Orange County CA, 92867
San Bernardino CA, 92410
info@crawford.law
714-538-0305
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Law offices of

James M. Crawford

Defending Your Rights
Experienced Criminal Defense Representation In Southern California

Free Consultation
James M. Crawford

A Lawyer Committed to
Criminal Defense & Appeals

Criminal Defense

Serious criminal charges are never welcome. The best way to get ahead of the situation is to retain the most aggressive, tenacious, successful defense representation you can find. In Orange County, the first name that should come to your mind is James M. Crawford.

Criminal Appeals

The fact that you were found guilty in trial court does not mean you have lost all of your rights. You can file an appeal in an attempt to overturn your conviction if you find out that you have received inadequate or incompetent representation or new evidence might have come to light that supports your claims of innocence.

Featured Verdicts

People v Mejia

The 40-to-life sentence was vacated and my client was released from prison

Johnny Mejia was originally sentenced to 40 years to life imprisonment for attempted murder. Based on recent changes in the law that favored Johnny, I filed a habeas corpus petition on his behalf. As a result, the prosecution and court agreed to modify Johnny’s sentence–it was reduced to credit for time served and Johnny was finally released from prison.

People v Mejia /

People v Dao

The jury found my client not guilty of all charges

My client Mr. Dao had a strained relationship with his wife. During one of their frequent arguments, she smashed his glasses and scratched his face. He pushed her away, and she told the police he strangled her into unconsciousness. However, during our investigation Ms. Dao admitted that she fabricated the charges out of anger. Despite this, the prosecution refused to drop the charges. During the trial, I presented evidence from my client and a special investigator I had hired who testified about the wife’s conflicting stories. As a result, the jury found my client not guilty of all charges.

People v Dao /

People vs Ivory

My client was immediately released from state prison and is now a free man.

Ivory was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and sentenced to eight years in prison. While there, he was additionally charged with illegal possession of drugs and alcohol, for which he plead guilty and was sentenced to two years and eight months. However, the prosecution agreed to award him credit for time already served and good behavior in exchange for the guilty plea, but the prison refused to honor this agreement. I filed a habeas corpus petition on behalf of Ivory, arguing that he detrimentally relied on the prosecution’s promise in waiving his right to a jury trial and accepting the plea. The judge agreed, granting the petition and releasing Ivory immediately from state prison, a free man.

People vs Ivory /

People vs George L.

My client was set free after having been sentenced to life in prison.

George was sentenced to life for robbery with gun enhancements. During the trial, the victims told trial counsel that George did not commit the crime, but the victims were not put back on the stand to testify. George was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. We argued on appeal that the conviction should be vacated based on ineffective assistance of counsel. In addition to not calling those witnesses, we also presented new evidence of innocence, including alibi witnesses and testimony of another inmate, who had been convicted of three similar robberies during the same time frame, that he was the actual robber. We won the case- George’s conviction was vacated, and he was set free.

People vs George L. /

People vs Ashley J.

My client’s conviction was vacated after having been sentenced to life imprisonment. 

Ashley was in an abusive relationship. One morning she woke up and found her 4 month old child dead in her crib. Both Ashley and her husband were arrested for murder; on the way out the door, the husband yelled, “the bitch did it.” Ashley was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, but her husband was found not guilty. I assisted Ashley with her appeal. We found that the trial counsel did not conduct a proper investigation prior to the trial. We interviewed family and discovered Ashley’s older daughter was hiding behind a couch on the night of the murder, and saw her father punch the baby in her crib. Based on this, and other material presented to the judge, Ashley’s conviction was vacated and she is now a free woman.

People vs Ashley J. /

People vs Mark V. 

My client was released from custody after having been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mark was babysitting for his friend’s 17 month old daughter the night she fell, lost consciousness, and unfortunately died at the hospital from traumatic brain injury. Mark was charged with murder, defended by another lawyer, and ultimately was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. On appeal, I successfully argued that Mark did not receive proper counsel (no experts were called, child’s pre-existing head injury was not detailed)- the judge agreed, vacated the sentence, and we were able to retry the case. I retried the case for Mark.  The verdict this time was dramatically different- not guilty of all charges. Mark has been released from custody after 12 years and is now a free man.

People vs Mark V. /

People vs Frank M.

My client was released from prison after having been sentenced to 315 years to life.

Frank was originally sentenced to 315 years to life for writing fraudulent checks with several prior convictions.  On habeas corpus, I successfully argued that Frank’s previous trial and appellate lawyers provided ineffective assistance because they did not challenge the prior convictions which were invalid, and we were granted habeas relief, which gave us the right to argue that Frank’s imprisonment was unlawful. The court vacated the sentence and Frank was returned to the trial court for re sentencing.  At the new sentencing hearing, Frank was re-sentenced to just 11 years (down from 315), and was immediately released from prison, a free man.

People vs Frank M. /

People v IRW

My client was released from prison after having been sentenced to life. 

IRW was in his car when two other men entered a liquor store, robbed it, and then shot and killed the cashier. My client played no role in the killing of this man, yet was originally convicted of murder with a robbery-murder special circumstance and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. After 29 years in custody, we successfully argued IRW’s defense under Penal Code 1172.6. The trial court agreed, vacated the murder conviction and special circumstance, and resentenced him to 8 years in custody; with credit for prior time already served, IRW was released from prison and is now a free man.

People v IRW /

Client Testimonials

Mr. Crawford is absolutely phenomenal. He is extremely professional and someone you really need on your side if you are ever in a tough situation. His expertise saved me and I am very grateful to him for all he did for me. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is in need of a criminal defense attorney.

Jane Elizabeth Alcala /

Satisfied Client

“Mr Crawford is an excellent attorney. I have used him in my legal matters and would never go anywhere else. Unfortunately I have gotten myself into trouble on numerous occasions but am so thankful that Mr. Crawford has been there to help me out. Do not go anywhere else for your legal troubles…You will not be dissapointed.”

elizabeth alcala /

Satisfied Client

“HE SAVED MY LIFE! He took all the evidence in my defense, researched my case and typed up a writ… and provided me my freedom. Mr. Crawford is honest, straight-forward and fights for you. I would HIGHLY recommend him.”

Cindy /

Satisfied Client

Beo Bairia – 5 stars!
Marta Cuevas – 5 stars!
Amanda Haver – 5 stars!
Punam Gupta – 5 stars!
Deirdre Gormley – 5 stars!
Vin Tyrson – 5 stars!
Ryan – 5 stars!

5 Star Ratings /

Satisfied Clients

“The best!”

Dean Thomas /

Satisfied Client

“Outstanding in all areas of the law, both State & Federal, Civil & Criminal! 5 stars!”

Teds Cloud /

Satisfied Client

“Mr. Crawford is an incredibly talented criminal defense attorney with years of experience and a passion for doing everything he can for his clients. He works tirelessly to win his cases. I would highly recommend him”

Dinesh Kumar /

Satisfied Client

“Mr Crawford was amazing. Great response time for any questions or concerns you have. He is very knowledgeable and told us exactly how he was going to approach the case and got us the result that we wanted. I’m extremely pleased and definitely recommend Mr Crawford. Thank you!”

Anonymous /

Satisfied Client

“James is known as being one of the most ethical attorneys we have ever met, James knows the law, and will always do his best for anyone who obtains his services. And for that, I give James Crawford 5 Stars!”

Anonymous /

Satisfied Client

“I have known Jim for years, he has always shown an extreme willingness to win for his clients. I have witnessed him as a guest speaker and I have seen firsthand his passion to fight for his clients. Hire Jim for the win!!”

Argie N. /

Satisfied Client

Our Practice Areas

Federal and White Collar Crimes

In the world of criminal defense, federal court is as serious as it gets. You need equally serious trial advocacy on your side when white collar crime charges such as financial crimes, embezzlement, money laundering or fraud abruptly disrupt your life.

Drug Crimes

For over 25 years, attorney James M. Crawford has successfully argued for the freedom of a wide variety of drug crime defendant clients. His demonstrated proficiency at the investigation, negotiation and litigation phases of the legal process is well-known throughout the region.

DUI/DWI

Driving is an essential component of life for most Southern Californians. If your driving privileges are threatened by one or more arrests for drunk driving, only the most experienced DUI defense representation can increase your chances for retaining your license or reinstating a suspended or revoked license.

Violent Crimes / Domestic Violence

Violent crime charges can be the result of any number of mistakes — cases of mistaken identity, a person finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, the need for self-defense during an altercation, and “he said, she said” situations, just to name a few.

Murder Or Manslaughter

Murder or manslaughter charges are among the most serious criminal charges a person can face. If you face murder or homicide charges — or even if you have been questioned in relation to a homicide — it is critical to enlist the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Appeals

Appeals can be generated for a variety of reasons. Clients who are discouraged by a prior trial outcome may find out that they received inadequate or incompetent representation. Judicial error may have played a role. New evidence may have come to light that supports a defendant’s claims of innocence.

Habeas Corpus Petitions

Under federal law and rules of the Constitution of California, any person who believes he or she is wrongfully imprisoned or otherwise detained can petition to challenge their imprisonment. Depending upon the situation, this may be done through an appeal of a conviction, a writ of habeas corpus or a wrongful imprisonment civil lawsuit.

Juvenile Crimes

Has a minor criminal offense put your teenager’s freedom and academic standing at risk? Has a serious felony charge placed him or her in a position of perhaps being tried as an adult? The juvenile crimes defense lawyer you can trust with your child’s future is James M. Crawford, at the Law Offices of James M. Crawford in Orange, California.
Additional Practice Areas

Felonies & Misdemeanors

In addition to the practice areas detailed above, the Law Office of James M Crawford can defend your rights when you’re faced with felony or misdemeanor charges including illegal weapons possession, sex crimes, theft crimes (burglary, forgery, petty theft, auto theft, and grand theft), shoplifting, assault, and battery.

We've Got Your Back

Vigor And Versatility In The Practice Of Criminal Law

James Crawford’s varied menu of effective criminal defense legal services runs the gamut of financial, drug, violent and juvenile crimes, and many more. Whatever your legal issue, you reap the benefits of our firm’s trademark case preparation and aggressiveness at trial.

Are Your Livelihood and Liberties at Risk after a Criminal Arrest?

The skilled criminal defense and criminal appeals attorney you want on your side is James M. Crawford, in Southern California. From delinquency courts to federal trials and more than 600 appeals handled since 1994, the Law Offices of James M. Crawford has an unrivaled commitment to excellence and a reputation for presenting a winning defense and appeals.

Make the First Call

Call Us at (714) 538-0305
We want to hear your side of the story. The only place that conversation can happen is at our law offices, during your initial consultation. We discuss your legal issues candidly and confidentially, with an eye to mapping a course of action that could put your crisis behind you.

Media Coverage

Blog Posts

The Latest from Jim Crawford, Criminal Defense Attorney

Law Change: SB 483 invalidates certain enhancements and priors

SB 483 is a bill that provides retroactive relief and is time-sensitive. It declares that certain enhancements and priors imposed...
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Law Change: Updates to California’s determinate sentencing laws

Recent changes to California's Determinate Sentencing Law include requiring judges to acknowledge various types of trauma when selecting a sentence,...
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Law Change: AB 1228 and violations of supervision

AB 1228 changes the rules for releasing people who are being supervised by the criminal justice system (probation, MS, PRCS,...
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Law Change: SB 81 expands use of mitigating circumstances

SB 81 is a new law that changes how enhancements are handled in criminal cases. Enhancements are additional punishments that...
Read More

Law Change: AB 518 reduces possible imprisonment time

AB 518 is a new law that changes how punishments are determined for crimes that can be punished under multiple...
Read More

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