10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Santa Rosa, CA

This guide covers 10 criminal defense attorneys and firms based in Santa Rosa, California, who represent clients in Sonoma County and the surrounding North Bay courts. Firms were evaluated on years of active criminal practice, depth of experience in the charges people most often face locally (DUI, domestic violence, drug offenses, serious felonies), how much of the practice is devoted to criminal defense rather than spread across unrelated areas, and verifiable credentials such as State Bar admission dates, Super Lawyers selections, and professional association memberships.

When comparing options, three practical questions matter most: Does the attorney appear regularly in the Sonoma County courthouse and know how local prosecutors approach cases like yours? Has the attorney taken cases to jury trial, or only negotiated pleas? And if you were arrested for DUI, does the attorney also handle the separate DMV license hearing, which runs on its own short deadline?

1. Law Offices of Jonathan Steele

• Attorney: Jonathan B. Steele, Founder
• Headquarters: 720 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
• Phone: (707) 578-3296
• Website: steeledefenselaw.com
• Practice Areas: DUI and multiple-DUI defense, domestic violence, homicide, sex crimes, drug crimes and possession, juvenile crime, driving with a suspended license
• Firm Size: Dedicated criminal defense practice; attorney admitted to the California bar in 1987
• Service Area: Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Lake Counties

About the Firm: Jonathan Steele has practiced criminal law in Santa Rosa since being admitted to the State Bar of California in 1987, giving him close to four decades of experience in the Sonoma County courts. His office sits on Mendocino Avenue in downtown Santa Rosa, and his work is devoted exclusively to criminal defense rather than a mix of civil and family matters.

What sets the practice apart is the range of charges it handles under one roof. A single office covers everything from a first DUI or a suspended-license charge to homicide, sex crime, and juvenile cases, and it extends beyond Sonoma County into Marin, Napa, and Lake Counties. Clients facing a serious felony and clients with a misdemeanor drug possession charge get the same focused criminal-only practice.

2. Quinnan Law

• Attorney: Gabriel Quinnan, Principal
• Headquarters: 2544 Cleveland Ave, Suite 210, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
• Phone: (707) 540-2356
• Website: quinnanlaw.com
• Practice Areas: Domestic violence, sexual assault, federal crimes, juvenile defense, felony reductions, expungements, certificates of rehabilitation, victim advocacy
• Firm Size: Boutique criminal defense firm; over twenty years of active criminal defense experience

About the Firm: Gabriel Quinnan earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 2004 and built his trial skills in public defender and conflict attorney offices in Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento Counties, plus Fairbanks, Alaska, before establishing his Santa Rosa practice. He is a death-penalty-qualified attorney in California and has tried a wide range of serious felony cases to verdict, including murder, domestic violence, and drug trafficking.

The firm represents clients in both California state and federal courts, which matters if an investigation or charge crosses into federal jurisdiction. Its emphasis falls on serious felony defense and post-case relief such as felony reductions and expungements, so people with a minor misdemeanor may find a lower-key option elsewhere on this list.

3. Wilber Law Offices

• Attorney: Ryan Wilber, Founder
• Headquarters: 2901 Cleveland Ave, Suite 201, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
• Phone: (707) 527-3451
• Website: wilberlawoffices.com
• Practice Areas: DUI and DMV license defense, criminal defense
• Firm Size: Boutique; the firm’s own materials cite 45 years of combined criminal defense experience
• Service Area: Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Mendocino Counties

About the Firm: Ryan Wilber built his career in criminal defense from the start, working as a law clerk for several Northern California defense and civil litigation attorneys and for the Mendocino County Public Defender’s Office while attending Empire College School of Law. He now leads a firm that describes itself as a leading DUI practice in the North Bay and is frequently contacted by colleagues and news outlets for insight into DUI and DMV law. Rachel Wilber, admitted to the California bar in 2009, practices at the same office.

The firm’s DUI focus is the draw here. Handling the criminal case and the DMV license hearing together lets one team coordinate strategy across both tracks, and its reach into Marin, Napa, and Mendocino Counties helps clients arrested outside Sonoma County.

4. Law Office of Walter Rubenstein

• Attorney: Walter Rubenstein, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 525 College Ave, Suite 221, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
• Phone: (707) 544-5662
• Website: defenselawyersantarosa.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal defense (misdemeanors and serious felonies), DUI
• Firm Size: Boutique; attorney admitted to the California bar in 1991

About the Firm: Walter Rubenstein has defended clients in Santa Rosa for more than 30 years and has more than fifty jury trials behind him. He represents the Sonoma County Bar Association’s criminal law section and serves on its Education Committee, which keeps him engaged with the local bench and bar beyond individual cases.

His approach centers on early preparation. The firm works with a network of investigators, legal researchers, and expert witnesses it can assemble around a case, aiming for resolutions through negotiation where possible while staying ready for trial when negotiation fails.

5. Law Office of Peter Kuykendall

• Attorney: Peter Kuykendall, Founder
• Headquarters: 537 4th St, Suite C, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
• Phone: (707) 595-0663
• Website: peterkuykendall.net
• Practice Areas: Felony, misdemeanor, and prior-strike criminal defense; DUI; Proposition 47 reductions
• Firm Size: Solo practice, criminal defense only; admitted to the California bar in December 2012

About the Firm: Peter Kuykendall earned his law degree from Chapman University School of Law and limits his practice to criminal defense. He has jury trial experience and has negotiated reduced charges and sentences under Proposition 47. He belongs to California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the state’s criminal defense bar association.

The office offers free consultations, accepts major credit cards, and offers payment plans, which makes the cost side of hiring a private attorney more manageable. As a practitioner admitted in 2012, his track record is shorter than the veterans on this list, though he has built a focused criminal-only practice in that time.

6. Law Office of Steve H. Spiegelman

• Attorney: Steve H. Spiegelman
• Headquarters: 703 2nd Street, Suite 401, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
• Phone: (707) 575-1103
• Website: stevespiegelmanlaw.com
• Practice Areas: DUI and DWI, drug crimes, fraud, gun crimes, internet crimes, sex crimes, theft, violent crimes, criminal appeals, expungement
• Firm Size: Solo practice; law degree from Empire Law School (1993)

About the Firm: Steve Spiegelman has practiced criminal defense in Santa Rosa for more than three decades and carries a notably broad set of defense-bar memberships for a solo attorney, including the National College for DUI Defense and the California DUI Lawyers Association. His Justia profile lists availability around the clock, a useful feature for arrests that happen outside business hours.

His practice runs from DUI to white-collar fraud, internet crimes, gun offenses, and appeals. That breadth lets clients with unusual charges, such as internet crimes or firearms offenses, find experience in categories many general defenders touch rarely. As a solo practitioner, the caseload runs through a single attorney rather than a team.

7. DUI Law Firm of Jon Woolsey

• Attorney: Jon Woolsey, Owner
• Headquarters: 16 Hop Ranch Ct, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
• Phone: (707) 570-0770
• Website: dui911.com
• Practice Areas: DUI defense, DMV license suspension hearings
• Firm Size: Solo practice limited to DUI and DMV matters; admitted to the California bar in 1999

About the Firm: Jon Woolsey limits his practice entirely to DUI defense and the DMV hearings that follow a DUI arrest. He earned his law degree from California Western School of Law, holds an NHTSA-recognized field sobriety test practitioner certification, and belongs to the California DUI Lawyers Association and the National College of DUI Defense Attorneys.

Clients on Yext’s directory describe his command of the DMV process and his familiarity with the Sonoma County court system, including a case where a felony DUI charge was reduced to a misdemeanor. The trade-off of a strict DUI specialty is that anyone facing a non-DUI charge, such as assault or drug possession, will need a general criminal defense attorney instead.

8. Law Office of Devina Douglas

• Attorney: Devina G. Douglas
• Headquarters: 700 College Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
• Phone: (707) 408-3529
• Website: devinadouglaslaw.com
• Practice Areas: DUI, drug crimes, traffic crimes, criminal defense generally
• Firm Size: Solo practice

About the Firm: Devina Douglas runs a solo criminal defense practice on College Avenue and, according to her Avvo profile, handles criminal matters from pre-filing investigation onward. Expertise includes her among its recommended Santa Rosa DUI lawyers and notes she also assists with miscellaneous drug and traffic offenses.

FindLaw displays a 5.0 average from two client reviews, one from an out-of-state client who sought advice before traveling with firearms to California. As with any solo practice, clients work directly with a single attorney throughout, which suits those who want one point of contact but offers less bench depth for multi-defendant or document-heavy cases.

9. Law Office of Michael C. Li

• Attorney: Michael C. Li
• Headquarters: 703 2nd Street, Suite 402, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
• Phone: (707) 321-5287
• Website: santarosa-lawyer.com
• Practice Areas: DUI defense, criminal defense
• Firm Size: Solo practice

About the Firm: Michael Li’s listing states he has handled thousands of criminal cases as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. That dual background gives him a view of how cases are built and charged from the prosecution side, which can inform how he evaluates the strength of evidence and negotiates outcomes on the defense side.

His office is on 2nd Street in downtown Santa Rosa, the same block as several other defense attorneys on this list, and his practice centers on DUI and general criminal defense for Santa Rosa residents. His public profile is lighter on published credentials than some peers, so prospective clients may want to ask directly about trial history.

10. Law Office of Amy Chapman

• Attorney: Amy Chapman
• Headquarters: 703 2nd Street, Suite 407, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
• Phone : (866) 957-7487
• Website : amychapmanlaw.com
• Practice Areas: DUI, domestic violence, drug and marijuana charges, and other criminal offenses
• Firm Size: Solo practice
• Service Area: Santa Rosa and Sonoma County

About the Firm: Amy Chapman represents people in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County accused of any criminal offense, with listed emphasis on DUI, domestic violence, and drug and marijuana charges. Expertise includes her office among its recommended Santa Rosa DUI practices, noting its focus on seeking acquittal for clients facing prosecution.

Her office is on 2nd Street in downtown Santa Rosa, where several other defense attorneys on this list also practice. Public information on her background and trial record is limited compared with others on this list, so a consultation is the best way to learn how she approaches a particular case.

Santa Rosa, CA Criminal Defense Resources

• Sonoma County Superior Court – Provides information about criminal court cases, court calendars, local procedures, and court services in Santa Rosa.
• Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office – Offers information about law enforcement services, custody, and inmate-related resources.
• Santa Rosa Police Department – Provides local law enforcement information, public safety updates, and police records resources.
• California Courts – Offers information about criminal court procedures, legal forms, and the California judicial system.
• California Legislative Information – Provides access to California statutes, including the Penal Code, which covers criminal offenses and penalties.
• California Department of Justice – Offers official information about criminal history records, state law enforcement, and public safety.
• Sonoma County Public Defender – Provides information about public defense services for eligible individuals facing criminal charges.

Understanding Santa Rosa, CA Criminal Defense Court Procedures

• Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, law enforcement records the alleged offense and processes the individual through booking.
• First Appearance and Arraignment: The defendant appears before a judge, learns about the charges, and enters a plea when required.
• Bail and Release Conditions: The court determines applicable release conditions based on the circumstances and governing law.
• Pretrial Proceedings: Attorneys review evidence, file motions, and address legal issues before trial.
• Discovery and Investigation: The defense examines police reports, witness statements, and other relevant evidence to prepare the case.
• Plea Negotiations: The defense and prosecution may negotiate a plea agreement when appropriate.
• Trial: If no agreement is reached, the case may proceed to trial, where the prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Sentencing and Appeals: Following a conviction, the court determines the sentence. Eligible defendants may pursue an appeal under applicable rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do I need to act after a DUI arrest in Santa Rosa?

Very quickly. California gives you only 10 calendar days from the arrest to request a DMV Administrative Per Se hearing to contest a license suspension, and the deadline includes weekends and holidays. If you miss it, the suspension takes effect automatically 30 days after the arrest. Attorneys who handle both the DMV hearing and the criminal case, such as Jon Woolsey and Ryan Wilber, can file that request and manage both tracks together.

Is a DMV hearing the same as my criminal court case?

No. The DMV hearing is a separate civil administrative proceeding before a DMV hearing officer, focused on whether your license should be suspended. The criminal case, heard in Sonoma County Superior Court, decides guilt and sentencing. A good outcome in one does not control the other, which is why firms such as Wilber Law Offices and the DUI Law Firm of Jon Woolsey treat them as two cases requiring coordinated strategy.

Can a felony charge be reduced to a misdemeanor in California?

Sometimes. California has “wobbler” offenses that prosecutors can charge or courts can later treat as either a felony or a misdemeanor, and Proposition 47 reclassified certain drug and theft offenses as misdemeanors. Peter Kuykendall has negotiated reduced charges and sentences under Proposition 47, and Quinnan Law lists felony reductions as a standalone service for clients who want an existing felony conviction reclassified.

Can I clear a conviction from my record after my case ends?

In many cases, yes. California law allows eligible people to petition to dismiss a conviction after completing probation or a sentence, commonly called expungement, and a certificate of rehabilitation is a separate form of relief. Quinnan Law handles both expungements and certificates of rehabilitation, and Steve Spiegelman also lists expungement among his services.

Should I hire a DUI specialist or a general criminal defense attorney?

It depends on the charge. A specialist such as Jon Woolsey, whose practice is limited to DUI and DMV matters, brings narrow depth for that kind of case. If you face other charges, or a DUI alongside something else such as a drug or weapons count, a general criminal defense practice like the Law Offices of Jonathan Steele or Steve Spiegelman covers a wider range under one roof.

What if my case could involve federal charges?

Federal cases follow different rules and are prosecuted in federal court, so it helps to hire an attorney experienced in both systems. Quinnan Law states that it represents clients in both California state and federal courts and lists federal criminal defense as a core practice area.

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only-not legal advice. Criminal cases in California are subject to strict legal deadlines. Verify all attorney credentials and office locations directly with the firm and the State Bar of California before hiring counsel.