Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Lake Charles Area

Originaly from New Orleans, Nicholas attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he studied finance and business administration. Upon graduating near the top of his class, he attended the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. While in law school, he clerked for both state and federal judges. After graduating from law school he moved to Lake Charles where he worked for two years as an Assistant District Attorney. He founded Algero Law LLC in 2021. When he is not advocating for his clients, he volunteers in the community for organizations such as Oasis: A safe haven for women and children and Real Men Wear Pink of Southwest Louisiana.

On September 1, 2016, the Abshire Law Firm was formed to handle Family Law matters related to divorce, child custody and support.  On October 14, 2016, Dustan left his position as an Assistant District Attorney to operate the Abshire Law Firm on a full-time basis.  Upon leaving the DA's Office the Abshire Law Firm expanded to handle matters involving Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.. Background of Dustan:. Dustan J. Abshire is a lifelong Lake Charles resident and a graduate of Barbe High School. Dustan began his career with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office after high school and stayed there for 15 years. He spent time in corrections, patrol and as a detective in the Sex Crimes/Severe Child Abuse Unit.. After passing the bar exam, Dustan was given the opportunity to serve as an Assistant District Attorney for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office. Currently, he was a felony prosecutor handling a wide variety of cases.. Dustan joined the law office of Bryant, Sigler, & Abshire, L.L.C. where his private practice focuses on Family Law involving matters of divorce, child custody, child support, wills, and successions for the people of Southwest Louisiana that are in need of assistance.. Dustan is passionate about both areas of law because they both provide opportunities to genuinely help people in need. Dustan has been a lifelong public servant.. While at CPSO, Dustan obtained a Criminal Justice degree from McNeese State University and went on to graduate from the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Miss. He received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and a Civil Law Certificate. His career with the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office began in June 2014 as an intern. Shortly after, Dustan was an investigator up until he was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in April 2015.. Dustan has been married for 22 years and has one son and two stepdaughters. He served on the USSSA Board for baseball from 2008-2011 and has been a member of the Knights of Columbus with Our Lady Queen of Heaven.

James E. Sudduth, III is the founder and driving force behind Sudduth and Associates. As a Lake Charles native he witnessed the lack of growth and direction present in his beloved city and decided to become the force of change the city needed. James knew that to accomplish this goal he would have to temporarily relocate to Baton Rouge. After law school, James returned home to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s office, and during his tenure he was promoted to Misdemeanor Section Chief. When offered a second promotion, to the Felony Division, James declined stating that he was being called to serve the public in a different arena."At the end of the end of the day it isn't about the amount of money you bring home or the prestige attached to your name; rather it is the satisfaction of a job well done and knowing that despite your limited resources you have accomplished the near impossible. It is about making a difference in people's lives and having the desire to serve them when no one else will. This is what it means to be a true servant to the public."

I specialize in Criminal Defense and am driven by a passion for the courtroom and representing the interests of those who are in need of restitution, recovery, or exoneration. I represent those charged with very serious offenses as well as those charged with petty ones and invest the same level of work ethic into every case and client behind it. I've achieved two overturned convictions on behalf of clients seeking appeals, revealing exculpatory evidence suppressed by the State that ultimately proved innocence on behalf of those charged. Altogether, I consider it my life’s purpose to ensure those who are wrongly convicted, underrepresented, or overcharged experience the just defense they rightly deserve.

I come from a family of Lawyers.  My father practiced law in Lake Charles, LA from 1958 until his passing in 2002.  I have been practicing law for 30 years.  My career began in Texas, but I settled back Lake Charles, LA in 1996.  I still maintain my Texas license given the close proximity of the Texas border to Lake Charles.. In the early years of my practice, I handled cases in all areas of the law.  However, a significant part of my practice has always been in the field of injury law. And I have been fortunate enough to be very successful in this area.  Several of the injury awards are on my web page.. As I practiced injury law, I also handled countless Bankruptcy and Family Law Cases.  In 2005 I chose to broaden my practice into  the area of criminal law and began handling drug offense cases.  It wasn't long into my criminal practice that I realized there was a need for lawyers who thoroughly understood how to defend a DWI or DUI case.  Soon thereafter, I began the process of learning the ins-and-outs of DWI law.  I ultimately joined the National College of DUI Defense which requires extensive study into this particular area of law.  To further hone my defense skills, I got trained and certified in administering the Standardized Field Sobriety Test just like law enforcement officers.  This gives me the ability to evaluate their administering of the test and go toe-to-toe with them during cross-examination should your case goes to trial.. To sum it up in a nutshell, I am a dedicated lawyer.  I am proud of what I do; I am also aware of the serious responsibility bestowed when a client entrusts their case to me.  If you care to discuss your case further, feel free to give me a call.

Catherine Stagg has assisted thousands of individuals and families since she was admitted to the practice of law in 1977. She takes her obligations as a "Counselor at Law" just as seriously as her advocacy role as an "Attorney at Law.". Since 1977, Ms. Stagg has worked almost exclusively in public interest law firms and agencies or as a self-employed sole practitioner, representing real people with real problems. As a new attorney, she was taught what she calls the No. 1 lesson that many lawyers never learn — to always ask what the client wants. Toward that goal, Ms. Stagg conducts a "legal checkup," taking time with each client to understand and problem-solve the legal issue at hand and to address any other legal matters on the horizon.. Catherine Stagg concentrates her practice in Social Security Disability (SSD and SSI), family and juvenile law and criminal defense. She can also counsel and represent clients in many areas of law, including immigration, wills and successions, employment discrimination and civil rights.. Local Roots and Long Experience. Ms. Stagg graduated from Sulphur High School in Sulphur, Louisiana, in 1972, left to see the world and eventually came full circle back to Calcasieu Parish. She has operated her own law firm, Catherine L. Stagg, Attorney at Law, L.L.C., in Lake Charles since 2006. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts of Louisiana, and is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).. Read more about an experienced courtroom attorney who will treat you with respect, spend as much time with you as needed, and fiercely advocate on your behalf.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lake Charles and surrounding areas.