About Matthew G. Kaestner Attorney – General Practice Long Beach California

Matthew G. Kaestner Attorney, a criminal law specialist, brings general practice long beach california clients decades of defense experience from his One World Trade Center office in Long Beach. Attorney Kaestner handles criminal defense matters across the spectrum, from felony and attempted murder charges to traffic violations, with a track record that reviewers describe in terms typically reserved for exceptional outcomes: murder cases beaten, felonies dismissed, and clients returned to their families. Residents throughout the Long Beach area who need criminal defense attorneys in Long Beach, CA will find an attorney who invests personally in every client and delivers.

California’s criminal courts are among the busiest in the nation, with California home to 181,048 active licensed attorneys as of 2025 per the American Bar Association. In this competitive legal market, Matt Kaestner has built a loyal client base over 15+ years through consistent results on serious charges. His general practice long beach california approach extends beyond criminal defense when clients need broader legal guidance, including immigration-adjacent issues where his knowledge has helped families address legal status concerns connected to criminal matters. Reviewers consistently note that he regularly visited incarcerated clients, kept families informed, and treated each case as if the outcome were his own.

What Clients Say

Matthew Kaestner’s reviews document outcomes that changed lives. Multiple clients credit him with beating murder charges after other attorneys had failed or given up. One client described sitting in jail, certain his life was over, only to be found not guilty and returned home thanks to Kaestner’s thorough investigation and courtroom advocacy. Another had a felony case dismissed entirely with no jail time, no probation, and nothing on his record. A family that used him multiple times over 15 years described him as consistently worth the investment. Reviewers also praise his accessibility, his visits to incarcerated clients, and his ability to go above and beyond on immigration-connected matters.

General Practice Long Beach – Practice Areas and Services

• Criminal defense including felony and murder charges
• Attempted murder and violent crime defense
• Felony reduction and dismissal motions
• Traffic violation and license protection
• Immigration-connected criminal defense
• General legal counsel for individuals and families

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in California?

In California, felonies are the most serious criminal offenses, punishable by more than one year of incarceration (typically in state prison), while misdemeanors carry a maximum of one year in county jail. Felony convictions carry additional consequences including loss of voting rights during incarceration, firearm prohibitions, and significant barriers to employment and housing. California also has a category called wobblers, which are offenses that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor at the prosecutor’s discretion. An experienced defense attorney can sometimes negotiate a wobbler down to a misdemeanor, significantly reducing the long-term consequences of a conviction.

Can a murder charge be beaten in California?

Yes, murder charges can be and are defeated in California courts through various defense strategies. Common defenses include self-defense or defense of others, lack of intent, mistaken identity, insufficient evidence, or constitutional violations in how evidence was obtained. California law distinguishes between first-degree murder (premeditated), second-degree murder (intentional but not premeditated), and voluntary/involuntary manslaughter, and defense attorneys can sometimes negotiate charges down to lesser offenses even when full acquittal is not possible. The quality and thoroughness of investigation by the defense attorney is often the determining factor in outcome.