San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

As your San Diego criminal defense attorneys, Spital & Associates handles juvenile and adult criminal cases, including felonies and misdemeanors such as:

High-profile San Diego federal and state drug charges
Sex crime cases
DUIs and traffic violations
Violent crimes, including domestic violence
White collar San Diego crimes, including embezzlement
Criminal appeals statewide
Arrest and bench warrants
Expungements and dismissals of convictions

Conviction of any of the above can result in a number of consequences. Click here to learn more about the consequences in San Diego criminal defense cases.

Lawyer Samuel Spital | Top Attorney Criminal Defense

We Want to Be Your San Diego Criminal Law Firm

We will defend your rights at every stage of your criminal case, from the initial police contact, interrogations, detention, arrest and arraignment, through to the end of your criminal case. Contact us when you want an experienced highly recognized criminal defense lawyer or a San Diego DUI defense attorney. We care about your needs and we are here for you.

Did the Officers Have Probable Cause to Arrest You?

Once law enforcement officers have identified a suspect, they will attempt to make an arrest. Before law enforcement can arrest anyone, however, the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires that officers have probable cause to make an arrest. Probable cause means that if a person of ordinary caution and prudence would have a strong suspicion of a person’s guilt, officers can take that suspect into custody.

A verbal complaint to a law enforcement officer by the victim or a witness to a crime may be enough to support probable cause. If there is insufficient evidence at the scene, law enforcement may detain a person to conduct a brief investigation. In order to arrest a suspect without a warrant, however, law enforcement imust have a reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed, is currently being committed or is about to be committed. Law enforcement officers must be able to articulate specific facts to support their finding of reasonable suspicion.

If the officers that arrested you did not have probable cause to arrest you, we will move to dismiss your case before the Court.

If You Were Arrested: Miranda Rights

Once you are arrested, you still have certain rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution that must be upheld. Before a law enforcement officer can question you, you must be told that you have the right to remain silent, that anything you say may be used against you, that you have a right to have a San Diego criminal defense lawyer present while you are questioned and, that if you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you. These are your “Miranda” rights, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

If the San Diego criminal defense attorneys of Spital & Associates act as your defense counsel and we find out that officers did not give you these warnings, we will request that the San Diego court exclude any statements you made to the law enforcement officer. (This does not apply if you volunteer information without being questioned by the police.) This does not necessarily mean your case will be dismissed just because an officer failed to provide such a warning.

Remember, you can only be questioned without your criminal lawyer present if you understand your rights and voluntarily give them up.

We Can Help With Bail

A bail bond allows you to be released from jail (unless you are released on your own recognizance). We can help you obtain a bail bond. Call the San Diego criminal defense lawyers at Spital & Associates for a referral to get a loved one immediately released from jail on bond.

Client Testimonial

“Sam Spital is an excellent lawyer, but above all he is a warm, caring human being. He takes calls at any time day or night. You don’t have to go through innumerable secretaries for he’s right there to help you with your problem. His breadth and depth as a criminal lawyer is profound for he has served the San Diego community for a long time. I highly recommend him!”

Sylvia, Satisfied Client, San Diego, California

For many other testimonials, please click here.

Main Offices
8880 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92108-1642
Telephone: 619-583-0350
Fax: 619-583-1850

Banker’s Hill Associate Office
1901 First Avenue, Suite 138
San Diego, CA 92101

Downtown Associate Office
Of Counsel – Bill O’Connell, Esq.
110 West C Street, Suite 1300
San Diego, CA 92101-3978

Associates available 24/7.
Call (619) 583-0350 or send us an e-mail.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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"SUPER HERO SAMUEL SPITAL. Sam Spiral has changed my life. I completed my life-long dream of nursing school, took and passed the NCLEX state exam and found out that the state board denied my licensure for lack of disclosure. Sam gladly took my case and with the decades of experience, I am now a licensed nurse and pursuing my degree. Thank you Sam for all of your work and dedication." -- Mark D. (Orange County)

" Samuel Spital handled my case personally and treated me as an important client. He was professional and worked hard on my behalf. The lawsuit was settled in a timely manner and to the satisfaction of both myself and my former employer . I would definitely use Sam Spital and Associates again." -- Greg B. (Bonsall)

"Sam Spital is a caring and eager fair man. He is passionate at his work and it shows!" -- Nancy K. (Riverside County)

"INCOMPARABLE ATTORNEY. I contacted and retained Sam Spital to handle a State investigation against me. Sam was successful in having the investigation closed and the case dismissed. All attorneys are not equal. If you want a lawyer you can rely upon and is always available, you should hire Sam, who is always working, no matter what time or what day I called or emailed him, Sam personally returned every single call and email immediately. I highly recommend SAM if you are involved in ANY INVESTIGATION OR CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST YOU. Sam gets it right the first time and without spending your life savings or having to deal with it for years on end. When you call Sam you will discover he is a warrior, but treats you as a friend and not only a client." -- Shirley S. (Oceanside, CA)

"GET AN UNBEATABLE RESULT USING SPITAL & ASSOCIATES. I highly recommend Sam Spital and Elizabeth Brady to anyone who is dealing with administrative law issues. Both Sam and Elizabeth are exceptionally knowledgeable about all of the complicated and often frustrating issues one deals with when faced with problems in medical board licensing. They work all hours and are there for their clients – no matter how many times you ask the same question. I had a much better result in my own legal battle with a licensing board than I expected. There is no doubt in my mind that this could not have been achieved w/out the help of Elizabeth & Sam. I feel extremely fortunate to have found such an amazing legal team!!!" --Kris H (Carlsbad, CA)