense in Long Beach is usually billed as a flat fee that depends on the charge and whether the case goes to trial:
First-offense DUI: about $2,500-$7,500 flat. More if there was an accident, injury, or a refusal.
Other misdemeanors: about $3,000-$7,500 flat. Theft, drug possession, and similar charges fall in this range.
Felonies: $10,000-$25,000 or more. Serious felonies and cases that go to trial cost substantially more.
Hourly work: about $300-$600. Some firms bill complex matters hourly instead of a flat fee.
Ask whether the quoted fee includes a jury trial or stops at a plea, and what a DMV hearing in a DUI case costs separately.
How long it takes
How long a Long Beach criminal case takes depends on the charge and whether it resolves by plea or trial:
Arraignment: within days to a few weeks. Your first court date, where charges are read and bail is addressed.
Pretrial and motions: 1-6 months. Your lawyer reviews evidence, files suppression motions, and negotiates.
Misdemeanor resolution: 3-9 months. Most misdemeanors, including many DUIs, resolve in this window.
Felony or trial: 6-18 months. Serious cases and jury trials take considerably longer.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Long Beach
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many criminal defense matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Long Beach consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most criminal defense matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Criminal Defense attorney in Long Beach
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about criminal defense lawyers in Long Beach
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Long Beach?
Most charge a flat fee by charge — roughly $2,500-$7,500 for a first DUI or misdemeanor and $10,000 or more for felonies. Confirm whether trial is included.
Do I need a lawyer for a first DUI?
Strongly recommended. A first DUI carries license consequences, fines, and a criminal record, and a lawyer can challenge the stop, the testing, and the DMV action.
What is the DMV hearing?
After a California DUI you have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing to protect your license. It is separate from the criminal case, so act fast.
Can my charge be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes — through a weak-evidence challenge, a suppression motion, or negotiation. No lawyer can promise it, but experienced counsel improves the odds.
What happens at arraignment?
The charges are read, you enter a plea, and bail or release is addressed. Having a lawyer there from the start helps protect your rights.
Should I just take the prosecutor's first offer?
Not without advice. A defense lawyer may find weaknesses that lead to a better deal or a dismissal. The first consultation is free.
How did you choose the firms on this list?
We cross-referenced peer-review directories - Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, Expertise.com, and FindLaw - with each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm appears in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Long Beach-area criminal defense practice. We take no payment for placement.
Does it cost anything to get matched with a firm?
No. Using this directory and requesting a consultation is free, and the firms here offer free initial reviews. You decide whether to hire anyone, and there is no obligation.
What should I do right after an arrest?
Write down what happened while it is fresh, keep every document and message, note any deadlines you have been given, and avoid posting about it online. Then book a free consultation before making decisions you cannot undo.
Can I switch lawyers if I am unhappy?
Usually yes. You are not locked in to the first criminal defense firm you meet, and you can change counsel if the relationship is not working. Ask any new firm how a mid-case switch would affect your fee and timeline before you move.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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