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Jon Martin Pettis

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Avvo Rating8.8
  • San Diego, CA
  • Licensed for 25 years
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About Jon

I grew up knowing I was going to be a defense attorney.  I never conceived of any other profession.  Once  I started practicing criminal defense, I found that while any lawyer will take a DUI case, few had dedicated the time and effort to learning the science well enough to look for possible defenses in almost any case.  Instead, they just got good at telling their clients they needed to plead guilty without thouroghly evaluating the case.  I do my best to never let that happen with my clients' cases.

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Practice areas

DUI and DWI
  1. DUI and DWI: 100%

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

352280 1334272669

Contact

591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 1125
San Diego, CA, 92108

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      CAActive199611/09/2021
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers339
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Moot Court Award WinnerUCLA School of Law1994
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Chief Trial CounselLaw Office of Jon M. Pettis1996 - 2012
      InternSan Diego Public Defenders Office1995 - 1996
      InternNorthern California Legal Services1994 - 1994
      InternUCLA Student Legal Services1992 - 1993
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      National College of DUI DefenseMemeber2005 - Present
      National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember2003 - 2008
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      DS Criminal Law Group Web SiteDS Criminal Law Group2011
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      UCLA School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1995
      Univ of California Santa Cruzundergraduate1992
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      DUI Defense AmmunitionDUI Science and Strategies2012
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      People v. Kyle M.One case was dismissed and the second plead to a wet reckless.
      People v. Alan F.The weapons charge was dismissed. Client plead to being a public nuisance which will be dismissed in 18 months and a wet reckless.
      People v. John W.Case dismissed.
      People v. Cleaveland N.Not guilty.
      People v. Victor B.Probation and no jail time.
      See all Legal Cases

      Reviews

      (3)3.5 stars
      5 Star
      		67%
      4 Star
      		0%
      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
      		0%
      1 Star
      		33%
      Review Jon Pettis

      greatest dui lawyer

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      I was facing my third DUI in four years. I was sure I was going to jail for a long time. I hired Jon and he found flaws in the police conduct that led to the case being dismissed. He saved my job, my family and almost my life. Thanks!

      incredible lawyer

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      I was facing my third DUI in four years. I was sure I was foing to jail for a long time. Jon poured over the police reports and found a way to challenge the arrest and got all the evidence suppressed. The case was dismised and he saved my job, my family and almost my life. Thank you!

      Better of with a public defender

      1.0 star

      Posted by

      I retained Jon for my first (and only) DUI back in 2010. It was clear there was nothing outside of the standard arraignment he could do, but I had an important meeting on the day of my court date, so I figured, at the very least he could appear on my behalf. At the time of hiring his services, he was at a pretty well-known legal firm and a week after paying cash for his services, he let me know they went out of business and he would be working from home. Not a big deal considering he assured me everything would be handled properly. Days before my court date and on my actual court date, there was no communication despite leaving him voicemails for a call-back. I just had a gut feeling something was wrong, so I happened to checked the San Diego warrant site and my name appeared. I called him immediately to which he replied that he got court cases mixed up and failed to show. He did request the bench warrant to be revoked successfully, but created undue stress (and he was not cheap). I met him on the re-scheduled court date to make sure he would appear. After signing some documents, I had to ask what my probation details were (you'd figure he'd offer that without asking). I made sure he went through security and went home. I honestly feel I would have received the same stipulations of the DUI arrest with a public defender, minus the bench warrant for failure to appear and high cost tag. Regardless of it being over 10 years since I had to deal with Jon, I will never forget his unprofessionalism. Go elsewhere with your money.
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      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Attorney endorsements

      (163)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
      Lawyer Robert Mckinley Carter

      Robert Carter, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 16, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Pettis is a great lawyer and wonderful human being. When it comes to DUI & DWI law, he is my go to guy.

      Lawyer Hector Jesus Tamayo

      Hector Tamayo, DUI and DWI Attorney on Aug 24, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Few if any possess the knowledge and skill set needed to tenaciously defend a DUI that Jon Pettis has He is a skilled negotiator and aggressive trial attorney. His knowledge of the science and intricacies of DUI cases are second to none.

      Lawyer Robert Mckinley Carter

      Robert Carter, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 16, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Pettis is a great lawyer and wonderful human being. When it comes to DUI & DWI law, he is my go to guy.

      Lawyer Hector Jesus Tamayo

      Hector Tamayo, DUI and DWI Attorney on Aug 24, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Few if any possess the knowledge and skill set needed to tenaciously defend a DUI that Jon Pettis has He is a skilled negotiator and aggressive trial attorney. His knowledge of the science and intricacies of DUI cases are second to none.

      Lawyer Mark V. Clay

      Mark Clay, DUI and DWI Attorney on Aug 21, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I highly endorse Mr. Pettis. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who gets great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact him first.

      Lawyer D. Michael Phillips

      D. Michael Phillips, DUI and DWI Attorney on May 20, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. If you have a family member who is facing a DUI charge, you can't go wrong with Mr. Pettis. With a practice focused on DUI defense, he shows his committment to his clients to get the best result possible.

      Lawyer Jill L Rogers

      Jill Rogers, Unknown Attorney on Apr 3, 2015
      Relationship: Other

      I endorse this lawyer for always putting the clients needs first.

      Lawyer Mark Issa Murad

      Mark Murad, Unknown Attorney on Feb 26, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Guy D Levy

      Guy Levy, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 30, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Corey Wlodarczyk

      Corey Wlodarczyk, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 28, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Jon is one of the most knowledgeable DUI attorneys I have ever met. One of the first people I go to when I seek advice, and for good reason. He will aggressively advocate for all of his clients using his wealth of experience and knowledge.

      Lawyer Sharon Marie Anderson

      Sharon Anderson, Unknown Attorney on Nov 24, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Douglas MacMillan Borthwick

      Douglas Borthwick, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 10, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer James Charles Shields

      James Shields, DUI and DWI Attorney on Aug 21, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer with no reservation. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community. Very hardworking and diligent. Consistently achieves superior results. Advice is always practical and on point. I recommend to anyone looking for an attorney who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of clients and achieving the most favorable result possible.I endorse this lawyer.I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Zaki Muhammad Ali

      Zaki Ali, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 17, 2014
      Relationship: Other

      Jon is a talented and skilled lawyer. A true advocate for his clients. I endorse this lawyer.I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Sean Cleary

      Sean Cleary, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 11, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community.

      Lawyer John Joseph VanDervoort

      John VanDervoort, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 6, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Jon has more endorsements from fellow lawyers than any other lawyer I know. Ive been a dui lawyer 42 years and he IS one of the finest and I recommend him.

      No photo

      Daryl Thompson, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 4, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Martin Schmidt

      Martin Schmidt, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 1, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Jon is a highly experienced DUi attorney who is not afraid to take on even the toughest DUI cases. I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer James Nelson Dicks

      James Dicks, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 29, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      This attorney works very hard for the clients and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney.

      Lawyer David Joel Shrager

      David Shrager, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 28, 2013
      Relationship: Other

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Bryce A. Fetter

      Bryce Fetter, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jul 28, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Lawyer Fadi N. Minawi

      Fadi Minawi, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 26, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Mr. Pettis has assisted clients of mine with their DWI cases in California with excellent results. I endorse this lawyer.

      Cost

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