10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Newport Beach, CA

This guide covers 10 criminal defense attorneys and firms that represent people charged with misdemeanors and felonies in Newport Beach and the surrounding Orange County area. Firms were evaluated on three things: professional background (including prior service as a prosecutor and trial experience), how much of the practice is devoted to criminal defense as opposed to a general practice that lists it among many areas, and familiarity with the local system, where cases begin with Newport Beach Police Department arrests, are prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney, and are heard at the Harbor Justice Center on Jamboree Road.

When comparing firms, three practical questions matter most. Does the attorney regularly appear in Orange County courts and know the prosecutors and judges there? Has the attorney seen how the prosecution builds a case from the inside, as a former deputy district attorney or similar role? And does the firm handle the parallel proceedings that often accompany a criminal case, such as a DMV license hearing after a DUI arrest, professional license defense, or immigration consequences?

1. Aaron Meyer Law

• Attorney/Key Figure: Aaron Meyer, Founder
• Headquarters: 4100 Newport Place, Suite 620, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Phone: (949) 388-3654
• Website: aaronmeyerlaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal defense, military criminal defense, personal injury, civil rights
• Firm Size: Small firm, licensed in California since 2014

About the Firm: Aaron Meyer has been admitted to the California bar since 2014, and Avvo shows a practice that pairs civilian criminal defense with military law. Clients and a former military trial counsel who faced him in a case describe him on Avvo as aggressive and well prepared.

The firm is a practical choice for service members and others facing court-martial or military justice matters alongside civilian charges, a niche few Newport Beach firms advertise. The trade-off is that the practice also includes personal injury and civil rights work and that the founder has fewer years in practice than most firms on this list.

2. Brown & Stedman LLP

• Attorney/Key Figure: Edwin B. Brown, Partner, with Michael Stedman
• Headquarters: 22342 Avenida Empresa, Suite 125, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 (branch office: 600 Anton Blvd., Suite 650, Costa Mesa, CA 92626)
• Phone: (949) 459-5900
• Website: thelawyersforyou.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal defense (domestic violence, drug crimes, DUI, homicide, white collar crimes, fraud), immigration law (including immigration and criminal charges, expungements, deportation defense), civil litigation and appeals
• Firm Size: Boutique firm with more than six decades of combined attorney experience

About the Firm: Edwin Brown has been a litigator for more than 37 years and has been licensed in California since 1979. He spent over 25 years as a senior partner at a mid-size firm, argued before the California Supreme Court in cases including Van Horn v. Watson and Kentucky Fried Chicken v. Superior Court, and later extended his practice to criminal defense and immigration.

The firm is a fit for cases where criminal charges and immigration status overlap, since the same team handles both and publishes a dedicated page on immigration and criminal charges. Its Costa Mesa branch sits next door to Newport Beach, clients are offered a free initial consultation, and Brown speaks Spanish.

3. The Brewer Law Firm

• Attorney/Key Figure: Michael Mott Brewer, Owner and Lead Attorney
• Headquarters: 4425 Jamboree Rd., Suite 130, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Phone: (949) 863-9682
• Website: thebrewerlawfirm.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal defense, DUI and DMV defense, civil litigation, family law (child abduction), threat assessment and risk management, victim rights (Marsy’s Law)
• Firm Size: Boutique firm led by its founder, licensed in California since 1990
• Social Profiles: Avvo, Justia

About the Firm: Michael Brewer is a former Los Angeles County deputy district attorney who prosecuted major crimes in both Los Angeles and Orange counties, including white collar crime, major fraud, DUI, computer crimes, and murder. That background gives him a working view of how felony and DUI cases are charged and negotiated.

His office is located on Jamboree Road in Newport Beach, on the same road as the Harbor Justice Center where local cases are heard. Brewer has been recognized in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and by OC Metro magazine as one of five top Orange County attorneys in both the criminal defense and DUI/DWI categories, and fellow attorneys on Avvo single out his DMV defense work.

4. Law Offices of Christopher J. McCann, APC

• Attorney/Key Figure: Christopher J. McCann, Founder
• Headquarters: 1633 E. 4th St., Suite 248, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (additional office: 5220 Clark Ave., Suite 347, Lakewood, CA 90712)
• Phone: (888) 973-6193
• Website: cjmdefense.com
• Practice Areas: DUI defense, DMV hearings, criminal defense (drug possession and sales, domestic violence, theft, criminal threats, assault and battery, forgery and fraud), expungement, appeals
• Firm Size: Solo practitioner with several thousand criminal court appearances in Southern California

About the Firm: Christopher McCann founded his firm and focuses exclusively on criminal defense, with a particular emphasis on DUI cases, where he handles both the court case and the related DMV proceeding. He has made several thousand appearances in Southern California criminal courts and was named a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star in each year from 2006 through 2015.

McCann’s approach is built around personal handling: he states that he appears at every hearing himself and that no other attorney works the file. He looks for outcomes beyond straight trial or plea, such as pre-filing diversion, treatment programs, and electronic monitoring in place of custody, and his practice also covers expungements and appeals.

5. Chudnovsky Law

• Attorney/Key Figure: Tsion Chudnovsky, Founder and Managing Partner
• Headquarters: 23 Corporate Plaza Dr., Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (additional offices in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Sacramento)
• Phone: (949) 750-2500
• Website: toplawyer.law
• Practice Areas: Criminal defense, DUI defense, professional license defense, immigration consequences of criminal charges, personal injury
• Firm Size: Mid-size multi-office firm with former prosecutors and a former Deputy Attorney General on its license defense team

About the Firm: Tsion Chudnovsky founded the firm after earning her law degree from Loyola Law School in 1999, and she has been recognized among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. The firm’s team includes former prosecutors with DUI experience in both criminal court and DMV proceedings, and it added a former Deputy Attorney General with decades of licensing-enforcement experience to its professional license defense practice.

The firm stands out for combining criminal defense, license defense, and immigration-aware strategy, with attorneys who work in Spanish, French, Italian, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Amharic. As a multi-office firm that also handles personal injury, its attention is spread across more practice areas than a criminal-only boutique.

6. Law Offices of Randy Collins

• Attorney/Key Figure: Randy Collins, Founder
• Headquarters: 1000 Quail St., Suite 110, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Phone: (714) 457-4775
• Website: cmcdefense.com
• Practice Areas: DUI, domestic violence, fraud, child endangerment, sex-related cases, theft, burglary, drug charges, violent crimes, white collar crimes
• Firm Size: Boutique firm serving Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties

About the Firm: Randy Collins is a former Riverside County deputy district attorney who has been licensed in California since 2004 and has handled about 70 jury trials across his time as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. He has been named to the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys 10 Best list and its Top 40 Under 40.

The firm reports not-guilty verdicts in cases involving spousal battery, child abuse, elder abuse, and criminal threats, which reflects a strong trial orientation in domestic violence and family-related allegations. One trade-off is that his prosecutorial experience comes from Riverside County rather than the Orange County District Attorney’s Office that handles Newport Beach cases.

7. Right Choice Law

• Attorney/Key Figure: Fred Thiagarajah, Owner
• Headquarters: 5015 Birch St., Suite 107, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Phone: (949) 265-7005
• Website: rightchoicelaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal defense, DUI, drug crimes, fraud, gun crimes, internet crimes, sex crimes, theft, violent crimes, expungement, criminal appeals
• Firm Size: Small firm led by its founder, who has been licensed since 1999

About the Firm: Fred Thiagarajah is a former deputy district attorney who graduated from USC Law School and was admitted to the California bar in 1999. His firm describes him as practicing criminal law, and he has been selected by OC Metro, Riviera magazine, and Southern California Super Lawyers as one of Orange County’s top criminal defense attorneys.

Colleagues on Avvo describe him as a skilled trial lawyer, and the firm works cases across Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. As a small practice, it offers direct access to the lead attorney but less bench depth than a larger firm in complex multi-defendant matters.

8. Law Office of Cameron Talley

• Attorney/Key Figure: Cameron Talley, Founder
• Headquarters: 1601 Dove St., Suite 115, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Website: camerontalley.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal defense
• Firm Size: Small firm led by its founder, who has been licensed since 1993

About the Firm: Cameron Talley is a former senior deputy district attorney with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the same agency that prosecutes Newport Beach cases. A former colleague describes him on Avvo as a standout in that office over many years, and he holds a law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law.

His practice is devoted to criminal defense, and clients on Avvo praise the thorough case preparation, including organized case binders. The firm’s small size means one senior attorney drives the strategy, which gives continuity but limits capacity when several matters demand attention at once.

9. Law Office of Michael L. Fell

• Attorney/Key Figure: Michael L. Fell, Founder
• Headquarters: 900 Roosevelt, Irvine, CA 92620
• Phone: (949) 585-9055
• Website: mfellattorneyatlaw.com
• Practice Areas: DUI, drug crimes, theft crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, domestic violence, juvenile crimes, professional license hearings
• Firm Size: Small firm led by a California Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist

About the Firm: Michael Fell is a California Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a credential that requires passing a written exam on criminal law and meeting continuing education and peer review requirements. He spent 18 years as an Orange County senior deputy district attorney, including time overseeing Harbor Court and other courthouses, so he has direct experience with the courthouse that hears Newport Beach cases.

He is known for pursuing creative sentencing aimed at keeping clients out of jail, and the firm keeps a domestic violence attorney on call around the clock. The office is in Irvine rather than Newport Beach, which means a short drive for clients who want to meet in person.

10. Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC

• Attorney/Key Figure: Allan H. Stokke, Kate Corrigan, and Ed Welbourn, Partners
• Headquarters: 4100 Newport Place Dr., Suite 550, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Phone: (949) 251-0330
• Website: cwsdefense.com
• Practice Areas: State and federal criminal defense, white collar defense, DUI
• Firm Size: Boutique firm of three named partners; Stokke has been admitted to the California bar since 1966

About the Firm: Allan Stokke has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1989 in both general criminal defense and white-collar criminal defense, and Avvo lists him as a former Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year from the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. Ed Welbourn is a former Orange County deputy district attorney who is licensed to practice in all federal courts in California, and Kate Corrigan is known among peers for her federal defense work.

The firm’s distinguishing feature is depth in serious and federal cases, with a former prosecutor and a federal specialist working alongside a long-tenured trial lawyer. The trade-off is a profile tilted toward high-stakes matters, so people with a simple first-time misdemeanor may find a smaller or lower-cost practice more proportionate.

Newport Beach, CA Criminal Defense Law Resources

• Orange County Superior Court – Provides criminal court information, case access, court calendars, and details about criminal proceedings in Orange County.
• Newport Beach Police Department – Offers information about local law enforcement services, police reports, arrests, and public safety resources.
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department – Provides information about county law enforcement, custody services, inmate searches, and related public records.
• California Courts – Offers resources on criminal court procedures, legal forms, court rules, and the California judicial system.
• California Legislative Information – Provides access to California statutes, including the Penal Code, which covers criminal offenses, penalties, and related legal provisions.

Understanding Newport Beach, CA Criminal Defense Court Procedures

• Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, law enforcement records the alleged offense and processes the individual.
• Arraignment: The defendant is informed of the charges, advised of their rights, and asked to enter a plea.
• Bail and Release: The court addresses release conditions, which may include bail or release on appropriate terms.
• Preliminary Hearing: In many felony cases, the court determines whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with the prosecution.
• Pretrial Proceedings: Attorneys review evidence, file motions, challenge potential violations of rights, and negotiate possible resolutions.
• Plea Agreements: Depending on the case, the prosecution and defense may negotiate an agreement to resolve the charges.
• Trial: If no agreement is reached, the case may proceed to trial, where the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Sentencing: Following a conviction or guilty plea, the court determines the appropriate sentence under California law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Newport Beach criminal cases heard, and who prosecutes them?

Most arrests in Newport Beach are made by the Newport Beach Police Department, with some by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol on routes such as State Route 55. Cases are heard at the Harbor Justice Center at 4601 Jamboree Rd. and are prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, which has a reputation for being tough on crime. Because the courthouse sits on the same road as The Brewer Law Firm’s office, that firm is among the closest options for in-person meetings.

Can I just use a public defender instead of hiring a private attorney?

People who cannot afford counsel are appointed a deputy public defender through the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. Private attorneys can generally devote more time and resources to each case, and many defendants find that prosecutors negotiate more seriously with retained counsel. A lawyer with long Harbor Court experience, such as Michael Fell, who spent 18 years as a senior deputy district attorney, can use that familiarity to push for alternatives like diversion or creative sentencing.

What is the 10-day DMV deadline after a DUI arrest?

A DUI arrest in California sets off two separate proceedings: the criminal case in court and an administrative per se hearing at the DMV that decides whether your license is suspended. You have 10 calendar days from the date of arrest to request the DMV hearing, and missing it generally leads to an automatic suspension about 30 days after the arrest. Firms that handle both tracks include the Law Offices of Christopher J. McCann and Chudnovsky Law, which pairs former DUI prosecutors with DMV experience.

How do I choose between a former prosecutor, a board certified specialist, and a larger firm?

A former prosecutor such as Cameron Talley, Randy Collins, or Fred Thiagarajah offers a view of how the district attorney builds and negotiates a case. A State Bar board certified criminal law specialist, such as Michael Fell, has passed an exam and peer review focused on criminal law. For federal exposure or complex white collar charges, Corrigan Welbourn Stokke brings federal court credentials, while Brown & Stedman suits cases where immigration consequences are at stake. Larger firms can offer more staff and parallel services such as license defense, while solo and boutique firms tend to offer more direct contact with the lead attorney.

What should I do right after an arrest in Newport Beach?

Avoid answering police questions without an attorney present, and contact a defense lawyer as early as possible, since early contact with the prosecutor can sometimes change how a case is charged. If the arrest involved a DUI, note the 10-day DMV deadline above. Service members facing both civilian and military exposure may want a lawyer such as Aaron Meyer who handles both systems.

Can my attorney appear in court for me?

In most misdemeanor cases, a defense lawyer can appear on the client’s behalf, which can save time and keep personal exposure low. Exceptions include domestic violence cases, where the defendant may need to attend so a restraining order can be served, and felony cases, where the client should expect to attend most hearings. Your attorney will tell you which hearings require your presence.

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only-not legal advice. Selection or inclusion in a list of top criminal defense attorneys in Newport Beach, California does not guarantee a specific outcome in any legal case or proceeding. Attorney credentials, trial experience, and office locations change over time; verify active standing, licensing, and certified legal specialization directly with the State Bar of California before retaining counsel.