Business Details
31 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Santa Rosa Criminal Defense Attorney
For over three decades, our firm has dedicated itself to providing vigorous criminal defense representation to clients throughout Sonoma County and beyond. Our founder, Walter Rubenstein, brings extensive trial experience and a deep understanding of the legal system to every case, having successfully represented thousands of clients facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. We combine thorough preparation, strategic negotiation, and aggressive courtroom advocacy to protect clients' rights and freedoms.Our team leverages strong relationships within the legal community to achieve favorable outcomes, whether through pretrial negotiations or jury trials. We prioritize personalized attention, tailoring defense strategies to each client's unique circumstances while maintaining the highest standards of professional integrity.
Services
Criminal Defense
DUI Attorney
Domestic Violence
Sex Offenses
Homicide Defense
Drug Possession
Gang Offenses
Probation Violations
Capital Cases
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 30 years of criminal defense experience with 50+ jury trials
- Our team leverages relationships within the local legal community
- We provide aggressive courtroom advocacy combined with strategic negotiations
- We prepare every case as if it will go to trial
- We offer 24/7 free consultation for urgent legal matters
What people say
Successful case outcomes
Aggressive defense strategies
Dedicated representation
Free consultations available
Experienced legal team
Services
Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense practice handles cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to complex felony charges. We provide comprehensive legal representation for clients facing accusations of drug possession, domestic violence, sex offenses, and other criminal matters. Our approach combines thorough case preparation with strategic negotiation and aggressive courtroom advocacy to protect clients' rights and freedoms.
DUI Attorney
Specialized DUI defense services address charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our representation includes challenging evidence, negotiating reduced penalties, and preparing for trial when necessary. We handle both first-time offenses and repeat violations with enhanced penalties, focusing on minimizing the long-term impact on clients' lives and driving privileges.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence defense covers accusations of physical abuse, threats, or harassment within domestic relationships. We challenge false allegations, contest protective orders, and work to prevent long-term consequences like criminal records or custody issues. Our approach balances legal strategy with sensitivity to the complex personal dynamics involved in these cases.
Homicide Defense
Our homicide defense practice handles murder, manslaughter, and related charges with the utmost seriousness. We conduct independent investigations, consult expert witnesses, and develop comprehensive defense strategies for pretrial negotiations or jury trials. Our experience includes capital cases and complex murder prosecutions requiring specialized legal expertise and resources.
Sex Offenses
Sex offense defense covers charges ranging from indecent exposure to sexual assault and registration requirements. We challenge evidence credibility, negotiate alternatives to registration, and protect clients' futures through strategic plea negotiations or trial preparation. Our representation addresses both legal consequences and long-term social implications of sex crime allegations.
People
Walter Rubenstein
Attorney
With 30 years of experience and 50+ jury trials, Walter Rubenstein is a respected criminal defense attorney in Sonoma County. He holds law and philosophy degrees, has published academic work, and serves on bar association committees while maintaining an active trial practice.
Elsa
Legal Assistant
Bilingual legal assistant with 17 years of experience in court interpretation and legal document preparation. Certified in advanced court interpreting, she specializes in client intake procedures and Spanish-English translation for criminal defense cases.
Bianca Vanesa Garcia
Law Clerk
Third-year law student and certified law clerk with diverse community advocacy experience. Bilingual in Spanish, she assists with case management and client support while pursuing her Juris Doctorate at Empire College School of Law.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We serve clients throughout Sonoma County, Marin County, Napa County, and Mendocino County.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial consultations for all criminal defense matters.
What types of criminal cases do you handle?
We handle all criminal defense matters including DUI, domestic violence, sex offenses, drug charges, and serious felonies like murder.
Are your attorneys experienced in trial cases?
Yes, our lead attorney has over 30 years of experience and has handled 50+ jury trials.
Do you represent clients in plea negotiations?
Yes, we negotiate plea agreements while preparing every case for trial to achieve the best possible outcome.
Can you help with sex offender registration issues?
Yes, we negotiate alternatives to lifetime sex offender registration in appropriate cases.
