Best Criminal Lawyers in Santa Clara County

Patrick Valencia
GET FEATURED HERE
Untitled 1casfwEg

Patrick Valencia

Criminal Lawyer

Patrick Valencia is VIB Law’s senior partner as well as a founding member of the law firm.

Mr. Valencia has long-standing ties in the Bay Area, having received undergraduate and law degrees from Santa Clara University. These strong local ties allow him access to a wide variety of contacts within the criminal justice system to use on behalf of his clients.

Mr. Valencia has established credibility with the District Attorney’s office, having worked for seven years with the Santa Clara County Juvenile Probation Department. That experience helped him develop keen insight into the Juvenile Justice System.

Since his admission to the Bar in 1983, Mr. Valencia has successfully defended thousands of minors charged with crimes. In fact, he was named, “Top Juvenile Defense Attorney” by San Jose Magazine in 2002. Mr. Valencia has also handled numerous high profile juvenile justice cases.

Valencia’s expertise in Juvenile Crimes and has long been recognized by the local court system. He has served as a Judge Pro Tempore and has presided over trials in both Juvenile Delinquency cases as well as Juvenile Dependency cases.

JAVIER RIOS
GET FEATURED HERE

JAVIER RIOS

Criminal Lawyer

Javier Rios is an award winning criminal defense lawyer from San Jose, California. He graduated from UC Berkeley and one of the most prestigious law schools in the country, the University of Michigan Law School. He has dedicated more than 25 years to defending people accused of crime. He is a seasoned trial attorney, not a paper shuffler. He has successfully represented people in many trials, from DUI to murder. Some of his work has been described on the front page of the San Jose Mercury News as well described in other newspapers and news websites across the state and across the country. He fights hard to defend his clients and protect their rights in a court system that often wants to just roll over people.

If you have a Santa Clara County case, you may want an attorney who knows the ins and outs of a Santa Clara County courtroom. Mr. Rios lives and works in San Jose and has tried cases in all the Santa Clara County courthouses, from Morgan Hill to the courthouse in Palo Alto. He has also known many of the Santa Clara County judges and Deputy District Attorneys for years and years.

Mr. Rios is accessible to each client, offering answers and information to make him or her and his or her loved ones feel confident that the case is in capable hands. He speaks frankly, no gimmicks, and tells you straight up where your case stands and the options available to you. Should the case end up in trial, Mr. Rios will be ready to defend you.

james riley
GET FEATURED HERE

JAMES REILLY

Criminal Lawyer

James Reilly sets the standard of excellence at Summit Defense. A former supervising prosecutor and current defense attorney with over 20 years of criminal law experience under his belt, Jim’s accomplishments in the courtroom are respected throughout the Northern California legal community.

In one case result that Jim is particularly proud of, our client was accused of molesting two children and was facing life in prison. Following a three week trial, Jim hung the jury, persuaded the DA not to refile and ultimately secured a dismissal in the case. Our client is now home with his family. At the conclusion of the trial, the judge made the following remarks on the record about Jim’s defense:

I don’t normally say this, but Mr. Reilly, you are always welcome in this courtroom.  I thought you were a consummate professional.  You were prepared, you were intelligent. You represented your client perfectly. And you squeezed everything out of this case that you possibly could and I think the defendant is lucky to have you.

about
GET FEATURED HERE

HOLDEN W. GREEN

Criminal Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Holden W. Green, A Professional Corporation in San Jose, principal attorney Holden Green leads his legal team in providing aggressive and zealous representation that is tailored to suit the individual cases and needs of their retained clients. 

A range of legal issues in several areas of practice are confidently handled by Mr. Green and his assistants.

To learn more about Mr. Green and the team at the firm, please review the profiles below or contact their San Jose law office to schedule your free 35-minute initial consultation.

JEL35293 Sukaram Shari scaled 1
GET FEATURED HERE

Shari Sukaram

Criminal Lawyer

Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law is a criminal defense law firm serving clients throughout the Bay Area. Our firm was founded in 2005 by founding partner Nafiz M. Ahmed, and Shari Sukaram joined in 2008 as a managing partner. 

We have over 30 years of combined experience helping people navigate some of the most challenging times in their lives. 

Our criminal defense attorneys understand the emotional impact and potential consequences of criminal charges – whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony. That’s why we’re committed to protecting your rights and ensuring you are treated fairly throughout the legal process. 

At Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, we focus solely on defending adults and juveniles who have been accused of crimes. We have the experience and resources needed to fight criminal charges, and we’ve been helping clients avoid jail, prison, fines, and wrongful convictions for decades.

stephanie rickard headshot 1x1 v3 circle
GET FEATURED HERE

STEPHANIE M. RICKARD

Criminal Lawyer

Stephanie Rickard is an experienced trial attorney whose primary focus is client satisfaction. As a former prosecutor for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, she has represented both individuals and major national corporations in both criminal and civil cases.

Ms. Rickard has a reputation for being genuinely concerned about her clients. Her professional dedication and personal involvement in each case ensure a level of responsiveness and integrity lacking in most larger firms.

Ms. Rickard received her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from San Jose State University. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of California, the Santa Clara County Bar Association, the California Deuce Defenders, the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, and California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.

She is admitted to practice in all courts of the state of California and Federal Court and represents clients in Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo, San Francisco, Marin, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties. She also represents many clients who are residents of other states and countries and has interpreters available at no additional fee for most languages.

Adam Allen Arant
GET FEATURED HERE

Adam Allen Arant

Criminal Lawyer

Adam Allen Arant graduated from the University of California Davis with a Bachelor’s degree in history with honors and a 3.9 cumulative GPA. While an undergrad, Attorney Arant was nominated for the Dean’s List every semester and received the History Department’s Citation for Academic Excellence. Moving on to the UC Davis School of Law, he participated in the Francis Carr Mock Trial Competition.

After earning his JD from law school, Attorney Arant was a part of Diepenbrock Harrison where he worked in civil and business litigation, labor and employment law, construction law, and environmental/land use law.

  • Attorney Arant led a prison ministry known as Kairos through California Medical Facility (CMF) which is located in Vacaville.
  • He works on behalf of disabled veterans at the Palo Alto VA Hospital.
  • As an active participant in the San Jose Cursillo movement, Attorney Arant has worked on several Men’s Cursillo retreats.
  • He routinely serves soup in the kitchen at the InnVision shelter in San Jose.

Attorney Arant also enjoys spending his free time outdoors and riding his motorcycle.

BRENDAN BARRETT
GET FEATURED HERE

BRENDAN BARRETT

Criminal Lawyer

Effective criminal defense is no simple task. It is highly involved and requires dedication beyond that of any other practice area. It demands the most of its lawyers as they must be knowledgeable about investigative research, well-versed in multiple legal disciplines, and quick on their feet in open court. Defense work requires that attorneys be calming, understanding, and compassionate to their clients while simultaneously remaining aggressive within a system designed to generate convictions.

Brendan Barrett has the the skills of a research attorney and the prowess of a trial attorney that puts his client’s cases in the best position for success.

Combining great customer service, a solid knowledge of the legal landscape, and a personable nature that you don’t find in your average lawyer–Brendan enjoys what he does and it shows. In the past years, Brendan has received seven “Super-Lawyer Awards” for Excellence in Practice, the Pro Bono Publico Award, the Public Interest Clearinghouse Award, and “best 40 under 40 attorneys” award three times. Because of his dedication to his practice, he has built trust in the San Jose and Greater Bay Area communities with clients who refer to him in glowing terms. Call or write today for your free consultation, and see what Brendan can do for you.

adv lawyerrr
GET FEATURED HERE

The need for the best criminal defense attorney in Santa Clara County, California, is significant when individuals are facing criminal charges. Criminal defense attorneys play a crucial role in ensuring that the accused receive a fair legal process and have their rights protected. Here are the key reasons why having the best criminal defense attorney is essential, along with the roles and responsibilities they fulfill:

1. Legal Expertise: Criminal defense attorneys have a deep understanding of criminal law, including state and federal statutes, case precedents, and legal procedures. They use this expertise to assess their clients’ cases and develop effective defense strategies.

2. Protection of Rights: The best criminal defense attorneys ensure that their clients’ constitutional rights are upheld. This includes protecting their right to remain silent, the right to legal counsel, and safeguarding against self-incrimination.

3. Investigation: Attorneys investigate the charges against their clients thoroughly. They gather evidence, interview witnesses, and examine police reports to build a strong defense strategy. They may also collaborate with private investigators to uncover new evidence that supports their clients’ innocence.

4. Negotiation: Many criminal cases are resolved through plea bargains or negotiations with prosecutors. A skilled criminal defense attorney can negotiate on behalf of their client to secure a favorable plea deal, reduced charges, or sentencing concessions, if applicable.

5. Court Representation: Criminal defense attorneys represent their clients in court proceedings. They prepare legal arguments, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and make compelling cases to judges and juries. Their goal is to prove their client’s innocence or raise reasonable doubt about their guilt.

6. Advocacy: Criminal defense attorneys are strong advocates for their clients. They ensure that their clients’ interests are protected at every stage of the legal process. They challenge unconstitutional actions, seek fair bail conditions, and work to minimize the impact of criminal charges on their clients’ lives.

7. Legal Advice: Criminal defense attorneys provide expert legal advice to their clients, helping them make informed decisions about their cases. They explain the potential consequences of various legal strategies and guide their clients in making choices that align with their best interests.

8. Emotional Support: Facing criminal charges can be emotionally distressing. Criminal defense attorneys often offer emotional support and reassurance to their clients, helping them navigate the stress and uncertainty of the legal process.

9. Appeals: If a verdict is unfavorable, criminal defense attorneys can file appeals on behalf of their clients. They argue that legal errors or injustices occurred during the trial and seek to have the conviction overturned or the sentence reduced.

10. Upholding Justice: Ultimately, the role of a criminal defense attorney is to ensure that justice is served. They work tirelessly to uphold the principle that every person is entitled to a fair trial and a rigorous defense, regardless of the nature of the charges against them.

In summary, the best criminal defense attorney in Santa Clara County is essential to protect the rights and interests of individuals facing criminal charges. These attorneys provide legal expertise, investigation, negotiation, representation, and advocacy to ensure a fair and just outcome for their clients within the criminal justice system.

Please fill the required fields*