Davis W. Hewitt

Davis has spent his entire career defending people against criminal accusations. He began as a defense attorney in Fresno county representing people charged with misdemeanors and felonies. In recognition of his jury trial successes, he was awarded his office’s Trial Puppy of the Year in 2016 and Trial Dog of the Year in 2017. He later moved to Santa Cruz and joined the private firm of Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, where he practiced until 2022.

Davis has extensive experience handling criminal cases and has litigated what he reports as just about every issue the accused will face in state court. From compassionate release petitions to complex motions in special circumstances murder prosecutions. His work has led to published case authority in California’s Sixth Appellate District (Molina v. Superior Court (2024) No. H050669 CA6 https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/H050669.PDF)

As lead counsel, Davis has handled over 50 jury trials to verdict. He has appeared in courtrooms throughout the state and in cases ranging in seriousness from minor in possession of alcohol to special circumstances murder. He can also provide support for cases attracting media attention.

What sets Davis apart from other attorneys is his competitive spirit and commitment to high quality legal defense. He is active in his community as an attorney, having coached high school mock trial and volunteered with the Elementary Law Program. He has also trained other attorneys in areas of criminal defense practice. Davis teaches Criminal Law at CSU Chico and is a former member of the Santa Cruz Trial Lawyers Association and the California Public Defenders Association.

After a decade doing mostly public service, Davis is happy to settle down in Northern California and enter the private sector full time. He brings with him insight into every aspect of criminal defense. He lives in Chico and spends his free time oil painting, running, and walking his dachshund Dima.

Education

Davis graduated from U.C. Berkeley, majoring in Anthropology. He then earned his law degree from U.C. Hastings College of the Law.