Maribel Penaloza

I have over 10 years of experience in criminal defense and have represented thousands of people in Monterey County's Criminal Court.  I am bilingual (Spanish) and bicultural,  and have a unique appreciation of the needs of those who find themselves in criminal court.  I have earned the trust and respect of Deputy District Attorneys and Judges alike. I have the compassion, commitment and skill to get justice for my clients.

I earned my Bachelor's Degree from Princeton University then returned to this community to graduate first in my class from Monterey College of Law.  I spent the fist 10 years of my legal career working with the Public Defender's Office, where I effectively handled everything from misdemeanor DUI to cases alleging strike offenses, like robbery and gangs.  Now in private practice, my commmitment to my clients remains the same:  to get them through one of the hardest times in their lives with dignity, integrity and effective litigation to get the best results.