Victor Stephen Haltom

Victor Stephen Haltom

4.1
Rating: 1.0

Licensed for 34 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Sacramento, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Appeals

428 J Street Suite 350, Sacramento, CA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
See Details

About Victor

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 34 years

State: California

Acquired: 1991

Disbarred

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2025

Location

Victor Stephen Haltom A Law Corporation

428 J Street Suite 350, Sacramento, CA, 95814

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Victor Stephen Haltom's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.1 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (9) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews

Posted by anonymous | April 10, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Been charged by state bar

He did a criminal case of mine and blew the case. He filed paperwork wrong and did a horrible job during the trial. He also blew my appeal due to ongoing issues. I would have this guy be anyone’s attorney ever again. He cheated on his wife with the girl in the photo his assistant.

Posted by Gwen | September 09, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Truly a gift from God!

Mr. Haltom represented one of my sons in a co-defendant case of false allegation that involved both of my sons. I remain in total awe of this man's absolute brilliance. It is abundantly clear that he is in the right profession. His unshakable belief in our American Constitution and unfathomable reten...tion and understanding of criminal law provides those fortunate enough to have his representation, an unparalleled defense. His commitment to his client can be clearly seen in the long, painstaking hours he pours into their defense. He is genuine, honest, kind, confident, caring and absolutely brilliant. Our case went all the way through trial. I was amazed at the magnitude of work that went into our case. Further, all while building our defense, he was keenly attentive to this crazy mama. He kept the whole family in the loop through every facet of this case. Mr. Haltom was worth more to us than what we ever could have paid him. Because of this man's dedication and hard work both of my sons are free to begin rebuilding their lives. There truly are not enough words to thank him for giving my son his life back. We will be forever grateful for all that he did for us. It is our prayer that God richly bless this man for his dedication, fairness and honesty and all that he does for those who cling desperately to him. Thank you SO MUCH, Victor!

Posted by anonymous | March 23, 2015 | Criminal Defense

A very dedicated lawyer!

I was very nervous about my case and the charges I was facing. Mr. Haltom worked very hard on my case and having him represent me kept me at ease. He got my charges dropped and always took the time to answer any questions I would have. If you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer in the Sacramen...to area, I would definitely recommend the Law Office of Victor S. Haltom.

Posted by Atra | December 06, 2011 | Criminal Defense

Victor Haltom, Appeal Attorney "The best at what he does"

When my son was eighteen years old he was sentenced to three life terms in prison for a crime that he did not commit. And, although I have always been a little skeptical regarding the judicial process I sincerely believed that justice would prevail after listening to the judge explain the “jury in...structions,” to the jury. The conviction would not be an easy one for the DA, his first attempt at trial ended just before the jury was to be sworn in because he did not have a witness. The second attempt ended in a mistrial because two of the jurors who were African American, as my son believed in his innocence. However, the DA was able to get his conviction in his third attempt my dismissing all potential black jurors. Victor Haltom is been our Attorney and friend during some of the most difficult times of our lives. He has handled our case as if we were his only clients. He is one of the best attorney’s that I have ever met in that you know that he’s on top of it when you are totally out of it. I honestly don’t know where I would be right know if we had hired someone other than this man. The first day that I met Victor he assured me that he would do all that he could to win our case even if he had to take it all the way to the 9th circuit, and that’s exactly what he’s done. I thank GOD everyday for blessing us with an Attorney as dedicated as Victor Haltom.

Posted by anonymous | December 02, 2011 | Appeals

Son's appeal

Victor worked on my son's appeal. The job he did for him was excellent in a no win situation. Sadly the previous attorney did a very poor job and had he been there first I am very sure things would have been different. He isn't perfect but he believes in the law. He will work as hard for you no matt...er if you are wealthy or just getting by. I would highly recomend him to anyone who needed his help.

See All Client Reviews

Victor Stephen Haltom's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Victor
Evan Ephraim Zelig headshot
Evan Zelig

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Victor is a stellar attorney! He puts everything he has into fighting for his clients. We worked together on a case defending two innocent men and Victor never backed down until both of our clients were out of jail and free. Victor is a fantastic attorney and I endorse him wholeheartedly."

Ronald W. Tusler headshot
Ronald Tusler

Unknown lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Rex Duree Jr headshot
John Duree

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Victor is an extremely talented lawyer. Much of his work is at the "desperation" end of cases--after a person has been convicted and even after the person has lost his appeals. These are difficult and complex cases, which rarely work out the way defendants want them to. "Janet's" comment is grossly unfair. I am familiar with her matter, which involved her son, who was convicted of murder and whose conviction was affirmed by the court of appeal and by the supreme court before she ever retained Mr. Haltom. He did everything possible to turn a hopeless case into a winner for his client, but the evidence of guilt was simply too strong. I understand Janet's frustration in losing her son to the state prison system, but her anger toward Mr. Haltom is clearly misdirected. Mr. Haltom's work is consistently excellent and I recommend him without reservation."

Scott Nelson Cameron headshot
Scott Cameron

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Prior to becoming a lawyer, I was a juror. Victor Haltom was the criminal defense attorney representing the accused. He was brilliant and did an outstanding ethical job for his client. Later in life, I became an attorney myself and my experience with Mr. Haltom encouraged me to become a criminal defense attorney. Mr. Haltom has an outstanding reputation in the criminal defense community as being both an excellent trial attorney and appellate attorney. Mr. Haltom recently accepted my invitation to speak before the Sacramento Chapter of the California Appellate Defense Counsel (CADC) and he did an incredible job."

Paige Gustin Kaneb headshot
Paige Kaneb

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Victor Haltom is one of the best lawyers I have ever met, worked with or seen in action. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to second-chair Victor in a five-week trial in which he secured not-guilty verdicts for his innocent client. I learned so much working with Victor, and watching him in the courtroom. He is dedicated, fair, incredibly smart, hard working and a brilliant lawyer. He is also one of the few lawyers who does both trials and appeals, and does both really well. I highly recommend him as a lawyer, and believe he would make a great judge. He is ethical, knows the law inside and out, and comports himself with dignity, confidence and control in the courtroom. I whole-heartedly endorse Victor Haltom."

View All Endorsements
Evan Ephraim Zelig headshot
Evan Zelig

Criminal defense lawyer

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Personal injury lawyer

John Rex Duree Jr headshot
John Duree

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  1.0 (Extreme Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025.

Disbarment issued in CA, 2025

updated on 06/23/2025

Disbarment is the most serious penalty for a lawyer. If this attorney is currently practicing law, you should contact the California State Bar to understand the reasons for disbarment.

Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2023

updated on 11/07/2023

This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Discipline, Probation; no Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2013

updated on 01/20/2016

This sanction means the attorney had a suspension placed on hold (and ultimately removed) by complying with certain requirements.

Honors

2013

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2012

Northern California Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers

2011

A+ Rating, Better Business Bureau

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2011

Tow Lawyers in Northern California, Super Lawyers Magazine

2010

Top Criminal Defense Attorneys In Sacramento, Super Lawyers

2008

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2008

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

1988

Dean's List, Penn State University

Work Experience

1991 - 2015

Attorney, Law Office of Victor Haltom

Associations

1996 - Present

Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States

Member

1991 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member

2003 - 2013

State Bar of California

Certified Specialist in Criminal Law

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. Williams, 96F06485

Full Acquittal.

People v. Davidson, CR166307

Hung jury, with 9 jurors voting for acquittal.

People v. Woodward (2011) 196 Cal.App.4th 1143

Life sentence vacated by Court of Appeal, Case remanded to the trial court for further proceedings.

Williams v. Pliler, 9th Cir. docket no. 08-16806

Ninth Circuit reversal of district court order denying habeas relief.

People v. Dinius, Lake County Superior Court case # CR912639

Not Guilty Verdicts

United States v. McFall, 558 F.3d 951 (9th Cir. 2009)

Reversal of convictions on 5 counts of extortion and attempted extortion. Sentence reduced.

Fry v. Pliler (2007) 551 U.S. 112

Argued in the Supreme Court of the United States

People v. Neidinger, 40 Cal.4th 67 (2006)

Conviction reversed.

People v. Young, et al, Sacramento County Superior Court case number 04F07294

Not Guilty Verdicts

People v. Carmony, 127 Cal.App.4th 1066 (2005)

Life sentence reversed.

People v. Jones, 112 Cal.App.4th 341 (2003)

Conviction reversed.

People v. Guerra, Sacramento County Superior Court case number 02F10288

Cal. Penal Code section 995 motion granted. As a result, charges carrying a potential life sentence were thrown out.

People v. Leng, 71 Cal.App.4th 1 (1999)

22-year sentence vacated.

United States v. Roots

Mr. Roots was acquitted on all trafficking charges, and convicted only of simple possession of cocaine base.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

McGeorge School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1988

Penn State University at State College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2011

California Appellate Defense Counsel - Relationships Between Trial and Appellate Counsel

Relationships Between Trial and Appellate Counsel in Criminal Cases

2009

The Northern California Innocence Project Presents: From Tragedy to Travesty to Truth: The Bismarck Dinius Case

The Bismarck Dinius Case

2007

CJA - MCLE Meeting

Oral Argument in Fry v. Pliler, 551 U.S. 112 (2007)

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution