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Sal Gallardo

5.0
Rating: 7.1

Licensed for 26 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Santa Cruz, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

303 Potrero Street, Suite 30, Santa Cruz, CA

About Sal

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 26 years

State: California

Acquired: 1999

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Sal Gallardo

303 Potrero Street, Suite 30, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060

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Sal Gallardo's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

21 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (21) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews | Professionalism

Posted by Brandon | May 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Fought off multiple charges!!

I can't thank Sal Gallardo enough for his outstanding legal representation in my case. I was wrongfully accused, and from the very beginning, Sal believed in my innocence and fought tirelessly to prove it. Navigating California's legal system can be overwhelming, but Sal made the process clear and ma...nageable every step of the way. His knowledge of criminal law, attention to detail, and strategic approach in court were truly impressive. He uncovered key evidence that ultimately led to the DISMISSAL! of my charges, and his professionalism and commitment gave me peace of mind during a very stressful time. If you’re facing a criminal charge in California, especially one you know is unjust don’t hesitate to contact Sal. He genuinely cares about his clients and will go above and beyond to fight for your rights.

Posted by Aly | September 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Go for the best and trust till the end

Sal Gallardo is one of the best intelligent and intellectually well equipped professionals when it comes to the law. He came with the background of 19 years of his own law practice and his wife who is an attorney where experience of both will get you through where someone else might not. Sal Gallardo... has passion for helping people to bring the law at the level where your biography is important and good moral characters will be passed to the next level- where judge will have a chance to hear and know more about you and your case. while DA will keep flashing the titles of multiple accusations build against of you. Sal is emotionally calm and well carried person. You will need him to help you to do it together. And his help will pay you back through keeping your reputation clean again. Sal will help you to stay calm through the whole process, as its going to be a long process going up to months. All what we have to do -stay positive and keep ourselves calm as you are in hands of professional attorney. It was hard to stay positive when the charges I faced against of me appeared on a background check report as a very bad charges you can face being a manager or employee to have ;-) Not Even proved guilty Yet I looked as a true criminal facing 2 charges in one case..... Oh well it was a very well written story which some creative mistress of my ex Mr. passed to the DA office to keep me further from the boy who has all the right assets)))). Please don't hesitate to have legal help twice. And I contacted Sal to see if he can explain the fact of happening. He did. Big corporations can run macro background checks where every case which was taken by DA`s offices can appear on those reports depending on company data research provider. It`s not necessary to have conviction or misdemeanor proven when it can affect your life in a way employer won`t give you a chance to explain yourself till its actually over. Sal is the only lawyer who was able to respond on the fact of happening! Do not panic! Do not stress out. Be calm and confident in the one whom you already contacted. Because he will do it with knowledge and confidence. Finding all ins and out of the tunnel of not being a free man, and you will have the best outcome possible. that was a hard first step. Now my case is resolved and over months later.

Posted by Brianna Golding | June 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Got my case dismissed!

I discovered a 5 year old warrant for an old misdemeanor case out of Santa Cruz where I attended school many years ago. I called Sal in an absolute panic - I had worked so hard to turn my life around and everything was about to come to crumble because of this new case. Sal, from the moment we talked,... was kind, patient and thorough. He communicated with me every step of the way and actually made me feel like my case mattered to him. It was so refreshing to have a lawyer who made me feel like I had someone in my corner. Sal ended up getting my case DISMISSED! One of my charges was a failure to appear at my own trial! I couldn't believe it. It was the best result I could have ever asked for. I am grateful he took the time to get to know me so he could properly advocate for me in court. THANK YOU SAL!

Posted by Cody | March 01, 2015 | Criminal Defense

Client review

Sal Gallardo has represented me on dozens of cases. Mostly all very low level drug cases. Not only did he save me from prison time and overall doing very little county time, but he was instrumental in my recovery from drug addiction. Sal was not just my lawyer he is also my friend. I have dealt with ...more lawyers than I would like to admit, Sal Gallardo was far and away the best in the courtroom and around every corner he went the extra mile. For ten years he was there and would show up in jail to visit sometimes before I was even housed, with a plan and where to go from there. I have now been out of jail for over 5 years and clean for the majority. When I needed help the most Sal Gallardo was the best Investment I could have made.

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Sal Gallardo's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Sal
John William Thornton headshot
John Thornton

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've worked with Mr. Gallardo for over ten years, on well over 100 cases. Together, we've handles cases from domestic violence to assault with a deadly weapon. He has also asked the single most effective question on cross examination I have ever heard. I endorse his work."

William C. Makler headshot
William Makler

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I had the privilege of working side by side with Sal a number of years ago and found him to be an excellent advocate for his clients."

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Experience

Rating:  7.1 (Very Good)

Education

N/A

Golden Gate University School of Law

N/A

California State University

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