Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Seattle | 421 available

Neil Fox is a veteran criminal-defense trial lawyer who listens carefully to your needs and vigorously protects your rights.With over 30 years of experience, Neil represents clients in trials, appeals, and post-conviction cases in Washington State and in federal court. Using thorough investigative skills, Neil leaves no stone unturned to help you win the best possible result, so you can return to your life.. Neil started his practice as a staff attorney at the Washington Appellate Defender Association from 1985 to 1989. He then served as a staff attorney and supervisor at the Seattle-King County Public Defender Association from 1989 to 2002. He joined Cohen & Iaria, a small Seattle criminal defense firm, as “of counsel” from 2003 to 2009. Neil started his own firm, the Law Office of Neil Fox PLLC, in 2010.. Neil’s strengths include both legal analysis and trial skills. He has represented many foreign-born clients and handled inter-state and international discovery and extradition. He is a cooperating attorney with the Mexican Capital Legal Assistance Program, representing the interests of the Mexican government in capital cases involving Mexican nationals.

My undergraduate education at the University of Washington started with a concentration in South Asian Area Studies but I finished with a B.S. in Cell/Molecular Biology. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree I entered a PhD program at the University of New Mexico with an emphasis on evolution and adaptive physiology. I completed my PhD in 1986. Along the way I taught at undergraduate and graduate levels. My research has been published in national and international peer-reviewed journals.. Upon returning to Seattle, I entered the University of Washington Law School, earning my J.D. in 1989. While a law student I worked representing low-income individuals in a law clinic and also taught an ecology/natural history class in the UW's Zoology program. In 1989 I joined the Defender Association as a staff attorney. In my years at the Defender Association I represented indigent clients on cases ranging from suspended driver's licenses to homicide.. I now work out of my home as a sole practitioner. My low overhead allows me to make a living while keeping my fees within reach of the average person.. I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds. I lived in Thailand for two years and have traveled in Japan, India, and Maylaysia. Teaching in New Mexico, I had students from the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes. These experiences educated me on the significance of understanding culture and language when working with others. I am LGBT and kink friendly.

My practice focuses on representing people who are in conflict with government. I have specialized in criminal defense in both trial and appellate courts, and in civil rights litigation. More information about my appellate criminal defense work can be found at . In my civil rights practice, I have represented people whose rights have been violated by police, social workers, teachers, mayors, governors, and military agencies.

My practice focuses on litigation and court appearances. Many lawyers are comfortable working in the office but are not comfortable in the courtroom. I have nearly 20 years experience helping persons protect their rights.
We usually offer a free consultation and encourage folks to call to discuss their case.

My Clients: I understand that for many of my clients the legal process can be daunting during one of the most difficult times of their lives. With that in mind, I have a tremendous amount of compassion for their situations and the struggles they are enduring. To serve them best I listen to their stories carefully, use my experiences and knowledge of the law, and I fight for their justice.. My Caseload: To ensure personal and thorough legal representation for my clients, I keep my caseload at a level that allows me to spend the necessary time to give each client the individual attention that each individual case requires. Working hard on client cases results in extremely beneficial resolutions.. My Practice: I limit my practice to only criminal defense and personal injury cases. That focus has enabled me to acquire in-depth knowledge and extensive experiences in both areas of the law.  Armed with those legal skills I can provide exceptional legal representation for the cases I handle.. My Experience:  As an attorney with many years of experience in both criminal law and personal injury, I have successfully represented clients charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes in Federal, Superior, District, and Municipal courts throughout the Puget Sound area.  To my clients, I promise and then make sure that they get the best possible resolution for their cases.. My many years of experience trying cases and working on behalf of big insurance companies have provided me with immeasurable knowledge of personal injury cases and insurance law. That knowledge and experience enables me to provide my clients with the legal expertise they deserve, and in turn, results in higher settlements from insurance companies.. For more information, see

My belief is that people should neither suffer injustice nor be defined by their missteps.   As a result, I strive to form relationships with my clients based on the mutual respect, honesty and trust that will allow us to effectively and confidently confront the challenges ahead.. I understand the personal toll that a criminal allegation can take on individuals and their families, so I treat my clients with the concern and respect they deserve while working diligently to protect their rights and interests.  I consider all potential impacts to my clients and effectively pursue the best possible outcome in each of their cases.. My breadth of experience as a criminal defense attorney, my depth of knowledge of the law, my skill as a negotiator and a litigator, and my compassion for people caught up in the criminal justice system are the considerable strengths I bring to my representation of every client.

Mr. Kiviat's practice encompasses a wide array of criminal defense.
Prior to private practice, Mr. Kiviat was an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted numerous trials to verdict and presented hundreds of cases to the Grand Jury involving violent crimes, narcotics, DUI, economic crimes and weapons possessions.

Mr. Joyce is here to help you through your criminal law or immigration matter.. Mr. Joyce served as a Commissioner and former Co-Chair on the Seattle LGBT Commission. He is committed to advocating for the rights of all clients and understands the special issues faced by LGBTQ clients.. He has also provided representation to clients facing the criminal law consequences of protests and civil disobedience.

Mr. Allen was born and raised in the Seattle area.  He attended Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle where he played on the varsity Baseball and Football teams.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Santa Clara University in 1988, and earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Seattle University School of Law in 1992.  He was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 1992.. Beginning in 1991, he served as a legal intern for the City of Kent, prosecuting criminal cases.  He had already tried fifteen jury trials bythe time he sat for the Bar Examination.  After passing the Washington State Bar Exam, he was hired as an Assistant City Attorney, and was promoted to the position of Chief Prosecutor in 1994.  In that position, he was responsible for prosecuting all criminal cases initiated by the City of Kent.  He also represented the City of Kent Police Department in several capacities, including civil asset forfeiture proceedings, and various legal advisements. He also represented the South King County Narcotics Task Force, advising them with respect to legal issues surrounding drug investigations, search warrants, and evidence gathering.. In 1995, he accepted a Position as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for KingCounty.  He served as a King County Prosecuting Attorney under Mr. Norm Melang for nearly eight years.. During his eleven year career as a prosecuting attorney, Mr. Allen handled nearly all types of criminal cases, including violent crimes, robberies, assaults, thefts, DUI and felony traffic matters, domestic violence cases, and drug offenses.  As a prosecuting attorney, he tried nearly 150 cases to a jury.  Many of those were felonies in King County Superior Court.  The balance were misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, a significant portion of which were DUI cases. He has tried countless cases to the Court, and has extensively litigated virtually every type of legal issue surrounding these cases, including arguing before the Washington State Court of Appeals.  He has worked with the King County Sherriff’s Office in their fingerprint evidence training program, and has instructed at the state police academy regarding courtroom testimony of police officers.. Mr. Allen entered private practice in January 2003.  Since that time he has successfully represented hundreds individuals accused of criminal offenses in various counties across the state and in Federal Court.  He holds an extensive knowledge of the local criminal justice system, and has an outstanding professional repoire with prosecuting attorneys and judges.  Given his extensive experience with local police and criminal investigation techniques, he has been exceptionally effective in his representation of individuals during the investigation process. His years of trial and courtroom experience have gained him significant respect among judges, prosecuting attorneys, and local police departments.. In his free time, Mr. Allen enjoys running, biking, skiing, boating, fishing, traveling and spending time with his family.

Mirén First practices in the firm’s commercial litigation group. Mirén is an accomplished attorney with extensive insurance defense experience. Mirén’s practice focuses primarily on defending personal injury, property damage, product liability, premises liability, and general liability claims brought against individuals, commercial businesses, and non-profit organizations. Her practice also includes insurance coverage and insurance bad faith claims. Before joining Keller Rohrback L.L.P., Mirén was a partner at Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson and was the founder of First Law, PLLC.

Michele Shaw’s philosophy and approach to criminal defense is focused on the client as a whole. While many attorneys see only the case and the legal issues they are presented with, Michele takes the time to evaluate each client’s individual personality, needs, and goals. Formulating a plan to match the client’s priorities with the available legal remedies is always first and foremost in Michele’s mind.. Michele’s approach is a collaborative one with each member of the office, client, and family. Michele, Sienna, and Ariella are each always aware of every client’s case and potential problems that may arise. One member of our team is always available to answer questions or professionally handle a crisis if one comes to pass.. An important part of Michele’s philosophy is coordinating with other professionals in a client’s life. In many cases, individuals facing criminal charges are also addressing personal hardships. Working together with therapists, psychiatrists, and other professionals is an integral part of ensuring that a client is receiving the appropriate treatment and can achieve their goals with respect to the trajectory of their case.

Michael Schueler has spent the last ten years defending those accused of serious offenses across Washington State and for the last three years, training the new generation of litigious defenders in King County as both a misdemeanor and felony level supervisor. From 2022 until July 2024, Michael also served as the Deputy Managing Attorney for Associated Counsel for the Accused. Michael has tried nearly three dozen cases to verdict ranging in severity from misdemeanor assault and driving under the influence, to murder with aggravating factors. Michael has consistently been at the forefront of litigation, providing briefing for other lawyers to use through the Washington Defender Association. Michael has also worked on systemic issues across Washington including City of Seattle v. Erickson, a case heard at the Washington Supreme Court focusing on racism by prosecutors in jury selection. This case was first time in Washington State history that the Supreme Court reversed a conviction due to a Batson violation.. Michael’s work on jury selection issues has led to multiple talks and seminars across Washington to other defense lawyers, judges, and prosecutors. He has also spoken nationally, providing insight to the judiciary of the state of New Jersey as well as attorneys in California, and New York as they began to adopt similar jury selection rules to Washington. Michael also spoke with the Duke University School of Law’s Inclusive Juries Project about Washington’s system of jury selection, and is a member of the Project's Advisory Network.. Michael began his career in Cowlitz County, practicing at the Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense from 2014 to 2016, handling misdemeanor defense, juvenile defense (misdemeanor and felony), juvenile status offenses, and adult felonies from crimes ranging from drug possession to murder. He handled numerous motions to suppress in a variety of cases, which resulted in multiple dismissals of charges, and successfully tried a number of misdemeanor and felony matters.. In 2016 Michael joined the King County Department of Public Defense – Associated Counsel for the Accused Division, one of the leading Public Defense agencies in the country. He began in the domestic violence misdemeanor unit from 2016 through 2017. In that time, he never lost a trial, getting not guilty verdicts or dismissals after the commencement of trial in nine straight cases. Starting in August 2017, Michael joined the Kent felony unit, becoming Class A qualified in January 2018. He remained active in that unit full time until being promoted to a supervisor role in 2021, though he still kept a number of felony cases including multiple homicide cases. One case, State v. Glaspy, saw Michael and his co-counsel successfully defend a young man falsely accused of killing his step-son over a nearly four month trial from December 2022 until March 2023. For his work in this trial, Michael was awarded the Anthony Savage Award by the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, an award recognizing an outstanding trial performance or result achieved by an attorney in practice less than ten years.. Michael is a 2014 graduate of the Seattle University School of Law, Cum Laude and was a member of the Seattle Journal of Environmental Law. He is a 2010 graduate of the University of Washington, with a BA in Political Science and Sociology with honors in Sociology.

Mark Blair grew up in a legal family and inherited an abiding respect and passion for the rule of law. After graduating with honors from Seattle University School of Law, Mark worked as a prosecutor in King, Yakima, and Thurston Counties. He argued hundreds of criminal cases and earned a reputation as an articulate and tenacious prosecutor who was also realistic and fair-minded.. In 1997, Mark decided to cross the aisle to work as a defense attorney on behalf of individuals accused of DUI, domestic violence, property crimes, and other criminal offenses. He made the switch in order to focus more on individual clients. Says Mark, “As a prosecutor, you have hundreds of cases. As a defense attorney, you have one client—and that case gets your entire focus.”. Hard work, fact finding and legal insight can change a prosecutor’s mind. Mark knows that his experience as a prosecutor works to his clients’ advantage. “It’s all about understanding your opponents’ mind set,” he explains. Prosecutors base their cases on evidence collected by the police. Their mindset is to convict. Mark believes that the best way for a defense attorney to change the prosecutors mind is by presenting new facts. This can be new evidence, an alternative explanation of how the crime was committed, or a different reading of the law. “You have to respectfully educate the prosecutor. If you present a compelling scenario that’s different than the prosecution originally envisioned, then you can negotiate a more appropriate charge—either a reduction or outright dismissal.”. Of course, obtaining new evidence or developing an alternative legal theory comes from hard work. As a defense attorney, Mark is able to focus on each individual client—not a boatload of cases—and thus outwork the prosecution. If the case goes to trial, the focus shifts to persuading a judge or jury. Here, Mark is articulate and thinks on his feet. But the results come from superior preparation. Says Mark, “I will always argue my client’s defense to the utmost. I find a way to do it with respect—for the judge, the jury and our legal system.”

Leah Altaras was born in Los Angeles and raised in South King County. She is the second oldest of her parents' eight children. Her father worked as a janitor, and her mother worked as a full time parent. Ms. Altaras attended Seattle Christian School on scholarship, graduating in 1997. She then attended the University of Washington, graduating in 2002 with bachelor’s degrees in both Journalism and American Ethnic Studies. In 2004, she returned to her Alma Matterfor law school. During law school, she participated in moot court and was writer and editor for the Schidler Technology Law Journal as well as the Vice President of Student Programming for the Student Bar Association. She was involved in the Latino Law Student Association as well as the Jewish Law Student Association. She also served as a Rule 9 Intern for both the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the City of Seattle Attorney’s Office, and also worked as an Infraction Hearing Officer for the University of Washington Police Department. During her internship with King County, she worked in the Fraud Unit, prosecuting misdemeanor crimes with a focus on Unregistered Contractors and Department of Fish and Wildlife Offenses. She prosecuted all manner of civil infractions, including traffic and animal control offenses, for the City of Seattle.. Ms. Altaras graduated from the University of Washington School of Law and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2007. On admission to the bar, Ms. Altaras transitioned from intern to Prosecuting Attorney for King County, and worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 2007 through 2012. In that capacity, Ms. Altaras litigated hundreds of criminal cases from misdemeanors to serious violent felonies. In the course of her work, she prosecuted many jury trials in both District and Superior Courts. She also practiced appellate work in both King County Superior Court and Division I Washington Appellate Court. Since she began her practice in 2012, after leaving the Prosecutor's Office, Ms. Altaras has defended and resolved all levels of criminal offenses, from simple misdemeanors to third strike cases. She has expanded her practice to include civil rights defense in the employment and criminal justice arenas, and has sued the government for discrimination and excessive use of force. She also practices family law, specializing in high conflict child custody battles.. Ms. Altaras is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, who recently recognized Ms. Altaras as one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Washington State based upon client satisfaction. She is a former board member, chair of the Criminal Law Section, and member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee for the King County Washington Women Lawyers Association. She is dedicated to serving her community and has advised Seattle mayors Nickels and McGinn as a member of the Citizen’s Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee and the Technology Matching Fund Grant Review Committee. She has also served as a judge for Mock Trial Competitions at both the Seattle University School of Law and the University of Washington School of Law.

Law has been my life. For my entire legal career I have worked very hard to be the best lawyer I could be. For nearly thirty years I have dedicated myself to the law, with much of my career being spent in public service. After graduating from Stanford Law School I began working for large law firms in Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle. I moved into criminal law, handling major criminal cases, first as a public defender in Seattle, then as Chief Prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Office in Saipan. In Saipan, I focused on the prosecution of major violent crimes and government corruption cases. Upon returning to the States, my wife and I started our law firm. I have been very actively involved in many of the local criminal justice projects, including the establishment of our drug courts, the local law and justice council, as well as continuing to be heavily involved in the training of trial attorneys. I served as President of the Washington Defender Association (WDA) where I have continued volunteering my time to train young attorneys about trial practice. I have championed case load reform through my work as the President of the WDA. As your attorney, I pledge to bring the same passion and commitment to you that I have demonstrated in my life’s work. I am determined to represent your best interests and obtain the best possible case results for you. “Justice for All” is not just a phrase for me. It is a way of life.

Kurt E. Boehl is recognized as one of the top marijuana lawyers in Washington State.  He is a member of the National Trial Lawyers, an exclusive legal organization composed of 100 trial lawyers from each state.  For the past five years, Kurt was selected as a Rising Star by Washington Law and Politics Magazine.  Kurt was also named as one of Washington State’s top criminal defense attorneys by Seattle Met Magazine.  In addition, Kurt has been awarded the prestigious Martindale Hubbell AV rating and is ranked Superb by the AVVO attorney rating service.  Kurt founded his own criminal defense law firm, the KB Law Group, PLLC, in 2005.  Kurt is a frequent speaker on cannabis law, and consults with a number of cannabusinesses in Washington State.  He received his B.A. from Metropolitan State University in Colorado and his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.. *AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.

John Merriam was an unlicensed seaman in the U. S. merchant marine for 12 years before becoming a lawyer, working his way through college and law school. He served aboard 17 freighters and tankers in 12 different job classifications for the deck, engine and steward departments.    Other employment included 19 full-time jobs in eight states ranging from carpenter to cab driver, from roustabout in the oil fields to factory hand on the line. John paid law school tuition with a scholarship from the Seafarers International Union.     Passing the bar in 1982, John practiced with a small firm through 1995 --- first as associate, then as partner. Cases handled ran the gamut of general practice with an emphasis on maritime personal injury.     In 1993-94 John was the Chairman of the Maritime Section for the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.Starting his own firm in 1996, John now restricts his practice to representing seamen on wage and injury claims.

Jesse Corkern is a former prosecutor, using his insight and experience to represent the accused.

Jensen Legal is committed to representing clients in a variety of matters including all criminal defense cases. We also handle intellectual property and a variety of civil matters. Call today for a free consultation.. Married and father of two growing boys, a black lab and two dwarf hampsters.. 2010:  Dad of the Year award from his family.

Jason Lantz is a widely sought after criminal defense lawyer known for his tenacity in the courtroom, numerous not guilty verdicts and dismissals, and his compassion for clients.. While he works on numerous types of litagation matters, his emphasis, is in DUI defense.   Jason has also represented clients charged with felonies and other misdemeanors including Assault, Malicious Mischief, Disorderly Conduct, Trespass, Theft, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, Racing, Negligent Driving in the First Degree, Hit and Run Unattended, Driving While License Suspended (all degrees), Possession of Drugs, Minor in Possession/Consumption, Telephone Harassment, Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.. Jason is originally from the Midwest and went to high school in a small town near Dodge City, Kansas.  He obtained a B.S. in Life Science from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.  A graduate of Seattle University School of Law, and winner of the In-House Moot Court Appellate Competition in 2008, Jason has built a reputation as an excellent lawyer.. Before becoming a lawyer, Jason was the Director of Operations for the American Red Cross of the Flint Hills.  Jason has always been a fierce advocate for individuals and families and is experienced in helping people in crisis.  Being charged with a criminal offense is a stressful event and Jason takes his job as a “Counselor of Law” seriously.

Jan is an accomplished and experienced criminal defense attorney who cares deeply for his clients. Specializing in sex crime cases, he combines compassion with a forthright manner to help his clients navigate through the complexities of the criminal justice system.  A native of the Pacific Northwest, he earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington (Go Huskies!) and his law degree at the University of Idaho.  A member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, he has been practicing law in Seattle for over 35 years.. Jan is a world travel junky, an avid music lover and trivia expert – with a legendary vinyl collection.

Jacqueline Walsh is a partner with Walsh & Larranaga. She is licensed to practice in Washington and California. Her law practice focuses on criminal defense and civil plaintiff personal injury cases. In her criminal practice, she is qualified to handle capital cases at the trial level in federal and Washington State courts. In addition to capital defense work, Jacqueline has tried several non-capital homicide trials obtaining favorable results for her clients. In 2014, she was added as resource counsel with the Federal Death Penalty Resource Counsel Project.. In her civil practice, she represents clients in serious catastrophic injury cases - including traumatic brain injuries - and civil rights cases.

If you or a loved one is under arrest, it is critical that you contact a lawyer immediately.  Our firm is comprised of experienced, aggressive and intelligent attorneys that do everything we can to give our clients the best chance to win.  We offer hourly fee agreements or flat fee agreements for most felonies and misdemeanors.  We serve King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.

If you have been charged with a crime in King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish or Thurston County, call The Law Office of Dillon G. Smith today for a free consultation. The Law Office of Dillon G. Smith offers affordable, quality defense.. Zealous legal representation for all your defense needs.. Some legal defense plans as reasonable as $1500 available.

I was born and raised in Whatcom County, Washington, near the US/Canadian border.   I am a proud partner in Seattle Consumer Justice, P.S., a firm based in Seattle, but I spend a great deal of time in our Bellingham branch office.   We assist consumers and small businesses with bankruptcy, debt settlement, and debt-related consumer rights litigation.. I live in Bellingham, Washington with my wife and daughter.  When I'm not assisting clients, I enjoy fishing our local rivers and streams for salmon, trout and steelhead.