John Michels

Experienced

Former Prosecutor

Who Will Fight For You

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney John L. Michels

If you are being investigated for a crime or been charged with a criminal offense, it is critical to retain a knowledgeable and experienced Criminal Defense Attorney immediately.  John L. Michels is one of the Inland Empire’s most respected and accomplished attorneys with a proven record of success.  He is an award-winning advocate who has been aggressively fighting for his clients and winning cases for over twenty-five years.

Having The Right Lawyer Makes All The Difference.

Call Us For A Consultation (951) 276-8900

Experience Matters

Former Deputy District Attorney

Over 25 Years Criminal Law Experience

Former Judge Pro Tem Riverside Superior Court

Honors Graduate University of Notre Dame Law School

Award Winning Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney

While serving as a former Deputy District Attorney, John L. Michels obtained an in-depth understanding of the tactics utilized by prosecutors and law enforcement officers.  For two decades he has employed this knowledge and experience for the benefit of his clients.  He enjoys a reputation as a skilled advocate who is respected and well-liked by clients, colleagues, prosecutors, and judges.

Practice Areas

Assault & Battery

Domestic Violence

Drug Crimes

Murder

Sex Crimes

Theft Crimes

Client Reviews

My experience with Mr. Michels was nothing short of incredible. I am profoundly grateful for him and his staff. He was very professional and real with me, he laid out all my options and never sugar coated anything or gave false hope. His experience and knowledge shows in and out of the court room and helped me every step of the way. When you see him work its obvious that he is a cut above the rest. He was able to get my felony charge brought down to a misdemeanor which allowed me to get into the military divergent program. I am happy to say I graduated that program today which resulted in my case being sealed and dismissed. As long as he still practices law I will always recommend him to anyone who needs one of the best criminal defense attorney's around.
I hired John Michels to assist a young woman charged with a felony, initially represented by a public defender in Riverside. The case had been open for over a year, and with the felony charge, she could not get a job with a background check. While we appreciate the role of public defenders, this was a serious felony case with significant consequences, and we needed more focused representation.

John was knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and compassionate from the start. He listened, clearly explained our options, and worked hard—without overpromising—to get the best possible outcome, which he did.

His strong relationships within the Riverside court system and his deep understanding of how it works truly set him apart. With John’s involvement, we felt supported and informed and ultimately reached a much better outcome than we expected.

Because of his skill and dedication, this young woman has a second chance—and we are incredibly grateful. I highly recommend John Michels to anyone needing a strong and effective criminal defense attorney in Riverside.
John L. Michels is a great Lawyer and I highly recommend his services, I got accused of 2 charges and John L. Michels got both of my charges dropped, I am truly thankful and greatly appreciate what John and his team has done for me, I'm a freeman again with a clean record... God bless John L. Michels and his team 🙏🫡💯
I highly recommend this law office! Attorney John L. Michels helped my son, who was facing a felony charge and potentially two years in jail. John took the time to understand my son’s situation, and thanks to his hard work and the great relationships he has built over the years, we were able to secure a misdemeanor charge, just one year of informal probation, and a work release program- with NO jail time. Attorney Michels worked directly with the DA’s office outside of court to negotiate a favorable deal, which not only made a significant impact, but also shorten the case timeline. They also helped us set up a payment plan that fit our budget, which was a huge relief. The office was professional, supportive, and compassionate throughout the entire process. I can’t thank them enough for their assistance!
I hired attorney Mr. Jhon L. Michels last year for my case. He was great help and had tons of knowledge and advice to give me along the way. His staff was also as helpful as Mr. Michels. Very recommended! Thanks to him and his staff i am relieved.
Daniel provided me with excellent service, and advise. Saved me so much time. Thank you
Couldn't be happier with the results. My life was flipped upside down over a year ago and I can finally breath easy. I was looking at 5 different felony charges and basically guaranteed to do jail time, John was able to lower my charges to 2 misdemeanors with unsupervised probation and 90 hrs community service. Absolutely money well spent, will definitely be recommending to anyone in need.
Mr. John Michael's is an Excellent Attorney look no further! He strives to achieve the best outcome for his clients, his skills in navigating through my case with a favorable
outcome were far beyond excellent! Thank Attorney Michael for being a great advocate on your clients behalf!
We are forever grateful!
CW and VL
My son found himself in a terrible situation in which he was charged with a felony aggravated assault in Riverside Co. He was looking at serving some serious time. John Michels was able to get him into a mental health diversion treatment program and probation. After my son's successful completion, John was able to get my son's record expunged.

My son and I are so grateful for John's help, recommendations, and guidance as well as his staff for always being so prompt and helpful. The turnout exceeded our expectations and I am extremely proud of my son's complete turnaround.
I am beyond grateful to John and his team for their hard work in resolving my case. Thanks to his expertise and dedication, I’ve been given a second chance, and I couldn’t be more thankful. The outcome exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend John to anyone seeking an understanding and skilled attorney.

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer in Riverside and San Bernardino County

If you have been arrested or are being accused of committing a crime, contact Attorney John L. Michels for a free consultation.  Se Habla Español.

Attorney John L. Michels and his investigative team of former law enforcement officers will fight aggressively to win your case.

Contact Criminal Defense Attorney John L. Michels today by calling (951) 276-8900 to speak directly to one of the region’s most highly respected and accomplished Criminal Defense Attorneys.  You may also contact us online.  All consultations are free and confidential.  We have offices conveniently located in Riverside and Murrieta and represent clients in all Riverside County and San Bernardino County Courts.

Contact Us

Riverside Office

Call 24/7 | Se Habla Español!

7095 Indiana Ave. | Suite 200 | Riverside, CA 92506

Phone: (951) 276-8900 | Fax: (951) 602-8900

Murrieta Office

Call 24/7 | Se Habla Español!

29970 Technology Drive | Suite 103 | Murrieta, CA 92563

Phone: (951) 276-8900| Fax: (951) 602-8900

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney John L. Michels defends clients in all criminal defense matters throughout Riverside and San Bernardino County, including: Banning, Beaumont, Corona, Hemet, Homeland, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norco, Nuevo, Perris, Rancho Cucamonga, Romoland, San Bernardino, Sun City, Temecula, Wildomar, Winchester.