Donald J. Cretella, Jr.

Attorney Donald J. Cretella, Jr. is one of the most effective and experienced criminal defense lawyers in Connecticut.  For the better part of two decades, he has been recognized as a Connecticut Super Lawyer and a New England Super Lawyer in Connecticut Magazine.

Don was born in New Haven and raised in West Haven, where he attended Notre Dame High School.  He graduated Fairfield University and then Quinnipiac University School of Law. Upon passing the bar exam, Don immediately began practicing law in New Haven and specifically criminal defense.  In 2001 Don joined forces with fellow Fairfield University classmate, Gene Zingaro, and together, they founded Zingaro & Cretella, Attorneys at Law.

Throughout the years, Don has handled criminal defense cases, personal injury cases and family law litigation.

Over the past twenty-five years Attorney Cretella has handled violent and non-violent criminal cases in both Connecticut State and Federal Courts.  He has also represented clients in Federal Court in New York, Virginia and Texas. These cases include white collar crimes, mortgage fraud, drug cases, assaults, sexual offenses, and murders. Don has earned not guilty verdicts in murder cases, federal drug cases, robberies, and sexual assaults.

Don has also handled automobile accidents, slips and falls, pedestrian accidents and workers compensation cases with serious injuries and has fought and received millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients.

While Don has developed highly regarded courtroom ability, he takes pride in his negotiation skills and has gained the trust of prosecutors, judges and other attorneys throughout the state.

Attorney Cretella was born in New Haven and is a lifelong resident of the New Haven Area.