About Stefano L.
Stefano L. Molea earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Government from the University of Redlands in 2008 and a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2011. His academic path combined questions about law and public life. Those interests steered him toward criminal defense work after law school.
Molea began his legal career in the San Diego area. He was an associate lawyer at the Law Offices of Kerry L. Armstrong in 2013. There he handled a range of criminal matters, gaining courtroom experience and exposure to pretrial work. Five years later he joined The Law Offices of David P. Shapiro, APLC as a partner in 2018, a move that expanded his responsibilities and case portfolio.
He is admitted to practice in California and before the Federal Circuit. Those admissions allow him to take cases in state courts and certain federal matters. He also holds memberships in several professional organizations tied to criminal defense. He has been a member of California Lawyers for Criminal Justice since 2012. He joined the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association in 2014 and serves on its board. In 2015 he became a member of the National College for DUI Defense.
Colleagues describe Molea as steady in court and exacting in preparation. His background in philosophy shows through in how he frames legal arguments. He pays attention to the sequence of facts and the choices made by prosecutors. That approach is useful in plea negotiations and trial settings alike.
His casework has covered routine and complex criminal matters. He has handled DUI-related cases, conventional misdemeanor and felony charges, and matters that touch on federal procedure. In client meetings he focuses on clear explanations of options, potential outcomes and timing. He also spends time reviewing evidence and coordinating investigators when a case requires it.
Outside the courtroom he stays engaged with local defense circles through the board role at the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association and through CLE opportunities offered by the National College for DUI Defense. Those activities keep him current on developments in DUI law and criminal practice in California.
Molea currently practices criminal defense in California and handles matters that include DUI cases and other state and federal criminal charges.
