San Diego Defenders

Chula Vista, United States

4.9

Closed now

14 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 619-258-8888
Website:
sandiegodefenders.com
Address:
585 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA, 91910
b/t Mankato St & I St
Chula Vista
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.2 miH Street
1.4 miBayfront/E Street
1.8 miPlaza Bonita Transit Center
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Today

Today 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Chula Vista) 6:34 PM Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Arrested, warrants, probation, don’t want to go to jail? San Diego expert DUI lawyer and San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyers. Criminal Defense Attorneys who care about your rights! DWI or DUI, State crimes, Federal charges and Notice of Seizure and Asset Forfeiture by US Customs and border busts.

DWI, Wet Reckless, Drug, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Theft and all areas of the county and state of California. San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, and Vista.

Our paralegals are Spanish speaking.

We Offer Affordable Payment Plans with little of no money down! Easy access from the I-​5 and 805 with free parking in front or behind the office at 585 3rd Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91 910. Free Consultations and Payment Plans. Read our reviews.

We can recommend Bail Bond agents and set your DMV hearing within the 10 days under Admin Per Se Temporary Drivers License or Permit.

In most DUI cases you do not have to go to court when you hire our DUI firm.

We know the Vehicle Code, VC 23 152. Penal Code expungement, DUI Checkpoints, Border arrests.

Call 24hr

History

Established in 1990.

The Founder, Daniel M. Smith is a third generation lawyer who began practicing law with the highly regarded Federal Defenders of San Diego. Throughout the years the business has been the same, that is criminal defense only.

He started as a law clerk for some of the most highly regarded defense lawyers working cases from DUI to complex wire tap drug conspiracies where drugs were shipped from Vietnam to the United States.

Practicing in both Federal and State criminal courts in 1990 and that is the foundation of our practice. Attorney Dan Smith and Jon Pettis, who dedicates his practice to DUI’s only, work each case together for the best results. Our dismissal rate is among the best of any firm.

Meet the Business Owner

Daniel S.

Business Owner

In 1990, Daniel Smith began his career defending clients charged in U.S. District Court with federal cases involving multi-​defendant drug conspiracies and wire taps. From his first days as a lawyer, Mr. Smith defended his client’s constitutional rights in cases ranging from bank robbery, alleged transportation, distribution of tons of cocaine and the dismissal of his first DUI case!

Mr. Smith gained valuable training while with Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. Mr. Smith is a third generation lawyer following in the footsteps of his father, the Hon. Ralph G. Smith, Jr. a retired judge in Arizona, and his grandfather, Ralph Smith, Sr. who defended boot-​leggers during the days of prohibition. Mr. Smith has a Bachelors degree in Economics from Arizona State University and JD at California Western School of Law on a scholarship and the American Jurisprudence Award in Trial Practice. In his most recent trials his clients were found not guilty. Dismissals included!

San Diego Defenders also recommends

Remedy Bail Bonds

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reviews

Bail Bondsmen

Daniel S. says,

«Mike is a top notch bail agent who will always treat you right. Be sure and tell him that Dan Smith sent you for a discount!»

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14 reviews of San Diego Defenders

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
If there were more stars I would give them! Daniel Smith and Jon Pettis were an invaluable help to my family and I. They worked with us from the beginning and made everything affordable and simple. My family was going through a rough spot and we had some legal issues which really could have been tough but BOTH Daniel and Jon went to bat for us and got us through it all. One of our cases was reduced and the other was completely dropped. My wife and I will always recommend San Diego Defender to anyone as they truly work for their clients and understand that we all go through rough times. The BEST in San Diego hands down!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I knew I was in a bind when I received two tickets in one night at a concert at Sleep Train Amphitheater (I received one that was an infraction and one that was a misdemeanor). I knew that I couldn’t have a misdemeanor on my record for school so my dad helped me out and found Mr. Smith. We met up with Mr. Smith within three days and he made a plan for my case at a reasonable price since I am a college student. Although I did not meet with Mr. Pettis, both him and Mr. Smith were working as a team to fight my case. I did not have to attend either of the hearings and the end resulted in one of the tickets being completely dropped and the other being reduced (neither of them affecting my record). Very knowledgable guys and well known in the South Bay area.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
My family and I weren’t sure if we needed lawyer services for an issue we were going through, but I called anyway just to see what I could find out. Dan Smith was surprisingly easy to get a hold of and he’s a pretty down to earth gentleman. After a follow up email and another phone call, he essentially told us that we didn’t really need his services (no charges had been made, but still have to close the loop with the CBP office). Dan still offered us guidance and encouraged us to call him again if we had any further questions later on.
To us, that speaks a lot about how this office is not out go get you and take advantage of a situation. If we need it in the future, we will definitely come back to them.
Place rating: 5
Chula Vista, CA
We were going trough a very difficult time and we needed help from a good attorney. It was our first time that something like that happened to us and we needed good legal representation to get over the nightmare that it was.
The moment we walk in the receptionist was very helpful referring us on the right direction, there was a feeling of trust and honesty we so desperately needed.
When we had the appointment, Daniel was so helpful and ease our minds explaining the process and what it was next, everything got fixed faster than what we expected and it was affordable to our situation. We thank god we found San Diego Defenders to help us with our problems.
Place rating: 4
Chula Vista, CA
Dan has Great communication. Will call back right away if he misses the call and even takes calls on super bowl sunday. He is very informative about my DUI case. But I still haven’t met the other attorney Jon, who is handling most of my case.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I called for some advice on a case where charges were not being filed. Daniel was extremely helpful to answer all of my questions and was quick to return my calls. I had called two other law offices, neither which would speak to me without an appt or without making me aware of the $ 5000 retainer fee. He made me feel at ease about the situation. I would highly recommend him!
Place rating: 5
Bonita, CA
Last year I caught a very serious criminal charge (I wont go into detail about the charge but I will say it is very far from a DUI). For the next 12 months my life was a one big worry. The DA treated me like I committed the crime of the century because I had a prior strike. The deals all involved prison time and they would not strike the strike for me to be eligible for probation even though I was doing good and had a full time job. I retained Daniel late in my case but as soon as I retained him he went straight to work. I thought all my options were exhausted because my public defender made it seem like a good idea to take the prison time the DA offered. With the knowledge and understanding of the Law and how these things work he reseached my case carefully, He answered all my questions (I got tons of back and forth emails if you want to see), fought for me until the very end and would not lay down for the DA or anybody seeking to send me to prison (probation recommended 4 years even though the DA only wanted me to do 2 years with 85%). In the end my strike was stricken with Romero Relief (motion to strike a strike in the interest of justice) and I was granted probation and 1 year of Work Furlough. Gonna be scraping by for the next year but its better than being locked up! I also have to give praise to my Judge Timothy Walsh because he saw I was not the person I was being made out to be on paper anymore, he’s tough but he’s fair. So take it from me, if youre in a jam with the law RETAIN DANIEL SMITH. He is surpremely knowledgeable, affordable and hard working and he will fight for the best possible outcome that he can get for you!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Sometimes life throws a curve ball at you… a hard curve ball.
Thank goodness for Dan Smith and his staff for going up to bat for me when I needed legal representation. He was referred to me by a good friend of mine that I trust. I had never needed an attorney and didn’t know what steps to take. When we met he made me feel comfortable and gave the best advice. He was very detailed with my options and different outcomes but assured me that he would do his best. So ultimately SD Defenders made a really bad situation… much, much better then expected!
I have referred a couple people to Dan Smith for his services and will continue to do so. He gets results!
Place rating: 5
Mountain Center, CA
«Dan Smith the Absolute Best Criminal Lawyer In California» I was arrested at a club in downtown San Diego for fighting (P.C 243 Battery). It was a Felony Strike Battery with Serious Bodily Harm. I was looking at a sentence of 2−3−4 years in a state prison. During the arrest I was already on probation from a previous battery in North County, which I made the mistake of going with a no name lawyer and just wasted my money. I knew this time around I needed to make the best investment of a lawyer possible or I was going to be facing probation violation and a strike with time served. I asked around for the best lawyer 3 people I asked recommended Dan Smith. I immediately called him and he scheduled me for a personal face to face meeting. Walking into the office I immediately felt I knew I was in the right spot. Dan worked the case and explained all avenues of approach with me, he was the most stand up lawyer I have ever encountered and I been under care from 3 lawyers previous to him. Dan worked with the DA hand to hand and tried to get me the best deal possible but the DA would not budge enough for my liking or Dans we decided to take it to Prelim. The next few weeks Dan worked with me and anytime I needed him he was just a phone call away. We then were going into Prelim and Dan had told me «Judges are known to bind over a ham sandwich so do not be discouraged when the case gets sent to trial.» Dan kept me calm and cool and then we entered the court room. We were in court for about 3 hours and he literally destroyed the other parties defense, (A police officer) (The alleged victim) (Bouncer from the club) and (Attorney). He found holes and mistakes in all of their statements reports and comments. After calling my witnesses to the stand and the alleged victim, the Judge turned around to the alleged victim and said «you are lucky you are standing here today with us and this man did not hurt you even more.» The Judge then said he would not bind over the charged and dismissed my (P.C 243 D Felony Battery w. Serious Bodily Harm) right there on the spot. I walked out in tears thanking Dan for his righteousness and ability to provide the best service I have ever seen. I was never brought back to court and he was able to stop any issues from the probation violation. On top of the perfect service he provided me with an amazing payment plan which fit my income. HAT OFF TO YOU SIR THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I WILL STAND NEXT TO YOU IN COURT ANY DAY! Do not go anywhere else this is who you want to represent you.
Place rating: 5
Chula Vista, CA
I can’t say enough about this firm.
Daniel and his staff are knowledgeable, professional and will get the job done. When you are in a bind and need a top notch lawyer… call the San Diego Defenders!
Thank you!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Before Dan took my case I’ve never been in trouble with the law so I knew little to absolutely nothing about how court cases were handled. Being at the barely legal age at the time I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had treated me like a kid.
He didn’t. Dan found a way to fight my case while at the same time made me feel as if what I had to say in my case mattered. He doesn’t do anything without your consent and Dan always gives you the breakdown of what he plans on doing and all the options that are available to you at the time.
He’s a dependable, hardworking and very compassionate man. He’ll fight for your case as if yours is the only one he has. He understands the times we all live in right now and he’ll make sure he does his best to keep you feeling safe when it comes with dealing with the law.
I happened to be a very big case a few years back in ’09 and without Dan I don’t how I would have coped with the situation back then. He’s very good at what he does and I wouldn’t recommend anyone else.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I am a fan
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I wanted to give my endorsement for Attorney Daniel Smith and San Diego Defenders. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. When it comes to legal advice or representation, you definitely don’t want to go bargain basement or (heaven forbid) the public defender route.
A very close friend of mine landed into some legal problems. After much research, Attorney Daniel Smith was chosen by my friend’s family to represent him in court. Attorney Smith’s attention to detail and knowledge really made a huge impact. Attorney Smith has great rapport with members of the court and is well respected among his peers. He treats his clients in a kind, caring, compassionate manner. You get the whole package. Attorney Daniel Smith is a winner.
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
It had been many years since I had needed an attorney and I thought my past was in the past, as I had done my «time», 23 years ago. The company I currently work for was doing an intense background check and I found that my felonies that were supposedly reduced and expunged, were not. I send great thanks and respect to Dan Smith and Alan Spears of United Trial Group. They were able to put everything right in quick order before my company completed the background check. Today, my past and record is clean. Thanks again Untied Trial Group!