Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are dealing with a criminal charge or investigation, it is crucial that you hire an expert Orange County criminal defense lawyer to guide and defend you. An experienced attorney can make the difference between going to prison and getting your case dismissed.
At Chudnovsky Law, our Orange County criminal defense attorney, Orange County DUI lawyer, and professional license defense attorneys are highly experienced former DAs and defense attorneys. They are known by judges, prosecutors, and licensing boards as honest, highly skilled lawyers that will work tirelessly to win for you.
75+ years experience fighting for you
Chudnovsky Law is ranked Top 100 Trial Lawyers and rated best criminal defense lawyers by Expertise. Our criminal lawyers have unparalleled experience handling over 9,000 cases, including the toughest felony and misdemeanor cases and jury trials.
As experienced former prosecutors, we have insider knowledge and relationships in the court system. We know what prosecutors are thinking, their undisclosed policies, and how to secure the best possible result in every scenario.
When stakes are high, your choice of attorney matters
Often it is not the facts of the case that result in a great outcome, but relationships, understanding the legal system, and a skillful presentation of your side of the story to the OC District Attorney, licensing board, or judge.
Even if facts seem stacked against you, there are many ways to win your case and sometimes we can even get charges dropped before they’re filed. While we relish court battles, our #1 goal is to secure the most favorable outcome possible. That can come via a case dismissal, a vigorously negotiated plea deal, or not guilty verdict in a jury trial.
If you are looking for a smart, compassionate Orange County criminal defense attorney that will fight for you, call (949) 750-2500 for a free consultation. We handle cases throughout all of Orange County.
We offer affordable fees and flexible payment plans.
Award-winning criminal defense attorneys
Chudnovsky Law is a team of compassionate, highly skilled attorneys with extensive experience guiding clients through some of life’s most difficult challenges.
Our lawyers are rated Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and ranked best Orange County criminal defense lawyers according to Expertise.com.
With experience in all Orange County Superior Courts and Federal court, our lawyers are qualified to handle any Federal or California criminal or DUI case:
Tsion Chudnovsky
Tsion Chudnovsky is the Managing Attorney and founder of Chudnovsky Law. She has 20+ years of experience representing clients in criminal defense, DUI defense and criminal immigration cases. Tsion is a nationally recognized legal authority in criminal defense and DUI defense for both U.S. citizens and noncitizen immigrants.
Tsion has been featured in national media including American Bar Association, US News, The Washington Post, Attorney Journal and many others. Tsion is fluent in Spanish, French and Italian. Read full bio →
Robert K. Weinberg
Robert K. Weinberg is a former Orange County prosecutor with 30+ years of experience representing clients in criminal defense, DUI defense and professional license defense cases in both state and Federal jurisdictions. He has unparalleled experience handling over 5,000 cases and jury trials. Robert is a legal authority in criminal, DUI and professional licensing law.
Robert has been featured in CBS News, The Washington Post, NBC News, American Dental Association, The Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio and many others. Robert is fluent in Spanish, Italian, Hebrew and Portuguese. Read full bio →
David A. Stein
David A. Stein is a passionate advocate for clients with a broad range of experience in criminal defense and DUI defense matters. Mr. Stein has a sterling reputation as a compassionate, highly skilled attorney that fiercely protects his client’s rights throughout the criminal justice system. Read full bio →
Melissa DuChene
Melissa DuChene has an outstanding track record of client successes providing criminal defense, DUI defense, and professional license defense representation for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, engineers, insurance, health care businesses, and all licensed professionals. Read full bio →
To speak with a lawyer to review your case and see if we are the best criminal defense attorney in Orange County for you, call (949) 750-2500 for a free consultation.
Criminal defense cases we handle
Chudnovsky Law represents clients for all felony and misdemeanor criminal defense or DUI cases in Orange County Superior Court, Federal Court, and other California courts.
We represent clients during all phases of criminal defense including: bail hearings, bench warrants, law enforcement investigations, District Attorney negotiations, temporary restraining order (TRO), protective court order, blood split motions, jury and court trials, parole and probation violations, expungement of criminal records, appeal and post-conviction relief.
Criminal defense lawyer in Orange County, CA
Our Orange County felony defense attorney defends clients facing any criminal charge:
- Domestic violence: corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant, domestic battery, elder abuse, criminal threats, stalking and child endangerment.
- Drug crimes: drug manufacturing, prescription fraud, opioid prescription abuse, pot dispensary violations, trafficking and methamphetamine charges.
- Drug possession: possession of controlled substance with intent to sell, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Federal crimes: DEA investigation, FBI investigation, conspiracy, bank fraud, corporate fraud, drug trafficking, insider trading, money laundering, Medicare fraud and tax fraud.
- Juvenile crimes.
- Sex crimes: false sex crime charges, internet sex crime, indecent exposure, lewd conduct in public, prostitution defense, rape, sexual assault, Title IX, solicitation, child pornography, human trafficking, sexual battery and statutory rape.
- Theft and property crimes: grand theft auto, burglary, robbery, grand theft, receiving stolen property, carjacking, petty theft, armed robbery and shoplifting.
- Violent crimes: assault with a deadly weapon, hit and run, assault, murder, criminal threats, arson, kidnapping, manslaughter and false imprisonment.
- Warrants: recall bench warrants, failure to appear warrants, FTA warrants and arrest warrants.
- White collar crimes: conspiracy, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, identity theft, extortion, forgery, bribery, commercial burglary, mail fraud, embezzlement, false financial statement, computer access and fraud, and other financial crimes.
DUI attorney in Orange County, CA
The penalties for DUI conviction can be severe, but you are innocent until a DA proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. DUI cases are rarely hopeless and experienced lawyers know the best strategies to use to get charges and penalties dropped/reduced.
Our Orange County DUI attorney has expertise in misdemeanor and felony DUI defense developed from successfully defending thousands of DUI drunk driving cases, including:
- First misdemeanor DUI
- 2nd, 3rd or 4th DUI
- Felony DUI with great bodily injury
- Marijuana DUI
- Driving under the influence of drugs (DUID)
- Non-US citizen DUI with immigration issues
- Hit and run
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Watson murder charges
- DUI with commercial license
- Driving without a license
- DMV admin per se hearing (APS)
When looking for the best DUI attorney near me, note that we represent clients throughout Orange County and California.
DUI injury lawyer in Orange County, CA
In California, penalties increase dramatically when DUI causes an accident with injury. It is crucial to hire an Orange County DUI injury attorney experienced in defending these serious charges.
Orange County prosecutors usually file DUI injury charges as felony DUI with very serious penalties, even if the injuries are minor.
DUI defense in Spanish, French and Italian
The firm’s multi-lingual DUI defense lawyers are native Spanish, French and Italian speaking lawyers. Chudnovsky Law has extensive experience representing foreign nationals for DUI charges. We are skilled in the complex intersection of immigration and criminal defense laws.
You can read more about our multi-lingual DUI defense services at:
- Abogados de DUI (en Español)
- Avocat DUI alcool au volant (Français)
Criminal defense in Spanish, French and Italian
Chudnovsky Law’s criminal defense lawyers are native Spanish, French and Italian speaking attorneys. The law firm has extensive experience representing foreign citizens for both criminal defense and immigration matters.
You can read more about our multi-lingual criminal defense at:
- Abogado criminalista (en Español)
- Avocat pénaliste (Français)
Call 949 750-2500 for a Free Consultation
Get Your Charges Dropped or Reduced and Protect Your Future! If you are looking to hire a criminal defense lawyer, we invite you to call for a free confidential consultation 7 days a week.
Orange County criminal immigration lawyer
A DUI or criminal conviction can have serious consequences for your immigration status if you are a non-US citizen. Under US immigration law, criminal convictions can lead to deportation for noncitizens regardless how long they have lived in the US or how well-established their life is here.
Tsion Chudnovsky is a preeminent Orange County criminal and immigration attorney skilled at resolving complex immigrant criminal defense cases.
Tsion represents all noncitizens including permanent resident green card holders, DACA recipients and all visa holders such as international F1 visa students, H-1b visa, E-2 visa, EB-2 visa, L-1 visa and L-2 visas charged with DUI, federal or state crimes.
If you are a foreign national facing criminal charges, it is critical that you hire a criminal immigration lawyer expert in both criminal and immigration law.
Chudnovsky Law is recognized as a leader in the intersection of criminal and immigration law and minimizing the immigration consequences of DUI, criminal arrests and charges.
Call (949) 750-2500 for a Free consultation to get help now.
Medical and nursing license criminal defense
If you are a licensed professional facing a criminal charge, be very careful. Criminal charges, DUI, allegations and criminal investigations can trigger licensing board investigations and disciplinary actions that risk your career.
Nursing, medical, chiropractic, dental, pharmacy and all healthcare board license holders should hire a California professional license defense attorney who is an expert at navigating Board and California Department of Consumer Affairs license investigations.
Attorneys Robert K. Weinberg, Melissa DuChene, and Suzanne Crouts are experienced criminal defense lawyers and California professional license defense attorneys skilled at handling both criminal defense and license board investigations for all health care licensees, including:
- California medical license defense attorney
- California Board of Nursing license defense attorney
- Pharmacist license defense attorney
- Dental license defense attorney
- Chiropractor license defense attorney
Robert Weinberg attorney Irvine, Melissa DuChene, and Suzanne Crouts handle all professional license criminal charge or arrest matters including: Orange County nurse DUI, nurse criminal defense, DUI medical license, medical license defense, doctor criminal defense, pharmacist DUI, DEA physician registrant investigation, nursing license defense, chiropractic license defense, chiropractor criminal defense, pharmacist criminal defense, medical license criminal defense, dentist DUI and medical practice act offenses.
Call (949) 750-2500 for a consultation to learn more.
Recent criminal defense results
Chudnovsky Law handles criminal cases in all Orange County Superior Courts, Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Federal Courts, and OC jails.
The following are some examples of victories our attorneys have achieved:
- Felony transportation and possession for sale of 50 kilograms cocaine HS 11351 and HS 11352, Santa Ana Court. Client faced 20 years if convicted. Result: Not guilty verdict in jury trial.
- Felony corporal injury on spouse by non-US citizen 273.5 PC, Harbor Justice Court. Client faced 1 year jail and denial of green card for domestic violence. Result: Not guilty in jury trial.
- Felony terrorist threats with mass explosive devices 18710 PC and 422 PC, Central Justice Center. Client facing 4 years prison. Result: Acquitted of 18710 PC in trial, 422 PC reduced to misdemeanor with no jail time.
- Felony grand theft 487 PC and 459.5 PC, West Justice Court. Client had prior record and faced 4 years prison. Result: Reduced to misdemeanor with no jail time.
- Felony assault with deadly weapon 245(a)(2) PC, North Justice Center. Client facing 5 years prison. Result: Reduced to misdemeanor 273.5 PC, no jail time.
- Felony domestic violence on spouse by foreign citizen 273.5 PC. International executive faced 2 years jail and aggravated felony conviction with deportation and inadmissibility to U.S. Result: Case dismissed, no immigration consequence.
- Large scale theft of US Mail by non-US citizen on work visa 530.5(e) PC, West Justice Center. Client faced 1 year jail and deportation. Result: Reduced to trespassing 602 PC, no jail time, no immigration consequence.
Recent DUI defense results
- 2nd DUI with accident, West Justice Center. Client faced violation of probation and up to 1 year jail. Result: Filed motion to suppress evidence, case dismissed.
- Felony 6th DUI involving accident with great bodily injury. Client facing up to 16 years prison. Result: 6 months jail.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to high BAC, Harbor Justice Center. International executive faced 6 mo jail, loss of job. Result: Reduced to wet reckless, no jail, no immigration or job consequence.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to high BAC and high speed, foreign citizen faced 6 mo jail, deportation. Result: No jail, no immigration consequence.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to very high BAC, Harbor Justice Center. Result: No jail.
- 1st DUI by non-US citizen. Client faced 6 months jail and deportation. Result: No jail time, no immigration consequence.
“I was accused of a serious felony and was very worried that my professional license could be in jeopardy. My sister connected me with Chudnovsky Law. Bottom line is Tsion and her team saved me. They acted fast to develop their strategy and went to work. She is very connected and worked their network in the system to resolve my case. She got the charges dismissed and gave me my life back! Her fee wasn’t the lowest, but worth every penny. Highly recommended!”
STEVE M.
Orange County criminal process
If you are arrested for a crime in Orange County, you will go through several steps. Our Newport Beach criminal defense lawyers are available to guide and protect you at every stage:
1) Arrest and jail booking
- After arrest, you will usually be taken to a local city police jail for booking and fingerprinting. Call the jail for inmate info. City police jails are used to temporarily hold arrestees until released or transferred to an Orange County Jail.
- You can find inmates held in Orange County jail custody by using the Orange County Sheriff’s Department online inmate search tool.
- You may be released if the prosecutor doesn’t file charges, you post bail or you’re released on your own recognizance. Otherwise, you will remain in jail until law enforcement transports you to court for the arraignment. DAs usually have 48 hours to file charges.
- Bail for Orange County inmates are set by courts based on this bail schedule.
2) Courthouse arraignment
Most Orange County DUI and criminal cases are prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. However, some infractions, municipal code violations and select misdemeanor matters may be prosecuted by various city attorney’s office such as the Anaheim City Attorney and the Santa Ana City Attorney.
At your first court appearance (“arraignment”), the judge for your case will inform you of your charges and constitutional rights. At the arraignment, you will be asked to enter your plea: not guilty, guilty, or no contest.
Your Orange County misdemeanor lawyer can appear in your place for most misdemeanor charges. Some charges such as felonies and domestic violence charges require your appearance at arraignment.
The presiding judge designates which court your case will be heard and tried in according to this court matrix. We defend clients in all 6 criminal courthouses in Orange County:
- Central Justice Center: Santa Ana Courthouse at 700 W Civic Center Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92701. Call (657) 622-8459 for more information.
- Courtroom in Central Justice Complex (CJ1): This secure courtroom is located inside the Central Jail at 550 N Flower St, Santa Ana, CA 92703. For more information, call (657) 622-8459.
- Harbor Justice Center: Newport Beach Courthouse at 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Call (657) 622-5400 for court information.
- Lamoreaux Justice Center: Orange Juvenile Court at 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. Call (657) 622-6878 for juvenile court information.
- North Justice Center: Fullerton Courthouse at 1275 North Berkeley Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832. Call (657) 622-5600 for court information.
- West Justice Center: Westminster Courthouse at 8141 13th Street, Westminster, CA 92683. Call (657) 622-5900 for court information.
3) After arraignment
- The steps after arraignment in your case will vary for misdemeanor and felony charges as explained in this guide.
- During pre-trials, you can change your plea, your attorney can file pre-trial motions and your attorney may negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecutor. Both sides exchange “discovery” information.
4) Court or jury trial
- If the Prosecutor will not dismiss the charges and the two sides cannot agree on a plea agreement or other resolution, the case must be decided via trial.
- In most instances, the defendant will be allowed to specify whether their trial will be decided by a judge or by a jury of their peers.
5) Expungement of criminal records
- In many instances it is possible to “set aside a criminal conviction” through a court-ordered process called “expungement” after a certain amount of time has passed.
- Expungement erases an arrest or conviction from a person’s criminal record such that it does not need to be disclosed when asked on job and other applications.
The criminal justice system is notoriously complex. Chudnovsky Law has skillfully guided and defended thousands of clients throughout every stage of the process.
Call 949 750-2500 for a Free Consultation
Get Your Charges Dropped or Reduced and Protect Your Future! If you are looking to hire a criminal defense lawyer, we invite you to call for a free confidential consultation 7 days a week.
Criminal defense law firm in Orange County, CA
Chudnovsky Law – Criminal & DUI Lawyers is located at 23 Corporate Plaza Dr, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660. We are near Harbor Justice Center, West Justice Center, and Central Justice Center. You can call us at (949) 750-2500, we are open 24 hours.
Getting to Chudnovsky Law from Santa Ana is easy, just follow these simple driving directions. First, Get on I-5 S. Take State Rte 55 S, then merge onto CA-73 S. Exit at MacArthur Blvd, continue south towards the Pacific Ocean. Turn right onto San Miguel Dr, then immediate left on Avocado Ave. Turn right into Corporate Plaza, Chudnovsky Law will be on your right.
Awards and ratings
Clients and professional ratings organizations consistently rate Chudnovsky Law amongst the best criminal defense law firms in Orange County and California. Our attorneys have an exceptional reputation as compassionate, highly skilled advocates for clients experiencing some of life’s most challenging situations.
Our approach is to provide smart and compassionate representation and treat every client with dignity and respect. Our focus on securing the best client outcomes has made Chudnovsky Law one of the top-rated criminal defense law firms in California. You can read client reviews here and on the following sites:
- 5 Star Rating by Martindale Hubbell
- 10.0 Superb Rating by Avvo
- 10.0 Lawyer Rating by Justia
- 5 Star Rating by Lawyers
- 5 Star Rating by Findlaw
- 5 Star Rating on Yelp
- 5 Star Rating on Google
Service area
When looking for the best criminal defense lawyer near me or DUI attorney near me, note that we serve all of Orange County including:
Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Monarch Beach, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda.
We also serve Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and Ventura County.