Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys Serving San Diego
Lee Law Group DUI & Criminal Attorneys
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 a 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, including drug possession and drug trafficking, theft, burglary, robbery, assault, battery, domestic violence, white-collar offenses, and probation violations. In DUI matters, we examine field sobriety tests, the physical coordination exercises officers use during roadside investigations, as part of our review of the evidence. Each charge 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 criminal-law services also include federal criminal defense for cases proceeding in federal court rather than California Superior Court. 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. We offer a free consultation so you can discuss the allegations, immediate concerns, and possible next steps before deciding how to proceed.
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
Under California Penal Code Section 825, an in-custody defendant must generally be arraigned within 48 hours of arrest, excluding Sundays and court holidays, or on the next court day when court isn’t in session. At arraignment, the charges are formally announced and bail may be addressed. After a DUI arrest, the criminal case and the administrative license process are separate. A driver generally has 10 days after receiving a suspension or revocation notice to request a DUI DMV hearing before the suspension takes effect. These windows close 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
Can My Attorney Appear for Me at a Misdemeanor Arraignment?
Under California Penal Code Section 977, an attorney can generally appear for a misdemeanor defendant at arraignment and other hearings without the defendant being present. The court can still require a personal appearance in some circumstances, so we explain whether you need to attend based on the charge, the hearing, and the court’s instructions.
What Happens at a Felony Preliminary Hearing?
A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding where the prosecution must establish sufficient cause for a felony case to continue. California law generally requires the hearing within 10 court days of arraignment unless that deadline is waived. The judge considers the evidence presented and determines whether there’s enough support to hold the defendant to answer on the felony charges.
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-strike sentence of 25 years to life applies when the new felony is serious or violent. 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, commonly called an expungement. Eligible people who completed probation and didn’t serve state prison time can petition to withdraw a guilty or no-contest plea and have the case dismissed. This dismissal doesn’t erase the record entirely, restore firearm rights, end sex-offender registration, or prevent the conviction from being used as a prior in future sentencing, but it 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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