Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney With a
Proven Track Record of Success:

#1 Preferred Choice for the San Diego Community

Daniel Czypinski

Colin Walsh

Jose Salcedo

San Diego Criminal Attorney

Vik Monder understands the criminal justice system is not perfect and things are not always as they appear.

Vik Monder chose his profession based on this premise alone. Before Vik Monder became the experienced criminal defense attorney he is today, he was a witness to the murder of his best friend. During that investigation Vik Monder realized many cracks existed in the criminal justice system. As the only key witness he felt coerced and misguided by detectives similar to the faulty eyewitness testimonies he discovers in his own cases.

From his own personal experience Vik Monder knows how the investigation process truly unfolds and how detectives will pressure individuals to blindly select a suspect from a lineup merely to move on to the next case. Vik Monder knows this scenario plays out every single day in the criminal justice system; however, he empathizes with his clients going through the criminal process and understands that your freedom should never be compromised! This is what drives Vik Monder to be the best criminal defense attorney.

Your Go-To Criminal Attorney in San Diego: Aggressive Defense When You Need It Most

Having Vik Monder in your corner is the only decision that makes sense for aggressive criminal representation in San Diego. There are only a handful of attorneys that have the training necessary to take a case to trial when it counts! I am not talking about merely possessing a law school degree and gaining experience from a case-by-case basis. Vik Monder has surpassed many of his colleagues after law school by achieving a Masters Degree in trial advocacy in the area of criminal defense to ensure nobody falls through the cracks of the criminal justice system.

Criminal attorney Monder also spent an entire year after law school sharpening his skills with those who wrote the book on the rules of evidence and criminal procedure. The attorney has had his work published in criminal justice journals and has received national recognition for his skills in trial advocacy.

San Diego’s leading criminal defense attorney Vik Monder is a professional who will never sit back and be strong-armed by the prosecution. When Vik Monder enters the courtroom he is always on the offense, which is your best defense! Vik Monder is confident in his training and has a story that surpasses any of the former prosecutors turned criminal defense attorneys or even the recent phenomenon of cops that now want to fight for your rights. Vik Monder is with you every step of the way.

Do Not Waste Your Time with Mediocre Lawyers

There are too many mediocre attorneys out there that will provide less than adequate representation at a moderate price. Our mission is to provide you with high quality representation at an affordable and fair price.

We will never compromise your case like other criminal defense attorneys that will push whatever offers the prosecutor throws at them. We are here to get the best result you deserve and not to be at the mercy of the prosecutor. Vik Monder has gone above and beyond to gain the reputation he has earned in the courtrooms throughout San Diego County.

If you are looking for an aggressive criminal attorney in San Diego that is approachable at an affordable rate then contact Vik Monder today for a free confidential consultation at 619-405-0063.

Attorney Award Badges

Giving Top-Tier Criminal and DUI Defense to Our San Diego Clients

At Monder Law, you can count on receiving top-tier criminal defense, including DUI defense, that will win you the best possible results even in the most difficult cases. Vik Monder’s long track record of winning where others couldn’t and of taking on cases that others turn down speaks for itself. Monder Law covers the full gamut of criminal defense practice areas, and we have a deep understanding of how things really work in the courtroom with each and every one of them.

We offer you not only a full knowledge of the legal minutiae of relevant California laws but also years of hands-on experience defending cases just like yours in local San Diego Area courtrooms. To give you an idea of the types of cases we handle and how we handle them, here is some information on 10 of our most common practice areas, but this is not at all an exhaustive list.

To learn more about any of these practice areas and to get a free legal consultation and quick attention to your case, do not hesitate to call Monder Law 24/7/365 at 619-405-0063.

We’ll Build Your Quality Criminal Defense in San Diego

One of the most important decisions you will make after being arrested is the attorney you choose to represent you. Having a reputable attorney by your side will increase your chances of winning your case. The representation you choose will impact the rest of your life, as well as that of your family.

The Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Lawyer in San Diego

It can be quite distressing to find yourself accused of criminal charges whether you are at fault or innocent. Criminal charges come with the risk of consequences that may change your life and those of loved ones. It is a basic right for everyone to get a fair shot at defending themselves. However, the accused who do not have legal counsel are usually left to navigate through the complicated process on their own.

Do not let yourself be in this position since it involves extensive paperwork and court trials that come with legal complications and mishaps. It is, therefore, crucial for one to hire a San Diego criminal defense attorney who will be dedicated to protecting your rights and supporting you legally in every way possible.

Courtroom sessions and trials can be intimidating but your qualified criminal defense attorney Vik Monder will work to ensure that this process does not feel overwhelming. Attorney Vik Monder’s work is to take care of the serious matters of your case and remove the heavy burden off of your shoulders. The other benefits of hiring a criminal defense attorney with experience in the courtroom and various areas of the law include:

The attorney cares about you and work to protect your rights and interests
They have expertise in defending the accused
They design a stronger strategy
They protect you against heavy penalties
They have staff and experience to delegate important work
Financial benefits in the long run
They provide constant moral and emotional support

Our constitution offers every individual with many rights that become crucial when fighting for our freedom in criminal cases. These rights must be protected at all times even in cases that involve weapons, sex offenses, drugs, cyber crimes, murder, assault, or any form of criminal charge.

Criminal attorney Vik Monder is dedicated and committed to protecting your legal and constitutional rights. Vik Monder is a highly experienced, qualified and knowledgeable San Diego-based criminal defense attorney that will point out the legal rules and regulations that you are unlikely to be aware of.

He will work the extra mile in order to ensure your case comes to a desirable resolution. This involves gathering sufficient evidence and statements from witnesses and hiring expert witnesses and investigators who will present evidence that would rebut evidence provided by the prosecution and at the end prove your innocence. What makes us stand out is the fact that we understand the difference that all the seemingly little details can bring to your case.

Taking the action to contact us early will go a long way in ensuring that the criminal charges are dropped or reduced. Attorney Vik Monder is committed to providing aggressive representation in all matters that involve criminal cases. Contact San Diego’s top criminal defense attorney Vik Monder today for a free initial consultation and learn how he can defend you in any of the following areas:

Assault and battery
Domestic violence
Driving offenses
Drugs
Expungement and post-conviction
Firearms
Fraud
Military Defense
Sex Crimes
Theft

Assault & Battery

Under California Penal Code Sections 240 and 242, assault and battery are defined and criminalized. PC 240 defines “assault” as the attempt to unlawfully inflict bodily harm on another person. PC 242 defines “battery” as carrying an assault to the point of physical contact, regardless of whether serious injury or any injury was inflicted.

Assault is normally a misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in county jail. Battery may also be a misdemeanor carrying a $2,000 fine and 6 months jail time, but if serious injury or death was inflicted or if battery is committed against a police officer or medical worker, it could be a felony with much more severe sentencing.

Common defenses we use against assault and battery include:

Defense of self of others, if “excessive force” was not used
You did not act “willfully,” meaning it was an accident
Reasonable disciplinary rights of parents
False accusation or misidentification

Domestic Violence

When assault, battery, criminal threats, or other violent crimes are committed against an “intimate partner” or former intimate partner, there are sentencing enhancements that apply upon a conviction. Child abuse and child endangerment or neglect, elder abuse, and a number of other specific offenses also fall into this general category of “domestic violence.”

At Monder Law, we understand how common it is for people across San Diego and nationwide to be falsely accused of this class of crime. And we know the social stigma associated with domestic violence charges can be as disconcerting as the actual penalties. We will fight tenaciously from day one to protect your future and your reputation and win your domestic violence defense case.

Driving Offenses

DUI and other driving offenses, like hit and run, reckless driving, evading an officer, driving on a suspended license, or driving without a valid California license can threaten your license and incur other severe penalties.

A repeat or aggravated DUI could potentially be a felony and cause you to lose your license for years on end. Even a first-offense DUI creates a criminal record and can haunt you for years as you seek gainful employment. And many driving crimes risk jail time and put points on your driving record.

At Monder Law, we have shattered the myth that you can’t fight a DUI or fight another driving crime charge. We win DUI and other driving offense cases routinely. And even when a complete dismissal or an acquittal is unrealistic, we know how to get you a reduced charge and sentence, get you a restricted license, get you less strict parole terms, and make your life more livable in a variety of ways.

Drug Crimes

In San Diego and throughout Southern California, drug crimes arrests are extremely common. But it is also very common for false arrests to be made or for police to violate the arrestees’ rights. We don’t let them get away with that. Vik Monder knows exactly which questions to ask and where to look to uncover police misconduct.

There are a wide variety of drug crimes in California, including: simple possession of a controlled substance, possession for sale, sale or transport of drugs, meth possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture of illegal drugs, being under the influence of illegal drugs, and possession of over 28.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use.

We at Monder Law have handled all of these charges in the past and more, and we understand what it takes to win. The prosecution often overplays their hand and tries to pressure us into capitulation, but we call their bluff. We know how to spot weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and exploit them.

Firearm Offenses

Gun laws in California are numerous and complex. It is easy for law abiding citizens to get drug into court over a host of technicalities or for innocent people to be wrongfully accused of gun-law violations.

Illegal possession of a firearm by a felon or other restricted class, illegal sale of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in public, using a gun on school grounds or on government property, owning certain classes of assault weapons or rifles, use of gun silencers or armor-piercing ammunition, brandishing a firearm, assault with a firearm, and drive-by shooting are all on the books.

At Monder Law, we understand the many factors that can affect a case, such as the type of weapon used and the defendant’s past criminal history. We also realize the vast difference between certain light misdemeanor sentences and felonies that can get you 10 years in state prison.

Vik Monder, a competent criminal attorney in San Diego, will build you a tailor-made criminal defense based on the facts of your specific case and maximize your chances of a favorable outcome for any type of gun-crimes charge.

Fraud Crimes

Fraud crimes fall under California’s theft, forgery, or perjury laws and cover a wide array of specific offenses. These are considered “white collar” crimes, but in reality, many not remotely “white collar” get accused of them.

Any act that results in an undeserved gain to yourself and an undeserved loss to another person, and that is intentional, can count as “fraud.” This ranges from real estate to insurance to mail fraud and many other instances.

Key defenses we use to great effect include:

Lack of fraudulent intent
Lack of knowledge
Mistaken identity
Police entrapment

Theft Crimes

In California, PC 484 and 488 deal with “petty theft,” the taking of property of another valued at $950 or less. PC 487 addresses “grand theft,” which is taking property not yours valued at over $950. And grand theft auto, grand theft firearm, shoplifting, burglary, robbery, receiving stolen property, and other crimes are all theft crimes. Many of these charges are misdemeanors, but some are felonies. Heavy fines and potentially long jail/prison terms loom, and you cannot afford to be without the best possible representation.

At Monder Law, we know exactly how to build a strong defense for your theft crime case because we have done it for others many times before.

Sex Crimes

Sex crime charges are among the worst allegations to face due to the social stigma, long prison sentences that can apply, and especially because of the possible requirement (if convicted) of lifetime registration with the state of California as a sex offender.

Many times, the jury is predisposed to believe the allegations due to their horrendous nature. For example, child sexual abuse, rape and statutory rape, prostitution, oral copulation by force, indecent exposure, and lewd conduct are all sex crimes.

We at Monder Law know how frequently false sex crime accusations are made and how often charges are exaggerated by prosecutors. We know how difficult it can often be for prosecutors to reach the high bar of “proven beyond all reasonable doubt,” and we have gotten many sex crime charges dismissed or acquitted based on weak evidence.

Military Criminal Defense

There are many U.S. Armed Forces members in San Diego and Vik Monder has stood up for and defended many of them against all manner of criminal allegations. The seriousness of a criminal charge rises even higher for a military member since his/her service record as well as criminal record could be negatively impacted. We understand how to fight for your record as well as how to defeat the criminal charge brought against you.

Expungement and Post-Conviction Relief

If you have past criminal convictions on your record that are making it difficult or impossible to pursue the job, education, or other life-goal you have, expungement may be an option.

The legal battle does not necessarily end post-conviction. Post-conviction relief via expungement, withdrawal of guilty plea, motion to vacate, reduction to misdemeanor, or a Governor’s pardon are all possible in many cases.

If your first criminal attorney gave ineffective representation, if you were not informed of your Constitutional rights, or if you served no prison time and have completed your probation, you could qualify. Call us at Monder Law at 619-405-0063 with the details of your past conviction, and we will help you understand if you qualify and navigate your path through the expungement or other post-conviction relief process.

Why Criminal Defense at Monder Law Beats the Competition

At Monder Law, we proudly represent our clients with truly top-tier criminal defense that proves superior to the competition again and again. But it isn’t a matter of “luck” or “personality” that makes all the difference. There are good reasons why our law firm has shone out among the crowd, including these:

We are not a “law mill.” Unlike some unscrupulous law firms that lure in as many clients as possible only to fish them off to lawyers of lesser skill levels, we at Monder Law always handle your case personally. We give you the time and attention you deserve and give each case the full benefit of our expertise.
Education and experience. Vik Monder and the rest of our team are not novices. We aren’t using you to get past a learning curve. Vik Monder is a well-seasoned criminal defense attorney who works with competent legal workers. We have all been fully trained at leading U.S. law schools and we have proven our worth time and again in real-life court cases.
Familiarity with local San Diego legal processes. It pays to rely on a defense lawyer with deep local experience and who has had a presence in the community for many years. There are county and municipal rules that apply to DUI and other criminal defense cases, and even when the same California statute is at play, the court processes are often very different. And we also know local judges and prosecutors by name and can anticipate their tendencies.
Full confidentiality and genuine respect. We never disclose your private personal or case information to anyone unless in the line of duty and in your best interests. We protect your privacy when you discuss your case with us, and we never violate your trust. We do not look down on you based on the charges you face or on your past criminal record, but we simply fight for you and show respect from beginning to end.
Argumentation and negotiation skills. Our sterling reputation can often bring prosecutors to the table as soon as they hear we are handling the case. They know criminal defense attorney Vik Monder has strong presentation and legal argumentation skills in the courtroom. And they know that he is a well seasoned negotiator as well, who knows how to fight for and secure a better plea deal than many less motivated lawyers can obtain.

By choosing Monder Law as your source of legal advice and representation, you put yourself in the strongest possible position as to criminal defense in California. We have built relationships and a strong reputation in San Diego and surrounding areas of Southern California across many years of dedicated service, and we make sure every client gets a truly fair trial.

Monder Law is committed to protecting your rights and not letting prosecutors “get away with” anything less than proof beyond reasonable doubt. We have won numerous dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges/sentences in cases just like yours, and we stand ready to rush to your assistance at a moment’s call.

Your Legal Rights Must Be Protected During A Criminal Case

Call Vik Monder today at 619-405-0063. You can call Attorney Vik Monder any day or night to discuss your case for helpful advice. Vik Monder understands being charged with a criminal offense is frustrating and we are here to help you. When it comes to taking on a new criminal case, Vik Monder looks forward to meeting with you and providing you with the best possible criminal defense.