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Jacqueline Belen Goodman
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About Jacqueline
Biography
Attorney Goodman is a criminal defense lawyer based in Orange County, California. She is admitted to the United States Supreme Court and is named on the Wall of Recognition at the NationalConstitutionCenter in Philadelphia. She was the founding president of the North Orange County Bar Association, and has been a featured speaker at law schools including NYU Law, UCLA Law and Chapman Law. She has been a guest lecturer on legal issues at BrownUniversity and Occidental, among others, and is a regularly featured speaker for the National Lawyer's Guild. She recently debated the District Attorney of OrangeCounty, Tony Rackauckas with moderator, Constitutional scholar and Dean of UCI Law, Erwin Chemerinsky.
Ms. Goodman has appeared on radio and television in Southern California and across the nation. As a trial attorney in private practice in Fullerton for over 17 years, Goodman has also worked closely with charitable organizations for the last decade, and has written and developed a curriculum for advocates for persons with Developmental Disabilities. Her cases are often notorious, including the murder of MLB's Angel's pitcher, Nick Adenhart and the currently pending murder case against a woman for throwing her disabled baby off the roof of CHOCHospital. She defended the Muslim students in the free speech case known as the "Irvine 11," she has represented defendants in other notable First Amendment cases, including journalists arrested in the OCCUPY LA raid, and the so-called "glitter bombers." She has
a golden retriever named Shamus.
Sometimes Bad Things Happen To Good People. Call an experienced criminal defense attorney who cares.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
60%
Sex Crime
40%
Fees and Rates
Awards
2012 2011 2010
Licenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 12 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 31 years
State: California
Acquired: 1994
No misconduct found
Location
The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman
712 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA, 92832
californiadefenselawyer.net/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Jacqueline online.
Jacqueline Belen Goodman's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 34 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Erlinda | September 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
"The Attorney Who Truly Fights for You"
I am deeply grateful to Attorney Jacqueline Goodman for her extraordinary dedication, compassion, and expertise in handling my son’s very serious case. When I had lost all hope, she fought tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome, proving her commitment not only as a skilled attorney but as so...
Posted by anonymous | July 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great help!
Ms. Goodman and her office were extremely helpful in getting a friend of mine’s case dismissed. They were knowledgeable and efficient in this matter. They handled things for my friend and let him take care of himself.
Posted by Matthew | April 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Thank you Mrs. Goodman
I honestly don’t know where I would be without Mrs. Goodman. From the very beginning, she believed in me and never stopped fighting for me, even when things felt overwhelming. She was relentless in defending me and made sure my voice was heard. Every time I had doubts or fear, she was right there — p...
Posted by anonymous | June 7, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Grateful for Jacqueline
I was going through a very difficult time last December (2023) when i was mandated to be on house arrest while i had an open felony charge against me. The last thing i ever thought id be doing is looking for a lawyer or being in that mess specially during the holidays. I searched everyday for someon...
Posted by Pam | December 15, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
When only the best will do!
Jacqueline gave us our lives back and we will be forever indebted to her! My loved one was looking at an attempted murder charge in addition to five others and several years in prison. It is clear that Jacqueline is respected by her colleagues and the judges and is the ultimate professional! She know...
Jacqueline Belen Goodman's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have know Jacqueline for over twenty years. As a prosecutor for the DA's office I have worked with her on many matters. Now, as a defense attorney she is the first person I go to when I need a second opinion on a case. She is talented, intelligent, and she truly cares about her clients."
"I've known Ms. Goodman for years and I have to say she is one of the brightest, most resourceful and creative attorneys I've ever met. Her clients seem to love her and she is well respected by prosecutors, judges, and fellow members of the defense bar. Ms. Goodman is not only an excellent attorney but also a great person who would go out of her way to help friend and stranger alike. Overall, I cannot say enough good things about Ms. Goodman."
"As a prosecutor in Southern California for twenty years, I handled numerous cases with Ms. Goodman. She is blessed with the uncanny ability to be both admired and feared by the prosecution team on every case she defends. Ms. Goodman's court room skills are unparalleled and her defense strategies are are ridiculously successful. You cannot go wrong in retaining the services of Ms. Goodman for your criminal defense."
"20 years of criminal defense practice is what we call experienced. Not just an average attorney but an instructor to and mentor to attorneys. Knowledge of criminal law and procedure is at the highest level. Client reviews are stellar and they adore her. READ THEM! Do yourself a favor and schedule a consultation, than hire her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jacqueline is diligent, hard working attorney that knows the law and how to maneuver through the courts to get the best results for her clients. She is committed to delivering for her clients."
"Small in stature, big in WINS! Jacqueline knows her way around a courtroom and is not afraid of the big fight. She is humble and genuine yet with a big smile and laugh. If you are looking for an excellent criminal defense lawyer who is super intelligent and super compassionate about the law, Jacqueline is the one."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Jacqueline is an all-star. Just today I heard a client of her's in the elevator thanking the Lord that she was his attorney. He was right."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I can endorse Ms. Goodman without hesitation. Her reputation as the definition of zealous advocacy on behalf of her clients is well known. I know she takes her cases to heart and strives for the best - with impressive results."
"I have known Jacqueline Goodman for approximately 16 years. She is a passionate advocate for her clients. She will always go the extra mile for her clients. I am happy to endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Goodman for over 8 years. Her knowledge of the courts and criminal law is unparalleled. You rarely see someone so passionate about her clients and upholding their rights. She is truly one of a kind."
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Goodman for many years and have had the opportunity to see her work in court. She is passionate about her work and is eager to help her clients. She is unafraid of taking on tough challenges. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I endorse this lawyer. Jacqueline is an aggressive advocate for her clients and experienced trial attorney"
"I have worked with Ms. Goodman and find her to be one of the most tenacious lawyers in the business. She is very knowledgeable and respected in the legal community. I would highly recommend her to anyone that is in need of a criminal defense attorney."
"I had the pleasure of working with Jacquie on a 10 codefendant criminal/free speech trial in Orange County. She is an excellent advocate who really fights for her clients and sincerely invests all her time and energy to do everything that is ethically permissible to win the case. I would highly recommend Jacquie as one of the most zealous advocates I know."
"Jacquie Goodman is a top criminal defense attorney, and a leader in the Southern California legal community. Although she is frequently seen in the media handling high profile cases, she is also very down to earth. She is a passionate lawyer, and her clients always come first - she will fight tooth and nail for them. If you hire Jacquie to be your lawyer, rest assured you're case will get the attention it deserves."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Working with Jacquie Goodman is a total joy. She is smart and always prepared. You can see the courtroom how much she puts into each case . Her clients are truly blessed"
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Skip Glenn Award (Lawyer of the Year), California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
2011
Lawyer of the Year, North Orange County Bar Association
Work Experience
2007 - Present
Of Counsel, GetSafeUSA, Inc.
2002 - Present
Attorney, California State University Fullerton
1994 - Present
Principal Attorney, Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman
Associations
2013 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal JusticeBoard of Governors
2009 - Present
Orange County Criminal Defense Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2008 - Present
North Orange County Bar AssociationFounding Member
2008 - Present
North Orange County Bar AssociationPast President
2006 - Present
Southern Poverty Law CenterMember
1992 - Present
American Civil Liberties UnionAttorney Member
1992 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. Uriostxxx
NOT GUILTY
People vs. Gallo
Convicted- On appeal
People v. Colexxx
NOT GUILTY
Education
1992
Western State University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
California State University, Long Beach
Speaking Engagements
2012
UCI Law School - Forum on First Amendment
The Irvine 11 - Free Speech and Crime
2012
NLG Annual Convention
Free Speech and Student Protest
2012
Debate w OCDA Rackauckas w Irwin Chemerinsky
Prosecutorial Discretion
2011
UCLA LAW SCHOOL: Free Speech on Campus
The Irvine 11 - Free Speech and Crime
2010
CA DUI Lawyers Assoc: Handling The High-Profile Case
Handling The High-Profile Case
Publications
2009
GetSafe USA, Inc.
Advocating for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is it possible to get less than 25-life for first degree murder in California?
06 Feb 2022
Q&A
Attempted murder with a deadly weapon ?
30 Jan 2020
Q&A
What im i facing for violation pc484(a)/pc490.5(a) this is my first affence, i have no priors.
30 Aug 2013