Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
8 Client Reviews
PRO
Heberto Avila Sala
also known as H.A. Sala
Virtual Consultation Available
About Heberto
Biography
H.A. Sala has been an attorney licensed to practice law in California for 33 years. He has been certified as a legal specialist in Criminal Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California for 20 years, and is presently the only practicioner in Kern County to achieve this distinction.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
30%
Drug Crime
20%
Violent Crime
20%
DUI and DWI
15%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in California for 43 years
State: California
Acquired: 1982
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Heberto online.
Heberto Avila Sala's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Ryan | June 12, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
The very best in Kern County
Hands down the best. I talked to a few in town including Bill Slocomb and I could tell Sala had the most confidence out of any lawyer in town. He was 4x the cost of most but he got me fully acquitted of 5 felonies from marijuana to gun charges. Even got me my money back, my guns back, damn there eve...
Posted by anonymous | May 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent attorney
Mr. Sala was very clear about his plans for my case from the consultation all the way to the eventual dismissal. I was arrested for a 4.5 year old warrant that I was never aware of and Mr. Sala was able to have the case dismissed. Being accused of any crime is very serious and Mr. Sala was 100% focus...
Posted by shawn | May 14, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
best defense lawyer by far
i have attained mr salas services twice n both times came up with exceptional results. on one case i could have been facing 11 years but with his services i got a misdameanor with no time i am very greatful to the hard work he will put into your case to make it right. i would highley recomend him to ...
Posted by anonymous | May 8, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
No Charges Filed
I was threatened by the District Attorney and law enforcement, I was going to be arrested. After retaining Mr. Sala, the pending case was dropped. He was readily available and appeared on my behalf. I would highly recommend Mr. Sala if you are facing criminal charges. He is extremely competent and wi...
Posted by William | August 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Simply the best in the area
Mr. Sala was completely professional in all aspects handling my case. He was aggressive from the very beginning had my private investigator set up and ready to interview literally before I returned with my retainer fee. After I retained his services, he aggressively used his expertise in seeing that...
Heberto Avila Sala's Lawyer Endorsements
"Heberto is a true fighter for his clients. He has the respect of the local judiciary and knows the ins and outs of the Bakersfield Criminal Justice system."
"I have known Mr. Sala for close to 20 years and we have worked together on a number of cases, he's the best of the best."
"I endorse Heberto. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"H.A. Sala is one of the best, if not the best, criminal defense attorneys in Kern County. His client dedication is amazing. The prosecutors in the Kern County DA's office have had a great deal of respect for Mr. Sala for many years. I would know, I was one of them, and I knew every time I faced Mr. Sala in court, I was going to have to work very hard just to keep up with him. Mr. Sala is simply one of the best."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Sala is a very honest, determined and prepared attorney. He is a great lawyer and better human being."
"Mr. Sala is the preeminent criminal defense attorney in Kern County dealing with serious felony matters. A seasoned advocate for his clients, his reputation as a zealous and intelligent attorney is well known by lawyers and judges alike. I would and have recommended Mr. Sala to those accused of crimes."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mr. Sala professionally for most of his career. He is probably the best criminal defense lawyer in Bakersfield. He has an outstanding and well-deserved, reputation in the legal community. I give him my highest endorsement."
"Mr. Sala is one of the finest narcotics defense lawyers in the State. His talents, knowledge and know-how in those cases is unsurpassed. We refer many of callers who have drug related offenses to Mr. Sala. I do so with the utmost of confidence. He is respected by his peers and by the bench as one of the best at what he does."
Craig Thigpen
Criminal defense lawyer
Matthew Ruff
Criminal defense lawyer
Harry Reynolds
Criminal defense lawyer
Kathleen Faulkner
Litigation lawyer
Jeremy Brehmer
Criminal defense lawyer
Richard Middlebrook
DUI and DWI lawyer
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
2016
AV Preeminent Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, Martindale Hubble
2014
Bench and Bar Award, Kern County Bar Association
2014
Favorite Attorney- Bakersfield Life Magazine, Bakersfield Californian
2011
Atticus Finch Award, Kern County Bar Association
1995
Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California
Work Experience
1986 - Present
Criminal Defense Attorney, H.A. Sala, A Professional Law Corporation
1983 - 1986
Deputy Public Defender, Kern County Public Defender's Office
Associations
2011 - Present
Judicial Appointments Evaluation Committee-KCBAChairman
2011 - Present
Oversight Committee, KCBA Indigent Defense ProgramChairman
2011 - Present
Kern County Bar Association Charitable FoundationDirector
2009 - Present
Kern County Court Liaison CommitteeMember
1986 - Present
Kern County Bar AssociationMember
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice- Life Member
Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers-Life Member
Member
2008 - 2010
Kern County Bar AssociationDirector
2004 - 2005
Kern County Bar Association, Criminal Defense SectionPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. U. A.
Acquittal
People v. M. L.
Dismissal
People v. A. Y.
Acquittal
People v. D. B.
Dismissed
People v. D. O.
Dismissed
People v. D. S.
Dismissed
People v. J. C.
Dismissed
People v. J. S.
Dismissed
People v. J. K.
Community Service
People v. J. Y.
Education
1981
University of California Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
University of California Davis
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
Conducting Effective Preliminary Hearings
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
Litigating Unlawful Detentions
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
Opening Statements, Cross-Examination & Closing Argument
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
Ethics and Fair Administration of Justice
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
DSL Sentencing after Cunningham
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
Preparing Effective Cross Examination
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
Litigation of Motions to Traverse and Quash Search Warrants
N/A
Continuing Legal Education
Crawford v. Washington:The Resurrection of the Right to Confrontation
Languages
Spanish
English