Ventura County Criminal Defense Attorney

One Chance to Handle It Right

If you have been arrested for a criminal offense in Ventura County, remember this: you only get one chance to handle the situation correctly. The decisions made in the first days — what you say, what deadlines get met, who represents you — shape everything that follows. Hiring an experienced Ventura County criminal defense attorney at the very beginning is the most important decision you will make.

Call me as soon as possible for a free consultation. I will listen to you, explain the law, tell you exactly what is going to happen in court and what sentence you are realistically facing, answer your questions, and propose my strategy for your case — including a flat fee quote, so you know the full cost up front. The only risk is not calling me.

Why Choose Paul Tyler?

• 30 years of experience practicing criminal defense in Ventura County.
• More than 20,000 court appearances in Ventura County alone — I am in the courthouse almost every single day.
• Local knowledge that matters. I know the judges, the prosecutors, and the court staff as well as anyone, and I know how cases actually get resolved here.
• Direct access. When you call, I answer — not a secretary, paralegal, or associate. You will have my cell number, and I am available even on weekends.
• Flat fees. You will know exactly what my representation costs before you hire me.
• Thousands of cases of every kind: DUI, drug charges, theft, burglary, robbery, domestic violence, sex crimes, fraud, probation violations,  and many others.

Judicial Diversion: Getting Misdemeanors Dismissed

One of the most important developments in California criminal law in recent years is judicial diversion (Penal Code § 1001.95) — and knowing how to use it in the Ventura County courts is one of the most valuable things I do for my clients.

It is so important that I have a specific page dedicated to it. Here is how it works: on most misdemeanors, the judge — not the prosecutor — can place you on diversion. The judge sets reasonable terms, such as a class, counseling, community service, or restitution. When you complete those terms, your case is dismissed. No conviction. For nearly all purposes, the arrest is treated as if it never happened. In most cases in Ventura County, the judge will require you to be on diversion for a minimum of six months, although the term can be as high as one or two years. But six months is the normal length

In my experience, most misdemeanor cases in Ventura County can be resolved this way. Not every case qualifies — DUI is excluded by law, very serious cases are unlikely candidates, and a judge may decline diversion for someone with a significant record. But for a great many people facing a first or low-level misdemeanor, judicial diversion is the difference between a criminal record and a clean one. Because I appear before these judges daily, I know how each one approaches diversion and how to present your case persuasively. It is one of the first things I evaluate in every misdemeanor case I take.

Arrested for DUI? The Clock Is Already Running

DUI is the most common arrest in Ventura County, and it comes with the most unforgiving deadline in criminal law: you have only 10 days from your arrest to request a DMV hearing, or your license will be automatically suspended. The good news is that DUI cases are also among the most defensible — bad stops, flawed field sobriety tests, and breath machine problems come up regularly — and California’s ignition interlock rules now let most first offenders keep driving without interruption. Before you assume the worst or plead guilty, call me. Visit my DUI/DWI page to learn more, or just call 805-889-9000 — I am available 24/7, because arrests don’t happen during business hours.

Aggressive Defense Gets Results

Whether your case is a misdemeanor or a felony, it deserves 100% of my attention and effort to get it dismissed or reduced. I will investigate your case, challenge the evidence, and represent you as aggressively as possible to protect your rights.

On all misdemeanors, I will appear in court for you — you will never need to appear. No missed work, no sitting in a courtroom. And you will always know exactly what is going to happen next in your case. There should never be any surprises: I keep my clients informed and give them realistic expectations at every stage.

Free Consultation — I Answer My Own Phone

If you or a family member has been arrested in Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, or anywhere in Ventura County, don’t hesitate to call. I offer a free case evaluation, in person or over the phone. I will listen to you, explain the law, tell you what will happen in court and what you are realistically facing, and propose my strategy — including a flat fee quote. The only risk is not calling.

Call me at 805-889-9000. I will answer your call personally. Handling all criminal matters in Ventura County. Some of the criminal defense cases that I handle include, but are not limited to, the following: