Federal & California Criminal Defense

San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer

LAWSTACHE^™ Law Firm, led by attorney Anton Vialtsin, Esq. E.I., defends people charged with crimes in San Diego state and federal courts. Since 2012, Anton has handled more than 400 federal cases and won dismissals of serious felony charges. You work with your lawyer directly, from the first call through trial. The consultation is free.

Call 619-357-6677 Free consultation

Based in downtown San Diego · Cases throughout San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles and beyond

Attorney Anton Vialtsin in his San Diego office — **Anton Vialtsin, Esq., E.I.**Founder & Lead Trial Attorney

One video every Wednesday

LAWSTACHE^™ Law Firm · Est. 2012

Latest video · October 21Were You Within a Mile of a Crime? The Government Wanted Your Phone Location Data. Judge said NO!

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400+ federal casesState & federal defense since 2012
CJA PanelSouthern & Central Districts of California
★★★★★ 5.0Client rating on Google
CA & NVLicensed in California and Nevada

Your San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

Areas we serve →

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in San Diego

Anton Vialtsin has handled more than 400 federal cases in the Southern District of California, from border drug importation and alien smuggling to fraud, firearms and even international murder conspiracy charges. He is a member of the CJA Panel in the Southern and Central Districts, a very strict selection that requires years of federal criminal experience.

Federal cases move fast, and the first hearing matters most: whether you go home while the case is pending is decided at the detention hearing, often within days of the arrest.

Learn more →

California State Criminal Defense

Most criminal cases in San Diego are filed by the District Attorney or the City Attorney in San Diego Superior Court: downtown, Chula Vista, El Cajon or Vista. We defend misdemeanors and felonies in every one of those courthouses, from the first court date through trial.

Many cases can be dismissed, reduced or resolved without a conviction through diversion, a motion to suppress illegally obtained evidence, or a well-prepared negotiation. Which option fits depends on the facts, and the consultation is free.

Learn more →

Courthouses: downtown San Diego · Chula Vista · El Cajon · Vista · Santa Ana · El Centro, plus federal court in San Diego, El Centro, Los Angeles and Santa Ana. All areas we serve →

Also: illegal search & seizure · business litigation · personal injury · Русскоязычный адвокат

What clients say

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★★★★★
“Dear Anton Vialtsin , I would like to thank you for your efforts in taking my case . The work you did was very good.Even though my family and I were worried and uncertain because we didn't know what the future held for me despite knowing I was innocent, you as my lawyer, conducted investigations and made calls,and…”
Ruben Castanon

★★★★★
“I am deeply grateful to have encountered the Lawstanche firm during a time of great difficulty for my family. Anton demonstrated exceptional responsiveness, promptly addressing our concerns and providing consistent guidance throughout a very challenging period. His support brought us not only peace of mind but also…”
Beverly Diana Cobos Oviedo

★★★★★
“The best lawyer Antón, he is a very prepared person with a lot of wisdom and knowledge of the laws, very professional.The results were extraordinary from the beginning of the process to the end. I totally recommend it he is the best of the best Thank you very much”
Michael Vizcarra

Arrested in San Diego? What happens next

If you or a family member was just arrested, here is what to expect in the first days, and what to do right now.

Booking and jail. People arrested in San Diego County are usually booked into the San Diego Central Jail downtown or Las Colinas in Santee. Do not discuss the case with anyone on the jail phone: calls are recorded and can be used as evidence.
Bail or release. Bail starts from the county bail schedule, and a judge can lower it, raise it or release the person on their own recognizance. A lawyer can ask for lower bail or release at the first court date. See how to bail someone out of jail.
Arraignment. The first court date, where the charges are read and a plea is entered. If the person stays in custody, it is usually within 48 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. In many misdemeanor cases your lawyer can appear for you. See what happens at the arraignment.
Federal arrests. Arrests at the border or by federal agents (CBP, HSI, FBI, DEA) go to federal court downtown. There is no bail schedule and you do not need a bail bondsman: release is decided at a detention hearing. Read about federal bond and the detention hearing.
What to do now. Do not talk to police or investigators without a lawyer, do not post about the case, and write down everything you remember. Then call 619-357-6677. The sooner a lawyer is involved, the more options there are.

From the YouTube channel

Latest case breakdowns

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Were You Within a Mile of a Crime? The Government Wanted Your Phone Location Data. Judge said NO!

October 21, 2026

Police Tased Him and His Pet Snake for “Matching the Description” Because He Had Dreads. OVERTURNED

October 14, 2026

FLOCK CAMERA Searches Violate the 4th Amendment; Federal Judge Throws Out ALL Evidence!

October 7, 2026

Browse all 328 videos →

Why Choose Anton Vialtsin at LAWSTACHE^™?

The lawyer you hire decides how your case is defended. Here is what you get at LAWSTACHE^™:

Your lawyer, not a case manager. Anton leads your defense, and in complex cases he assembles a team of experienced lawyers and experts to fight the charges. You can reach him directly at 619-357-6677.
State and federal experience. More than 400 federal cases and a seat on the CJA Panel in the Southern and Central Districts of California, a very strict selection.
Real results. Dismissals, misdemeanor reductions and time-served sentences in cases with serious prison exposure.
Up to date on the law. Anton breaks down a new court ruling every Wednesday and uses those rulings in court, for example in motions to suppress illegal searches.
Downtown San Diego office, a few blocks from the Central Courthouse and the federal courthouse, with cases across San Diego County, Orange County and Los Angeles.

About Anton Vialtsin →

Notable Case Results

A few recent results from San Diego state and federal courts:

DISMISSED: federal importation of 71.07 lbs of methamphetamine, after Miranda and 4th Amendment violations, including a GPS tracker installed without a warrant (U.S. v. E.P.)
TIME SERVED (4 days): federal importation of 194 lbs of methamphetamine, 8.8 lbs of fentanyl and 2.8 lbs of heroin (U.S. v. A.R.)
NO INDICTMENT, NO JAIL: a federal felony involving about $65,000 in stolen government money, resolved as a misdemeanor (U.S. v. A.O.)
DISMISSED: San Diego Superior Court felony, over the DA’s objection, for a speedy-trial violation (People v. T.G.)
DISMISSED: federal illegal re-entry, 8 USC 1326 (U.S. v. M.H.N.)

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts.

See our results →

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of cases does Lawstache^™ Law Firm handle?

We defend clients in federal and California state cases, including drug crimes, DUI, domestic violence, white-collar fraud, firearm charges, and violent crimes.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes, we offer free consultations. Call 619-357-6677 to speak directly with attorney Anton Vialtsin.

Where is Lawstache^™ Law Firm located?

We are located at 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101. We represent clients across San Diego County, Orange County, and beyond.

What makes LAWSTACHE^™ different from other San Diego criminal defense attorneys?

We provide personalized attention, direct access to your attorney, and extensive experience in both federal and California state criminal defense. Anton Vialtsin has handled more than 400 federal cases; the federal court records on PACER show it.

I was just arrested in San Diego. What should I do?

Do not talk about the case with police, on the jail phone or online. Call 619-357-6677 as soon as possible: a lawyer can work on bail or release and prepare for the first court date. See what happens after an arrest above.

Do you handle federal criminal cases?

Yes, Anton Vialtsin specializes in federal defense, including drug importation, alien smuggling, fraud, and firearms charges. See our Federal Criminal Defense page.

Do you handle DUI and drug possession cases?

Yes, our firm handles DUIs, drug possession, and related offenses. See our San Diego DUI and drug possession pages.

Do you handle domestic violence cases?

Yes, we defend clients in domestic violence cases and restraining order matters. Visit our Domestic Violence Defense page for more info.

Do you handle theft, burglary, and property crimes?

Yes, we represent clients facing theft, burglary, robbery and other property crime charges in San Diego County.

Do you handle white-collar crimes?

Yes, our team defends clients against white-collar crimes including fraud, embezzlement, and financial crimes. More on our White-Collar Crime page.

How do I contact a San Diego criminal defense attorney at LAWSTACHE^™?

You can call 619-357-6677 to speak directly with Anton Vialtsin for a free consultation or use our contact form on the Contact page.

More criminal defense FAQs →

Free Consultation with a San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

Call today to schedule your free consultation with Anton Vialtsin, Esq., and take the first step toward protecting your rights.

Call 619-357-6677