1. H.A. Sala, A Professional Law Corporation
Practice Focus: Serious felony defense, drug crimes, weapons offenses, violent crimes, white-collar crimes
Case Types Handled: Murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking and possession, assault weapons charges, theft crimes, fraud, sex crimes, gang-related offenses, federal crimes, all misdemeanor and felony matters
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice (motions to suppress, motions to quash search warrants), preliminary hearings, plea negotiations, appeals, bail hearings
Background: Heberto A. Sala (California State Bar No. 104142) graduated from University of California Berkeley School of Law in 1981 and was admitted to the California bar in 1982. He has practiced criminal defense for over 40 years. He has been certified as a Specialist in Criminal Law by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California for over 25 years and is currently the only attorney in Kern County holding this certification. He maintains Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating (4.5 or higher). He has been selected to Super Lawyers from 2018-2026. His practice has achieved numerous dismissals through successful suppression motions, including recent cases involving fentanyl transportation, assault weapons, and attempted murder charges.
Location: 641 H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304-1305
Contact: (661) 322-1708 | [email protected] | https://www.hasala.com
Consultation: Consultation fee required; retainer agreements available
2. Humphrey & Thompson, Attorneys at Law
Practice Focus: Serious felony defense, sex crimes, violent crimes, DUI/DWI, domestic violence
Case Types Handled: Homicide, attempted murder, vehicular manslaughter, robbery, rape, assault and battery, domestic violence, illegal firearms, child molestation, DUI and DUI causing injury, drug sales, all felonies and misdemeanors
Legal Services: Trial defense in state and federal courts, preliminary hearings, motion practice, jury trials, plea negotiations, defense investigation
Background: Jared M. Thompson (California State Bar No. 261942) graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2006 and was admitted to practice in 2009. He has practiced criminal defense for over 17 years. He is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. He maintains Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating. He has been selected by the National Trial Lawyers as a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Attorney and Top 100 Attorney in Criminal Defense, and was named a Rising Star and Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine (2022-2023). He has achieved not guilty verdicts in cases involving homicide, attempted murder, vehicular manslaughter, robbery, rape, assault and battery, domestic violence, illegal firearms, child molestation, DUI, and drug sales. He once achieved not guilty verdicts in five consecutive felony jury trials and has won complete acquittals in cases involving potential life sentences. Kyle J. Humphrey is also a Certified Criminal Law Specialist. The firm was established in 1985.
Location: 2211 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Contact: (661) 327-1360 | [email protected] | https://www.bakersfielddefenselawfirm.com
Consultation: Contact office to schedule consultation
3. Law Office of Tony V. Lidgett
Practice Focus: Major felony defense, murder defense, domestic violence, DUI
Case Types Handled: Murder (first and second degree), manslaughter, assault, robbery, drug charges, firearms offenses, domestic violence, DUI, all felonies and misdemeanors
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, bail hearings, sentencing advocacy
Background: Tony V. Lidgett has practiced criminal defense in Kern County for over two decades. He has represented over 90 clients acquitted of first-degree or second-degree murder charges. His practice handles cases from initial arrest through trial, with a focus on major felony matters. He is a member of the American Bar Association and California State Bar Association. Client testimonials indicate successful outcomes in cases originally facing sentences of 45 years to life.
Location: Bakersfield, California
Contact: https://lidgettlaw.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation
4. Torres | Torres Stallings, A Law Corporation
Practice Focus: Criminal defense at state and federal levels, white-collar crimes, drug offenses
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, fraud, theft, assault, domestic violence, DUI, all felonies and misdemeanors
Legal Services: Trial defense in state and federal courts, federal criminal representation throughout the United States, plea negotiations, motion practice, appeals
Background: Torres | Torres Stallings has been serving Bakersfield and Kern County for over 45 years, with over 35 years specifically dedicated to criminal defense support at state and federal levels. David A. Torres and the firm’s attorneys were raised in the San Joaquin Valley and maintain deep community roots. The firm provides personalized representation in both state court (Kern County Superior Court) and federal court matters.
Location: 1318 K Street, Bakersfield, CA
Contact: (661) 326-0857 | https://www.lawtorres.com
Consultation: Se habla Español; contact office for consultation
5. Michael C. Lukehart, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, complex felony cases, Three-Strikes defense
Case Types Handled: Violent crimes, drug offenses, theft, assault, murder, Three-Strikes cases, DUI, domestic violence, all felonies and misdemeanors
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, Three-Strikes litigation, motion practice, plea negotiations, post-conviction relief
Background: Michael C. Lukehart graduated from Southwestern University School of Law and has practiced criminal defense litigation since 1982, with 45 years of legal experience. He spent 26 years as a Deputy Public Defender with the Kern County Public Defender’s Office before opening his private practice in 2008. He has defended hundreds of high-profile, complex cases and has been a pioneer in the defense of Three-Strikes trials in California. He was honored by the California Public Defenders Association in 2002 as Defender of the Year for the entire State of California. He received similar recognition from the Kern County Bar Association, Criminal Defense Section.
Location: Bakersfield, California
Contact: (661) 633-9896
Consultation: Free consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in California
California attorneys must be admitted to the State Bar of California, which regulates the practice of law in the state. Bar admission requires passing the California Bar Examination (one of the most rigorous in the nation), completing a First-Year Law Students’ Examination (for students at non-ABA-accredited schools), and meeting character and fitness requirements.
California offers specialty certification through the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Attorneys may become Certified Specialists in Criminal Law by meeting requirements including: at least 5 years of law practice, substantial involvement in criminal law (minimum 25% of practice time over 5 years), satisfactory peer references, completion of continuing education in criminal law, and passing a written examination. Certified Specialists must recertify every 5 years.
California classifies crimes as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions. Felonies are punishable by imprisonment in state prison (16 months, 2 years, or 3 years for many offenses, with varying ranges depending on the specific crime). Misdemeanors carry maximum penalties of up to 1 year in county jail and/or fines up to $1,000 for standard misdemeanors. Some offenses are “wobblers” that may be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors depending on circumstances and prosecutorial discretion.
The California Public Defender system operates at the county level. Kern County maintains a Public Defender’s Office for indigent defendants. Financial eligibility is generally determined at arraignment based on income and assets.
California’s speedy trial rights under Penal Code Section 1382 require: misdemeanor trials within 45 days of arraignment if in custody (or 30 days if not in custody), and felony trials within 60 days of arraignment. The defendant may waive these time limits, and good cause may extend them.
California does not have the death penalty in effect (executions are under a moratorium), but it remains on the books for certain first-degree murder cases with special circumstances.
California’s record relief laws include: Penal Code Section 1203.4 (dismissal after successful probation completion), Penal Code Section 1203.41 (dismissal after completion of sentence), and recent “Clean Slate” legislation allowing automatic record sealing for certain older arrest and conviction records. Proposition 47 (2014) reclassified certain felonies to misdemeanors and allows resentencing petitions. Proposition 64 allows cannabis conviction expungement.
California attorneys must complete 25 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) every three years, including 4 hours of legal ethics, 1 hour of competence issues, and 1 hour of elimination of bias. Attorney advertising is regulated by California Rules of Professional Conduct Rules 7.1-7.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the Kern County criminal court process work, from arrest to trial?
A: After arrest in Kern County, your case goes to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office for review. Arraignment occurs at Kern County Superior Court (Metropolitan Division, 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield), where charges are read, rights explained, and bail addressed. For felonies, a preliminary hearing follows to determine probable cause. If held to answer, you are arraigned on the information in Superior Court. Pretrial conferences address discovery, motions, and potential plea negotiations. If no resolution is reached, the case proceeds to jury trial. The timeline varies based on complexity, custody status, and whether speedy trial rights are invoked or waived.
Q: What are the penalties for felony DUI in California?
A: Felony DUI in California (Vehicle Code 23153) applies when DUI causes injury to another person, when the defendant has three or more prior DUI convictions within 10 years, or when there is a prior felony DUI conviction. Penalties may include: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison (longer if great bodily injury is caused), fines from $1,000 to $5,000, 18-30 month DUI program, installation of ignition interlock device, 4-year driver’s license revocation, and restitution to victims. A fourth DUI (even without injury) is automatically a felony under Vehicle Code 23550.
Q: What happens at a preliminary hearing in California, and why is it important?
A: A preliminary hearing is held in felony cases to determine whether there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. The prosecution presents evidence and witnesses, and the defense may cross-examine witnesses and present evidence. The standard is lower than at trial (probable cause versus beyond a reasonable doubt). If the judge finds probable cause, the defendant is “held to answer” and arraigned in Superior Court for trial. Preliminary hearings are valuable for defense attorneys to preview prosecution evidence, lock in witness testimony, challenge weak evidence, and sometimes achieve charge dismissals or reductions based on insufficient evidence.
Q: How can I get my California criminal record expunged or sealed?
A: California offers several paths to record relief. Under Penal Code 1203.4, if you successfully completed probation (or obtained early termination), you may petition to have your plea withdrawn and case dismissed. This applies to most misdemeanors and many felonies that could have been charged as misdemeanors. Under Penal Code 1203.41, those who served jail or prison time (without probation) may petition for dismissal after completing their sentence. Automatic record sealing applies to arrests not resulting in conviction (after a waiting period) and certain older convictions under recent Clean Slate laws. Certain serious or violent felonies, sex offenses requiring registration, and some other crimes are ineligible. A successful petition results in the case being dismissed “in the interests of justice” and allows you to legally answer that you have not been convicted of that offense in most employment contexts.
Q: What are California’s “Three Strikes” laws and how do they affect sentencing?
A: California’s Three Strikes law (Penal Code Sections 667, 1170.12) imposes enhanced sentences for defendants with prior serious or violent felony convictions. A “strike” is a conviction for a serious or violent felony as defined in Penal Code Sections 667.5(c) and 1192.7(c). With one prior strike, a new felony conviction results in double the normal sentence. With two prior strikes, a new serious or violent felony conviction triggers a sentence of 25 years to life. Proposition 36 (2012) modified the law so that the “third strike” must be a serious or violent felony (rather than any felony) to trigger 25-to-life. Defendants sentenced before Proposition 36 may petition for resentencing. An experienced criminal defense attorney can file motions to dismiss prior strikes “in the interest of justice” (Romero motions) or negotiate strike allegations as part of plea discussions.