Michael Norton is a San Diego criminal defense attorney and Senior Trial Attorney at Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys. Licensed in California since 2006, he has nearly two decades of experience defending individuals against misdemeanor and felony charges throughout San Diego County and Southern California.
Over the course of his career, Michael has handled well over 1,000 criminal cases, including DUI, domestic violence, assault, drug offenses, theft, sex offenses, violent crimes, white-collar crimes, and other serious felony matters. His experience spans every stage of the criminal process, from early case investigation and negotiations to pretrial motions and trial.
Michael has spent his entire legal career practicing criminal defense in San Diego and surrounding Southern California communities. That longstanding local experience has given him extensive familiarity with San Diego County courts, prosecutors, judges, courtroom procedures, and the practical considerations that can affect how a criminal case is investigated, negotiated, and tried.
After graduating from law school, Michael passed the California Bar Examination on his first attempt and began his career with a San Diego criminal defense firm. There, he developed hands-on courtroom experience representing clients across a broad range of criminal matters.
In 2008, Michael founded his own criminal defense practice. For more than 18 years, he represented individuals accused of crimes throughout San Diego and neighboring counties. His work included evaluating evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, litigating pretrial motions, challenging the government's case, and taking cases to trial when necessary.
That experience allows Michael to evaluate a case from multiple angles. He considers not only the criminal charge itself, but also the strength and admissibility of the evidence, potential constitutional issues, available defenses, negotiation opportunities, and the consequences different outcomes may have for the client.
Michael understands that a criminal charge can affect far more than what happens in court. An arrest or conviction may jeopardize a person's freedom, employment, professional reputation, finances, family relationships, and future opportunities.
For that reason, he approaches each case individually rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all defense strategy. He works to understand the facts, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, explain the client's options clearly, and develop a defense designed around the circumstances and objectives of that particular client. Whether the case involves a first-time misdemeanor or a serious felony allegation, Michael emphasizes thorough preparation, clear communication, and vigorous advocacy throughout the criminal process.
Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue University in 2002. He later attended Whittier Law School on a full merit scholarship before earning his law degree and beginning his criminal defense career in San Diego.
In addition to his courtroom practice, Michael is a member of the California Public Defenders Association and the California DUI Lawyers Association. His involvement in California’s criminal defense legal community and continuing legal education helps him stay current on developments in criminal law, DUI defense, courtroom strategy, and defense practice.
Michael joined Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys as a Senior Trial Attorney, bringing nearly 20 years of California criminal defense experience to the firm's San Diego practice. He represents clients facing DUI and other criminal charges in San Diego County and surrounding Southern California communities.
Michael & Associates
July 2026 to present
San Diego, California
Law Offices of Michael Norton
June 2008 - July 2026
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