5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Richmond (2026)

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

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

We compared 17 criminal defense lawyers in Richmond on Google Maps · 5 listed · How we rank

If you're looking for criminal defense lawyers in Richmond, start with a plain fact: none of the firms below lists a Richmond address. They are based in Walnut Creek, Martinez, Berkeley and Pleasant Hill, a short drive away in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Between them they hold more than 340 Google reviews, every one rated 4.8 or higher, and Law Office of Derek R. Ewin alone has more than 120.

Short answer: Law Office of Derek R. Ewin (Walnut Creek) leads with a 5.0 rating from more than 120 Google reviews. Tully & Weiss Attorneys at Law (Martinez, 4.9) and Morris Law PC (Berkeley, 4.9) follow on review volume. None lists a Richmond office, and no fee figures appear in the data, so ask about travel and fees on the first call.

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1. Law Office of Derek R.…
2. Tully & Weiss Attorney…
3. Morris Law PC, A Crimi…
4. Thomas Daly Law, A Pro…
5. O'Connor Law, APC
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East Bay Defense Firms Compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Law Office of Derek R. Ewin	5.0 ★	128	Largest review base	View ›
2	Tully & Weiss Attorneys at Law	4.9 ★	68	Broad defense and restraining orders	View ›
3	Morris Law PC, A Criminal Defense Firm	4.9 ★	64	Expungement and dismissals	View ›
4	Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation	4.8 ★	48	Flexible on fees, hands-on	View ›
5	O'Connor Law, APC	5.0 ★	35	Former-prosecutor background	View ›

5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Richmond (2026)

Each firm in detail

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Law Office of Derek R. Ewin

5.0128 Google reviews

Law Office of Derek R. Ewin is a criminal defense practice on N Civic Dr in Walnut Creek, listed by Google as a criminal justice attorney. We couldn't read any website text for it. Reviewers describe a DMV hearing, court appearances and cases that ended in dismissal.

What people praise

A client says a DMV hearing was won and the court process was explained in detail
One reviewer says their case was dismissed the day after the first meeting
Reviewers describe patient, thorough communication
Clients mention legal and personal support in a hard period

Worth knowing

Based in Walnut Creek, not Richmond

Reputation scorecardrank in Richmond

Rating5 / 5

Review volume128 · 97th

Confidencemoderate

Recency9 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks first on the largest review base on this page, at a 5.0. Results differ case to case, so ask what a charge like yours involves.

Website +1925-205-6718 Directions

201 N Civic Dr #225, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Tully & Weiss Attorneys at Law

4.968 Google reviews

Tully & Weiss Attorneys at Law practices criminal defense from Main St in Martinez. Its website lists DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, gun crimes, sex crimes, white collar crimes, record expungement and murder defense, plus restraining order work. Google shows it open weekdays from 8 AM to 6 PM.

What people praise

Reviewers praise attorney Alan Kagawa as responsive and empathetic
A client says a case was dismissed without a trial after bringing evidence
One reviewer calls the firm cost-effective
Restraining order clients describe thorough preparation and in-person meetings

Worth knowing

Based in Martinez, not Richmond

Reputation scorecardrank in Richmond

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume68 · 91st

Confidenceearly

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown94% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A wide list of practice areas and strong reviewer comments on communication. Its review base is a little over half of Derek R. Ewin's.

Website +1925-229-9700 Directions

713 Main St, Martinez, CA 94553

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Morris Law PC, A Criminal Defense Firm

4.964 Google reviews

Morris Law PC, A Criminal Defense Firm is a Berkeley practice on Rose St. Its website lists DUI, drug, sex, theft, violent, gun and federal charges, felony and misdemeanor defense and juvenile cases, and offers a free consultation. It also says it acquired The Castillo Law Office.

What people praise

A client says the firm checked in with the District Attorney's office weekly
One reviewer describes a post-probation case that ended in dismissal
An expungement client calls the process simple and quick to respond
Reviewers describe clear explanations and emotional support

Worth knowing

Based in Berkeley, not Richmond

Reputation scorecardrank in Richmond

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume64 · 85th

Confidenceearly

Recency7 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The closest office to Richmond on this page, and the one whose reviews mention expungement. A good call if a record clean-up is part of your case.

Website +1510-350-3225 Directions

2025 Rose St #200, Berkeley, CA 94709

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation

4.848 Google reviews

Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation is a criminal defense firm on Buskirk Ave in Walnut Creek. We couldn't read any website text. Reviewers describe cases for adults and for a client's son, and Google lists it open every day from 7 AM to 7 PM.

What people praise

A client says the attorney was willing to work with them on payments
Another reviewer calls his fees very reasonable
One reviewer says he checked in by phone during treatment and recovery
Clients describe plain, honest advice and quick replies

Worth knowing

Based in Walnut Creek, not Richmond

Reputation scorecardrank in Richmond

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume48 · 79th

Confidenceearly

Recency7 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Reviewers value its honesty and willingness to talk about payment. A sound choice if affordability is on your mind.

Website +1925-208-4801 Directions

2950 Buskirk Ave Ste 300, Walnut Creek, CA 94597

#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

O'Connor Law, APC

5.035 Google reviews

O'Connor Law, APC is a Contra Costa County criminal defense firm on Contra Costa Blvd in Pleasant Hill. Its website says attorney Matthew O'Connor is a former prosecutor and offers a free consultation. Google also tags it for civil defense and personal injury.

What people praise

A client under investigation says every charge was eventually dismissed
Reviewers say staff and the attorney were accessible throughout
One reviewer says his rates were the best among several firms consulted
Another says he explained challenges and options without sugar coating

Worth knowing

Based in Pleasant Hill, the farthest office from Richmond on this page

Reputation scorecardrank in Richmond

Rating5 / 5

Review volume35 · 71st

Confidenceearly

Recency7 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect 5.0 on a smaller review base, with feedback on accessibility. It ranks last here on volume alone.

Website +1925-444-7515 Directions

2300 Contra Costa Blvd Ste 415, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

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Reading the scorecards

Rating is each firm’s live Google average, and review volume is how many clients have rated it compared with the other East Bay firms we pulled. Confidence weighs rating by volume, so a perfect score from a few dozen people counts for less than one from hundreds. Recency shows how recently clients are still reviewing. No business can pay to change these numbers.

What criminal defense costs near Richmond

No fee figures appear in the reviews or website text we read, so we aren’t printing any. Two reviewers describe fees as reasonable or competitive and one says an attorney agreed to payments, but each case is priced on its own. Ask for a written fee agreement and what it covers before you hire.

Offices around Richmond

Morris Law is in Berkeley, the nearest office to Richmond. Tully & Weiss is in Martinez, Law Office of Derek R. Ewin and Thomas Daly Law are in Walnut Creek, and O’Connor Law is in Pleasant Hill. Morris Law’s site names Berkeley and Oakland as areas served, and O’Connor Law’s site targets Contra Costa County. Searching for a criminal defense lawyer near me in Richmond? Call and ask where they appear in court.

What to ask a defense lawyer

Have you handled charges like mine in the court where my case will be heard?
Will you meet me in person, and is that in your office or closer to Richmond?
How are fees structured, and can they be paid in installments?
Who contacts the prosecutor and how often will I hear from you?
If a record clean-up is possible later, do you handle that too?

Frequently asked questions

Is there a criminal defense lawyer based in Richmond on this page?

None of the firms in our sample lists a Richmond address. They are in Walnut Creek, Martinez, Berkeley and Pleasant Hill. Ask each one whether it appears in the court that will hear your case.

Which of these firms mention restraining orders or expungement?

Tully & Weiss lists civil harassment, domestic violence and workplace violence restraining orders and record expungement on its site. A Morris Law client describes an expungement approved in a clean, quick process.

Do any of these firms offer a free consultation?

Morris Law’s site and O’Connor Law’s site both advertise a free consultation. Tully & Weiss’s site offers a scheduled consultation. Ask the others when you call.

What do clients say about fees?

One Thomas Daly Law client says the attorney was willing to work on payments and another calls his fees very reasonable. An O’Connor Law reviewer says his rates were the best among several firms consulted. No dollar figures appear, so ask for a written estimate.

Who to call first

Law Office of Derek R. Ewin is the safest first call on review volume, while Morris Law is the closest office to Richmond. Whoever you pick, ask about court location and get the fee agreement in writing.

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