Established in 1972, under the leadership of Marlin G. Stapleton, Sr., a former California Highway Patrol Sergeant and Judge Pro-tem in the Orange County Family Law Court, Stapleton & Stapleton carved out a reputation as the leading firm of its kind in California.
Joined in 1983 by Marlin G. Stapleton, Jr., Stapleton & Stapleton's highly regarded expertise expanded from family law and personal injury to include the handling of complex criminal cases.
Since his father's passing in 2004, Marlin G. Stapleton Jr. has continued to carry on the firm's tradition of superior and ethical legal representation as a sole practioner dedicated exclusively to criminal defense. In his nearly 30 years experience as a criminal defense trial attorney, he has handled numerous high profile cases here in Southern California and is widely recognized by both the courts and his peers as one of the top defense attorneys in Orange County.
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Practice Area
42 years | 5,000 cases
Always
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 1983
No misconduct found
17581 Irvine Blvd, Suite 100, Tustin, CA, 92780
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by WH | September 3, 2021 | Hired Attorney
I write this letter of deep appreciation and high recommendation for Marlin Stapleton, Jr.! Not only is Marlin an outstanding criminal defense attorney, but he is also well-respected and admired in the Orange County courts, has a larger-than-life personality, and has an unusually big heart! My so...
Posted by anonymous | July 13, 2019 | Hired Attorney
I am thankful and grateful to Mr. Stapleton for representing my special needs adult son who was put on a restraining order by the courts and subject to criminal prosecution and/or placement in an institution. Although, we believed the case had no merits, we were faced with a seemingly insurmountabl...
Posted by Mike | June 8, 2015
Marlin Stapleton Jr. is a great attorney and one of the finest people I have ever met. The first lawyer we hired was not able to negotiate any favorable results for my son. My son was charged with four felonies (DUI and hit and run) and was facing 4 to 5 years in prison. We were facing a situation th...
Posted by anonymous | June 2, 2015
Mr. Stapleton is a professional, ethical, dedicated attorney. I was so very fortunate to have such a well respected, caring, and brilliant attorney. He is a miracle worker, I will never forget the day he advised me that all 887 charges against me were dropped. He saved my life , he is one in a m...
Posted by anonymous | September 23, 2009
Mr. Stapleton is the finest attorney I have ever met. Every one at the court knew him and held him in the highest regard. Very trustworthy and exstremely ethical. I can not believe the deal he got for me.
"I endorse this lawyer. Marlin Stapleton is one of the most experienced and capable lawyers in Orange County. I would highly recommend him."
"Marlin is a great lawyer. I have been associated with him on multiple cases. He cares about his clients and is always prepared. I recommend him highly to anyone who needs representation."
"Marlin Stapleton is one of the finest criminal trial lawyers that I know. He cares about his clients, he fights for his clients, and he is respected in the community not only for his skilled trial work but also for his terrific results. I couldn't say it any better than this - I would trust him with the future of my own family members."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Mr. Stapleton on numerous matters, including a death penalty case and several murder cases. He is thoroughly prepared and professional. He is very aggressive and zealously defends his clients, but he is also ethical and honest. He is a truly great advocate and always has the best interest of his clients in mind. I would not hesitate to send a loved one that was in trouble to Mr. Stapleton."
"Marlin has tried more cases to verdict than any other lawyer I know. The results he has attained in the murder cases and death penalty cases he has tried are nothing short of incredible. Marlin's courtroom skills, intelligence and experience allow him to continually achieve impressive results for his clients. I highly recommend Marlin."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Marlin Stapleton is a superior lawyer, highly experienced in complex criminal cases. Very intelligent and knowledgeable, with great legal skills, I strongly endorse him."
Family lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2011
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2010
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2009
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers
2008
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2007
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2007
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2006
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2006
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2004
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2004
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2002
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
Preeminent Lawyer, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
2004 - Present
Managing Partner, Law Offices of Marlin G. Stapleton, Jr.
1983 - 2004
Partner, Stapleton & Stapleton
1983 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
Member
Member
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Member
Case Dismissed
Found Not Guilty by Jury
Conviction Overturned; New Trial Granted
Reduced Sentence and Probation
Found Not Guilty by Jury
Found Not Guilty by Jury
Case Dismissed pursuant to Defense Motion
Found Not Guilty by Jury
Case Dismissed
No Charges Filed
1983
JD - Juris Doctor
1982
BS - Bachelor of Science
1979
A.A.
N/A
1995
N/A
Expert Witness on Effective Assistance of Counsel
N/A
Consultant on Effective Assistance of Counsel
N/A
Expert Witness on Effective Assistance of Counsel
2008
2005
Spanish