Russell Babcock - San Diego, CA
Attorney at Law Office of Russell S. Babcock
Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Diego, CA
1901 1st Ave. 1st Floor San Diego, CA 92101
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
45
Years
Experience
San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 08/06/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
Attorney Information
Overview
The law firm of Russell S. Babcock was formed to provide the highest quality of federal and state criminal defense services at reasonable prices. We are a full service criminal law firm which gives attention to its clients and brings detailed knowledge and experience to each case. Mr. Babcock has practiced law for more than thirty years. He is fluent in Spanish (Español) and serves both the English speaking and Hispanic community.
Russell Babcock graduated from the University of California, Davis, in the top 1% of his class, with highest honors. Russell is admitted to the California, Alaska and Colorado bars. He has tried more than one hundred fifty jury trials and practiced law in more than ten states. Russell is one of the few attorneys who divides his practice between trials and appeals, in both state and federal court. Russell has handled very complex cases including; five death penalty cases, complex banking and business conspiracy cases, as well as the most complex federal and state drug cases.
Russell is a tenacious litigator who is willing to travel anywhere to achieve justice. He's a former prosecutor and attorney general, which helps him to understand how the government makes it charging decisions and adds credibility to him as a trial attorney.
In 1995 Russell became one of the few state certified criminal specialists in San Diego County. In 1998 he won the prestigious award for “Criminal Appellate Attorney of the Year” given by the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association. In 2011 Russell Babcock was named one of the best five criminal defense attorneys in San Diego. Russell has been named several years as a “Super Lawyer,” including Super Lawyer 2015. He is an Avvo 10.0 rated attorney.
Awards and Honors
Awards
Honors
- Avvo Attorney Rated 10.0 (Superb), 2010 - Present
- Best San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney, 2012
- Super Lawyers, 2008 - Present
- The Top Attorneys in San Diego, 2008 and various years to present
- Kudos, 2007
- Special Recognition, 2004
- Appellate Attorney of the Year, 1998
- Moot Court Judge, Finals Competition, University of San Diego School of Law, 1999 - Present
Other Sources of Feedback About Russell Babcock
Included on the 2026 San Diego Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2024 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2023 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2022 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2021 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2015 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2009 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2008 San Diego Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
-
University of California, Davis School of Law,
Davis,
California, 1981
Juris Doctor
Honors: Class Rank Upper 15%
Non Legal Education
-
University of California, Davis, 1978
B.A.
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: With Highest Honors
Honors: Departmental Honors, Rhetoric
Honors: Class Rank Upper 1%
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
Major: Rhetoric
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Founder + Owner
Past Positions
- Rosner & Law, Attorney, October, 1988 - February, 1990
- Attorney General's Office, Supervising Assistant Attorney General, September, 1987 - February, 1988
- District Attorney's Office, Assistant District Attorney, 1982 - 1987
- District Attorney's Office, Deputy District Attorney, January, 1982 - May, 1982
Languages
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English
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Spanish
Pro Bono Activities
- CJA Panel (Federal Indigent Appointments), Southern District of California, Member, 1991 - 2009
Representative Cases
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People v. Covarrubias (SCD 197098) (San Diego Superior Court, 2007)
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United States v. Chagovic (01CR1652-M) (United States District Court, Southern District of California, 2001-2004)
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People v. Vargas (S101247) (California 2006 to present)
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People v. Abilez (S066377) (California 2001 to present)
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People v. Pena (D031165) (San Diego, California)
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People v. DePriest (S040527) (California 1998 to present)
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People v. Beck (NA031210) (Long Beach, California, 1996)
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People v. Kasim (D021800) (San Diego, California, 1994 – 1995)
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People v. Ochoa (S009522) (California, 1991 -1998)
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Wyoming v. Venable (CR62-12-85) (Wyoming, 1991)
Bar Admissions
- California, 1981
- Alaska, 1982
- Colorado, 1987
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court Central District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1992
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- United States Supreme Court, 1994
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 1994
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1994
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
Specialties and Certifications
- Certified Specialist, Criminal Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization (1995)
Other Affiliations
- William Enright Inn of Court, 1998 - 2000 (Barrister)
- California Appellate Project, Los Angeles Panel Attorney, 1993 (Member)
- Central California Appellate Project, Panel Attorney, 1999 (Member)
- Appellate Defenders, Inc., San Diego Panel Attorney, 1991 (Member)
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