4 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Hayward (2026)

Ranked by real Google ratings and review volume · How we chose

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Updated October 2026 · 7 min read

We compared 17 criminal defense lawyers in Hayward on Google Maps · 4 listed · How we rank

Court dates don't wait while you compare firms, so the criminal defense lawyers in Hayward you shortlist should be ones you can reach this week. The firms on this page hold more than 170 Google reviews between them and none is rated below 4.8. J. Francisco Karwash and Virtuoso have Hayward addresses, while Summit Defense and Gorelick Law Office work from Pleasanton.

Short answer: J. Francisco Karwash, Criminal Defense Law, on Industrial Blvd in Hayward, has the most reviews here: 4.8 from more than 70 on Google. Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers (Pleasanton, 4.9), Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers (Hayward, 4.9) and Gorelick Law Office (Pleasanton, 4.9) follow. Two reviewers mention payment plans, and no dollar figures appear anywhere, so ask each firm for its terms.

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1. J. Francisco Karwash,…
2. Summit Defense Crimina…
3. Virtuoso Criminal and…
4. Gorelick Law Office
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Hayward-Area Defense Firms, Compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	J. Francisco Karwash, Criminal Defense Law	4.8 ★	72	Spanish speakers, Hayward office	View ›
2	Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office	4.9 ★	41	Serious charges, payment plan mentioned	View ›
3	Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers	4.9 ★	35	Felony cases, monthly payments	View ›
4	Gorelick Law Office	4.9 ★	28	Charge reductions, DUI and hit-and-run	View ›

4 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Hayward (2026)

Who each firm is, and what clients say

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

J. Francisco Karwash, Criminal Defense Law

4.872 Google reviews

J. Francisco Karwash, Criminal Defense Law is a criminal defense practice at 26250 Industrial Blvd in Hayward. Its website is in Spanish and speaks to defendants in Oakland and Alameda County, and says the attorney has practiced since 2005. Reviewers describe dismissed cases, a sealed arrest and an outcome that avoided a felony record.

What people praise

One reviewer says both of their criminal cases were dismissed
Another says the case was handled without a felony record
A client had an arrest sealed and calls the process quick and convenient
Reviewers say he explained the process and stayed in touch

Worth knowing

The website is in Spanish, so English speakers should call to ask about services
A few reviews rate the firm lower than the five-star majority

Reputation scorecardrank in Hayward

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume72 · 97th

Confidenceearly

Recency8 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown93% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranked first on review volume with a Hayward office, and the clear choice for Spanish speakers. Its 4.8 sits just under the 4.9 firms below, which have fewer reviews.

Website +1510-868-0774 Directions

26250 Industrial Blvd #12, Hayward, CA 94545

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office

4.941 Google reviews

Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers - Pleasanton Office is the Pleasanton branch of a multi-office criminal defense firm, at 6200 Stoneridge Mall Rd. Its site lists DUI, drug, theft, assault, domestic violence, sex crime, federal and white-collar defense, and advertises a free consultation. Clients most often name attorney Rabin.

What people praise

One reviewer says charges were dropped and the record sealed
A client in a serious case says no jail time resulted after he worked with the district attorney
A reviewer says the attorney lowered his price and set up a payment plan
Clients describe a professional, comforting approach

Worth knowing

The office is in Pleasanton, not Hayward
Because it is a multi-office firm, ask who will handle your case

Reputation scorecardrank in Hayward

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume41 · 85th

Confidenceearly

Recencyabout a year ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown98% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 with detailed reviews about serious cases. It ranks second on volume, and its own site lists a wide range of charges it defends.

Website +1925-290-6912 Directions

6200 Stoneridge Mall Rd #300, Pleasanton, CA 94588

#3🕑 Open 7 days

Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers

4.935 Google reviews

Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers is a defense firm at 578 B St in Hayward. We could not read its website, so this description rests on its reviews, which name attorneys Daniel and Joseph and describe felony and other serious charges, plus the office staff.

What people praise

A reviewer facing a felony charge says the firm agreed to monthly payments under a contract
One client reports all charges dismissed
Reviewers say the lawyers are available by call and text
A client says the attorney reviewed the evidence and prepared a strategy before court

Worth knowing

Several reviews are short on detail about the type of charge

Reputation scorecardrank in Hayward

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume35 · 79th

Confidenceearly

Recency5 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown94% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A Hayward firm with a 4.9 and consistent comments about availability and payment flexibility. It ranks third because two firms above it have more reviews.

Website +1833-666-5245 Directions

578 B St, Hayward, CA 94541

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Gorelick Law Office

4.928 Google reviews

Gorelick Law Office is a criminal defense office at 4900 Hopyard Rd in Pleasanton, and client reviews name attorney Lynn Gorelick. Its website text could not be read. Reviewers describe a hit and run, DUI cases in Alameda County, a DMV hearing and a reduced-charge outcome.

What people praise

Reviewers say charges were reduced or dismissed
A DUI client says she explained local court procedure clearly
One reviewer says the office handled a DMV hearing that a previous lawyer missed
One client praises a responsive assistant named Teresa

Worth knowing

The office is in Pleasanton, a longer drive from Hayward
Smaller review base than the firms above

Reputation scorecardrank in Hayward

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume28 · 62nd

Confidenceearly

Recency8 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 with detailed reviews, including DUI and DMV matters. It ranks fourth only because its review count is the lowest on this page.

Website +1925-847-3006 Directions

4900 Hopyard Rd Suit 100, Pleasanton, CA 94588

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Reading the scorecard

Every number comes from public Google data on the date shown. Rating is the live Google star average. Review volume is how many clients have rated the firm, compared with other criminal defense lawyers around Hayward. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from dozens of people carries more weight than a 5.0 from a few. Recency reflects how recently clients still leave reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

What criminal defense costs and how firms bill

We found no fee figures on these firms’ sites or in their reviews, so we are not printing any. Cost usually depends on the seriousness of the charge, whether the case goes to trial, and whether the firm bills flat or in stages. Two reviewers say a firm agreed to a payment plan or monthly payments, so ask about terms at the first call. Get any agreement in writing.

Hayward and the Tri-Valley

J. Francisco Karwash and Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers list Hayward addresses. Summit Defense and Gorelick Law Office are in Pleasanton. Karwash’s site speaks to Oakland and Alameda County, and Gorelick’s DUI clients mention Alameda County courts. When you search for a criminal defense lawyer near me, check the address and ask whether an initial call can be by phone.

What to ask a defense lawyer on the first call

Have you handled this type of charge in Alameda County courts?
Who will appear with me at hearings, you or another attorney?
How are fees structured, and can I pay in installments?
What are the next court dates and what do I need to do before them?
Is sealing or reducing the record something you can pursue afterward?

Frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyers on this page have a Hayward office?

J. Francisco Karwash (Industrial Blvd) and Virtuoso Criminal and DUI Lawyers (B St) list Hayward addresses. Summit Defense and Gorelick Law Office are in Pleasanton.

Do any of these firms offer payment plans?

A Summit Defense reviewer says the attorney lowered the price and set up a payment plan, and a Virtuoso reviewer says the firm agreed to monthly payments under a contract. Terms vary by case, so confirm directly.

Is there a Spanish-speaking criminal defense lawyer on this page?

The website of J. Francisco Karwash, Criminal Defense Law is written in Spanish and refers to Oakland and Alameda County. Call to confirm Spanish-language service for your case.

Which firm do reviewers connect with DMV or license issues?

Reviews of Gorelick Law Office mention a DMV hearing and a client who kept her license, as well as DUI and hit-and-run cases. Ask about license issues in your first call to any firm.

Where to begin

Start with J. Francisco Karwash for the biggest review base and a Hayward office, and call Virtuoso if you want a second Hayward option. Bring your charge paperwork and ask each firm about fees before you commit.

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