Marc Pelta

Marc Pelta is the founding attorney and lead counsel at Pelta Law in San Francisco, California. He maintains a comprehensive criminal defense practice encompassing misdemeanors, DUI matters, juvenile delinquency, drug and sex offenses, as well as domestic violence and civil harassment restraining orders. Although his primary clientele resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles Southland region, he routinely travels statewide – appearing in courts from Sacramento and Eureka to San Diego and Riverside – to ensure zealous representation wherever his clients’ needs arise.

Before establishing Pelta Law, Mr. Pelta honed his trial skills as a prosecutor, giving him an insider’s perspective on every stage of criminal litigation. He manages cases from the critical pre-filing period immediately following an arrest or police report through negotiated resolutions, trials and sentencings. His experience extends to both juvenile and adult criminal matters, as well as to civil proceedings involving domestic violence and elder abuse restraining orders.

Firmly believing that many criminal charges stem from substance dependency or mental health challenges, Mr. Pelta tirelessly advocates for alternative sentences such as drug-treatment programs and counseling in lieu of incarceration. His practice is characterized by an assertive, solution-oriented approach balanced with a personable demeanor, earning the trust of clients and the respect of opposing counsel for his innovative strategies.

Mr. Pelta earned his B.A. cum laude in history through the honors program at San Francisco State University in 1997. He then received his J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law at Queens College in 2002, serving as executive articles editor of the New York City Law Review.

Admitted to The State Bar of California in 2007, Mr. Pelta is also authorized to appear before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He remains active in the broader legal community through associate membership in the National College for DUI Defense, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the California Public Defenders Association and The Private Defenders of California. He also holds an “Excellent” rating on Avvo.