San Diego Defenders is a DUI and criminal defense law firm. Our attorneys are some of the most experienced and successful in Southern California. We have successfully defended clients in cases ranging from DUI’s and complex federal drug cases to sex crimes and murder. Unlike some other firms, we offer no money down options and payment plans that are truly affordable, giving you the peace of mind you seek.
At San Diego Defenders, we understand the traumatic impact a criminal case can have on the accused. You or your loved ones are facing a new and daunting situation. We pride ourselves in seeing our clients as human beings rather than case numbers. Your DUI or other criminal charges are new to you but well known to us. Our practice is devoted exclusively to guiding individuals and families through the challenges of defending criminal prosecution.
Not all lawyers are the same. We appreciate the thanks our clients express, not only for the outcomes acheived, but also for the the compassion and understanding they received during the process.
Daniel Smith, Supervising Attorney
Over Twenty years ago Daniel Smith was defending clients charged in federal cases in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of California, the busiest federal criminal court in the nation. Multi-defendant methamphetamine conspiracies with wire taps on telephones were typical. “Many people ask me how I do it and the answer is, how can I not defend my client’s constitutional rights in the United States of America. That is what makes our country great and the system simply would not work without defense attorneys. Whether the case is a bank robbery or transportation and distribution of tons of controlled substances, we would be living in a third world country without our system.” Mr. Smith says he gained valuable training and experience while with the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. ” I cannot understand why anyone would want to hire a former prosecutor that presumed everyone guilty as charged. It does not give you an edge and we certainly don’t presume that our courts would favor prosecutors as if we lived in a corrupt country…. God Bless America.”
Mr. Smith is a third generation lawyer following in the footsteps of his father, the Hon. Ralph G. Smith, Jr. a retired judge in Arizona, and his grandfather, Ralph Smith, Sr. who defended boot-leggers during prohibition. Mr. Smith obtained his Bachelors degree in Economics from Arizona State University and then off to California Western School of Law on a scholarship where he received the American Jurisprudence Award in Trial Practice. Mr. Smith is licensed to practice law with both the California State Bar and the Arizona State Bar. Mr. Smith is also admitted in several U.S. District Courts in Arizona and California, and the Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals.
Mr. Smith’s reputation and excellent defense work has earned him tremendous respect in both Federal and State Courts. Great results in criminal defense cases are too many to mention. However, as an example, he recently brought a case to jury trial and the jury returned a not guilty verdict on two counts of inflicting corporal injury to a cohabitant or spouse. Mr. Smith states, “my client was clearly innocent and in my opinion, the prosecution charged my client with a felony when the evidence was very weak . Our duty as San Diego defense lawyers is to challenge the prosecution in those cases. A just verdict of “‘not guilty’ was reached in that case which shows our dedication and that we provide access to justice.”
Mr. Smith still continues to handle Federal and State cases for the firm. His close attention to detail and professional presentation of mitigating circumstances resulted in a sentence of only one year and a day for his client in a federal bank robbery case in 2009. In 2010, Mr. Smith secured a sentence involving only home-detention for a federal officer after months of negotiations with the federal prosecutor where Mr. Smith took the opportunity to fully explain the circumstances and demonstrate his client’s incredible background of of service to the United States. In 2011 Mr. Smith defended clients in cases ranging from DUI to homicide with outstanding results. “Every client, I treat as my only client, that is what my father taught me.”
