Based in San Diego, Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys delivers fierce, principled representation with over 20 years of experience. We fight smart and stand strong—protecting clients with unwavering resolve and heart.
Defending San Diego County Residents Since 2007: 20+ Years of Combined Courtroom Experience
When criminal charges are filed, the decisions made in the first hours and days matter most. Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys has defended San Diego County residents since 2007, accumulating more than 20 years of combined courtroom experience across the full range of California criminal law. Two of our attorneys have been selected to the Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. This recognition is earned through peer evaluation, not self-promotion. Our approach is straightforward: thorough case preparation, aggressive advocacy, and honest counsel. No unachievable promises.
We defend clients facing DUI, domestic violence, drug offenses, theft, violent crimes, white-collar offenses, probation violations, and more. Early intervention gives the defense the most room to challenge evidence, address bail, and file pretrial motions before the prosecution builds momentum. San Diego Superior Court and its branch courthouses in Chula Vista, El Cajon, and North County each operate with distinct scheduling practices and prosecution approaches. Knowing those differences is part of how we build a defense that fits your case, not just the charge.
Contact Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys today at (619) 975-2033 or reach out online to request a confidential consultation with a San Diego criminal attorney.
Criminal Defense That Addresses the Full Picture
No two criminal cases are the same, and the consequences of a charge extend well beyond the courtroom. At Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys, we take the time to understand your situation fully, analyzing the evidence, explaining your options, and assessing how charges could affect your career, family, and immigration status. We don’t hand you a generic strategy. We walk through the practical realities with you so you know exactly where you stand under San Diego County’s laws and procedures.
Criminal proceedings in San Diego move fast. Arraignments, preliminary hearings, and prosecutor negotiations all carry strict deadlines and local procedural customs that can shape how a case unfolds. Our attorneys guide you through each step, from your first consultation to case resolution, with clear explanations and transparent communication. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges, you’ll rarely be left wondering about the status of your case or the reasoning behind our strategy.
That attention to detail carries into how we build each defense. We review police reports, gather key evidence, and draw on our experience before San Diego County judges to anticipate how the prosecution may proceed. Clients consistently tell us that our responsiveness and ongoing communication set us apart and that knowing what to expect at each stage makes a difficult process far more manageable.
Our model is built around collaboration. Multiple attorneys review each criminal case, combining perspectives to identify the strongest available defense strategy. In San Diego’s fast-moving criminal justice system, where the first 24 to 48 hours after arrest can shape the entire trajectory of a case, that team-driven structure means clients get comprehensive, adaptive representation from the start. Regular internal case reviews and open communication among our attorneys allow us to construct strategies suited to every charge, whether a first-time offense or a complex felony allegation.
We maintain established relationships with investigators, expert witnesses, and interpreters across the San Diego legal community, which allows us to address discovery needs quickly and bring the right resources to each case. Founding attorney Ernest Lee Sr. has been recognized as a legal commentator on KUSI TV. This reflects the firm’s standing in this community after more than 17 years of local practice.
We’re proud to have earned a 5-star client rating, built not just on courtroom outcomes but on the lasting relationships we develop with the people we represent.
Criminal Charges We Defend Throughout San Diego County
Our criminal defense attorneys handle a broad range of cases prosecuted across San Diego County. Charges we defend include DUI, DWI, drug offenses, theft, burglary, robbery, assault, battery, domestic violence, white-collar offenses, and probation violations. Each carries its own statutes under the California Penal Code or Vehicle Code, its own sentencing range, and its own procedural path through San Diego’s courts. We know how those can play out across all of them.
We represent clients facing both misdemeanors and felonies at every San Diego Superior Court location, including branch courthouses in downtown, Chula Vista, and El Cajon. Our familiarity with the San Diego District Attorney’s charging practices and local courthouse procedures helps us anticipate what the prosecution may do and position your defense accordingly. When you work with Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys, you’ll have a clear understanding of every relevant statute and what it means for your case.
“Highly recommend! Lee Law Group came through for my family by providing the highest quality of service!”
Ezra F.
“Great Experience!”
“I had a great experience working with Lee Law Group. From the start, their team Lee, Bryan, Jeremy were professional, responsive, and knowledgeable.”
Oscar S.
“5-Stars!”
“I can’t thank Ernest Lee enough for their incredible work on my case. From the beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to getting the best possible outcome for me.”
Brandi H.
“Godsend!”
“Mr. Lee was truly a godsend. From the moment I met him, he showed nothing but kindness, patience, and genuine care for me and my situation. He’s not just a brilliant defense lawyer—he’s someone who truly cares about his clients on a perso”
C D.
“Beyond Grateful!”
“I am beyond grateful for the exceptional legal services I received from Mr. Lee. From the moment I reached out, he provided a level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication that truly made a difference.”
Why Clients Choose Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys
Quality legal defense shouldn’t be reserved for those with unlimited resources. Since 2007, our core mission has been making experienced criminal representation accessible and affordable to working San Diego residents. That means transparent case evaluations and straightforward cost information up front so clients can move forward with confidence instead of uncertainty about what representation will cost or what to expect.
Our attorneys invest in ongoing legal education and stay current on California Penal Code updates and the evolving procedures of San Diego County courts. Clients from La Jolla to Chula Vista benefit from that firsthand knowledge of local law enforcement practices and courtroom expectations. We anticipate the challenges prosecutors bring, prepare meticulously, and advocate for every client with the same focused commitment.
Clients value our firm for the following reasons:
Highly responsive and attentive criminal defense team
Transparent processes and consistent, honest communication
Dedication to providing real value and working toward the best possible results
Long-term relationship-building and ongoing client care
The trust our clients place in us is something we take seriously. We work diligently to earn it and to keep it on every case we handle.
What to Expect After an Arrest in San Diego
After an arrest in San Diego, you may be taken to the San Diego Central Jail. Female arrestees are typically booked at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee, which serves as the primary intake point for women in San Diego County. Your arraignment, where charges are formally announced and bail may be set, is generally scheduled within 48 hours of arrest under California law, excluding Sundays and court holidays. That window closes quickly, which is why contacting an attorney as early as possible matters.
At Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys, we begin defense preparations immediately after you reach out. We advocate for fair bail conditions, gather critical evidence early, and make your rights under California law clear from the start. Our team keeps you and your family informed at every stage, from arraignment through potential trial, so the process feels less like something happening to you and more like something you’re navigating with experienced support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in San Diego
What Should I Do Immediately After Being Arrested in San Diego?
Stay silent and ask for your attorney as soon as possible. Law enforcement is required to advise you of your rights, but anything you say before your attorney is present can be used against you in court, so politely decline to answer questions until counsel arrives. You’ll likely be booked at the San Diego Central Jail or, if you’re a woman, the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee. Arraignment is typically scheduled within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and court holidays. Contacting Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys early allows us to begin protecting your rights, reviewing your charges, coordinating with your family, and building your defense before your first court appearance.
How Does the San Diego Court Process Differ from Other Counties?
San Diego Superior Court operates under California state law but has its own local procedures that can affect scheduling, case assignment, and the pace of proceedings across its multiple branch courthouses. Judges and prosecutors here tend to enforce strict deadlines, which makes timely legal response especially important. Our attorneys know the court clerks, bail schedules, and procedural expectations at each courthouse. We also stay current on policies from the San Diego District Attorney’s Office that shape charging decisions and plea negotiations, and that real-time awareness directly informs the advice we give at every stage.
What Types of Criminal Charges Are Most Commonly Prosecuted in San Diego?
San Diego prosecutors handle high volumes of DUI, driving with a suspended license, drug possession, drug trafficking, theft, shoplifting, assault, domestic violence, and probation violations. The county’s proximity to the U.S.–Mexico border also brings federal issues and cross-border legal complexities that aren’t common in most other California counties. Each charge carries distinct defense opportunities under the California Penal Code, and our attorneys tailor their approach to the specific dynamics of San Diego County’s justice system, with the goal of protecting your record and your future.
Contact Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys About Your Defense
If you’re facing criminal charges or under investigation, don’t wait. Early intervention gives your defense the most room to work: to challenge evidence, address bail, and respond to the San Diego District Attorney’s Office before key deadlines pass. Our team is available to answer your urgent questions, provide confidential guidance, and help you take the first step toward protecting your future, whether you’re navigating the booking process, seeking bail, or preparing for your first court appearance.
Criminal Convictions in California: Consequences Beyond Incarceration
A conviction doesn’t end when a sentence is served. In California, a criminal record can follow someone for years, affecting areas of life that have nothing to do with the courtroom. Understanding these risks is part of why comprehensive defense from the outset matters.
Employment & Professional Licensing
Criminal convictions appear on public background checks and can affect hiring decisions, professional license applications, and renewals. Careers in healthcare, law, finance, education, and government contracting often involve licensing boards that review criminal history. A conviction that seems minor at sentencing can quietly close professional doors years later.
Housing & Firearm Rights
Landlords routinely run background checks, and a criminal record can significantly limit housing options. Felony convictions in California may also trigger the loss of the right to own or possess firearms under state law. This consequence applies regardless of whether the conviction involved a weapon.
Immigration Consequences
For non-citizens, the stakes of a criminal conviction extend beyond California law. Certain convictions can trigger federal immigration consequences, including deportation proceedings, bars to re-entry, or denial of naturalization. This intersection of criminal and immigration law, sometimes called “crimmigration”, makes early defense intervention especially important for clients who aren’t U.S. citizens.
California’s Three Strikes Law
California’s Three Strikes law significantly increases sentencing exposure for defendants with prior “strike” offenses on their record. A second strike can double the standard sentence. A third can result in a mandatory term of 25 years to life. For anyone with a prior conviction, understanding how current charges interact with this framework is a critical part of any defense assessment.
Post-Conviction Relief Options
A conviction isn’t always the final word. California law provides several avenues for post-conviction relief, including a petition for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4, which allows certain individuals who have completed probation to seek to have their conviction dismissed. While this doesn’t erase the record entirely, a dismissal can make a meaningful difference in employment and licensing contexts. Sentence reduction petitions and direct appeals may also be available depending on the facts of the case. We can evaluate whether any of these options apply to your situation.
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