Tracey Rangel Cruz

I recently hired Tracey Cruz to represent me in a DUI case. The CHP arrested me while I was parked in an empty parking lot on an early Sunday evening. The Officer drove up next to my window and told me he was investigating a report of a stolen vehicle in the area and noticed that I was not parked be...tween the marked parking spaces! Tracey went out of her way to get the CHP video, the Dispatch tapes and I met her in the Parking lot to film a defense video showing the clearly unmarked parking spaces where I was contacted. Tracey went to the prosecuting attorney with all of the information. She was also able to show the Officers probable cause was sketchy at best. The BOL for the stolen car was a red older model truck. I was parked in a newer Black SUV. Tracey also discovered the CHP dispatch canceled the BOL approximately 5 minutes before contacting me. Tracey went to the Prosecutor with the information and the prosecuting DA offered an agreeable settlement! Tracey really took a personal interest in my case and went out of her way to save me a lot of money and headaches!

I first et Tracy in 2010, needing a lawyer to help me out with my divorce. At the time I was looking for legal advice and she told me everything I needed to do. Shortly after that my ex-wife continued to accuse me of some pretty awful things that had to do with my children so I asked her what my opti...ons were. She didn't hesitate to help me. During that time I was only seeking advice. It wasn't until 2011 that I called Tracy back to let her know that my was dragging her feet with the divorce and I just needed it over as soon as possible. Tracy didn't waste anytime. When I said "as soon as possible" she took that to heart and less than a month later my divorce was final. Over a year and a half later while on my second deployment I found out my ex-wife had been doing some pretty unimaginable things and putting my children in the middle of it. We talked about the case on a weekly basis for about 2 months. One day Tracy called me and said "Shawn I want more than anything for you to win this case, but because I'm based out of Santa Barbara and the judge you it will be hard because he doesn't really care for Santa Barbara lawyers". Let's stop there for a second. (1)Tracy thought enough of me and my kids that she would refer to a local lawyer. (2) That took money out of her pocket and put it in someone elses. (That's pretty SELFLESS if you ask me). Tracy then asked me if I would be ok with her drafting all the paperwork up for my new lawyer, of course I told her yes. The hours she spent working on my case by herself aswell as assisting my new lawyer was awesome. Because of the paperwork she drafted up and the countless hours she put in I now a single FATHER have 100% custody of my children. Tracy was there for me anytime I needed anything and when I hadn't spoken to her in over a year and a half she remembered everything about me my children and my case. When you hire Tracy you aren't just getting a lawyer you are getting someone who truly loves their job and someone who take every case personally and to heart. I would 100% recommend her to anyone.

I have worked with Tracey through a contentious child custody divorce proceeding. She has remained steadfast in attention, knowledge and truly concerned in what goes on with me and my child's life. After firing my first attorney, who was inept, I went to court with her and as a team we prevailed ...so that I was able to become an equal parent in what had appeared to be a lopsided victory before I took action and replaced my first attorney. An attorney is someone that works for you, but you must make some hard decisions and give them guidance. Some people don't get that, especially if it is your first run in the legal/court world. I believe that while she gave me sound advice she never directed me to settle for anything less than I truly wanted which was to be an equal parent. She is a former DA and a parent. Very savvy in the court room.