Business Details
18 Years
experience
Your Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Ventura
Founded in 2008, Defender Nava is a criminal defense law firm led by Attorney Joaquin Nava, a Ventura County native with 17 years of experience defending clients against misdemeanors, felonies, and probation violations. Our founder's personal experience with unjust arrest fuels his commitment to protecting clients' rights, having secured dismissals and won jury trials in thousands of cases involving DUI, drug charges, domestic violence, and sex crimes. As a former law professor, we combine academic expertise with practical courtroom strategy to provide personalized representation. We specialize in juvenile defense, criminal record expungement, and constitutional rights advocacy, maintaining a client-first approach with 24/7 availability for urgent consultations.Our track record includes setting local records for consecutive jury trial wins and receiving awards for juvenile defense advocacy. We operate with transparency, offering free case evaluations and maintaining direct communication with clients throughout their cases. Our community-focused values stem from our founder's upbringing as the son of farm workers, emphasizing dignity and fairness for all clients regardless of their background or charges faced.
Services
Criminal Law
Juvenile Defense
Record Expungement
Constitutional Rights
Immigration Support
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- 17 years of experience defending thousands of criminal cases in Ventura County
- Personal involvement in every case from start to finish
- Former law professor teaching jury trial strategy
- Record-setting consecutive jury trial wins in Ventura
- Specialized juvenile defense to prevent lifelong consequences
Services
Criminal Law
We provide aggressive criminal defense representation for DUI, drug charges, domestic violence, and all felony/misdemeanor offenses. With 17 years of experience, our attorney personally handles each case from arrest to resolution. Our proven track record includes hundreds of dismissals and jury trial wins in Ventura County courts.
Juvenile Law
Specialized defense for minors facing criminal charges, focusing on preventing lifelong consequences. We have secured dismissals for juvenile clients facing felony strikes through strategic court representation. Our approach prioritizes rehabilitation while protecting young clients' futures through 11+ years of dedicated juvenile law practice.
Clear Criminal Record
We help clients remove past convictions through expungement, certificate of rehabilitation, and probation termination processes. With personal experience clearing our own criminal record, we understand the importance of second chances. Our 11-year track record demonstrates success in helping clients overcome past mistakes.
Constitutional Observers
In partnership with the National Lawyers Guild, we provide constitutional rights observers for peaceful protests. This service protects civil rights during demonstrations through trained legal observers documenting interactions with law enforcement and agitators, ensuring First Amendment protections remain intact.
Immigration Support
We offer annual pro bono immigration representation for qualifying individuals seeking U-VISA, T-VISA, VAWA, or asylum status. This service honors our commitment to social justice and the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, providing critical legal support for vulnerable immigrant populations.
People
Joaquin Nava
Criminal Defense Attorney
Ventura County native with 17 years of criminal defense experience, former law professor, and record-setting jury trial attorney. Son of farm workers, teaches constitutional procedure, and personally handles every client case. Recognized for juvenile defense advocacy and commitment to constitutional rights.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We focus on criminal defense, juvenile law, record expungement, constitutional rights protection, and immigration support services.
How much experience do you have with jury trials?
Our attorney has 17 years of experience with hundreds of jury trial wins, including setting local records for consecutive victories.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we provide free case evaluations for all potential clients to discuss their legal options.
Can you help with juvenile criminal charges?
Yes, we specialize in juvenile defense with a focus on preventing lifelong consequences from early mistakes.
How do you handle immigration-related cases?
We offer annual pro bono immigration representation for qualifying individuals seeking special visas or asylum status.
What makes your firm different from others?
Our founder's personal experience with unjust prosecution informs our client-centered approach combining academic expertise with courtroom strategy.
