Chastaine Jones Criminal Defense Attorneys

About

The top-ranked and highly dedicated legal team at Chastaine Jones Criminal Defense Attorneys delivers exceptional advocacy, legal counsel, and unwavering support to clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges throughout Sacramento County, Placer County, and El Dorado County. With a fearless yet compassionate approach, we stand by those accused of serious offenses, providing strategic, result-driven defense.

Under the ownership and leadership of prominent trial attorney Martin Jones, our firm has successfully handled thousands of cases, including more than 170 high-profile jury trials over the years. Chastaine Jones has established itself as one of the region’s foremost criminal defense firms, offering comprehensive, full-service representation in the following areas:

• Sexual crimes (adult & juvenile)
• Homicide (murder & attempted murder)
• Drug offenses
• Gun charges
• Human trafficking
• Felony DUI
• DUI & driving crimes
• Federal crimes
• White-collar offenses
• Assault & battery
• Expungements & Tier Relief
• Domestic violence
• Sentence modification & felony reduction
• Other criminal offenses

With over 55 years of combined legal experience, our uniquely qualified attorneys consistently secured positive case outcomes both inside and outside the courtroom. No matter the charges you face, you can count on us for relentless advocacy at every stage. We are committed to protecting your rights, safeguarding your freedoms, and maximizing your chances of achieving the best possible outcome.

In honor of our remarkable professionalism and outstanding client service, our lawyers have earned a designation on Expertise's list of Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Folsom and have been included in the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in California rankings by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. We have also held a "Superb" client rating on Avvo and have been listed on U.S. News & World Report's Best Law Firms list for criminal defense. Chastaine Jones has been chosen as one of the Best Law Firms in 2023 by U.S. News & World Report Magazine. We are awarded the 2021-&2022 and 2023 City's Best Award, The National Top Trial Lawyers in Top 100, and the Top Lawyers List by Sacramento magazine consistently in 2022, 2023 and 2024. We were also honored to receive the Best Law Firm award by Best Lawyers in 2024 and 2025. Attorney Martin Jones has been chosen as Super Lawyer for the excellence in criminal defense. Also, he is awarded as 2026 United States Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year by the ACQ5 Global Awards.

Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming and impact every aspect of your life. We believe your future is worth fighting for. With exceptional representation, tailored strategies, and relentless advocacy, we are committed to defending your rights and securing the best outcome.

Martin Jones is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney renowned for handling the most complex and high-stakes cases, including death penalty matters, where his strategic advocacy has led juries to fully reject the allegations in numerous cases.

EDUCATION

B.S in Biochemistry from Cal State, Fullerton, NSF/REU grant

Graduated with top honors from Western State Law School, Fullerton, CA, Dean’s List, Witkin Award, and Law Review Notes Editor

AWARDS

California Super Lawyer List               2024  - 2025

US- Criminal Defense Lawyer Of The Year            2026

Top National Trial Lawyers Top 100   2023 – 2025

          Criminal Defense

Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer 2023- 2024-2025

          Criminal Defense

Legal Elite 2020 -2021

Elite Lawyer         2025

          Criminal Defense

American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys

          Winning DUI Cases

American Top Attorneys 2022

          Criminal Defense Law

US News Magazine

          Best Law Firm 2023

Best lawyer Best law Firms  2019- 2024 – 2025

City’s Best Award 2021- 2022-2023

Professional Associations

Member of the State Bar of California, admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Board Member of the Placer Food Bank

Chairman of the Board 2017 – 2019

The Secretary of CalBike 2022- 2025

MEDIA APPERANCES AND COVERAGE

Elder Abuse and Manslaughter – Los Angeles Times, Print and Broadcast Media
A 91-year-old woman living with her great-niece died weighing just 35 pounds and covered with severe sores. The case drew widespread attention and raised significant concerns about the line between caregiving and neglect, highlighting the challenges of in-home elder care.

Murder Case – Print and Broadcast Media
Martin Jones represented a Roseville man charged with four counts of murder. The killings occurred over several days across two Northern California counties, resulting in the tragic loss of the client’s entire family.

Shooting Case – Broadcast Media
In a case involving a shooting at the ABC10 news station in Sacramento, Martin Jones represented the accused. He successfully argued that his client’s political views should not influence the legal proceedings and emphasized the importance of focusing solely on the facts of the case.

Super Lawyers Recognition – Print Media
In 2024, Martin Jones was featured in the August edition of Super Lawyers, an honor recognizing his exceptional legal skills and his outstanding reputation within the legal community.

Additional Media Presence
Martin Jones has appeared in numerous commentary segments and case-related features on broadcast media, providing expert legal insight on high-profile criminal cases.

BIO

Martin Jones stands at the forefront of criminal defense, known for his strategic precision, persuasive courtroom presence, and a proven record of success in high-stakes cases.

With more than two decades of experience as a criminal defense attorney, Martin previously served as the Assistant Chief Defense Attorney and Felony Supervisor at the Placer County Public Defender’s Office.

He chose to leave the Public Defender’s Office to dedicate more time and attention to individual clients. Martin believes that clients are not just case numbers—they are people who deserve respect, compassion, and open communication. He emphasizes that exceptional representation requires accessibility and genuine attorney-client connection.

From an early age, Martin recognized the injustices present in the world, particularly within marginalized communities. He dedicated time to understanding different cultures, and this appreciation for diverse perspectives has strengthened his ability to read and understand human behavior. This insight guides his approach to building strong, empathetic, and effective defenses for his clients.

For Martin, seeing his clients maintain their reputations and return safely to their families and children is a profound motivator. Protecting their freedom and dignity drives him to fight relentlessly for the best possible outcomes in every case.

Martin earned a reputation for integrity, precision, and outstanding results. Known for his calm command of the courtroom allows him methodical approach to navigate even the toughest legal challenges with confidence and precision. He delivers strong, personalized representation for clients facing serious criminal charges and fights for getting the best result possible, no matter what the charges are.

Martin Jones has tried nearly 75 jury trials and represented thousands of clients throughout his career. He has handled the full spectrum of criminal cases, including complex and high-profile matters such as sex crimes, human trafficking, drug possession and trafficking, rape, kidnapping, murder and homicide, federal offenses, internet crimes, domestic violence, assault and battery, arson, fraud, theft, DUI, evading law enforcement, and white-collar crimes.

He successfully handled cases involving the death penalty where he was able to save his clients from death row. He is experienced in handling matters involving highly specialized areas of the law such as sexually violent predators and mentally disordered offenders.

Martin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, a background that provides him with a deep understanding of complex forensic issues, including DNA analysis and medical evidence. Early in his career, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable William F. Rylaarsdam of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, where he contributed to drafting several appellate opinions.

Dedicated to continual growth in his field, Martin regularly attends advanced capital case training programs and is a 2018 graduate of Gerry Spence’s renowned Trial Lawyers College – Defense of the Damned.

Outside the court room, Martin Jones is passionate about giving back and making a real difference in his community. He serves as Chairman of the Placer County Food Bank and sits on the Board of Directors for the California Bicycle Coalition, championing safer streets and sustainable cycling initiatives. For Martin, connecting with everyday people and supporting meaningful causes is as important as his work in the courtroom.

A lifelong enthusiast of cycling, Martin loves exploring new routes and tinkering with anything that crosses his path. He is also a dedicated runner, often covering miles alongside his spirited Brittany Spaniel, JoJo. Martin enjoys balancing his professional life with active pursuits and community involvement, and he resides in Rocklin with his wife.