Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
Christopher Patrick Welch
About Christopher
Biography
Mr. Welch has the experience, local knowledge, aggressiveness and tact to obtain the best result possible for you. The Law Office of Christopher P. Welch handles all criminal felony and misdemeanor cases. Including: DUI/Theft/License Issues/Drug Charges/Sex& Rape Charges/ Gangs/ Homicide.
Mr. Welch is one of the top rated attorneys in the County with a proven record of not-guilty verdicts and cases dismissed. Ask your potential trial attorney, how many actual felony jury trials have they won? Mr. Welch has personally tried over fifty jury trials to verdict with amazing results. This has led Mr. Welch to get hundreds of cases dismissed, and hundreds more the best possible deal in that situation. It is the fortitude, and ability to litigate which is what gets the best possible resolution for your case. The prosecutors know which attorneys will actually fight the case, and which attorneys have the ability to win.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
50%
22 years | 5,000 cases
DUI and DWI
25%
22 years | 1,000 cases
Domestic Violence
15%
22 years | 1,000 cases
Juvenile Law
10%
22 years | 500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 22 years
State: California
Acquired: 2003
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2025
Location
Law Office of Christopher P. Welch
674 County Square Drive, Suite 210, Ventura, CA, 93003
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Christopher Patrick Welch's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 24 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | May 11, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Experience and Knowledgeable
Mr. Welch got me a very good result for the cases presented in front of him. He is very knowledgeable. He takes his job very seriously. He will do whatever he can possibly do to get you the best result he can possibly get you. Definitely should at least consult with him, at the very least.
Posted by Jeff | May 23, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Selfish, Ego, Doesn’t communicate
I am embarrassed that I hired him. He might be the most egotistical person I have met and doesn’t listen to your needs or situation. Talks great and drops every ball. He called me on Friday to lie and on Monday told me I missed court. All a back peddle for his lies. It was embarrassing how little...
Christopher Welch
Replied last January 31, 2024This client suffers from severe alcoholism and has significant mental health issues, and it is hard not to take his comments personally, but not everyone can be helped regardless of how much good you do for them. Factually, it dealt with Mr. Raun threatening an individual with a weapon and attacking him when intoxicated- fairly serious though he was lucky it was charged as a misdemeanor. There were multiple witnesses and many people putting forth reports of his abusive drunken behavior. I had his case agreed to be dismissed by the court with a short diversion program, where he had to do a few simple aa meetings. The client refused again and again to come to court. Instead, he left drunken belligerent emails and voicemails at all hours of the night. He was abusive to staff cursing obscenely for no reason time and time again. The Judge ordered him to come to court and no matter what my office did to persuade Mr. Raun he still would not come to court. As such the Judge issued a warrant for him. Ultimately Mr. Raun was lucky enough to get the deal I was able to get for him. This client repeatedly harasses online anyone he gets into contact with, of which I still have the documentation of. His comments are all lies that are documented in the record of his court case, as is the court order, and his warrant, as well as his abusive threatening drunken emails and voice mails.
Posted by Anna | August 20, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Wow! He is the best!
All I can say is that I really THANK Chris for all His hard work! I was looking at Prison- YES PRISON! and he helped me get it to a felony in county jail ! And it was HOUSE ARREST for 95%of that time sentenced! I made a mistake and was aware of it- but my family was my priority ! So If ANYONE can he...
Posted by Eric eason | January 30, 2017 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Doug
This review is for Chris Welch he is a wonderful attorney, and he also has a very compassionate heart!! he cares greatly for his clients and is a wonderful attorney!! I remember the day he pitched for me in court and it was amazing!! He is a very kind and caring attorney. He is not just a attorney th...
Posted by CIC | July 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Went way, way, beyond the call of duty!
Earlier this year I was accused of a misdemeanor. Although the accusation and the charge was merit-less, I could not afford to hire an attorney to mount a full defense. In hopes that I would least be able to plead it down to a lesser charge I hired Chris, based his online reviews. When we first me...
Christopher Patrick Welch's Lawyer Endorsements
"If you are charged with a crime in Southern California involving drugs, guns, or gang activity, Chris is lawyer to call. He is not cheap but he is worth every penny of his fee. He's not one of those former disgruntled cops or prosecutors trying to cash in on the fact that they used to arrest people or send them to jail. Chris is 100% defense. I endorse this brilliant, hard hitting lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Welch is a hard-hitting, top-shelf criminal defense attorney. He has a superior knowledge of the courthouse and the local prosecutors and the District Attorney's office. You cannot do wrong by hiring Mr. Welch."
"I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Chris is an excellent attorney who consistently works hard to obtain the best possible results for his clients. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is an outstanding member of the bar with great knowledge of Ventura court."
"I endorse this lawyer. Chris is a strong advocate for his client, and makes himself very familiar with the matter on which he argues. He's friendly and a nice guy too!"
"Chris brings years of experience working inside the criminal justice system to a focused practice representing those accused of criminal misconduct. He is effective, energetic, and dedicated. He has a detailed knowledge of the inside process in Ventura County and has personal relationships with attorneys in the DA's office. He understands how the criminal justice system really works and advocates for his clients to achieve outstanding results. You cannot do better for criminal defense in the Ventura region. I highly endorse Chirs Welch."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Welch is an excellent attorney with I have worked in the past. He has a depth of experience and can successfully navigate the intricacies of the courthouse. I have. O hesitation referring clients to him. He gets exceptional results"
"Chris has a substantial breadth of both knowledge and experience in criminal law. This coupled with his tenacity to achieve results for his clients, makes him an excellent choice to represent you in any criminal matter, For this reason, I strongly endorse him."
"Mr. Welch is a talented, aggressive attorney who takes on his clients cases as if they were his own. He is tenacious and has the fortitude to take a matter to verdict often times providing his clients with the best results possible on a given matter."
"I endorse Chris Welch as a criminal defense attorney. Drawing on many years of experience with criminal cases, including serious and violent felonies, Chris is a great trial attorney and advocate for his clients."
"I strongly endorse Christopher Welch as a knowledgeable, competent and aggressive litigation and trial attorney. I have known Chris for over six years and I have always admired his commitment to his clients and their cases. Chris Welch is a classy attorney and a zealous advocate. Any client would be fortunate to have him as their champion in their legal dispute."
"Chris is a wonderful human being and an excellent attorney. He is extremely dedicated to his clients and is a true fighter for his client's interests. I strongly endorse him."
Kenneth Hamilton
DUI and DWI lawyer
Joshua Newstat
Criminal defense lawyer
Salman Borhani
Criminal defense lawyer
Pauline Villanueva
Criminal defense lawyer
Andrew Mansfield
Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer
Chleora Franco
Criminal defense lawyer
Peter Sandhu
Litigation lawyer
Jarrod Wilfert
Criminal defense lawyer
Timothy Quinn
Criminal defense lawyer
Monty Gill
General practice lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025.
Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2025
updated on 06/23/2025This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Honors
2017
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
Public Service Award, Santa Clara University School of Law
2001
Witkin Award- Professional Responsibility, Santa Clara University School of Law
Work Experience
2011 - Present
Trial Attorney, Firm Lead Attorney, Law Office of Christopher Welch
2005 - 2011
Deputy Attorney, County of Ventura
2003 - 2005
Attorney, Law Office of Christohper P. Welch
2000 - 2002
Law clerk, Apple
2000 - 2003
Law Clerk, County Of Santa Clara
Associations
2015 - Present
United States District Court of AppealsMember
2006 - Present
Ventura County Criminal Bar AssociationBoard Member
2005 - Present
California Public Defenders AssociationMember
2003 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal JusticeMember
2003 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2003 - Present
Ventura County Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. Davenport
dismissed at trial
People v. D. Davis
Dismissed at trial
People v. Portillo
Case dismissed at trial
People v. Oseguerra
All felonies dismissed
People v. Kennaley
case dismissed
People v. Ochoa
Life charge dismissed
People v. Fraser
case dismissed
People v. Crook
No holding at preliminary hearing.
People v. Velasquez
misdemeanor no jail
Peopel v. Ward
case dismissed, license reinstated
People v. Castro
Misdemeanor loitering, no sex registration
People v. Harkins
case dismissed at trial
People v. Leon
case dismissed
People v. Alvarenga
case dismissed
People v. Martinez
case dismissed
People v. Skogrand
Case dismissed
People v. Abrego
dismissed at trial
People v. Navarrete
Not Guilty on all charges
People v. Anderson
recalled sentence, released immediately
People v. Garcia
case dismissed
Education
2002
Santa Clara Univ SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
Univ of California Santa Barbara
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2011
Bar Association Meeting
Defending Gang Cases
2009
Ventura County Bar training
Defending Domestic Violence Cases
Publications
2015
Blog
Three Common DUI Mistakes
2015
2014
2006
Local Criminal Defense Lawyer Publication
Having the heart to win cases
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What are the pros and cons of hiring a criminal defense lawyer who charges hourly or a flat rate?
13 Jul 2016
Q&A
Does the restricted driver's license enable me to drive to and from the Work Release program?
20 May 2016
Q&A
Will my case be drop ? GBI & under the influence? Will I be assign for a program ? My charge with a felony first time offense
20 Jan 2016