Marc Geller

Mr. Geller has accumulated a wealth of experience defending cases in state and federal court for over 50 years. His knowledge of the law, personal charisma, exquisite courtroom demeanor, and skill at persuasion make him one of the preeminent criminal defense advocates in San Diego. The very highest degree of criminal defense representation provided by Mr. Geller allows him to effectively protect your rights and serve your interests during investigation, trial, and appeal of your criminal case. Mr. Geller’s ability to effectively and persuasively communicate with prosecutors, judges, and juries are essential to his success at consistently achieving the best possible resolution of his client’s cases. The Geller Firm provides clients with formidable skills in factual investigation, crafting legal arguments, negotiation, protection of rights, and litigation.

  • Half a Century of Experience

    Mr. Geller has tried over 100 cases in federal and state court throughout the United States. He has handled white collar cases and narcotic cases in Washington DC, Alexandria, Virginia, Benton, Illinois, Helena, Montana, Las Vegas, Nevada, Phoenix, Arizona, Boise, Idaho, and in every court in San Diego and Orange County, California.

    Over Fifty (50) Cases Argued in Appellate Courts 

    Mr. Geller has argued over fifty (50) cases in appellate courts, and presented three cases in the United States Supreme Court. He recently completed a case on appeal, with a hearing granted before the California Supreme Court.

    In People v. Feliccia, Mr. Geller represented a 16-year old minor defendant targeted by the District Attorney and prosecuted as an adult.  The California Court of Appeals ruled that certain provisions of Juvenile Court Law were unconstitutional — provisions that had allowed the District Attorney to prosecute juveniles as adults.

    This case was argued before the California Supreme Court in December of 2001.  The Supreme Court rendered its decision February 28, 2002, reversing the decision of the Court of Appeal of the State of California.  Although the Supreme Court held that the District Attorney can prosecute juveniles as adults, Mr. Geller was able to persuade the Superior Court to sentence his client to probation, much the same as if he were a juvenile.
    The Geller Firm also recently argued a case before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco, California. In United States v. Clarke, the Court of Appeals dealt with whether mandatory minimum sentences for narcotics offenders violate the Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and usual punishment, and whether a defendant should be allowed to withdraw a guilty plea.  Mr. Geller argued this case before the Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled [incorrectly] that there was no violation of the Constitution.

    Mr. Geller recently completed two complex narcotics distribution conspiracies prosecuted in the United States District Courts in Helena (Montana), Alexandria (Virginia), and San Diego. His clients received extremely lenient sentences, resulting from the use of sentencing techniques unique to San Diego, but applied in Federal Courts in Virginia and Montana.

    In addition to complex cases, Mr. Geller currently represents individuals in Superior Court who are charged with simple felonies and various misdemeanors, including driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

    The Geller Firm also handles administrative hearings in connection with the suspension of driving privileges in connection with DUI cases.  The Geller Firm has been successful in setting aside license suspensions by the DMV in over 75% of hearings before the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

    ***Disclaimer: Any information, testimonials, or endorsements listed above is not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of future results.  If you have a question about your specific case, please consult an experienced attorney.***

  • Pre-Indictment Negotiations

    Mr. Geller has Successfully negotiated sentences of probation in three January 6th insurrection prosecutions in Washington DC. He also negotiated, pre-indictment, one of the largest Sinaloa drug cartel cases in San Diego.

    The Geller Firm has represented individuals and is currently involved with representation of individuals who fraudulently obtained payroll protection plan loans as a result of the Covid Pandemic. These cases have been resolved as a result of pre-indictment negotiations with federal prosecutors and the office of the Inspector General. The Geller Firm also has successfully negotiated, pre-indictment, cases involving Social Security fraud and income tax fraud.

    Mr. Geller has prevented the filing of several child molestation cases, domestic violence cases, as well as firearms cases.

    Drug Cultivation Case: Client was charged with cultivation of 200 marijuana plants using stolen power from SDG&E. The case was made based on a questionable initial police search without a search warrant. Case verdict was a dismissal of the cultivation charge, and settlement of mere power cost restitution, or payment, to SDG&E.

    DUI Case: Client was charged with driving while under the influence of Xanax. Case verdict was a dismissal.

    Illegal Alien Transportation Case: Client was charged with transportation of 3 illegal aliens, but a questionable search occurred based upon a questionable stop of the vehicle. Case verdict was for a misdemeanor for aiding entry of an illegal alien with a sentence of merely 5 months in jail.

    Drug Trafficking Case: Client was charged with importing 5 ounces of cocaine. Case verdict was 30 months in custody.

    White Collar Crime: Client was charged with wire fraud, bribery and illegal contracting with the Department of Defense. Verdict was 11 months in custody.

    Theft Case: Client was charged with theft of $400.00 worth of clothing from a department store: Verdict was simple trespassing.

    DUI Case: Client was charged with driving while under the influence of drugs after a prior conviction of driving while under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license. Verdict was a wet reckless driving judgment.

  • “I’ve known and worked with Attorney Marc Geller at the Geller Firm for many years. During that time I referred many clients to him. I always received excellent feedback from those individuals on the job Mr. Geller did for them, and the professional manner in which Marc conducts himself. On countless occasions I witnessed him obtain results in cases I never thought possible.

    Marc Geller has been practicing Criminal Law in Southern California for over 35 years. He commands enormous respect from judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys. His familiarity with the legal community in San Diego is a major asset to his clients.

    If I faced a charge for a crime in San Diego, Marc Geller is — without a doubt — the first person I would call. His ability and experience combine in a dynamic way allowing him to achieve the best possible result on each of his cases. Simply put, there is not a more qualified, capable and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Southern California.”

    Steven York, Esq.
    San Diego, CA 92101
    ______________________

    “Mr. Geller represented me in a domestic violence case. He helped me make the right decisions to put my life back together. Marc, thank you for working so hard for me, and minimizing the impact of my actions on my career and my family.”

    Tony D
    San Diego, CA
    ______________________

    “Mr. Geller brings significant value to his clients and achieves their goals through a commitment to results and aggressive advocacy. He does so while maintaining the highest level of professionalism and integrity.”

    Anthony S. Deutsch, Esq.
    San Diego, CA 92108
    ______________________

    “To whom it may concern:

    I am a former client of the Geller Firm and Marc B. Geller, who always informed me of what was going on in my case. Every avenue of defense was pursued, which gave him the best opportunity to make my case go away. I’ve referred a number of people to Marc. It’s refreshing to know that all of them are extremely satisfied. If anyone finds they are in the difficult situation of needing a criminal defense attorney, I would strongly recommend Marc and the Geller Firm.”

    Scott D
    San Diego, CA
    _____________________

    ***Disclaimer: Any information, testimonials, or endorsements listed on this page is not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of future results. If you have a question about your specific case, please consult an experienced attorney.***

    ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIALS

    “I got hit with a federal drug crime and was looking at a long prison stretch. Mr. Geller found the soft spots in the government’s case against me and negotiated a sweet deal. I still can’t believe how well it all worked out for me. I thought I was going down for a long time.” -NM

    “Thank you, Marc. You honestly saved my son’s life. You saved him from destroying his life. You kept him out of prison and kept his record clean. Because of your help he was able to finish college, find a career, and start a family. Without your help none of this would have been possible. I hate to think what would have happened if my son had ended up being convicted and sent to prison.” -MG

    “Mr. Geller is first rate, world class. I thought I was going to be buried in the prison system when charges were filed against me. I was so depressed that I was suicidal. Mr. Geller stepped in, guided me through the jungle that is the criminal justice system, and delivered me safely back to freedom. I owe the man everything and can’t say enough good things about him. If you are ever charged with a crime, then hiring Mr. Geller is the smartest move you can make.” -PS

  • Marc B. Geller is recognized with an AV ® Rating, the highest possible rating, for superior professional legal standards, ethics and expertise in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

    Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review process that rates lawyers. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

    The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers is the nation’s premier service publication and the definitive guide to America’s leading lawyers and law firms. Throughout its history, the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register has listed only the most distinguished law practices. The ratings are designated by colleagues in the legal community. Those that have achieved the prestigious AV ® Rating, the highest possible rating, are those who have the highest levels of legal ability, reliability and overall professional excellence.

    The "A" signifies the highest levels of legal ability, while the "V" denotes "very high" adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence. This highest accord is given only to those lawyers who have earned a very high measure of esteem in their profession and in their specialty. "AV" is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure’s standards and policies.