Attorney Matthew G. Kaestner

Long Beach's Criminal Law Specialist

I. What is a California “Board Certified” legal specialist?

Answer: In order for an attorney in California to become certified as a criminal law specialist, the attorney must take and pass an intensive written examination demonstrating exceptional knowledge in the area of criminal law. The attorney must also demonstrate a high level of experience in the practice of criminal law and been favorably evaluated by other defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges familiar with their work. The attorney must also fulfill ongoing educational requirements in the field of criminal law to remain certified.

Certified specialists must go through a "re-certification" process every 5 years.

Attorneys may identify themselves as a “certified” specialist in California only if they are certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. (Source: The State Bar of California web site.)

II. How many Criminal Law Specialists are there?

Answer: There are 341 certified criminal law specialists in the State of California. There are over 250,000 lawyers licensed to practice law in the State of California. (Source: Statistics as of April, 2020 from the State Bar of California.) Therefore, only one out of every 700 lawyers in California is a certified criminal law specialist.

III. Is Long Beach criminal attorney Matthew Kaestner a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist?

Answer: Attorney Kaestner is certified as a specialist in criminal law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Kaestner has been a certified criminal law specialist since January 1999. He has successfully been re-certified every five years since that time. He has been practicing criminal law since 1986.

IV. Do I need a board certified Criminal Law Specialist?

Answer: Under the rules of the State Bar of California, any lawyer can represent a client on any type of case as long as the lawyer knows enough about the area of law to be competent. An attorney is not required, however, to pass a test in an area of law to practice in that area. Hiring a certified criminal law specialist provides the peace of mind of knowing that your attorney has proven expertise and experience in criminal law.

V. Does a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist cost more?

Answer: No. Although each case is different, Long Beach criminal attorney Matthew Kaestner attempts, in each case, to provide a competitive fee given the location and the complexity of the case. His office is conveniently located at One World Trade Center, Suite 400, in Long Beach, CA. The office is across the street from the Long Beach Courthouse. Contact Mr. Kaestner directly at 562-437-0200 and he will quote you an exact fee to handle your criminal law case.

Questions regarding bail, visiting, and custody location are answered under "What to do when your loved one has been arrested/accused."

Questions regarding police interviews, search warrants, consent searches and wiretaps are answered under "I've been arrested/accused, What do I do?"

Questions regarding your or a loved one's criminal case criminal case can be answered by calling Long Beach Criminal Law Specialist Matthew Kaestner directly at (562) 437-0200.