Craig S Orent
Open for Business- Phoenix, AZ
- Licensed for 34 years
Questions answered by Craig Orent
About Craig
Aggressive, Passionate Criminal Defense Lawyer, and Certified Criminal Law Specialist with Over 30 Years of ExperienceExperienced, Aggressive, Passionate Criminal Defense ◆Certified Criminal Law Specialist◆(30 yrs)
Craig has a proven track record of success having not-guilty verdict results in high-profile cases involving first-degree murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, aggravated assault.
Practice areas
- Criminal defense: 30%
Craig Orent has been aggressively and pasionately defending adult and juvenile criminal cases for 29 years, ranging from traffic matters to capital murder cases.
35 years
- Domestic violence: 24%
35 years
- DUI and DWI: 22%
35 years
- Violent crime: 22%
35 years
- Speeding and traffic ticket: 2%
Languages spoken
Spanish
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating 
Client's Choice 2018Client's Choice 2017Client's Choice 2016Client's Choice 2015Client's Choice 2014
Top Contributor 2014Client's Choice 2013Top Contributor 2013Client's Choice 2012Top Contributor 2012Client's Choice 2011Contact
Orent Law Offices, PLC
11811 N Tatum Blvd, Suite 3031
Phoenix, AZ, 85028
- Office (480) 656-7301
- Office (866) 749-6815
7272 E. Indian School Road, Suite 540,
Scottsdale, AZ
1910 S. Stapley Drive, Suite 221
Mesa, AZ
16165 North 83rd Avenue, Suite 200
Peoria, AZ
3100 West Ray Road
Chandler, AZ, 85226
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZ | Active | 1994 | 09/18/2022 |
| MA | Retired | 1988 | 09/19/2022 |
| CA | Active | 1987 | 08/08/2022 |
| Legal answers | 1413 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow of the American Bar Foundation | Fellows of the American Bar Foundation (ABF) | 2017 |
| Invited to be Lifetime Charter Member | Rue Ratings Best Attorneys of America | 2015 |
| The Nation's Top One Percent Attorneys | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2015 |
| "10 Best" DUI Attorneys in Arizona | American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys | 2015 |
| Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers | American Society of Legal Advocates | 2015 |
| "10 Best" Criminal Defense Attorneys in Arizona | American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys | 2015 |
| Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers | The American Society of Legal Advocates | 2014 |
| Nationally Ranked Superior DUI Attorney | The National Advocacy for DUI Defense | 2014 |
| "10 Best" DUI Attorneys in Arizona | American Institute of DUI Attorneys | 2014 |
| Arizona's Finest Lawyers | Arizona's Finest Lawyers | 2014 |
| Top Lawyer, North Valley | North Valley Magazine | 2014 |
| Nominated, Invited Membership | Worldwide Registry | 2014 |
| Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys - Arizona | The National Academy Of Criminal Defense Attorneys | 2014 |
| Clients Choice Award- Criminal Defense | Avvo | 2013 |
| Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America | The American Trial Lawyers Association | 2013 |
| Board Certified Specialist - Criminal | State Bar of Arizona | 2013 |
| Top Lawyer, North Valley | North Valley Magazine | 2013 |
| Top Lawyer, East Valley | East Valley Magazine | 2013 |
| AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
| Clients Choice Award- Criminal Defense | Avvo | 2012 |
| Top Lawyer, North Valley | North Valley Magazine | 2012 |
| Arizona's Top Rated Lawyers | Law.com (ELM) | 2012 |
| American Jurisprudence Award (AmJur) - Civil Procedure | Lawyers Cooperative Publishing (Thomson Corporation) | 1986 |
| American Jurisprudence Award (AmJur) - Conflict of Laws | Lawyers Cooperative Publishing (Thomson Corporation) | 1986 |
| National Criminal Justice Honor Society | Alpha Phi Sigma | 1985 |
| Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges | Randall Reilly Publishing | 1984 |
| Model United Nations Security Council at Duquesne University | Roger Williams College Faculty | 1983 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | Orent Law Offices, PLC | 2011 - Present |
| Criminal Defense Lawyer | Various | 1987 - 2011 |
| Trial Prosecutor (Int) | Riverside County District Attorney's Office | 1987 - 1987 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fellows of the American Bar Foundation (ABF | Fellow | 2017 - Present |
| Arizona's Finest Lawyer | Invited/nominated Sustaining Member | 2014 - Present |
| National Trial Lawyers Association | Invited Member | 2013 - Present |
| American Bar Association | Admitted | 2013 - Present |
| The National Advocacy for DUI Defense, LLC | Invited Member | 2013 - Present |
| American Society of Legal Advocates | Invited Member | 2013 - Present |
| National College of DUI Defense | Admitted | 2012 - Present |
| United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit | Admitted | 2000 - Present |
| Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice | Former Board of Director | 1991 - Present |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1991 - Present |
| United States District Court, Arizona | Admitted | 1991 - Present |
| United States District Court, Massachusetts | Admitted | 1987 - Present |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Liberty Legend, National Association of Federal Defenders | The Sooner the Better: Jencks Material of Hearsay Declarants in Pretrial Hearings | 2003 |
| The Defender, Arizona Attorneys For Criminal Justice | Beware Of Unknown Court Policies: What You Don't Know About Ex Parte Communications Between Judge and Jury Can Hurt You | 2000 |
| The Defense, Maricopa County Public Defender's Office | Beware Of Unknown Court Policies: What You Don't Know About Ex Parte Communications Between Judge and Jury Can Hurt You | 2000 |
| The Defender, Arizona Attorneys For Criminal Justice | The Victims Bill of Rights- An Equal Protection Problem? | 1997 |
| The Defense, Maricopa County Public Defender's Office | The Victims Bill of Rights- An Equal Protection Problem? | 1997 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA & IACP; sponsored byRobert LaPier & Associates | DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing | 2013 |
| National College of DUI Defense | 20th Annual Mastering Scientific Evidence in DWI/DUI Cases | 2013 |
| National Criminal Defense College (NCDC) | Jury Trial Training (2 weeks) | 1995 |
| Public Defender Trial Academy, School of Advocacy | Jury trial college (2 weeks) | 1991 |
| University of San Diego School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1987 |
| Roger Williams University | BS - Bachelor of Science (magna cum laude) | 1984 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| CJA/FPD seminar | An Ethics Roundtable Discussion | 2007 |
| National Seminar for Federal Defenders | Federal Victims Rights: Dormant No More? | 2005 |
| Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice Annual Meeting | Issues in Victims Rights: Challenges to Victims Rights Laws | 2004 |
| CJA/FPD Seminar (Tucson) | Stones in Our Pathways: Handling Capital Habeas Cases in the District of Arizona,Victims Rights | 2003 |
| CJA/FPD Seminar (Phoenix) | Stones in Our Pathways: Handling Capital Habeas Cases in the District of Arizona,Victims Rights | 2003 |
| Annual Capital Defense Seminar | Victim's Rights & The Defense | 2001 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| State v. SA | Dismissed on day of trial as Jury arriving |
| State v. SL | Dismissed a few weeks before trial |
| State v. NR | Case dismissed just before trial after 3 years of litigation |
| State v. OP | Dismissed on day of trial as Jury arriving |
| State v. JK | Drug Charge Dismissed; Alcohol Charge Not Guilty at trial. |
Responsive, straight-forward, and very helpful
5.0 stars
Posted by B
July 14, 2021
CASE DISMISSED! Contempt of Court / DV Charge Dismissed
5.0 stars
Posted by Alex
December 23, 2020
Could not hope for a better advocate
5.0 stars
Posted by Craig
September 25, 2019
Best lawyer, fight persistently with experience, strategy and wisdom, and trustworthy, saved me from criminal speeding charge
5.0 stars
Posted by Ping
September 20, 2019
As expert as one could hope for in the criminal defense arena
5.0 stars
Posted by JS
April 16, 2019
THE BEST!
5.0 stars
Posted by Michael
January 25, 2019
"So thankful and grateful for his experience and knowledge"
5.0 stars
Posted by Philip
December 2, 2018
Domestic Violence
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
June 24, 2018
DUI Victory
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
June 14, 2018
Good choice
5.0 stars
Posted by T.C.
June 13, 2018
Attorney endorsements
(33)
Douglas Borthwick, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Dmitriy Shakhnevich, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 28, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Peter Marek, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 2, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
27 years of criminal practice with client reviews that most lawyers dream of is just part of his legal legacy. Read the reviews. He has an additional advantage over most attorneys as a former prosecutor. " They know that he knows what they know ". Do yourself a favor if you are in or near Phoenix and schedule a consultation, I would.
Hovanes Margarian, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 17, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Ryan McPhie, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Orent is a smart and hard-working lawyer on behalf of his clients. His clients can be confident that he knows what he is doing and will take the time to work for the best result.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on May 22, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Craig. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
John O'Brien, Criminal defense Attorney on May 1, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community.
John Phillips, Unknown Attorney on Dec 16, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Lawyers who serve the avvo community as much as Mr. Orent are few and far between. It takes passion, concern and dedication to devote so much time. You have my endorsement and kudos.
Isaac Blumberg, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 16, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mr. Orent is a fearless advocate and dedicated to his clients. He is experienced and trained in the most recent legal developments. I would strongly recommend consulting him if facing criminal charges in Phoenix.
Jay Nunez, Domestic violence Attorney on Oct 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jonathan Millet, DUI and DWI Attorney on Sep 20, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Part of my practice is municipal prosecution of misdemeanors in a town in Yavapai County, including DUIs. Mr. Orent's advice is spot on; as shown by the answers to the legal questions he has posted, he takes the time to answer questions in a common sense manner and addresses business needs and legal issues. I endorse this lawyer.
Christopher Leroi, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Excellent attorney. Mr. Orent continues to provide valuable advice on Avvo each time that he responds to a question. Although I have been licensed and practicing for 24 years, including time spent as a judge and magistrate, I continually learn from his answers about different aspects of the law. I would recommend him to everyone.
Noah Fardo, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 27, 2013
Relationship: Other
Mr. Orent's Avvo answers demonstrate his expansive and well versed understanding of the law.
Peggy Raddatz, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Attorney Orent is held in high esteem by his clients and his colleagues. He has the experience and expertise to handle even the most difficult cases and win. He generously gives of his time to answer questions on Avvo.com. I endorse and highly recommend Attorney Orent.
Herbert Ellis, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 30, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Eric Stepanov, Unknown Attorney on Dec 12, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I sincerely endorse Attorney Orent. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level.
Gary Kester, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 23, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Orent is a superior attorney that zealously represents his clients and I am honored to endorse.
Gregg Stark, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 17, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Samuel Spital, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 6, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I know Craig has impeccable qualifications and is a leading criminal defense attorney. He is highly regarded by other lawyers, has over two decades of experience in countless trials, and has handled a variety of criminal cases on behalf of hundreds of clients. I endorse Craig Orent for DUI and criminal defense.
Ty Hyderally, Criminal defense Attorney on May 25, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.