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Mr. Morales has been in private practice since 1991 and has successfully defended thousands of clients accused of breaking the law. He practices criminal defense in all counties in California, handling misdemeanors, felonies and juvenile cases. Throughout his years as a criminal defense attorney Mr. Morales has been interviewed numerous times on television while defending high-profile clients and was an expert commentator for Fox News on the Scott Peterson murder trial. He also has been quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as well as the San Jose Mercury News and other newspapers.
Chris is an aggressive trial attorney who tries all types of cases including: DUI's, sexual assault, child molestation, three strikes cases, possession of drugs, assault, murder cases and all types of white collar crimes. He handles the toughest cases and has won the respect of judges and prosecutors alike for his tenacious and intelligent defense of his clients.
1
Practice Area
34 years | 10,000 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
State: California
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Fax
1388 Sutter Street, Ste. 805, San Francisco, CA, 94109
sfcriminallawspecialist.com
Other places you can find Christopher online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 37 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Narsis | February 6, 2020 | Consulted Attorney
If you’re looking for a trusted and experienced criminal attorney in the Bay Area Mr. Morales is the one. I had a Great experience with him , he’s a great attorney and good human being. He is beyond helpful. I highly recommend his services to anyone in need. Thank you Mr. Morales!
Thank you!
Posted by Azael | August 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney
I am on Luisiana, and He did a perfect job, with my case in San Francisco I really appreciate your work thanks for help me
Posted by Omari | October 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Mr. Morales has received these stellar reviews for good reason. As many have said, he is exceptional at what he does, which I came to find out after my first true engagement with the justice department and legal system. Given the specifics of this case I wasn't very optimistic of the outcome. Mr. Mo...
Posted by anonymous | July 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney
I hired Mr. Morales to handle my case. He answered all my questions clearly and addressed all my concerns. Chris was courteous, experienced, knowledgeable and never condecending. My case was dismissed. I was very relieved I did not have to go through the stress of a trial. Thanks Chris.
Posted by Rita O. | July 6, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Mr.Morales's understanding of the law and his ability to communicate with our family and all the players in the courtroom was pure proffessional truly appreciated. We were in great need of someone who could speak on our families behalf .Our first attorney did nothing of such. Mr.Morales is confide...
"Christopher Morales is a highly regarded, expert criminal defense attorney. He treats his clients with dignity and respect, and educates them so they understand and make informed decisions about their cases. I am an immigration attorney and regularly - and highly - recommend Christopher to people in any stage of the criminal process, because he is extremely diligent, knowledgable and effective."
"Mr. Morales is a real lawyer, he is not afraid to force the prosecution to prove their case. Unlike other lawyers who are "dirty letter writers" he is a trial attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with some of the greatest white collar crime attorneys in my time as an attorney, and I am more than happy to endorse Chris as one of them. What distinguishes him is not only his knowledge, but his personal attention to his clients' needs. As an individual, I have rarely met someone with this type of work ethic. I endorse Chris with absolutely no reserve!"
"Attorney Chris Morales is Committed & Experienced and will fight for his client unlike many other criminal defense attorneys. Anyone faced with a criminal charge should not hesitate in hiring Mr. Morales and his legal team. Mr. Morales is a legal expert in criminal defense and in helping clients with the most challenging charges get the best outcome possible. Trial does not scare Mr. Morales as his boxing background has built a "no fear" mentality and approach to his client's cases which is why Chris has such a stellar track record in his defense of his clients. I have referred clients to Chris and urge you to hire Chris. If faced with a criminal charge you want the best criminal defense attorney from the start to get you the results that your case and life depends on."
"I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Chris is an experienced criminal defense specialist who fights tirelessly for his clients. He has an outstanding reputation in the Bay Area and is deeply committed to providing the best legal defense for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've been in practice for nearly twenty years now and can confidently recommend Chris to anyone needing defense in a white collar or other criminal defense matter. Chris is a fighter, as his pose suggests. He's a consummate professional who looks thoughtfully at the evidence shaping his client's case. Where other lawyers might settle for an easy plea, Chris puts on his client's strongest case. Smart, conscientious and hardworking, Chris loves to win."
"Chris Morales is a highly experienced attorney and I highly recommend him to anyone seeking representation."
"Chris is smart, shrewd and aggressive. A real triple threat in the courtroom. When my business clients need a criminal defense lawyer, I send them to Chris."
"Chris is a top notch lawyer. He is smart and knows how to defend his clients and get the best possible results. I highly recommend Chris to anyone looking for a criminal defense attorney in SF."
"Chris is very dedicated, experienced and competent attorney who does terrific job for his clients."
"As an attorney for over thirty years I know a great attorney when I see one. If you are facing a criminal charge you need an attorney who really cares about you as a person and is ready to go to bat to see that you receive justice. You need an attorney with the skill and experience to see that your rights are protected. You need a Certified Criminal Specialist like Christopher Morales. Christopher is an attorney for the people and having him at your side can make all the difference."
"Mr. Morales's reputation precedes him as an excellent lawyer who fights very hard for each and every client. I endorse his work."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Morales as an expert in all aspects of criminal law. I am familiar with his work because I referred an immigration client to him to expunge a conviction that potentially subjected the client to deportation. Mr. Morales quickly and efficiently obtained the expungement, and as a result my client will soon be a U.S. citizen. I recommend Mr. Morales without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer's work: extraordinarily conscientious, extremely hardworking and very dedicated to each Client, Californians understand that Mr. Morales is an excellent San Francisco trial attorney who is a beneficial asset to the entire California DUI Defense Bar community. Any person in need of a superb criminal defense lawyer will know he or she is in capable hands. For a number of reasons (but without enough character space to properly do this fine attorney justice), I am honored to endorse this superb lawyer."
"Chris Morales is the guy you want fighting for you if you have been charged with a serious crime. Chris really will fight for you. Fighting is in his blood. His dad was a Golden Gloves Champion. Chris was a Golden Gloves fighter as well. He was a 1984 National Collegiate Champion and a 1985 AAU Champion. Chris was a champion in the ring and for the last two decades he has been a Champion in the criminal courts, so says the California Bar Association Board of Specialization. Chris is a certified Criminal Law Specialist which means he is in the top 1% of all California attorneys in his criminal law proficiency. When charged with a serious crime in California you want a real fighter on your side. Chris Morales is your man."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Chris is a fantastic criminal defense attorney who is dedicated to his clients and his work. He doesn’t give up, and is not afraid to put up a good fight; maybe it’s something he picked up from being a collegiate boxing champion. If you ever need a criminal defense attorney, Chris is your man."
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2024
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2023
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2022
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2021
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2020
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2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Top 100 Trial Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers
2017
Top 100 Lawyer, The American Society of Legal Advocates
2017
Top American Lawyer, Top American Lawyers
2017
Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of California, The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Inc.
2016
Best Law Firm of America, A Best Attorneys of America Company
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2016
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2016
2016 Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2016
Best DUI Lawyers in San Francisco, Expertise
2016
Best Attorney of America, Rue Ratings
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
2015 Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2015
Best Attorney of America, Rue Ratings
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2014
2014 Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
2013 Superlawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Northern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2010
A+, Better Business Bureau
2008
Triple A rating, Attorney Search Network
2003
Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, Board of Legal Specialization, State Bar of California
1990
Community Service Award, Santa Clara University Law School
1992 - Present
Partner, Morales Law Firm
2007 - Present
Criminal Law Section State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2006 - Present
San Mateo County Bar AssociationBoard of Directors
2000 - Present
Bar Association of San FranciscoMember
1996 - Present
California Public Defenders AssociationMember
1995 - Present
Peninsula La Raza Lawyers AssociationBoard Member
1992 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal JusticeMember
1991 - Present
Bar Associaiton of San Mateo CountyMember
1991 - Present
Private Defender Panel of San Mateo CountyMember
1991 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
case dismissed
case dismissed
all counts of attemtped murder dismissed
1990
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2014
8 Ways to Cleanup Your Criminal Record
2014
2009
What to do when a friend gets arrested
2008
What you need to know about Identity Theft
2008
Immigration consequences of criminal convictions
2008
Gender Bias in the Courtroom
2006
Starting your own law practice
2004
Expert Commentary on Scott Peterson Murder case, analysis of the prosecution case
2004
Expert Commentary on Scott Peterson murder trial, Amber Fry testimony
2014
2012
2010
2009
Spanish
English
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