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What Makes Us Unique?

Our Mission

Looking for a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer (San Diego, CA)? Act NOW.

If you have been injured as the result of the actions of a federal entity, contact our criminal lawyers for a free consultation: (619) 794-0451.
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Years of Combined Experience
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Jury Trials to Verdict
# 1
Excessive-Force Verdict in History $85 Million
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Rest Until We Get Justice

Dedicated and Experienced Attorneys

McKenzie Scott PC: San Diego Lawyers Protecting Civil Rights and Providing Criminal Defense Since 2000

At McKenzie Scott, We’re Fighting for the Little Guy. And almost everyone is the little guy when facing the power of the government or corporate money. Our team represents clients of various types all across southern California. Our trial lawyers are here to help people …
  • fight criminal charges, including white-collar crime,
  • sue government agencies when they violate our civil rights and
  • hold corporations accountable when they hurt people.
With a long record of winning state and federal court cases, our legal defense team combines cutting-edge legal strategies and exhaustive case preparation with a tireless commitment to our client’s rights.

Michele Akemi McKenzie

Michele A. McKenzie

Michele McKenzie is a founding partner of McKenzie Scott PC. After graduating from Stanford Law School in 2000, Michele McKenzie served for nearly twenty years at Federal Defenders of San Diego Inc. as a Trial Attorney, Trial Team Supervisor, First Assistant, and interim Executive Director before entering private practice. Michele has devoted her career to challenging systemic unfairness in the justice system, including the chronic under-representation of racial minorities on federal juries. Ms. McKenzie’s efforts are widely credited with helping to create a fairer jury pool in the Southern District today.

Timothy A. Scott

TIMOTHY SCOTT

A graduate of Stanford Law School, Tim Scott has defended people’s constitutional rights in the courtroom for over 20 years. As a civil rights attorney, Tim Scott served as lead trial counsel in K.J.P. v. San Diego, the largest excessive-force verdict in American history ($85 million in compensatory damages).
As a criminal defense lawyer, he has tried over 60 cases to verdict, obtaining either acquittals, mistrials, or reversals on appeal in approximately three-quarters of them.

Practice Areas

How We Can Help

McKenzie Scott is a full-service civil rights, criminal defense, and personal injury law firm with proven experience in the following practice areas.

Criminal Defense Attorney (San Diego, CA)

When justice fails anyone, justice fails everyone. 

If you have been accused of a crime, you have the right to a fair trial and an attorney who can competently represent you in state and federal court. McKenzie Scott PC is a full-service criminal defense law firm located in San Diego County. We represent criminal cases ranging from drug charges and child pornography to white-collar crime and serious felonies charged in superior court. 

Our compassionate San Diego criminal defense attorneys are uniquely qualified to represent federal criminal charges; healthcare, financial, racketeering, and other frauds; white-collar or trade secrets investigations; murder, terrorism, and sex crimes; rape, assault, and other sex offenses; child pornography and internet crimes; serious drug charges (trafficking, transportation, distribution, sale, conspiracy, etc.); and juvenile crimes.

Fighting Racial Bias in the Criminal Justice System

Wrongful convictions are strongly correlated with race. According to a white paper published by the University of Michigan in 2022, Black Americans are seven times more likely to be falsely convicted of serious crimes than white Americans. Studies suggest that roughly one in 20 people currently incarcerated in the US are innocent.

You should call the San Diego criminal defense lawyers at McKenzie Scott PC as soon as you are aware that you are under investigation or have been charged with a crime. Early involvement of a criminal defense lawyer is the first step in protecting your rights, navigating the complex legal system, and formulating a strong defense strategy.

If you are facing felony charges—drug offenses, theft, assault, child pornography, money laundering or other serious crimes—a skilled criminal defense lawyer will provide essential guidance. Our team is here to negotiate with prosecutors, represent you in court, and work to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, including reduced charges or acquittal.

Even if you believe the charges are minor or you are innocent, retaining a criminal defense lawyer ensures that your case is handled professionally and that your rights are safeguarded throughout the legal process.

Our experienced team of criminal defense attorneys offers fearless trial advocacy for all types of cases. From aggressive motions practice to unwavering client loyalty, we’ll stand by your side when it matters the most.

Civil Rights Attorney (San Diego, CA)

Freedom of speech. Freedom of assembly. Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. 

The freedoms we all enjoy do not come easily and sometimes, these hard-fought rights require defending. Based out of San Diego, California, the law firm of McKenzie Scott PC stands ready to use proven defense strategies to restore your rights, your property, and your dignity after a civil rights violation. 

Federal and state laws are in place to help protect you from discrimination and unfair treatment. If you believe your rights have been violated, talk to a civil rights attorney (San Diego, CA) today. Our team has a proven track record of strong outcomes in all types of civil rights cases.

Civil Rights Violations By Government? Call McKenzie Scott As Soon As Possible.

If you have experienced a civil rights violation by the government, call McKenzie Scott immediately, as there is a strict six-month deadline for filing your case. This time frame, known as the statute of limitations, is critical because missing it can result in the permanent loss of your right to seek justice and compensation for the violation. Delaying this process can jeopardize your ability to hold the government accountable and protect your rights. 

For a favorable outcome in your case, we highly recommend acting quickly.

Call the law office of McKenzie Scott today to safeguard your legal rights and secure the justice you deserve: (619) 794-0451.

Civil rights violations include everything from police misconduct and wrongful death to sexual assault and civil rights claims against government entities. This field of law often overlaps with personal injury and criminal defense. Examples of civil rights violations:
  • In-custody deaths. In the United States, in-custody deaths are a far-too-common example of a civil rights violation. This is where a person who has been charged with a crime is fatally mistreated or neglected while in police custody.
  • Housing discrimination. A landlord refusing a tenant housing because of their race or religion is another example of a civil rights violation that would warrant a lawsuit.
  • Workplace harassment. Sexual assault or harassment by an employer or superior is another common example of a civil rights violation.
  • Physical assault. Physical attacks attributed to a person’s race, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion constitute civil rights violations.

Personal Injury Attorney (San Diego, CA)

After a serious injury, we’re here to help. 

Personal injury law is a field that encompasses a variety of injuries. McKenzie Scott PC pursues financial compensation for injuries resulting from others’ negligence; we specialize in cases involving wrongful death, premises liability, and all forms of catastrophic injury.

After a serious accident, your life can change in an instant. Injuries caused by someone else’s negligence-whether a trucking accident, slip-and-fall injury, or wrongful death-will have a profound and lasting impact on both the victim and their loved ones. Our seasoned staff understands the importance of effective advocacy in cases where your well-being is on the line.

Our Personal Injury Specialties

McKenzie Scott PC handles a variety of personal injury case types, including civil rights cases against government entities and injuries resulting from police misconduct. In the tragic event that the injury results in a wrongful death or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), our team offers experience in collecting damages and resolving your case for its full, fair value.

Evaluating a Personal Injury Case

Do I have a personal injury case? This is the most common question we get as San Diego personal injury attorneys. Our team has extensive experience vetting, researching, and representing personal injury cases all across the state of California. From liability and damages to statute limitations and contributory negligence, there are a number of determining factors that will influence the viability of your case. The more information you can provide to us at your initial intake, the more easily we will be able to offer an accurate evaluation of your claim.

No Tricks, No Surprises: Our Payment Policy

All our personal injury legal services are offered on a contingency-fee-basis: our legal team earns a percentage fee from what we collect on your behalf. We only collect costs after we successfully recover money through a settlement or verdict. We never charge retainer fees or up-front costs; we only get paid when you do.

Our Team

Taking on government or corporate entities can be intimidating. With McKenzie Scott’s seasoned team of justice warriors, you’ll have the peace of mind you need throughout the court process.

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    Awards & Recognition

    McKenzie Scott PC. Recognized for excellence in San Diego, throughout California, and nationwide.

    Our award-winning civil rights, criminal defense, and personal injury lawyers have the passion, skill, and experience you need to protect your rights.


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