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26 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
Ms Elliott handle a complicated case in a way that our family are thankful with the outcome. Her office keep us informed and she worked efficiently even though we never meet in person I always will feel gratitude for all she did for my son
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13 Dec, 2018 by Anthony
Jenniifer Is a Good person, Very professional and takes care of her clients. I would recommend her to anyone because she cares. I know this first hand cause she is currently representing me.
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02 Nov, 2015 by Paula
I just want to say that he is an excellent attorney, yet he is thorough. He is also sympathetic and compassionate, and he doesn't hold back . He's honest, truthful and straight to the point. I have never been so comfortable by any representation like I was with him. He definitely has his clients best interest at heart and will give his all defending his client, thank you so much.
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15 Dec, 2014 by Jeff
Mr. Eppler worked with my family when my son was facing a serious charge. He worked very hard so that we ended up with the best possible outcome. I can't recommend him highly enough!
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06 Jun, 2014 by Emanuel
Kari Boym is an excellent professional. She is very helpful, answers her phone calls immediatly, and is very concerned with the justice system responding correctly to the client's needs. I highly recommend her as one of the best distinguished lawyers in Seattle, WA. She did a great job in our case.
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16 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
Stephan represented me in a federal case back in 2005.It was a difficult case due to the political climate of the time. He got me the best that I could get in the circumstances. Furthermore he showed thay I was more than just a number or just an obligation even though I was a pro per case. So yes I would say that you want Stephan on your aide in federal court. And as a final note I can tell you Stephan is also respected by judges as well as the probation officers i've come into contact with so far.
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05 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Dude was pretty good - I liked him.
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13 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Max kalton is a great lawyer. He helped me with my case and kept it as stress free as possible. I highly recommend.
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19 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
I don't know where to begin when I explain how amazing of an attorney Anne is. There was so much more going on behind the scenes than I ever realized. With and at times without my knowing, she went above and beyond in s many ways. She actually takes time whether it's Labor Day weekend, any weekend or evening to get back to you and thoroughly answer your questions (which I have a lot of by the way) - She truly cares and is interested in you as a client not just for monies, she's organized, prompt, very motivated and even with her many years of experience, still carries the passion for justice. I can't say enough about how fantastic she is. What I personally liked best about her is that she's down to earth and plain cool! Not at all some stuck up attorney who thinks they're on a higher level of life than you. What else can I say? She's awesome in every single way. I highly recommend Anne to any and everyone that needs a standup, caring attorney that's plain AWESOME in the courtroom. Thank you Anne!
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06 Dec, 2013 by Robert
He listened to what i wanted to do and did not try to get me to take a plea bargain beyond what i was willing to agree to. When the state refused to be reasonable he was ready< willing and able to take it to trial. I was charged with two second degree assaults with a deadly weapon (dollar store broomstick I was using as a walking stick), I was guilty car prowling and when the owner caught me I ran away and the guy and his son chased me but I did not even attempt to hit either one of them. He was able to suppress my irrelevant criminal history so I could testify on my own behalf. The end result was the jury found me guilty of misdemeanors. He was very honest in is professional opinion and when the state offered a 5 year deal halfway thru trial he recommended I consider it only because if I had been found guilty of the felonies I would of gotten about 20 years with all the felonies and weapon enhancements. He is a great attorney and you have to trust that he will do what he gets paid to dol
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11 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Magee represented my adult son in a dui case. He was honest and forthright throughout the process, was very good about laying out the risks and potential outcomes for different courses the case could take, didn't sugar coat anything, and his knowledge and experience helped us make the right decisions.
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30 Nov, 2015 by Antoine
I had the privilege of meeting attorney Kirkwood and I must admit it was very impressive, she is awesome their is this old saying ATTORNEYS ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED, I must admit not only is Attorney Kirkwood trustworthy, she is very honest, straight forward, warming, caring and takes her job very serious. After a consultation with this attorney on a subject I have never heard of called shaking baby syndrome I left our meeting very informed, confident, that one day soon my God son Rico Dion Green will one day be released from prison for a crime that never occurred Shaking Baby Syndrome. Rico D. Green received a 38 yr to Life sentence after the child he took on as his own son that he love so much suffered an accidental fall down some apartment stairs in Tulsa Oklahoma 2009. I would recommend Attorney Heather Kirkwood without any hesitation. Sincerely Antoine H. Sr.
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27 Aug, 2013 by Miko
My organization hired Steven to represent us in a major case against a large city. He did a great job of litigating this case at the trial court and in the court of appeals. Great lawyer!
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25 Oct, 2008 by Anonymous
i was faceing 25 years on a violent crime and within 6 months he and his team at SGB got the case dismised i would highly recommend this lawyer cause he is the best in washington state !
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16 Aug, 2016 by D. grant
I hired Ben after a representing myself for the majority of my two cases. I wasn't as successful as I would have liked and I knew my case would end up going to trial. Even though I had a falsely filed protection order granted against me, Ben was able get me a fair parenting plan with DV no restrictions. If you know anything about Washington State law it's extremely difficult for men to get a fair trial. I only wish I would have found Ben earlier in my case and maybe the protection order would have never been granted. My advice to father's fighting for their children is to consult with an attorney asap. One of the best things about Ben and Community Legal Solutions is that they will work with you financially. I would have never been able to afford an attorney if it wasn't for Ben and Community Legal Solutions. To all father's and mother's fighting for their children, I would highly recommend Ben. He definitely went the extra mile and didn't even charge me what he should have. I am grateful that there are attorneys out there like Ben.
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25 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
Becky is dedicated to fair play and honesty. She knows statutes and does not promise the moon, but litigates within the law. I would trust her to represent me for virtually any case, knowing that she will adhere to the legislative rules and work to fulfill the promise of justice.
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12 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
In a time of crisis, in a time of uncertainty, when the authorities are trying to charge you with a crime - there is no other attorney I would call other than Jon Zulauf. His dedication to our case was truly above and beyond what anyone could expect. Jon’s extensive knowledge of the law, attention to detail and his many numerous contacts were instrumental in bringing our case to a favorable conclusion. Jon’s knack for dealing with younger clients, his patience and his thoughtful tone shows that he cares a great deal about his clients. I know he cared a great deal about my daughter when the authorities charged her with a crime she did not commit. On several occasions during our 17 month nightmare the prosecutor tried to bend and twist the law but Jon was there, he was there every step of the way. If it were not for Jon Zulauf and his dedicated staff I am 100% sure that my daughter would have been railroaded into pleading guilty to a crime she did not commit. I cannot say enough good things about Jon, his skill and ability to represent and defend you in a court of law.
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31 Jul, 2015 by Dan
John is one of the smartest lawyers in Seattle and our firm has hired him many times over the years to help us handle work crunches. What truly sets John apart is his amazing brief writing abilities.
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20 Aug, 2008 by Dwayne
Miss Lingafelter was extremely helpful even though she was not able to take my case. I would recommend her to anyone seeking an attorney. Thank you
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19 Mar, 2022 by Adam
I was facing a very serious charge and Sandro accepted my case via the conflict panel. Sandro was helpful in knowing the laws pertaining to my case and translating the legal jargon to plain English. The case had several complicating factors and through diligence in following the evidence, and leveraging his knowledge of the law and of the persons involved in the courts in King County, the case was dismissed. On top of all that, he genuinely cared about me as a whole person, not just as a client. I would recommend Sandro Parrotta to anyone who needs a great criminal defense attourney.
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12 May, 2018 by Taylor
David Bray was my lawyer for the better part of 4 months. At the time, he was a public defender - whom I understand have heavy caseloads and wander in and out of court all day, every day. However, David would call me sometimes at 8pm, when the working day settled, just to see how I am doing and to update me - which proved how much concern he gave to his clients, and that he believes in the people he defends.
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21 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I never had a chance to thank you but back in the spring of '93, you represented me when I got in trouble back in my high school years. Thank you so much.
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11 May, 2015 by Marc
Jayson helped me out on two occasions: first with a real estate deal gone awry, and then with some personal affairs. I found Jayson to be competent, efficient, and reasonably priced. Jayson was easy-going and took a no-nonsense approach to get my issues resolved. I highly recommend him.
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06 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous
Top notch. The lawyer you would want in the Seattle area if you need one. I found him available -- always returned my calls right away. The process can be an intimidating one, but he explains everything clearly and you won't feel surprised. His experience as a criminal defense attorney is evident in the way he handles himself before the court. I'd call him well prepared.
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12 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous
Juanita helped me with a DV case. I had spoke with a few attorneys beforehand and none were able to clear give me answers to my basic questions about the case and the game plan going forward. Possibly since for the most part since the case was rather simple and not a big moneymaker some of the other attorneys did not show extreme interest. When I first met with Juanita our conversation was simple yet focused, she listened attentively and then gave her opinion along with her plan for going forward. She was responsive and kept me informed with all the changes even without me asking, which speaks volumes to me about her concern and dedication. In the end we were able to get a favorable outcome. So all in all I would recommend Juanita to anyone needed legal assistance in her area of practice.
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14 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
YOUR FAMILY N DIFFERENT SHADES ..MARIE FRANKLIN SMITH! MR SCOTTIS2 IRISH...628 205 7284... I OF BEING A MAN AND A WOMAN AS WELL AS DEALING WITH HOMOS.. REAL TALK I ONLY NEED ONE KING...SANDWICH DON'T WORK FOR ME! I LIKE WHAT i LIKE...ANYWAY I LOVE YOU MR CRAIG... GIVE ZION FRANKLIN SMITH KEVIN AS WELL AS MINES COMPLETE SINCERELY LOVE... WE LOVE YOU MR CRAIG AS WELL AS YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY..WE ARE ONE! LOVE YOU..SINCERELY MARIE FRANKLIN SMITH..PLEASE TELL ZION FRANKLIN SMITH THAT I TOUCHED IN...PLEASE...HE IS MY HEART...FOREVERMORE!
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10 May, 2012 by Elizabeth
I recently worked with Cory on a tax appeal and was very impressed with her work (our appeal was successful!). Cory understood the issues faced by our small business, and worked with us to develop a strategy that was practical and efficient. She took the initiative to obtain public records relating to the case, which uncovered some very helpful evidence. She thoroughly researched the legal issues and was happy to collaborate with us, incorporating our feedback and ideas. She was always very responsive to our questions and concerns. She is a nice and friendly person, which makes her very easy to work with. I would strongly recommend working with Cory.
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04 Jan, 2022 by James
He is an absolute amazing attorney who deserves far more than five stars he goes above and beyond very attentive to his clients and he works very hard for his clients best interest. Very personable and informative, always is available to answer and help with any and all your questions, and makes sure to keep in very good contact. I really appreciate all he has done for me and can’t thank him enough or say enough good about him and my experience with him.
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15 Jul, 2022 by Jodi
John is a awesome attorney that cares about his clients. He listens and understands and is always kind when I call.
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24 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Matthew was the attorney on my family law case. To say that he fought for my family is an understatement! Any questions we had, anything we needed, he and his team were there every step of the way. Thinking about getting into a legal battle was terrifying, but I am so glad we had him on our side!
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You

A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.

Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:

  • Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
  • Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
  • Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
  • Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
  • Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
  • Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:

  • Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
  • Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
  • Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
  • Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
  • Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
  • Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
  • Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.

How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?

Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:

  • Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
  • Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
  • Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.

The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:

  • Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
  • Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
  • Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
  • Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.

Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.

Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:

  1. What is your experience with cases like mine?
    Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs.
  3. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction.
  4. How many cases have you taken to trial?
    While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial.
  5. Who will handle my case?
    Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work.
  6. How do you communicate with your clients?
    Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.

How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer

To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:

  • Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
  • Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
  • Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
  • Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:

  • Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
  • Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
  • List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
  • Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.

By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.

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