Introduction
California State Bar number 169142 belongs to Richard Talmadge McGuire, who established his criminal defense practice in 1993 and has concentrated exclusively on criminal defense for more than 30 years. The firm operates from Tustin in Orange County, California, and handles no other area of law, no civil litigation, no family law, no immigration. Every case that enters the practice involves a criminal charge, a DMV proceeding, or an expungement request. That singular focus, sustained over three decades, is the defining structural fact of this practice.
McGuire earned his J.D. from Western State University School of Law and is affiliated with the National Criminal Defense College, an organization that provides advanced training for criminal defense practitioners beyond what standard bar continuing education requires. He is also a member of the Armenian Bar Association.
The firm is located at 335 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (714) 337-9331. The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, given the practical reality that arrests do not occur on business schedules.
Practice Areas
Richard McGuire Criminal Defense handles criminal matters only. The firm’s case types cover the range of charges that appear most frequently in Orange County courts.
DUI, DWI, and OUI defense includes first-offense cases, repeat-offense cases, and felony DUI charges. First-offense DUI cases carry consequences that many clients underestimate, including license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and potential insurance consequences. Repeat offenses and felony DUI cases carry substantially more severe outcomes, and the defense strategy differs accordingly. The firm also handles DMV administrative hearings, which run parallel to the criminal proceedings and govern license suspension independently of the court case.
Domestic violence defense involves charges ranging from misdemeanor domestic battery to felony assault in a domestic context. These cases often involve evidentiary complexity around witness credibility, prior relationship history, and the legal consequences of restraining orders that frequently accompany the charges.
Drug crime defense covers possession, sales, and trafficking charges. The applicable statutes and the consequences of conviction differ substantially depending on the controlled substance involved, the quantity, and whether the charge involves simple possession or distribution.
Juvenile criminal defense applies different procedural rules than adult criminal proceedings, and outcomes in juvenile court can affect a young person’s record and opportunities in ways that require careful strategy.
Sex crime defense involves charges where the collateral consequences of conviction, registration requirements, housing restrictions, employment limitations, often exceed the direct sentence in practical impact on a client’s life.
Assault and battery, theft, burglary, and robbery defense covers the property crime and violent crime categories that appear regularly in Orange County courts.
Probation and parole violations require a different approach than the underlying criminal charge because the standard of proof is lower and the available defenses are narrower.
Expungements allow clients who have completed sentences to clear convictions from their records under California Penal Code 1203.4, reducing the impact on employment and housing applications.
Attorney Profiles
Richard Talmadge McGuire, Esq.
Richard McGuire earned his J.D. from Western State University School of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar (Bar #169142). He opened his criminal defense practice in 1993 and has practiced exclusively in criminal defense since then.
His affiliation with the National Criminal Defense College places him within a training network specifically oriented toward criminal defense practitioners, as distinct from general continuing legal education requirements. The Armenian Bar Association membership reflects participation in a professional community organized around shared heritage and mutual professional support.
The firm’s website states a 98% success rate, a promotional claim that prospective clients should evaluate in the context of how success is defined and what case types are counted. The firm’s geographic concentration in Orange County, Tustin, Orange, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine, Westminster, reflects three decades of consistent practice in those specific courts.
Location and Service Area
Richard McGuire Criminal Defense is located at 335 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (714) 337-9331. Also available at (800) 738-3353. The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Primary service area is Orange County, California. The firm specifically serves clients in Tustin, Orange, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine, and Westminster. Extended service extends to Moreno Valley, San Bernardino County, Corona, Chino, Riverside, and Ontario.
Client Focus
Anyone who has been arrested or charged with a criminal offense in Orange County and needs legal representation is the firm’s client. The practice handles all stages: from arraignment through preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions, negotiation, trial, and sentencing. DMV hearings following DUI arrests run alongside criminal proceedings and require separate representation that the firm also provides.
The 24/7 availability reflects the firm’s understanding that criminal defense situations require immediate response. An arrest at 2:00 a.m. is as legally significant as one at 2:00 p.m., and the first hours following an arrest are often the most consequential for the eventual defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Richard McGuire handle only DUI cases, or all criminal matters?
The firm handles the full range of criminal defense matters in Orange County, including DUI, domestic violence, drug crimes, juvenile charges, sex crimes, theft and property crimes, probation violations, and expungements.
What is the National Criminal Defense College?
It is an organization that provides advanced, specialized training for criminal defense attorneys beyond standard continuing legal education. McGuire’s affiliation indicates participation in that specialized training network.
Can the firm help with a DMV hearing after a DUI arrest?
Yes. The DMV administrative hearing, which determines license suspension, runs parallel to the criminal court case and requires separate representation. McGuire handles both.
What is an expungement and who qualifies in California?
Under California Penal Code 1203.4, individuals who have completed probation for certain offenses may petition the court to dismiss the conviction from their record. Eligibility depends on the specific conviction and whether all terms were completed. McGuire handles these petitions.
Is the firm available outside of business hours?
Yes. The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (714) 337-9331.
Closing
Thirty-plus years of exclusive criminal defense practice in Orange County, Bar number 169142, NCDC affiliation, and round-the-clock availability constitute the practical facts about Richard McGuire Criminal Defense. Individuals who have been arrested or charged with a criminal offense in Orange County can reach the firm directly at (714) 337-9331. The office is at 335 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780. The firm’s website is attorneyrichardmcguire.com.