When Results Matter

For the past 20 years, San Diego residents have trusted criminal defense attorney Vikas Bajaj to fight for them. Find out how we can help you.

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We Know How To Protect Your Freedom

Mr. Bajaj’s reputation and results will give you peace of mind, knowing that you made the right choice when your family, freedom, and life are on the line. Just the first consultation will give you the peace of mind that you are working with one of San Diego's best criminal defense attorney.

20 Years
Experience defending San Diego residents

1000’s
Criminal cases handled

55+
Successfully litigated jury trials

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San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in San Diego CA, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, one of the first steps you need to take is to partner with an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Once you are working with an attorney, they will begin building a comprehensive defense and start working towards a desirable outcome for your case, avoiding a conviction and the maximum penalties under the law. Remember that as an individual facing the courts, there is an entire legal system pitted against you, focusing far more on convictions than rehabilitation or alternate sentencing, and trying to navigate the complicated world of criminal law can be both overwhelming and detrimental to your situation.

For the past 20 years, attorney Vikas Bajaj has defended individuals accused of a crime. We handle all criminal matters including domestic violence, sex crimes, drug crimes, and federal charges. Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, Mr. Bajaj will use his expertise to help you achieve the best possible outcome. If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact our law office today to begin your initial consultation with the San Diego’s Best criminal defense attorney.

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Featured Awards

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Diego
Avvo Rating
Best Business of 2020
American Institute Of Trial Lawyers
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10 best Attorney Client Satisfaction

The Benefits of Working With Vikas Bajaj

What also sets Mr. Bajaj apart from other San Diego criminal defense attorneys is his ability to take a case to trial and win. His reputation as a skilled litigator benefits you in and out of court. Prosecutors know that an unreasonable plea deal will mean going to trial against a seasoned attorney who knows how to win. While San Diego CA has many criminal lawyers to choose from, only a handful of attorneys have the years of experience you need when facing serious charges.

When hiring a criminal lawyer, you need someone with a proven track record of successfully defending clients. Mr. Bajaj consistently wins by preparing each case for trial from the moment he is hired, which is also essential for effective negotiation. From the moment you hire attorney Vikas, you have a skilled lawyer on your side attacking every aspect of the prosecution’s case. Mr. Bajaj prides himself on an aggressive pre-investigation process, which often results in charges being reduced or dismissed.

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With over 19 years of experience and a proven track record defending clients against San Diego charges, Attorney Vikas Bajaj has the years of experience and know-how you need for your case, whether in the San Diego County courts, California state courts, or federal courts depending on the nature of your case. The days and weeks between an arrest and arraignment, and the leadup to your first court date, can all be overwhelming and emotionally taxing, both for the defendant and their family, but once you are partnered with a criminal defense law firm you will be able to look to the future with confidence and clarity.

Trusted Criminal
Defense Attorney

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Contact Our Firm As Soon As Possible For an Initial Consultation

Contact The Law Offices of Vikas Bajaj as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation with our team and to work with a criminal defense attorney. We cover misdemeanor and felony cases, and will be happy to discuss your case with you and help you understand the benefit of working with criminal defense attorneys with many years of experience. Criminal law is complicated, and even seemingly-minor San Diego CA criminal charges can result in long-term undesired consequences on your life that a criminal law expert can help you understand in greater detail.

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Prosecutors in San Diego criminal cases may encourage defendants to accept plea bargains or to simply submit a guilty plea instead of going through jury trials, downplaying the impacts that this plea bargain may have in the long run, and ultimately leaving the defendant suffering the consequences of this decision for years to come. While a plea bargain or guilty plea may ultimately be the logical decision, it is important that you do not do so until consulting criminal defense lawyers and working out all possible options before making a decision.

Our Practice Areas

The following are a few examples of our main practice areas in San Diego, CA, but whether or not you see a situation that specifically relates to your own criminal law charges, contact our law office as soon as possible to get a better understanding of how we can help.

DUI Charges

Being arrested for DUI in San Diego, CA can have a serious impact on your life, whether or not you are ultimately convicted. The team at The Law Offices of Vikas Bajaj has years of experience with DUI defense and can help you navigate this complex and frustrating process. Contact us as soon as possible, as there is criminal defense work that is time-sensitive following a DUI arrest in San Diego, CA.

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White-Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes such as money laundering, securities fraud, embezzlement, and insider trading can result in extensive penalties both at the state and federal level, but we are ready to take on your case with our experience in criminal defense law.

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Violent Crimes

Violent crimes such as assault and battery, kidnapping, or endangerment come with the potential of extensive penalties following a criminal conviction, and working with trial lawyers who can help you navigate this complex is an important way to work towards a fair and reasonable outcome.

Drug Crimes

Law enforcement in San Diego CA, Los Angeles, and California as a whole are aggressive towards drug offenders, and charges can include things like trafficking, distribution, and even simple possession of certain substances. Your criminal defense lawyer will help you identify a reasonable target for the outcome of these criminal cases, and fight towards that goal.

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Domestic Violence

Facing criminal charges in San Diego, CA that stem from domestic violence situations can be complicated and emotional, but criminal defense attorneys focus on separating emotion from criminal law in order to help reach a safe and fair outcome for all involved. Domestic violence charges can have serious impacts from the moment the defendant is arrested, and these time-sensitive impacts require a deep understanding of the law to be mitigated.

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Federal Crimes

Federal criminal acts can result from any type of crime, whether white-collar or not, depending on whether or not it violates federal laws, or if you have violated San Diego county laws, California state laws, or others. Working with our law office for a federal criminal case is an important step, as your lawyer will be able to help you understand the magnitude of the situation and immediately begin working on a roadmap towards a favorable or reasonable outcome.

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Driving Offense

San Diego County has many local and state roads intersecting its boundaries, and there are plenty of opportunities for drivers to be charged with criminal acts while traveling on them. Criminal defense attorneys in both San Diego and Los Angeles typically have extensive experience with these criminal defense cases.

Sex Crimes

It is important that you partner with a criminal law professional as soon as possible after being charged with a sex crime, as the law and courts can be extremely harsh towards people accused of violating criminal law pertaining to sexual behaviors. Our law office and criminal defense attorneys are available to help you fight your case and work towards a fair outcome under the law.

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Theft Crimes

Theft crimes, as with all other crimes, can range from misdemeanor to felony, and you will want to work with a lawyer like Vikas Bajaj who has years of experience defending these types of crimes. Contact our law office as soon as possible to get an understanding of how your situation can be handled under California law.

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More Practice Areas

What To Do After a San Diego County Arrest

The following are just a few pointers for during and after your arrest. Keep these in mind, and remember that resisting, acting disrespectfully, getting aggressive, or being defiant with officers will only complicate matters — and may result in an additional charge of resisting arrest. Stay calm and patient until you can speak with a lawyer.

Keep Quiet

One of the most important things to understand during an arrest is that you are not going to be able to talk your way out of this situation. As stated in your Miranda Rights, Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, and any excuse you offer or bargain you try to make with the San Diego officer making the arrest will likely come back to complicate your case. KEEP QUIET AND RESPECTFUL. Once you are processed at the police station and transported to the jail, you can request to make a call to your lawyer – the team at The Law Offices of Vikas Bajaj will take over once we are in contact to ensure that the proper steps are taken towards a favorable outcome.

Call a Lawyer

Once you have made the first contact with your San Diego criminal defense lawyer, they will be able to advise you on your next steps. If you are able to be released on bail, they will help you understand this process so that you can be on your way. If you will need to stay in jail until your arraignment, they will be able to make sense of the schedule and help you understand the timeline for this process. Contact our law office immediately to partner with criminal defense lawyers who can help you navigate the law and work towards a fair outcome.

Only Speak To Your Lawyer

You now have experienced San Diego criminal defense attorneys representing your case — these are the only people you should be discussing your charges, alleged crimes, or anything else relating to your case with. Criminal cases are complicated, both misdemeanor and felony, and making accidental comments that may incriminate you can come back to haunt you once you are in front of a judge.

Recent Case Results

While San Diego has many criminal lawyers to choose from, only a handful of attorneys have the experience you need when facing serious charges. Mr. Bajaj handles criminal cases throughout all San Diego courts. The following is a partial list of victories we have secured for our clients.

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March 2020

Not Guilty Verdict at Trial.

San Diego Superior Court, Downtown Courthouse: Client charged felony strike for an alleged assault causing great bodily injury to a juvenile. Client was facing a multiple year prison sentence with any plea deal offered by the District Attorney. Attorney Bajaj performs a thorough investigation into the case and rejects all offers made by the District Attorney.

September 2020

No Charges Filed

San Diego Superior Court, Downtown Courthouse: Client arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after stabbing a person. Client was facing a potential prison sentence and loss of his teaching license. Attorney Bajaj was able to investigate the arrest, determine the Client was acting in self-defense, and presented the case to the prosecution prior to the case being filed.

June 2019

Case Dismissed Prior to Trial!

San Diego Superior Court, Vista Courthouse: Client charged with felony assault against police officer. Client was facing a prison sentence.

February 2020

No Charges Filed!

San Diego Superior Court, East County Division: Client was arrested for felony vandalism. Client was facing a rejection of his admission into college with any criminal charge or conviction. Attorney Bajaj was able to negotiate a civil compromise with the complaining witness and the District Attorney’s Office prior to the case being filed.

May 2019

Felony charges dismissed, Disturbing the Peace Misdemeanor, No Jail!

Riverside Superior Court, Murrieta Courthouse: Client arrested and charged with multiple domestic violence strike felonies. Attorney Bajaj prepared a thorough investigation of the complaining witness and pushed the case to the eve of trial.

July 2020

All assault and battery charges dismissed, case resolves for PC 415 infraction, no jail!

Orange County Superior Court, West Justice Center: Husband and Wife arrested and charged with multiple assault charges and battery on a police officer. District Attorney was demanding both Husband and Wife serve multiple month jail sentences. Attorney Bajaj prepared and litigated several pretrial motions to expose the weaknesses of the District Attorney’s Case.

San Diego Office & Cities Served

Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC is conveniently located in downtown San Diego at 2150 1st Avenue, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92101, across the street from the San Diego courthouse.

Known And Trusted Among Clients

From the moment you hire attorney Vikas, you have a skilled lawyer on your side attacking every aspect of the prosecution’s case. Mr. Bajaj prides himself on an aggressive pre-investigation process, which often results in charges being reduced or dismissed.

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“We worked with Mark and he was very knowledgeable and professional. He was very quick with his response whenever I had a question. I will recommend all my friends and ...”

Nguyen Quach

4 years ago

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“Mr. Bajaj's office was very thorough and handled a family members case to the fullest! He fights for Justice in cases where most will not give you the time of ...”

Teri S.

4 years ago

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“My husband I found ourselves in a threatening situation and this is the first firm that answered the phone and was able to help us. They spoke with us about ...”

Nicole Ruud

6 years ago

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“This review is long overdue. Without getting into specifics, I was wrongfully accused of hit and run. My first lawyer was a disaster and gouged me for A LOT of $$$$$. ...”

Ross

4 years ago

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“We are absolutely satisfied with the work Mark provided. We feel much more prepared to move forward with our case after the consultation Mark provided to us. Thank you again ...”

Rafael

5 years ago

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“The office of Vikas Bajaj, APC is exceptional in their quality of legal service. I found them to be responsive, professional and very effective. I highly recommend Attorney Vikas Bajaj ...”

Charles

5 years ago

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“The law offices or Mr. Bajaj came in a time of need for me. The team worked hard for me and got the resulted i ultimately knew they worked so ...”

Anonomus

5 years ago

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“Mr. Marion and the Law Offices of Vikas Bajaj were very professional in their interactions with us and guided us through a difficult legal situation we faced as a family. ...”

Robert

5 years ago

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“I was referred to the Mark Marion at the Law Office Vikas Bajaj by a close friend who knew and trusted Mr Marion to handle my case. Their team did ...”

Victor

5 years ago

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Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Criminal Defense

The following are just a few of the many questions that our team is asked, both during our initial consultation and throughout the work on a case. Keep in mind that the following questions are meant to provide you with a general idea of your situation, but you will not be able to get a clear understanding of the answer as it relates to your own criminal charges until speaking directly with a criminal defense attorney. Contact our law office as soon as possible so that we can help you understand your own circumstances, and provide you with an answer as it relates to how San Diego county criminal law pertains to your charges.

Public defenders and private attorneys have years of invaluable experience and relationships that can be used in a client’s favor. Unless you have extensive knowledge of the California Court System, then it may be in your best interest to hire an attorney. Though a public defender is qualified to represent your case, they are often bombarded with new cases every day. A reputable private attorney will spend their time and energy focused on your case and have experience with cases specifically like yours.
If the San Diego Police have probable cause that you’ve committed or are in the process of committing a crime, then the police may do an appropriate search. A good defense attorney can protect your case if you’ve been illegally searched, and in some instances, the evidence secured illegally may be declared inadmissible in court.
The state government has lots of social and financial resources at their disposal that they can use against you in court. They could use these resources to stack the evidence against you and it could prove beneficial to have an experienced attorney at your side to navigate the intricacies of litigation.
A knowledgeable and skillful lawyer may be able to determine that your rights were violated and have your case dismissed under California law. Committing a crime doesn’t always lead to a conviction and the sentencing guidelines vary depending on the severity of the crime. A consummate legal professional will be able to fight for reductions in your charges and sentencing. Additionally, trial lawyers can help you navigate the complicated process to ensure that you do not ultimately find yourself facing steeper penalties than necessary or fair.
Public defenders and private attorneys have years of invaluable experience and relationships that can be used in a client’s favor. Unless you have extensive knowledge of the California Court System and state law, then it may be in your best interest to hire a criminal defense lawyer in San Diego CA. Though a public defender is qualified to represent your case, they are often bombarded with new cases every day. A reputable private attorney will spend their time and energy focused on your case and have experience with cases specifically like yours.
If the police hold you, without you being able to leave, and question you, without reading you your Miranda rights, then the testimony you provide could be inadmissible in court. However, a law officer’s failure to read you your rights is not a technicality that will result in a dismissed case, as your Miranda Rights are not a Constitutional right.
A misdemeanor in San Diego, CA is a crime punishable for up to one year in prison and a fine of no more than $1,000. Some examples of misdemeanor crimes include DUI, petty theft, or shoplifting. Felonious crimes are much more serious and could lead to extensive fines and lengthy jail sentences, even life in prison. Rape, murder, and robbery are examples of felony crimes. Since California has the three-strike law, repeat offenders can see more harsh sentencing than first-time offenders. A person with three strikes can be charged with 25 years to life in prison regardless of the nature of the most recent crime.
Bail is money deposited into the court system to secure your release from prison and ensures that you will appear for your future court proceedings. Each county in California has its own bail schedule depending on the severity of the charges, and San Diego CA has its own specific guidelines that your lawyer will help you understand. It is also possible to be released on your own recognizance.
An attorney with experience working in California Criminal Justice will know if your plea arrangement is the best deal. Speaking with a proficient lawyer could save you from paying hefty fines and serving unnecessary time. There are a number of opportunities that you will have to attempt to negotiate a plea bargain, but your arraignment is not necessarily the best time to do so. Again, your lawyer will help you understand what steps to take in order to maximize your chances of a fair or favorable outcome.