Michael & Associates is a white-glove criminal defense firm built around senior-level legal talent. No juniors. No case stacking. No one-size-fits-all strategy. Just focused, experienced, highly personalized representation.
Deep Knowledge of San Francisco Courts and Prosecutors
We defend clients in every San Francisco courthouse, including:
- Hall of Justice (850 Bryant St.) — Criminal Division
- Civic Center Courthouse (400 McAllister St.) — Misdemeanors, arraignments, select hearings
We also regularly defend clients arrested in surrounding Bay Area jurisdictions, including:
- Oakland / Alameda County: Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, René C. Davidson Courthouse
- Daly City / South San Francisco / San Mateo County: Redwood City Courthouse
- Marin County: Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael
- Contra Costa County: Martinez, Walnut Creek, Richmond, and Pittsburg courthouses
Each courthouse — and each judge — operates differently. We tailor your defense to the specific courtroom you’re actually facing.
Low Caseloads
We limit the number of cases we take so we can dig deeper into the evidence. We:
- Review all police reports and recordings
- Examine body-worn camera footage from SFPD, CHP, BART Police, and local agencies
- Identify constitutional violations
- Conduct our own investigations when needed
- Prepare your case as if it’s going to trial
Preparing for trial early gives us leverage in negotiations and often leads to faster dismissals or reductions.
Exceptional Client Service
You’re not just another case. You’ll receive:
- Fast responses (often same-day)
- Clear explanations of your options
- Honest, realistic expectations
- A judgment-free space to talk openly
You’ll always know where your case stands.
Strategic, Proactive Criminal Defense
We don’t sit back and wait for the prosecution to dictate the pace. We:
- File early motions
- Challenge illegal stops, searches, detentions, and warrants
- Expose errors and false assumptions in police reports
- Bring in expert witnesses when appropriate
- Attack weak or unreliable evidence aggressively
This approach helps us secure dismissals and reductions early in the process.
Judgment-Free Representation
Good people get arrested in San Francisco every day — often because of misunderstandings, false accusations, or police overreach.
We listen. We understand. And we make sure your side of the story is heard.
Criminal Cases We Handle in San Francisco
Every year, thousands of people are arrested in San Francisco County. We defend clients facing charges at all levels — from low-level misdemeanors to complex felonies.
Misdemeanors
- Petty theft & shoplifting
- Simple assault
- Vandalism & graffiti charges
- Public intoxication
- Disorderly conduct
- Low-level drug possession
Whether it happened in the Mission, the Marina, the Tenderloin, SOMA, Hunters Point, or the Sunset, we start building your defense right away.
Felony Charges
- DUI / DUI with injury
- Domestic violence
- Assault & battery
- Robbery / armed robbery
- Burglary
- Drug possession, sales, and distribution
- Gun and weapons charges
- Hit-and-run (misdemeanor or felony)
- Probation violations
- Fraud, forgery, identity theft
- Juvenile crimes
- Violent crimes and homicide
If you were arrested anywhere in San Francisco or the greater Bay Area, we can help.
Agencies We Regularly Challenge in San Francisco
Most criminal cases come from:
- San Francisco Police Department (SFPD)
- San Francisco Sheriff’s Office
- California Highway Patrol (CHP – Golden Gate Division)
- BART Police
- UC Police Department (UCPD – UCSF & UC Berkeley areas)
We know their procedures — and their common mistakes.
How We Win Criminal Cases in California
We meticulously examine every part of the case the state builds against you. Weak points often arise from:
- Illegal stops, searches, or detentions
- Incomplete or inaccurate police reports
- Mishandled or contaminated evidence
- Missing or contradictory body-cam footage
- Pressured or false witness statements
- Flawed identifications
- Overcharged or stacked accusations
- Violations of your constitutional rights
These issues often lead to dismissals, reductions, or favorable plea outcomes.
You don’t have to face this system alone. We’re here to fight for you from day one.
What to Expect When You Hire Us
We make the process straightforward. During your free consultation with a senior San Francisco criminal defense lawyer, we:
- Listen to your version of events
- Identify immediate deadlines
- Begin gathering evidence right away
- Assist with bail and release concerns
- Review all reports, footage, and documentation
- Prepare targeted motions and negotiate aggressively
- Communicate clearly every step of the way
You will never be left in the dark.
Sources: Michael & Associates research; San Francisco Superior Court — Criminal Division; California Penal Code (various sections including §836, §851.8, §1203.4, §273.5, §245, §459, §484); California Vehicle Code§§23152, 23153, 23612, 13353; San Francisco Police Department (SFPD); San Francisco Sheriff’s Office; California Highway Patrol (Golden Gate Division); California Courts / Judicial Council; NHTSA; Bay Area County Courts
