Excellent Criminal Defense Attorney
Some months ago, I got into trouble, which resulted in a misdemeanor charge of a very unpleasant nature. It was, so to speak, my criminal début. Having met 10-12 visible experienced criminal defense attorneys in Santa Barbara, I eventually resorted to services of William Makler.
In about a month, without entering into a plea, William practically achieved the best theoretically possible result in my legal case: the charge was replaced with a more mild one, and I got a relatively small fine and informal probation. No jail time, nothing frightening on my criminal record, no interaction with the probation office, no community service.
Having interacted with William for some time, I can knowingly say that he 1) is smart, 2) is experienced, and not only in DUI, 3) can effectively reason with the DA/judge, and these three qualities of the defense attorney, to my view, decide the outcome of the case.
I highly recommend (10.0/10.0) William Markler as a criminal defense attorney.
JR
A Trustworthy, Competent Attorney
Our situation was unique in that our son needed representation in Santa Barbara, and we were in Los Angeles trying to find a decent attorney over the phone in two days. We made numerous calls to lawyers in the Santa Barbara area. Some never returned our calls, others were like used car salesmen, very high pressure. Then we found William Makler. A compassionate, calming and knowledgeable person with whom we felt comfortable and more importantly that our son was at ease with Mr Makler.
He always kept us up to date on what was occuring and how the system worked. A very fair and genuinely nice man. Needless to say, our case was dismissed, and our family can put this behind us. We highly recommend Mr Makler for any legal situation that you may have.
Lawyer Who Actually Cares!!
On a night that was supposed to be my friend’s gift to me for my bachelor party, I ended up blackout drunk in someone’s backyard. I have no criminal history and I’ve only received traffic tickets up to this point – I get charged with two misdemeanors: drunk in public and the WORST was PEEPING!! I’m obviously confused on my whereabouts because I’m blacked out drunk, but the cops charged me with something that could haunt me forever because it’s viewed as a sexual type crime. Upon my release from jail, I started to call lawyers as I’m just a normal guy and don’t deserve a bad night to ruin my life. My wedding was in exactly two months and this was not something I needed to deal with. I must’ve called six lawyers and most of them just gave me their normal speech they give everyone and they didn’t seem the least interested. After all this of course they all gave me very large estimates of how much this would cost which was the part they actually seemed to perk up about. When I called Willam Makler I was surprised to find someone who was concerned about my situation and was more than happy to talk with me at length about my options and what he might be able to accomplish. He was convincingly interested in the outcome of my situation and understood how important this was for me to try to resolve in a way that wouldn’t damage my record for life. I live out of town and he basically took care of everything via email with me. I was able to concentrate on my wedding and let him handle all court appearances and dealings with the DA. It’s a good thing too because my final court date was two days before my wedding! I received an email from him that day which stated that I had to pay a $500 fine and charges were dropped to an infraction (not misdemeanor) for “disturbing the peace”!! No drunk charges and more importantly, no peeping – also no court mandated classes, probation, or community service. Just paid the fine and case closed. If you need a lawyer I HIGHLY suggest Mr. Makler. He took care of me and he actually does care and have concern for his clients unlike the other money hungry people out there. Do yourself a favor and hire this guy – you won’t regret.
Very caring responsive lawyer, and person. He is a outstanding lawyer and I was very comfortable with my case in his hands.
Very caring responsive lawyer, and person. He is a outstanding lawyer and I was very comfortable with my case in his hands, and I trusted his word and judgement. He is there to help you and takes every case serious and moves things along fast with good responses. He is well known throught out the community and in his practice. I was very happy with his work with me, and I highly reccomend him. Thank you Mr Makler for your help and representing me.
Expungement done with expedience!
Bill Makler is a quality attorney whose reputation and prime location in the heart of the SB judicial district allows him to move with expedience on legal matters. He is professional and down to earth. He handled my case with expedience and strategic knowledge. My expungement was granted due to Bill’s judicial excellency.
Top-Notch!!
I was extremely happy with Mr. Makler! He is an excellent lawyer and I would recommend him to anyone. He is very efficient and I always knew what was going on with my case. Given my situation, I could not have hoped for a better outcome!
Extremely positive experience working with Mr. Makler
William Makler represented me when I was charged with a DUI in Santa Barbara in July 2011. I had spoken to another lawyer before hiring Mr. Makler and was all set to hire the other lawyer until I read the positive reviews of Mr. Makler on avvo.com. Given that, I left a message for Mr. Makler and he returned my call the very next day(while he was still on vacation!). After speaking to him for about 30 minutes, I was convinced that he was a much better choice than the other lawyer. I am very glad I made the decision to hire Mr. Makler. He was very responsive and he kept me in the loop through the entire process. He was also very good at explaining to me the process and setting the right expectations. In the end, the SB DA office dismissed the DUI charges and Mr. Makler provided a very fair refund given that the charges were dropped very early in the process Mr. Makler is clearly a honest attorney that treats his clients extremely well. I would recommend him to anyone.
EXCELLENT ALL-AROUND
Simply put, a true professional ! He came highly recommended from his peers, other attorneys. Always a good thing. He did not disappoint. On the contrary, he surpassed all of my already high expectations, if that was possible. Absolutely recommend him with the utmost enthusiasm.
Call him FIRST!
First, let me confirm what all the other reviewers are saying. William Makler is a trustworthy and straight forward atty.
I was pulled over and tested for DUI and subsequently arrested and taken to jail. I personally did not think I was intoxicated, but the way the police treat you during the whole process makes you start to doubt yourself. When i got out i was completely overwhelmed with all the information that friends and the internet were giving me. Should i get an atty, or just plead guilty? If I got an atty, how much should i expect to spend? I decided to at least talk to an atty and see what i could expect. Consultations are free. I will tell you that i did not call William Makler first. While speaking with the first atty, I was given a very forward and very aggressive sales pitch as to the process of fighting the DUI. Everything he said made sense, but I decided I should call at least one more atty to compare their styles and opinions. It was the best call i ever made. Makler was calm, collected and listened to my situation very carefully. When i was finished, he gave me his analysis of what would probably happen which was significantly different from the first atty, and to top it off Makler was literally half the price. In addition, he told me if my case did not got to trial he would refund a big portion of his fee back to me. And guess what? The case was dismissed (as he suggested it would be) and he sent me the refund back the next day. If i had chosen the first atty and my case had been dismissed like it was i would be out the entire fee that the first atty wanted. Makler literally saved me thousands!
In addition, every single email i sent to him was answered almost immediately. I had a thousand questions, and he answered them all patiently and accurately.
Getting charged with a DUI was the scariest thing that has happened to me, and I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with William Makler at that critical point in my life. I can now move on, stress free, without having to empty my bank account.Trust me, don’t make the mistake i made. Call William Makler first!
Amazing Criminal Defense Attorney
What happens when you combine compassion and a sincere caring attitude with acute legal knowledge in a Lawyer? You get an amazing Attorney. William Makler successfully handled a very difficult case for our twenty-year old son.
Not only did he handle the case with the highest level of legal professionalism, he was able to articulate the unique key points that minimized incarceration time despite the prosecutor’s demand for a more severe sentence.
Bill went out of his way and beyond the call-of-duty over and over throughout the case. I cannot speak more highly of his legal ethics, knowledge and compassion for a troubled young man that just needs a break and the right help to lead a productive and happy life.
I highly recommend William Makler and commend him for a job well done.
Honest, integrity (I know. In the same sentence as laywer)
I chose Bill Makler after interviewing another DUI lawyer, and could not be happier with the results. Bill had my case thrown out, and even gave me a refund of part of our agreed upon price. He is a man of integrity and honesty. I recommend William Makler without hesitation
Great Attorney
Mr. Mackler is not only the consummate professional but is an expert in his field. At all times our family felt at ease and completely informed and confident with his handling of our case. Kudos to you Mr. Mackler and Thank You!
Mr. Mackler helped me dodge a bullet!
I am a 24 independent single woman and was arrested for a DUI a few months back (Dec 2010) This charge would have been detrimental to life as well as my job and I did a fair share of researching attorneys in Santa Barbara to help me. Dozens of attorneys looked at my .09 bac and said the best they could do was get me a wet wreckless which would save me money but I would still be left with a major problem losing my driving privileges..etc. Mr. Mackler was able to wipe any type of alcohol related charge to my record due to his prestige and obvious well versed knowledge of the legal system regarding DUIs. This was a scary time for me and the first time I have been in this situation. Thanks to Mr. Mackler I have no record of a DUI on my driving record and never had to lose my driving license. Thank you!
Best DUI attorney in Santa Barbara!
Mr. Makler took on my brother’s DUI case in the Spring of 2010. Court cases began around August and he worked to win the case up until December. Throughout those eight months, he did not once back away from his promise, or ask for anything in return. He is professional, intelligent, knows a great deal about DUIs and definitely a man of his word. He promised he would fight until my brother’s DUI went down to an infraction and that is exactly what he got for us. He is a man of his word and definitely gets the job done. He gave my brother a second chance at having an almost clean record. I highly recommend Mr. Makler to all DUI victims. The city of Santa Barbara is notorious for DUIs, but with a professional like Mr. Makler everyone can have a shot at a second chance.
Thank you for all your dedication and hard work!
Great legal representation
Mr. Makler was everything I didn’t expect from a lawyer specializing in DUI defense; prompt, empathic, thorough, and above all reasonably priced. I hope I don’t ever need his services again but I can rest assured that if I ever need any legal representation or just advice, Mr. Makler would be there in a heartbeat.
All I can say is that if you hope to address your legal issues and put them in the past as expeditiously as possible, you need to call this lawyer. A personable, professional, and caring ally that will fight your case so that you don’t have to.
Couldn’t ask for better.
He was up front ,and straight to the point. He informed me of options, scenarios and strategies. I was faced with a complicated DUI charge and Bill answered all of my questions and informed me what is to be expected. He went the extra mile by providing me with any and all necessary forms that were required. He also filled out many portions and gave clear instructions on how to proceed on each form. I never had to appear in court either, which was a good thing since I live in L.A. But after he had appeared for me, he always made a point to keep me in the loop.
I truly believe having Bill Makler as your lawyer is your best defense.
Thank you Bill!
My Best Decision
Choosing Bill Makler was one of the best decisions I’ve made. He was fast & effective in defending my DUI case. Most importantly, he kept my driving privileges from ever being suspended/revoked. For that, I’m very grateful because I was able to still do my job effectively without any disruptions.
Brilliant in every way
From the get go, it was clear that Bill is a very competent attorney. I say this from in-depth knowledge of the legal profession, as I am a qualified lawyer in a different jurisdiction. The fact that his website describes a practice centered in the kind of typical charges that generally decent people may discover themselves facing at various times in their life, was further reassuring.
When I contacted him, his immediate insights, his ability to see to the essence of the case, as well as his ability to see all of it – the law, the facts, the tactics – from a reasonable objective perspective, were very refreshing.
After giving me a very reasonable fixed price quote, then waiting for me to fund him, even when it was apparent that the case could involve far more work than was initially foreseen, he very honestly stuck to his quote.
In the event, he managed to have all the charges withdrawn without me needing to travel to California / to face trial. As I had been relatively firm that I needed to keep my good name, I was really impressed that he managed to persuade the prosecution to settle down as effectively as he did; to put it in perspective, initially, at the time of the incident, the police had charged some 5-6 different offenses, including obstruction of a peace officer, so setting all of that aside without the need for a trial was a true result.
What more may I say, than that Bill’s honesty, objectivity, clarity, plus above all his skill at his work, including his bargaining skill whose foundation must be his trial skills that give prosecutors serious pause, made him the perfect attorney for my case; therefore I would say without hesitation that he’s the man for your case whenever you’re in fact innocent.
Parents, Call this Attorney
The best (young adult) kid can make a bad decision at any time – that’s life. Once they’re 18 or older, the potential life-altering effects of a single bad choice will make your head spin. Finding my son and myself in those circumstances, I needed to call an attorney. Geographically distant from the situation and having worked extensively with attorneys professionally, I placed many calls for advice on choosing a defense attorney in Santa Barbara. Internet research, along with recommendations ranging from Alaska to D.C., pointed me to Bill Makler.
After calling his office, I received a call back from him directly before I even had time to finish an e-contact through his website. Un-rushed and thorough, he clearly had a grasp on the trauma I experienced as a parent as well as an assured knowledge of steps that needed to be taken in defense of my son.
Quickly taking charge, within days Bill was successful in having the charge filed as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. Sensing our huge relief, he nonetheless advised us to continue the legal process for a potential optimum outcome of civil compromise. This was at no added benefit to him as we had negotiated a flat rate.
Throughout the process, we could count on timely contacts and updates. All choices were explained and questions answered thoroughly. Bill was straight forward and realistic about whether and when I might need to spend additional funds to travel there. Due to his management, it was not necessary.
Mr. Makler was successful in achieving for us the best possible result in terms of both immediate and long-term affects on my son’s adult life. While grateful and relieved, I also appreciated his dedication of additional time to be certain that my son understood the severity of his situation and the necessity to proceed with his life in a thoughtful manner.
Mr. Makler’s skill combined with his extensive experience in Santa Barbara/Isla Vista is enough to make him the go-to defense attorney for the area. His experience with defending collegiate young-adults with their families at a distance is invaluable should you find yourself getting a dreaded early-morning call from the Santa Barbara County Jail. If it happens, do yourself and your child the best service possible by calling Bill Makler immediately.
The Best Defense Lawyer
Bill Makler is an amazing attorney. I could not have imagined a better outcome for our case.
I hired Mr. Makler to defend a close relative. Not only was she wrongly accused, but to our shock and dismay, the police were willing to testify to false circumstances and present falsified evidence. Despite warning us of the long odds we faced, Mr. Makler respectfully supported all our claims and generously gave us all the time we felt we needed to prepare our defense. When the day came to resolve the matter in court, we witnessed his real expertise and professionalism. Mr. Makler explained to the judge that the authorities failed to respond properly to his subpoenas for the evidence and the documents we needed. The judge seemed mesmerized by Mr. Makler’s appeal for dismissal in the interest of serving justice. I was amazed, elated, and even entertained by his presentation. The judge deliberated, agreed and dismissed the case!
I have been involved in the professional community of Santa Barbara for almost forty years. I have had significant contact with local attorneys and have served on numerous juries, observing the courtroom performance of other criminal defense attorneys. They often seem more interested in self-promotion and running up their billable hours. Mr. Makler is so different; conscientious, respectful of his clients and their budgets, honest in his advice and incredibly effective in the defense of his clients. I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Makler.
Amazing Lawyer
I found Mr. Makler to be the consummate professional. He helped a family member with a DUI and turned a horrendous experience into something tolerable! DUIs can turn your life upside-down- Bill made sure we knew exactly what to expect every step of the way, he fought for us with passion- I highly recommend him.
Unparallel professionalism
Extremely knowledgeable and responsive to all questions and concerns, his professionalism puts him among the best.
Hard work
Extremely knowledgeable individual. Well organized from the consultation to the trial. I was a tad skeptical on how everything was going to work out. But putting my trust in this mans turned out to be the best decision I made. A++
Awesome, skilled attorney
Mr. Makler helped my father with an administrative issue with DMV. If Mr. Makler had not helped him, my elderlys father life would have changed for the worse. Mr. Makler’s knowledge of DMV Law and his skills was a tremendous aid to my father’s defense. The fact that Mr. Makler spoke Spanish was also a tremendous help. I highly recommend Mr. Makler to all.
Saving a Military Officer’s Career
Bill Makler finished up my DUI case over the past month or so. I had been out shooting pool, and I only had 2 beers, but I had the misfortune to get caught up in a DUI checkpoint, and long story short, was arrested for DUI. I had registered a 0.088 on the field breath, had done fairly well on the field sobriety tests, and had a blood AC of 0.10.
First let me say I very much appreciate all Bill’s done for me, and I truly believe I was lucky to have him as an attorney. Most people don’t put much stock in anonymous postings and reviews, but please don’t interpret my wish to remain anonymous in this case as any reflection on credibility of my review of Bill’s service. It’s just that part of the reason I hired Bill in the first place was to first salvage as much of my career and reputation as possible by mitigating the consequences, and then to rehabilitate my official records through whatever means Bill could bring to bear or advise me to bring.
Being charged with DUI in the military is a huge deal and pretty much a career ender for officers.
As I said above, I did fairly well on the field sobriety tests (though the officer’s report, as you might imagine, had all the “right” blocks checked and said all the right things to support probable cause for an eventual arrest). When it came to the field breathylizer, I registered a 0.088—just above the legal limit to be arrested. I then chose a blood test for the actual legal test that counts in court hoping the breath was off as I didn’t feel the slightest bit intoxicated. As a side note, I hadn’t known at the time that refusing to participate in field sobriety tests and field breathylizer is not legally the same thing as “refusing to submit to a chemical test” as the authorities would have you believe, but that’s water under the bridge now. My blood test came back at 0.10 and Bill recommended getting our own independent blood test which came back at 0.09.
First, Bill defended me at my DMV hearing taking the opportunity to get the arresting officer’s testimony on record in an environment where he might likely not be as prepared or practiced as he might become for the actual court. As expected, Bill was able to demonstrate the officer’s poor memory and his poor adherence to established standard procedures in conducting all the tests and filling out the appropriate reports properly.
Additionally, Bill seized on the opportunity to have the DMV case thrown out when the other side had their evidence marked but failed to actually enter it into evidence. Bill’s objections were noted but overruled (as the hearing officer has a lot of leeway to do things however he wants), but Bill’s objections did provide a case for appeal down the road. With Bill’s strategy in court, though, it wouldn’t matter in the end because with the court result he got for me, it completely nullified the DMV’s decision.
At our first hearing in court, Bill negotiated with the Deputy DA and came away with their first offer—basically plead guilty to what I was charged with. If I were willing to do that, what would have been the point of hiring Bill? So we politely declined citing the need to conduct more discovery (in order to buy some more time), and Bill got to work preparing for the case requesting discovery, ordering our independent blood test, and letting the facts of my case begin to sink in for the Deputy DA who should have been beginning to realize this case was not a slam dunk or even a sure win for him.
At our second hearing, Bill negotiated again with the DA informing him of my stellar record of performance and conduct in the military. After hearing what Bill had to say, the DA then offered a “wet reckless-lite” which in the grand scheme of things was certainly not as bad as a full DUI, and it would not require DUI classes, would come with a reasonable fine and 2 years probation, and possibly insurance premium consequences. But Bill was also able to secure the DA’s agreement to accept a “Helmandollar” plea which has the legal effect of finding one not guilty of DUI with
Phenomenal work!!
Bill was incredible. My biggest mistake was not hiring him in the first place. Another lawyer tried the minor DUI case and lost the hearing to the DMV. Bill used all his knowledge and experience and got an acquittal on the case. He kept me informed at every step along the way. I would highly reccomend Bill to anybody looking for a quality attorney in Santa Barbara.
William Makler – Expert Representation
I couldnt have been more fortunate to have had Mr. Makler represent me. I thought I was resonably knowledgeable regarding legal matters in general, but Bill provided insight and guidance that allowed him to secure a better outcome than I had thought possible.
He took his time, explained the pros and cons of every decions he helped me to make, and made the whole frightful experience less stressful. I always knew where I stood and where things were going. Bill’s name was given to me upon recommendation by my association with another attorney who works in a more unrelated area of expertise. It is a testament to Mr. Makler that his peers hold him in such high regard. I would highly recommend Bill to any and all of my family and friends. Thank you again Bill.
Look no further for the best attorney
Bill Makler provided highly professional assistance with my daughter’s recent case. He negotiated an excellent resolution of the case. I have dealt with many lawyers over the years and not one of them holds a candle to Bill in terms of responsiveness, communication, situation analysis, strategic planning and overall professionalism. There are a lot of attorneys who could do to take a page out of his book!
Great defense attorney
Mr. makler was very honest since the first moment I spoke to him over the phone for a free consultation. Knowing that my case was going to be a difficult battle, he was able to find flaws and erroneous statement on the evidence presented by the arresting officer,resulting on a lesser legal charge. Altough my case took quite a while to get resolved, he never gave up and fought agressively to get me a better deal than the originally offered.
Highly Recommended
When I was arrested for driving under the influence, I spoke to a few lawyers in town and Mr. Makler made me feel the most comfortable and offered a very reasonable fee structure. My case involved very weak evidence. Nevertheless, Mr. Makler kept me informed of everything, including the DMV hearing. He was always very responsive and returned my phone calls and emails very quickly.
When the District Attorney declined to prosecute, Mr. Makler returned a portion of the retainer since the scope of services I required was reduced. I was impressed with this, since it showed that he is honest and professional.
Of course, every case is different and your mileage may vary. All I can say is that I was very pleased with how Mr. Makler handled my case. If I were ever in a position to need a criminal defense attorney again, I wouldn’t hesitate to do business with him. I would recommend him to anyone facing DUI charges.
BEST LAWYER FOR DUI !!!
William Makler helped me get out of a DUI in I.V. He kept me informed at all times and sent me emails weekly to update me on new information reguarding my case. I suggest using him if you want to still have your license!!!! I ended up winning my court case , but I lost the appeal to the DMV , but i would still reccomend him to any of my friends if they got in trouble with the law he is excellent!!!!!!! BEST LAWYER IN SANTA BARBARA!!!
Best attorney for students
Found Mr. Makler to be professional, forthright and prompt. Very responsive to concerns and questions- definitely had a calming effectwhile going through whole court process. Mr’ Makler has a plan when he approaches a case and has the experience to obtain the desired result, that are always in the best interest of his client.
Highly Recommended Attorney
After being disappointed in the performance of a previous lawyer, I found Mr. Makler. He started working on my case immediately, personally answering phone calls and emails well into the evening. He doesn’t have an ego about him, and is easy to talk to. My case is approaching 5 years old and he still promptly answers any questions I have. He treated my case as if it was important, and I feel as if I was respected and informed throughout the whole process.
William Makler helped me greatly
Mr. Makler was great. He was very knowledgeable and handled my situation with care.
I was wrongfully arrested for sexual assault/battery. I was released on bail after one night in jail. That is when I contacted Mr. Makler. He wrote an outstanding letter to the DA, which convinced him/her to drop the charges against me. I then thought that I was in the clear, but Mr. Makler let me know that there was still a booking order in my name and could be seen by prospective employers and others, so then he went about filing a petition to seal and destroy the arrest record for me. This petition was granted and now I feel great knowing that this situation is over and done with.
I do not believe that the situation would have turned out the way it did without the help of Mr. Makler.
Excellent attorney!
I wholeheartedly recommend Bill to anyone seeking quality legal counsel in Santa Barbara. He provided me with stellar defense in both my DUI case and my DMV hearing by explaining the complex processes to me plainly and helped me understand systemic delays. He’s very familiar with all the local prosecutors and judges. Moreso, he has great instincts; he knows when to be aggressive and press the issue with the DAs Office and when to back off. I can’t recommend him enough
Definitely would recommend him
From the beginning of the case, Mr. Makler was on top of everything. He updated me at every corner of the case and made sure I knew what was going on through out the month I worked with him. He was very straight-forward and I definitely felt I was in good hands.
I wont go too much into my personal DUI case, but Mr. Makler found there was a certain legal procedure that the officer who gave me the DUI avoided . When it was first presented in the DMV hearing, however, the hearing officer decided to ignore his point and make up her own law justifying the suspension of my license. In the next court date, Mr. Makler managed to win the case, even with the DMV hearing having been decided, and the original DMV decision was overruled thanks to him. The DUI was eliminated and he even wrote a letter later on to the DMV about the hearing officer who avoided his evidence.
I hope to never be in this situation again, but for anyone who is, I would most definitely recommend his services!
Hire this attorney!
I was very pleased with Mr. Makler’s service! Most importantly, he and his staff were responsive. They kept me advised of my case and were patient with my many questions. Mr. Makler was also transparent. He leveled with me about the relevant issues in my case. He didn’t try to make a “hard sell” in terms of my hiring of him. If you want a very competent DUI attorney who will keep you informed, offer reasonable rates, and has a solid knowledge base, hire this attorney!
Very Capable and Helpful
In representing me Bill Makler handled both the police charges and related court case, and the administrative action at the DMV (possible suspension of license), and was successful on both fronts. He was easy to work with, very knowledgeable about the issues, communicated clearly, and was reassuring without overpromising. I appreciate his integrity … everything he said he would do he did, on time, and he kept me fully informed along the way. His fee was very reasonable, and if I needed his help again, I would not hesitate to call him. He was excellent on all fronts, and is a nice fellow too, which was a bonus.
Job well done
I was visiting Santa Barbara and had a night on the town. I had too much to drink and went back to my room to sleep it off. In the morning I woke up and started to drive. Soon after, I was pulled over and ordered to take a breathalyzer test. I blew over the legal limit and was arrested for a DUI. I had planned on being in San Diego the next day, plans that I needed to keep. I left Santa Barbara and headed south. The next few days I spent looking the legal counsel. I contacted various lawyers for advice and a price quote that was reasonable. Some were asking for compensation as high as $10000 dollars. Others I spoke to seemed unconcerned and unwilling to do the necessary leg work to try to clear me of the charges. When I talked to Bill Makler, he made me feel confident in his abilities and he gave me a fair price quote. Being out of the area, it wasn’t possible for me to attend the multiple court appearances. Mr. Makler took care of everything without me needing to be there. When all was said and done, Bill got the charge of DUI knocked down to a wet and wreckless, mandatory wreckless driving classes waived, and he even had my booking cleared. He took care of everything so I didn’t have to set another foot in Santa Barbara and diligently worked to see that I had the very least amount of punishment. The next time I visit Santa Barbara I plan on meeting Bill in person, shaking his hand for a job well done, and thanking him for his hard work.
Need Legal Help? – Call William Makler
Mr. Makler represented me last year on a petty theft charge. He fought very hard for me and the charges were reduced to a trespassing infraction. Mr. Makler is professional, informative and works closely with his clients. I knew exactly what was going on throughout the whole process. I highly recommend William Makler!
Great Help
He spews excellent advice on criminal defense issues.
He helped me get a petty theft charge reduced to misdemeanor trespassing.
Email him rather than call his office for simple consultations. Seems more convenient for him.
DUI
I was continually discouraged from pursuing my case by those most knowledgeable about the DMV. No one ever wins a case despite the circumstances. Suck it up and take your medicine is what everyone told me. Bill Makler did take my case and won it in short order. He did it with dogged persistence and constant attention. Qualities rarely found this day and age.
Outstanding!
Having never been in legal troubles before, I turned to Mr. Makler to take my case and he exceeded all of my expectations. Mr. Makler’s representation resulted in the dismissal of my case. His professional and experienced presence allowed me to calmly continue with my studies as my case proceeded, with the knowledge that I was in good hands. He and his office kept me well informed and readily provided me with the details of my case.
I would highly recommend Mr. Makler for his integrity and willingness to treat his clients with tremendous respect and sympathy. As a UCSB student, I suggest anyone with legal issues in Isla Vista or around the school immediately contact Mr. Makler; he will fight for you!
Honestly, The Best Criminal Defense Attorney in Santa Barbara
I was incorrectly charged with a serious felony — brought on and pursued solely because of the political and biased agendas of both the Santa Barbara police department and the district attorney office. Over the years, I had the opportunity to work with and hire some of the most acclaimed criminal defense attorneys in Santa Barbara to help me with defending my charge. These other defense attorneys made some serious careless errors and did not give me proper focus and attention to more quickly remedy my situation; some of them only cared about how much money they can squeeze out of their client instead of caring about the client’s situation. Finally, a respected out of town attorney referred me to William Makler. Mr. Makler is by far a superior step above all of the other criminal defense attorneys that I worked with. He is exceptionally knowledgeable, articulate, persuasive, honest, thorough, and able to listen very effectively. Mr. Makler really wants to hear what you say, consider your facts in the context of an entire case, do the legal research, communicate respectively with the DA, and make a sincerely honest decision on how to handle your case in your best interest. Most other attorneys will also appear to be attentive but will then choose a course of action that is easiest for them, not you, which may not always be in your best interest. Mr. Makler is in his prime, is well respected in the community, and has the experience and motivation to do the very best that can be done for you. In a very complex situation, that was made worst by other defense attorneys, Mr. Makler worked hard and was successful in getting my felony dismissed. Mr. Makler is also reasonable with his fees and cares deeply about his clients’ well-being. I trust Mr. Makler with my life and, unequivocally, he is the best criminal defense attorney in Santa Barbara.
Thorough, Professional & Client Focused
Bill Makler was a consummate professional from our initial meeting to the conclusion of my case. He listened attentively, offered well thought out alternatives and interceded on my behalf resulting in the best possible outcome for my issue. He responded promptly to my numerous verbal and written questions, during and after work hours including weekends, and was patient in explaining the various options available to me.
His personalized, client-focused approach will be the reason I will unhesitatingly call on his services in the future and will refer my friends and acquaintances to him which is the ultimate test of confidence in an attorney. I feel extremely fortunate in having been referred to Bill by another prominent attorney in my community who reflects the peer respect Bill enjoys in the Santa Barbara legal community.
Very excellent representation
Mr Makler was extremely attentive , thorough, and professional in his handling of my sons case case. He quickly formulated a submission to the DA
in Santa Barbara which led to a rejection of charge. Without his help
we could soon be appearing for a court date under extreme duress considering the potential negative outcome.I would strongly suggest anyone -particularly out of town parents with children at UCSB -to contact Mr Makler immediately if a problem should arise.
He is an attorney who cares for his clients and he inspires confidence
with his professional manner. He helped our family greatly.
Awesome SB DUI Lawyer
I originally hired a lawyer in Las Vegas to handle my DUI case in Santa Barbara. Skeptical, I decided to look for a lawyer familiar with the Santa Barbara Judicial system. I found Bill while researching online and decided to give him a call since he had the best reviews. Right off the bat, he gave me honest and useful advice regarding my complicated case. He is very knowledgeable and is very responsive. He also looks out for the best interest of his clients. Although I just wanted my case to be over and it took longer than I expected, he assured me throughout the process that he was fighting for the best results rather than completing the case quickly. And that he did. He also made everything easy with me being a client from out of state. I am very satisfied with the outcome and highly recommend Mr. Makler.
Bill Makler, a lawyer that cares.
I would like to reccomend Mr Makler to any one who wants a laywer that wil be totally honest, professional and care about his clients as if they we old friends.
Thru his knowledge of DUI laws he got my charges dropped and my drivers license was never taken from me.His fees were resonable.
DUI Defense by Bill Makler
Mr. Makler was able to get me full use of my license even though I had missed my initial time frame to appeal my license suspension. He was able to get me a reduced charge without having to go to trial. In retrospect I wish I had gone to trial because I believe we may have won or even gotten a further reduced sentence. If you at all believe that you have a serious case in fighting a DUI and money is an issue, I’d still recommend obtaining legal help. You have your whole life to make back the several grand, but can never get back your reputation fully.
If you obtain Mr. Makler’s services, ask questions and for clarifications as he does a great job of keeping you informed to the degree that you want to.
Dismissed DUI Case
I am very satisfied with Mr. Makler’s services. His fees beat everyone in the Santa Barbra area. He is easy to talk to, very understanding and keeps you informed through the entire process. Mr. Makler had my DUI case entirely dropped with a breath test of .12/.12% BAC. If anyone gets in trouble with the law I would highly recommend that you call Mr. Makler for his services.
Criminal Defense
Complicated criminal defense case that lasted over a year. Mr Makler kept up his focus and intensity despite frustrations with the process from his clients. I would recommend him without reservations.
Aggressive Attorney in Court, easy to converse with as a client
Mr. Makler provided informed insight to me from the first call through the end of my case. He not only knew the legal issues…he knew WHO he was up against, DA’s, Judges, DMV officials. That’s priceless in a small town. I appreciated his honest and forthright nature and while I *hopefully don’t have to use his services again, I’d recommend him to others facing criminal trouble in Santa Barbara.
Outstanding Attorney!
Excellent knowledge in the legal field and explains legal terms easily to the non-legal minded. Outstanding client relations -I never felt my matter was insignificant and saw an abundance of time and effort went into my case on Mr. Makler’s behalf. He truthfully gave me possible outcomes/consequences, and led me through the legal processes with ease. He has excellent results in the courtroom and I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of legal assistance..
Great Lawyer
Bill is a great attorney, he handled my matter very professionally, the result was excellent and the fee very reasonable.
Highly Recommended!
Mr. Makler was amazing from the minute I spoke with him. He allowed my to be very comfortable and filled me in on everything that was going on with my case. He truthfully answered all the questions I had asked him and made sure I understood everything before it happened. Mr. Makler was very understanding, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and informative. He knew what he was doing which made me feel very confident. He was recommended to me and my family and we couldn’t have made a better decision.
Great D.U.I. attorney!
When i was involved in a DUI case William Makler did all the work, he made it easy for me by going to my court hearings and taking care of paper work. Mr. Makler kept me well informed at all times and was able to quickly and successfully win my case. Thank you Bill Makler
Highly recommended!
Mr Makler was a huge help during a very difficult time. I really appreciated his balance of professionalism and compassion. He knows his stuff. If I ever knew of someone who needed services of this kind, I would wholeheartedly recommend him without reservation.
Great all around
He was very down to earth and i really felt that he and his team kept me well informed at all times.
Great defense lawyer
A very intelligent, straight-forward lawyer at a very reasonable fee. Listened to my input and stayed in close contact with me throughout the case.
Bill Makler is an excellent attorney
I found Mr. Makler to be a thoughtful, hardworking, conscientious attorney. He seemed to genuinely care about my problem and did a very thorough job.
Very Satisfied Client
I would highly recommend Mr. Makler’s services as an attorney. He is a good listener, kept me informed throughout my case and was very conscienteous in his handling of delicate situations.
Very impressed
If you are ever in any legal trouble I highly recommend Mr. Makler as an attorney. Not only is he very knowledgeable in his field but also very personable. He listens to your questions, concerns and translates legal jargon into regular terms so you understand what is going on. Most importantly he is very assertive in the courtroom and knows his stuff. If I would need an attorney in the future, I would definitely hire him!!!
* These testimonials or endorsements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. (Pursuant to Rules of Professional Conduct Section 7.1 and the standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California).