Criminal Law for CA families.
Marie focuses her practice on criminal defense and family law, the two areas where legal outcomes shape the rest of a person's life.
Criminal Law
Marie approaches criminal defense with a background most defense attorneys cannot offer. As a former Certified Law Clerk in the DA's office, she knows how prosecutors build cases and where openings appear. Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, she walks you through your options clearly and works directly with you from arraignment through resolution.
- Criminal Law
Family Law
Family law cases involve your child and your family in ways that outlast the courtroom. Marie prioritizes a collaborative solution when one is reachable and moves to litigation when it is not. She handles divorce, custody, support, and related matters in English and Spanish, staying personally available to you throughout.
- Family Law
Auto, motorcycle & pedestrian injuries
Most cases settle before trial. We prepare every file as if it won't, and we walk you through what each filing means.
- Insurance demand letters
- Negotiation & settlement
- Litigation when needed
You will work directly with Marie. Not an associate, not a paralegal first.
Marie A. Barnes
Walks every client through the matter directly. Plain-language updates, in-person consultations, and the same lawyer from intake to resolution.
Reviews are pulled from public sources and printed verbatim.
“Marie was absolutely wonderful to work with! She assisted me with custody issues I was having with my ex. She was very professional, thorough, knowledgeable, efficient and reliable. She was thoughtful and really took the time to explain my rights and court processes. She understands what it means to be a good parent fighting for the right to be with your child. I will most definitely call ...”Shannan M · Google review
“Marie Barnes is an Excellent choice for an attorney. She is very kind and thoughtful. Thanks to her, I have custody of my son today. She is a very family person and keeps one calm and cool while she takes the brunt of the heat. I would recommend her to everyone and will also hire her again. Thank you Marie :)”RaviNesh Prasad · Google review
San Francisco County, Marin County, Sonoma County, Contra Costa County & Alameda County.
We take cases across CA, but we're licensed and based here in San Rafael. If you're outside our service area, we'll tell you and we'll usually be able to refer you to someone we trust. We don't accept cases we can't actually staff well.
Schedule a confidential consultation directly with Marie, in English or Spanish.
The first conversation is free, and it's usually one of us, not an intake service. If we're not the right firm for what you need, we'll say so and point you somewhere honest.
DA clerk background: both sides of criminal law
In the area of Criminal Law Marie has prosecuted and defended Felonies and Misdemeanors. As a Certified Law Clerk in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office Marie prosecuted cases in the Misdemeanor Division and the Felony Narcotics Division. As an attorney and in private practice Marie has represented defendants charged with DUI; theft offenses; domestic violence; assault and battery; sex offenses; property offenses; white collar crimes; and juvenile offenses.