Can an old conviction be cleared?

Many California convictions can be dismissed through expungement once you complete probation, which can help with job applications. We’ll review whether you qualify.

Should I talk to police before I talk to a lawyer?

No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Use both.

Where will my case be heard?

Most adult misdemeanor and felony cases from the West Valley go to the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse at 8303 Haven Avenue. Traffic infractions are handled in Fontana.

Will a DUI cost me my license or my job?

It can, but neither outcome is automatic. Acting quickly, especially on the 10-day DMV deadline, gives you the most options to protect your driving privileges and your record.

Criminal Defense Attorney Rancho Cucamonga

Accused of a crime?

Get a Defense that fights back.

Daniel Kolacia spent over 20 years as a prosecutor before moving to the defense side, so when your license, your job, or your freedom is at risk, you have a trial-ready attorney who knows what the other side is building and where it is weakest.

Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072

Recognized & Trusted

Featured In & Awards

Seen in national and regional media, and recognized by respected legal and business organizations.

Daniel Kolacia Founding Attorney of Kolacia Law

As Seen In

A Rancho Cucamonga Criminal Defense Lawyer Who Knows Both Sides

An arrest can threaten everything you have built. You may need your driver’s license to get to the job site. You may hold a trade certification, a professional license, or a clearance. You may have a career that took years to earn. Kolacia Law handles criminal cases only, and it is built for people who have a lot to lose.

Adult misdemeanor and felony cases from Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Etiwanda, Upland, Ontario, Montclair, Chino and Chino Hills are heard at the San Bernardino County Superior Court’s Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse on Haven Avenue. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes them. Traffic infractions from the area go to the Fontana Courthouse.

Rancho Cucamonga does not have its own city police force: since the city incorporated in 1977, it has contracted with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department is staffed by sheriff’s deputies. Our office is on Civic Center Drive, close to the courthouse.

Trial Experience Prosecutors Take Seriously



Experienced with Jury Trials

Every case is prepared as though it will be decided in court.



Former Prosecutor

Your defense is led by an attorney who once handled cases for the prosecution.



Focused on Getting Charges Dismissed

Each charge is challenged on the facts and the law.



Committed to Keeping You Out of Jail

Alternatives to incarceration are pursued at every stage of the case.



Protecting Your License and Career

The defense accounts for your driving privileges, professional licenses, and job.

Criminal Defense and DUI Defense in San Bernardino County

Criminal Defense A conviction can follow you into every job application and background check. We defend misdemeanor and felony charges at every stage, from investigation through trial.

DUI Defense A DUI arrest starts two cases at once. One is the criminal case in court. The other is a separate DMV action against your license, and you have only 10 calendar days, weekends included, to request a hearing. A DUI lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga should be working on both from day one.

Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072

Why Choose Kolacia Law

A former prosecutor, now on your side.

Daniel Kolacia was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2006. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in Riverside County and later as a county attorney in Iowa, and he handled cases ranging from DUI and drug charges to white collar crime and homicide. In 2021 he opened Kolacia Law to put that experience to work for the accused.

2006

ADMITTED TO THE BAR

100+

JURY TRIALS

200+

BENCH TRIALS

The Burden of Proof: Why It Matters So Much in Criminal Cases

Insight Into the Prosecution's Case

Charging decisions and trial preparation look different from the inside. Daniel anticipates how the prosecution will try to prove its case and identifies the weaknesses in the evidence against you.

Credibility at the Negotiating Table

Negotiations are more productive when defense counsel understands how prosecutors evaluate a case. That understanding shapes every discussion about reducing or dismissing charges.

Facing Felony Charges in California: What to Expect and How to Respond

Prepared to Go to Trial

With more than 100 jury trials and 200 bench trials behind him, Daniel is ready to go before a judge or jury when the prosecution's offer is not fair.

Questions to Ask Your Criminal Defense Attorney

Direct Access to Your Attorney

Clients work with Daniel personally and describe prompt callbacks, candid answers, and clear explanations at every step.

How to Get Charges Dropped Before Court Date

A Practice Devoted to Criminal Law

Kolacia Law does not handle divorces or civil suits, so every client's matter gets undivided attention.

Proven Results

Recent Case Results

Dismissals, diversions, sealed records and reduced charges: a sample of how we have fought for our clients.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts and circumstances. Client last names are abbreviated for privacy.

Why Choose Kolacia Law

What Happens When You Call



Free consultation

Tell us what happened. We’ll explain the charges, the likely next steps, and your options in plain English.



A strategy built on the evidence

We review the police reports, video and test results, and the legality of the stop, the search and the arrest.



A defense that pushes back

We negotiate from a position of strength. If that doesn’t produce a fair result, we prepare for trial.

payment

Flexible Payment Plans

Flat

FEES

50%

UPFRONT

No

CREDIT CHECK

Your defense shouldn’t wait on your bank balance. Kolacia Law charges flat fees and offers in-house payment plans with no credit check.

Pay 50% of the flat fee upfront and spread the balance over several months (a one-time service fee applies). We accept cash, checks, and credit and debit cards, and Affirm financing is also available.

Cash

Checks

Credit & Debit

Affirm Financing

Trusted in the Legal Community and Close to Home

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Part of the state’s leading criminal defense bar organization.

Riverside County Bar Association

Active in the Inland Empire legal community.

American Inn of Court

Leo A. Deegan Inn, promoting professionalism and ethics in the law.

California CLETS User Group

Connected to the statewide law enforcement records community.

Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce

A local firm invested in the community we serve.

BBB Accredited Business

A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072

Watch Our Latest Videos

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What Our Clients Say

Shurik T.
6/28/2026
 Excellent legal representation. They resolved my case quickly and without any hassle. Professional, responsive, and highly effective from start to finish.
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Kenneth G.
6/23/2026
 The first trial was thrown out of court. The second was like clockwork. Being out of state. I.dldnt ha ve to go to court
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Zachary G.
6/22/2026
 Kolacia Law Firm helped me get the absolute best outcome for my court case. Their communication was excellent throughout, and they made me feel completely comfortable with the entire legal process. Thanks to their incredible work, I was able to keep my government job and even get my license back. Thank you so much!
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Armando P.
6/21/2026
 Dan is a very good attorney. Real professional and trustworthy. Will recommend to family and friends. 10 stars 🌟 got my record expunged with no hassle
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Willie F.
6/21/2026
 I’m very grateful for the prompt response and professionalism I received. The attorney kept me informed, explained everything clearly, and helped settle my case smoothly. Outstanding service from start to finish
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Shelly W.
6/20/2026
 I highly recommend Mr. Kolacia and his firm. He is wonderful, kind and understanding. He is intelligent , professional and explains everything.He and his firm helped me through the my situation and I am forever grateful
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Sara L.
6/16/2026
 I just want to say that Mr Kolacia is an honest, trustworthy, professional and very knowledgeable attorney. I never had any encounter with an attorney before until now and the thought of not finding someone who will understand the situation that we were going through was very frightening. Mr Kolacia did reach to us almost immediately and explained to us all the scenarios and possible outcomes. Mr Kolacia was so welcoming and the most important he was honest and listened to us. Mr Kolacia is so knowledgeable, and the confidence that he radiates gives you relief knowing that such a wonderful and well prepared attorney is there to help you. I have no words to express the gratitude I have for his professionalism, honesty and the level of commitment that he put in our case . Mr Kolacia thank so much . I thank God the universe and social media for putting Mr Kolacia in our way. I will recommend Mr Kolacia to anybody in California who needs an attorney . Thank you Mr. Kolacia you are super knowledgeable, well prepared and an amazing human being. Thanks to Ms Melina too the secretary such a sweet lady very welcoming and super helpful.
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Angela H.
3/12/2026
 Daniel Kolacia is a Wonderful Lawyer. He did a great job with my husband's case not just as his lawyer but as his friend too. He went above & be on for him. We couldn't of asked for a better lawyer. He has great patiences, communication, & works with you financially. If it wasn't for him my husband wouldn't be home with his family today. If your needing a Good Lawyer that cares, hire Daniel Kolacia he gets the job done %.
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Scotty R.
3/12/2026
 A very good lawyer and great guy, great staff, really good about working with you on whatever your case may be, very good communication keeping you informed about your case, I would highly recommend Kolacia Law Firm
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William M.
2/03/2026
 "I had multiple old traffic tickets from California dating back over 20 years that were causing me issues, and I was really worried about how to resolve them after so much time had passed. I hired Daniel Kolacia from Kolacia Law Firm a local California attorney who knows the area and courts inside out. We prepared for what we thought might be a drawn-out court process lasting a month or more.To my amazement, he went in on the very first court date and got everything dismissed completely! His expertise, preparation, and ability to navigate the system efficiently saved me a huge amount of time, stress, and potential headaches. He was professional, communicative, and made the whole experience straightforward and reassuring from start to finish.If you're dealing with old tickets, traffic violations, or any court matter in California, I can't recommend Daniel Kolacia and Kolacia Law Firm highly enough. They deliver real results quickly and with top-notch service. Thank you so much—I'm incredibly grateful!"
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Chris V.
1/29/2026
 From day one, Dan Kolacia helped ease a level of anxiety I wouldn't wish on anyone. Walking into this situation, I was stressed, overwhelmed, and constantly worried about the unknown. Dan immediately brought a sense of calm and control. He didn't just tell me "it'll be okay" -- he explained exactly why. He took the time to walk me through the entire process step by step, clearly laying out how things were likely to unfold and what to expect at every stage. That transparency made all the difference. Knowing the plan, the timeline, and the possible outcomes helped me sleep at night. What really sets Dan apart is his deep understanding of the system. His prior experience as a prosecutor shows -- he knows how the court thinks, how cases are evaluated, and how to navigate the process strategically. You can tell he truly understands both sides, and he uses that knowledge to advocate hard for his clients. In the end, my case was dismissed, exactly as Dan said it would be. Seeing that outcome become reality was an incredible relief, and I'm beyond grateful for his guidance, reassurance, and professionalism throughout the entire process. If you're facing a stressful legal situation and want an attorney who is honest, experienced, and genuinely cares about your peace of mind, I can't recommend Dan Kolacia enough. Thank you again, Dan!
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Chris V.
1/29/2026
 From day one, Dan Kolacia helped ease a level of anxiety I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Walking into this situation, I was stressed, overwhelmed, and constantly worried about the unknown. Dan immediately brought a sense of calm and control. He didn’t just tell me “it’ll be okay” — he explained exactly why.He took the time to walk me through the entire process step by step, clearly laying out how things were likely to unfold and what to expect at every stage. That transparency made all the difference. Knowing the plan, the timeline, and the possible outcomes helped me sleep at night.What really sets Dan apart is his deep understanding of the system. His prior experience as a prosecutor shows — he knows how the court thinks, how cases are evaluated, and how to navigate the process strategically. You can tell he truly understands both sides, and he uses that knowledge to advocate hard for his clients.In the end, my case was dismissed, exactly as Dan said it would be. Seeing that outcome become reality was an incredible relief, and I’m beyond grateful for his guidance, reassurance, and professionalism throughout the entire process.If you’re facing a stressful legal situation and want an attorney who is honest, experienced, and genuinely cares about your peace of mind, I can’t recommend Dan Kolacia enough. Thanks again, Dan!
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Jason S.
8/15/2025
 Dan has been amazing. He’s been my lawyer for 1.5 years! He got all charges dismissed and a clean record. Highly recommend
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Ricardo C.
5/28/2025
 Where do I begin, I ran into some trouble last year before Thanksgiving and I had consultation from a few other lawyers and let me tell you nothing compared to Dan's team when I first contacted his office. His team was welcoming and provided hope to me at a time I was hopeless. I explained my charges to Dan and he walked me through what I needed to do before we showed up to court. I can't thank Dan enough for what he was able to do for my case. His Knowledge to show up prepared before my court date was the best thing I did by following his instructions. Since we showed up prepared, he was able to reduce my felony to a misdemeanor and dismiss another charge. Dan and his team are really great at communicating. When I had questions he was there to answer on a timely manner. Honestly, I can say that Dan really cares about his clients. If you are looking for a lawyer for criminal justice, look no further because this is the guy you need to hire. Dan, I really appreciate what you did for me. May God bless your soul.
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Chris V.
4/19/2025
 I had an excellent experience working with Mr. Kolacia. He was incredibly professional, helpful, and communicative throughout the entire process. He consistently checked in with updates, which really helped put my mind at ease. I felt supported and well-informed every step of the way. Highly recommend!
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Patrick O.
4/12/2025
 If you are looking for an honest attorney who cares about people, I encourage you to call Mr Kolacia. My negative opinion about attorneys has changed since working with him. My son was looking at very serious consequences and through all this he was super encouraging and guided us through to the best outcome ever! His wisdom and experience is excellent! When looking around there are so many options. You won't go wrong calling him. Don't hesitat this will be the best call you make if you need an attorney. The right person makes all the difference when the stakes are high.
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leonardo G.
4/10/2025
 Me ayudaron con mi caso y el abogado Daniel cerró mi caso con éxito logré salir limpio muchas gracias a kolacia law firm
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Ivan D.
2/21/2025
 Excellent lawyer, he knew how to explain it to me well!! I recommend him ! He explains everything step by step
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Jason S.
2/12/2025
 Dan has been working my case for the past year. I will looking at 3 misdemeanors. He the charges dropped down to a diversion (basically sealed). Highly recommend.
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Jesus T.
12/26/2024
 WOOWWW! Mr Kolacia , I'm extremely happy with my outcome, without a doubt he took care of me answered all my questions and went beyond to make sure the best outcome for me, got my case dismissed. and now i can get back to my life that this ticket has haunted me, thank you for giving me a second chance.
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Jesus T.
12/22/2024
 WOWW!!! If I can give Daniel and his team a 10 star I would . I am more than grateful , I thank them for being with me all the way and for dismissing my 2nd DUI case /warrant . I did not see an exit for my issue and he vanished it within months . I am so happy with my results right before the holidays . Daniel answered all my questions and made sure I felt stress free . Do not think twice to hire this law firm I guarantee they will do the most to help you .
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jorge m.
12/04/2024
 Super kind and helpful
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Jack G.
10/30/2024
 Very informative and patient, explained everything with great detail and was incredibly helpful.
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michael k.
9/23/2024
 Daniel Kolacia is an awesome lawyer! His way of explaining my options regarding my situation was clear and consice. I would definitely recommend Daniel if you want top notch representation!
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Cee B.
9/19/2024
 I can’t recommend Daniel Kolacia's law firm enough, and his wonderful assistant. After my DUI charge, I was feeling lost and anxious about what to do next. From the very first meeting, he was not only knowledgeable but also genuinely compassionate, taking the time to explain everything clearly.I followed his instructions to the letter, and I’m so glad I did. Thanks to his expertise and dedication, I got early termination of my probation and even managed to get my record expunged! He was always there to answer my questions and really supported me throughout this challenging time.If you’re looking for a lawyer who truly cares about your case and knows how to fight for your case, look no further. I’m incredibly grateful for Daniel Kolacia's hard work and guidance!
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Linda T.
8/18/2024
 Unfortunately I have had the opportunity to work with several attorneys in my life and I have to say, Mr. KOLACIA was an absolute pleasure. He was very clear , to the point, fair and dotted all of the i’s and crossed all of the t’s. He was quick, very dependable and really an unexpected pleasure. If I’m ever in need of an attorney in Southern California again, I feel like I have an attorney I can trust. Very professional and refreshing!
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Silvestre S.
7/18/2024
 They’re really helpful. They help me out a lot on my case I was really scared and hopeless but my attorney help me out a lot with my case I would recommend it 100 percent. The best attorney I could ever have. He all give you the best advice, and reslly helpful. I would recommend them 100 percent
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PATHMART
7/17/2024
 This is the best law firm in California. I was charged in California for drinking in Public in 2023, I hired this Kolacia Law to represent me at the court. The lawyer did everything and my case was dismissed. Good Job 👍
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Paul G.
6/18/2024
 I hired Dan Kolacia and from the beginning it was a great experience with his firm.He just fought for me to get me great results from beginning to end and I highly recommend Dan as an attorney.Thank you Dan for the great service.Paul
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David S.
6/14/2024
 Straight up and honest. He let me know what I was up against and didn't sugar coat the possible outcomes. I Believe he fought hard, and we definitely came out on top.
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Rancho Cucamonga Criminal Defense FAQs

Talk With a Criminal Defense Attorney in Rancho Cucamonga Today

The sooner you have a lawyer, the sooner we can protect your rights. Daniel will give you an honest assessment of your case, with no pressure and no obligation.

Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072

Criminal Defense Attorney Rancho Cucamonga

Accused of a crime?

Get a Defense that fights back.

Featured In & Awards

A Rancho Cucamonga Criminal Defense Lawyer Who Knows Both Sides

Trial Experience Prosecutors Take Seriously

Experienced with Jury Trials

Former Prosecutor

Focused on Getting Charges Dismissed

Committed to Keeping You Out of Jail

Protecting Your License and Career

Criminal Defense and DUI Defense in San Bernardino County

Criminal Defense A conviction can follow you into every job application and background check. We defend misdemeanor and felony charges at every stage, from investigation through trial.

DUI Defense A DUI arrest starts two cases at once. One is the criminal case in court. The other is a separate DMV action against your license, and you have only 10 calendar days, weekends included, to request a hearing. A DUI lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga should be working on both from day one.

A former prosecutor, now on your side.

2006

100+

200+

Insight Into the Prosecution's Case

Credibility at the Negotiating Table

Prepared to Go to Trial

Direct Access to Your Attorney

A Practice Devoted to Criminal Law

Recent Case Results

People v. Eliza D.

People v. Shawn P.

People v. Terrence H.

People v. Kenneth G.

People v. Stephen R.

People v. Nathaniel P.

People v. Billy D.

People v. Sarah Z.

People v. Cesar Z.

People v. Jason F.

People v. Jackson J.

People v. Mary M.

People v. Jason C.

People v. Alberto G.

People v. Eliza D.

People v. Kim C.

People v. Terry W.

People v. Gabrielle H.

People v. Bethany A.

People v. James S.

People v. Jonathan N.

What Happens When You Call

Free consultation

A strategy built on the evidence

A defense that pushes back

Flexible Payment Plans

Flat

50%

No

Trusted in the Legal Community and Close to Home

California Service Area

Watch Our Latest Videos

What Our Clients Say

Rancho Cucamonga Criminal Defense FAQs

Talk With a Criminal Defense Attorney in Rancho Cucamonga Today

Address

Phone