Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers Near me in ZIP 98402

“Being accused of a crime can cost you everything. For most, it is a scary, intimidating, and daunting challenge. With stakes so high you need and deserve an attorney with the experience and expertise who is willing to meet the challenge with you.. I promise to defend you as aggressively and zealously as if I were accused. My experience in the Pierce County Prosecutor's office as the Chief Criminal Deputy, Homicide Division Chief, Special Assault Team Chief, and DUI Supervisor will provide you an unmatched ability to defend yourself and to fight for your rights. Let me help you.”

When not working I enjoy playing the guitar, golfing, going to concerts, and everything else the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I live in Ballard neighborhood of Seattle with my wonderful wife Nicole and my Pug Betty June.

Tough and aggressive in the courtroom, yet approachable and open to his client, Michael Austin Stewart is one of the most skilled and sought-after criminal defense attorneys in the Tacoma area. Michael has over 20 years of experience working both in and out of courtrooms in Pierce, King, Thurston, and Kitsap counties, with clients of all backgrounds and ages. Michael practices Criminal Law, DUI Defense, Drug Defense, and Personal Injury Law. He has successfully defended clients in cases ranging from minor misdemeanors to homicide and pours his time and heart into each one. Treating each client with equal respect and understanding is the framework of Michael’s practice. He stands for fairness and justice and will fight for the best possible outcome for his clients while including the client in every decision along the way.. I want my clients to have the opportunity to get past the tough times and get back to pursuing thier life, family and faith.

Tim Lewis joined Puget Law Group in September 2021. Tim is a former prosecutor with nearly 20 years of courtroom experience. He has tried over 100 jury trials involving charges ranging from simple misdemeanors to the most serious felonies.. Tim grew up in a military family before attending the University of Washington and University of Iowa College of Law. After completing law school, Tim began his career as deputy prosecuting attorney. During his career as a prosecutor, Tim served as Team Chief of the Property Crimes Unit, the Fugitive and Extraditions Unit, the Special Assault Unit, Chief of the Misdemeanor Division, and Chief of the Felony Division. Tim also spent time supervising the misdemeanor team of attorneys in District Court.. In addition to his experience as a trial attorney, Tim is an active member of the Kitsap and Pierce County Bar Associations. Tim has also served as a Pro Tem Judge in the municipal courts of Lakewood, Bremerton, Gig Harbor, and Buckley.

Senator “Austin” Ansingh earned his law degree from Seattle University School of Law. Seattle University has a strong commitment to educating its students on the values of social justice. Austin shares the values of social justice and the protection of individual rights, which led him down the path to becoming a criminal defense attorney. This commitment to justice motivates Austin to fight for his clients.. Austin graduated from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a double major in Marketing and Finance. After graduation, Austin quickly realized that he had a desire to help people in a way that working in business field could not fulfill. His desire to fight for justice and to work directly with people and communities led him to law school. Austin chose Seattle University because of their commitment to social justice and his desire to practice in Washington State.. During Law School, Austin worked as an intern for a private criminal defense attorney in Seattle. There he gained valuable criminal law experience. He conducted extensive legal research and drafted numerous motions relating to issues such as suppression of evidence, invalid search and seizures, invalid warrants, and more.. Before becoming an attorney at Durflinger Oliver, Austin worked in Pierce County as a family law attorney. Through this practice he was able to further hone his skills in litigation, negotiations, legal research, and writing. These skills in addition to his keen analytical mind strengthened by years of rigorous legal research and writing make him formidable in negotiations and the courtroom. Austin’s pleasant demeanor, organization, and candor when evaluating and resolving cases make him popular with clients and court staff.. When Austin isn’t in court or preparing for court, he can often be found on the basketball court or adventuring throughout the Pacific Northwest with his rescue dog, Wally.

Mr. Jaeggli believes that legal representation should be affordable and accessible.  Beckwith Law works to provide its clients with high quality representation at reasonable rates, and will commit to spending the time and energy needed to provide its clients with the fierce representation they need for whatever legal issue confronts them, while always affording the clients the respect and dignity they deserve.About Robert JaeggliMr. Jaeggli has successfully fought criminal cases throughout the Puget Sound, including the city and county courts in King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, Thurston County, and Kitsap County. Additionally, he has represented clients in various civil matters before the courts in the area.

Mission Statement: Making wrongs right where your life matters.. I have been representing individuals for over 20 years in what I believe to be the most important and emotionally charged legal matters that an individual can find themselves in: Family Law & Criminal Law. I believe that you have a right to experienced and knowledgeable representation in these important matters involving your life. I understand that whether the matter involves the most important people in your life or your freedom is at stake, you are the one that has to live with any consequences, and it is your future and your family that needs to be fought for and protected.I always let my clients know that I am going to be honest with them about the situation that they are in. In addition, I let my clients know that I will be committed to being respectful and compassionate in my conversations with them, and to carry that commitment into conversations, negotiation, and trial. I believe that, because of that attitude of integrity and straightforward approach, I am more often than not able to achieve wonderful results for my clients.However, not all cases end up being resolved through negotiation, and trial is the natural result. I am not kidding when I tell clients that I have done hundreds of trials. I believe that my strength in trial is being able to identify where the facts don’t line up, identifying what are the most important elements of the story, and identifying successfully the issues for the trier of fact. That is why, more often than not, we are able to make wrongs right, in your life’s matters.

Jessica Ritzmann has devoted her law practice to representing individuals who have been accused of a crime.

Jesse has 10+ years of experience practicing in Washington's superior, district, federal, and municipal courts on both sides of the Cascades. After working as a prosecutor for three government jurisdictions, Jesse has pivoted to representing the people behind the paperwork as a criminal defense attorney at Beckwith Law. He uses his intimate knowledge of "how the sausage is made" to help negotiate the best possible resolutions on criminal charges throughout the Puget Sound/ Salish Sea areas.. Beckwith Law believes that legal representation should be affordable and accessible. Beckwith Law works to provide its clients with high quality representation at reasonable rates, and will commit to spending the time and energy needed to provide its clients with the fierce representation they need for whatever legal issue confronts them, while always affording the clients the respect and dignity they deserve.

I understand that being charged with a criminal offense can be a daunting experience. The court system can be confusing, difficult and frustrating. I always strive to give you the strongest possible legal defense, as well as provide you with the information that you need in order to understand your options at each stage of the process. My goal is to provide you with exceptional, caring and competent representation so that you can navigate through the adjudicative process with ease.

I grew up here in Tacoma, and came back after my military service and law school to practice in my home town. I spent the last two years of law school working full time, while taking classes, as a legal intern so that I could hit the ground running for my clients from day 1. When I'm not in the office, or in court, I'm either training for my next Tough Mudder run, practicing my guitar (believe me, I need the practice), or enjoying time with my friends and family.

I am an attorney with Beckwith Law, where I primarily defend clients facing charges such as Driving Under the Influence, and allegations involving Domestic Violence. Prior to coming to Beckwith, I practiced as a public defender in Kitsap County. That was my initial exposure to the immense disparity in resources between a criminal defendant, and the State. I empathize with the struggle of feeling powerless in the face of criminal charges. My goals as a criminal defense lawyer are to counsel clients through the difficult process of the criminal justice system, and to advocate strongly on their behalf to ensure that we achieve the best possible result from that process.

I am a criminal defense attorney at Beckwith Law, a Tacoma and Seattle based firm that is devoted to criminal defense. Our firm handles a variety of criminal defense cases, specializing in Domestic Violence, DUI, Assault, and Juvenile offenses.. Beckwith Law zealously advocates for its clients. I am passionate about criminal defense - as is every attorney in our firm - which translates to success both in and out of the courtroom.. I am committed to advocating for my clients at all stages of the criminal justice system. I believe in compassion, empathy, and communication when working with clients.

GRIT CITY LAW is a street-level criminal defense law firm providing experienced legal advice to any individual facing criminal charges, and comprehensive representation in criminal and quasi-criminal matters of all degrees of seriousness and complexity. GRIT CITY LAW attorneys are licensed to practice in all Washington State, County, Municipal and Federal courts.

Facing criminal charges is a complicated and intimidating process, requiring an experienced and zealous advocate on your side. Throughout this challenging time you need someone unafraid to stand up and protect your rights. I have practiced criminal defense exclusively for my entire career and am passionate about defending people.

Emelia leads with compassion and empathy at the forefront. She represents her clients as she would her own family: fiercely, competently, and non-judgmentally. She’s always fought for the underdog; both the criminally accused, and more recently on behalf of accident victims battling big insurance companies.. A proud Washingtonian, Emelia was born in and raised in the Seattle/Tacoma area. She graduated from the University of Washington with honors, studying Spanish and Political Science. Thereafter, she attended Gonzaga University where she was recognized at graduation with the Pro Bono Distinction for her work with  the YWCA Domestic Violence Legal Clinic.. A good lawyer understands that presenting her best case involves knowing what makes her opponent tick. Emelia has spent her career soaking up knowledge from both sides of the legal aisle, in dozens of courtrooms up and down Western Washington. She’s been both a criminal prosecutor (in Spokane County) and a criminal defense attorney (practicing in nearly every county West of the Cascades.) Civilly, she worked as Staff Counsel for one of the largest insurance agencies in the country, and now regularly teams up against them on behalf of injured claimants seeking just compensation.. Never one to pass up an opportunity for a jury trial, an arbitration, or a zealous oral argument, Emelia also realizes the importance of her quieter skills: creative and persuasive negotiation tactics, an expertly-analyzed legal brief, and the oft forgotten art of integrity in her dealings with clients and colleagues.. In her free time, she enjoys home renovation projects, volunteering at her kids’ schools, and exploring the cuisine, sights and scenery of the beautiful PNW.

Derek brings more than 20 years of criminal law experience to the Tacoma attorney team of Smith and White. His work as a prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney provide him valuable insight into Washington criminal defense law.. Derek tried hundreds of criminal defense cases, including in the state Court of Appeals and Washington State Supreme Court, as a prosecutor with the cities of Seattle and Kent. He’s worked on or negotiated more than 15,000 criminal defense cases ranging from DUI to felony crimes.. Derek served as a vice and narcotics liaison for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office and received the Seattle Police Department Chief’s Award for his handling of dozens of civil asset forfeitures. He has also presided over thousands of cases as a judge pro tem in Federal Way, Pacific and Des Moines.. He graduated with honors from Seattle University School of Law in 1996.. Derek volunteers his time to local nonprofits including serving as president of the Tacoma Art Museum Activities Council in 2010 for the museum’s 75th Anniversary Gala. He served as vice president then president of St. Mark’s Lutheran by the Narrows church council.  He currently serves on the Stewardship Council for St. Marks and assist his wife, the director of Sunday School for St. Marks.  He is a member of his sons' school PTA and is active in other local charities.. He lives in Tacoma with his family.

Cristine began her career as a criminal prosecutor, but found that her true passion was for defending the accused and not prosecuting them. In 2004, she became a criminal defense attorney.. Cristine soon developed a reputation for winning tough cases. In 2007, she opened a criminal law firm in Tacoma.. Today, Cristine works from both her Seattle and Tacoma offices. She defends clients from felony and misdemeanor charges.

Criminal defense attorney Shannon Polley has devoted her entire legal career to getting her clients’ criminal charges significantly reduced or dismissed. She nearly always secures a favorable resolution through aggressive negotiations alone. However, Shannon is also an experienced courtroom litigator and is prepared to fight for a not guilty verdict at trial when necessary.. Shannon earned her B.A. from Washington State University and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School, Boulder.

Connor Jepson is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the United States District Court – Western District of Washington and limits his practice to criminal defense.. Mr. Jepson understands the complexity of the court system and how busy and stressful being accused of a crime can be. He prides himself on his ability to condense information into an easily digestible format for the client and the court. When he starts a project, Mr. Jepson sees it through to its end and thrives on achieving the best client experience. In addition, Connor is well-liked and well-respected by his clients, colleagues, and judges. Mr. Jepson keeps his clients at peace with his positive demeanor.. Mr. Jepson was born and raised in Southeast Alaska. Connor left Alaska for California to achieve his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Humboldt State University. After graduation, Mr. Jepson moved to Washington State to attend Gonzaga University – School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor, cum laude.. When Connor is away from the office, he loves to travel, spend time outdoors, hang out with his kitten, Simon, win backyard badminton championships, and spend time with his family.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest Nathan Trudeau graduated from Western Washington University in 2010 with a B.A. in Sociology and Political Science.  He then went on to attend Seattle University School of Law where he received his J.D. in 2014.. While in law school, Nathan gained experience in criminal law as a Rule 9 Prosecutor in Anchorage, AK and later at the City of Bonney Lake, WA.. After being admitted to the Washington State Bar, Nathan worked briefly as an associate attorney with Beckwith Law where he gained experience in criminal defense defending clients in jurisdictions accross Washington State.. In 2016 Nathan left Beckwith and went on to establish his own private criminal defense and immigration practice. Over the next 5 years he would build his practice and hone his skills defending hundreds of clients in criminal matters ranging from traffic infractions to violent felonies and helping immigrants and their families achieve their immigration goals and bring their families together in the United States.. Nathan fully understands the difficult challenges presented when faced with criminal allegations and works tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.

Born and raised in King County, Amanda has had a passion for helping people from a young age. After graduating from the University of Portland in 2014 with a B.A. in English and Communication Studies, she attended The George Washington University Law School, graduating with honors in 2017. During law school, Amanda delved into the field of criminal justice, taking courses and working in the field. She had internships in the Felony and Major Crime Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. She also worked in both criminal and civil domestic violence, interning as a Criminal Domestic Violence Judicial Clerk for the District of Columbia Superior Court and at the Legal Aid Society.. After law school, Amanda moved to New York and worked as a prosecutor at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. While in the Bronx, Amanda specialized in juvenile prosecution with a focus on gang investigations as well as adult prosecution. Her cases ranged from DUIs and simple assault cases to felony robberies, burglaries, assaults, and attempted murders. After spending three years as a prosecutor, Amanda found that her passion for criminal justice was better suited to being a defense attorney. She joined Puget Law Group in September 2020.. Having been a prosecutor before, Amanda has seen firsthand the difficulties and injustices that people go through in the criminal justice system. She believes in fighting passionately for her clients and ensuring that the rights afforded to the accused by the Constitution are a reality in every case.. When she is not practicing law, Amanda enjoys baking, reading, playing golf, hiking, and spending time with her rescue dog, Luna.

As the daughter of a Pierce County District Court Judicial Assistant, Nichole grew up with a curiosity about criminal law and procedure. After graduating from Gonzaga University with a B.A. in International Relations as well as Political Science, she attended Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. During law school, Nichole gained experience in criminal law working as a judicial clerk at Orleans Parish Criminal Court. Seeing the inefficiencies and injustices in the criminal justice system first-hand motivated her to pursue a career as a criminal defense attorney.. A native of the South Puget Sound, Nichole moved back home to begin her career as an attorney. Shortly after passing the Bar, she joined Puget Law Group as a contract attorney. After a short hiatus working at a civil law firm in Seattle, Nichole returned to PLG as an Associate Attorney.. Nichole fully understands the challenges one goes through when faced with criminal allegations. She is a zealous advocate for her clients and fights for the best possible result in every case.. Nichole lives in Lake Tapps and when she is not practicing law, she enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with her dog, Bentley.

Alison Ganem is a compassionate advocate for those accused of a crime. While she works aggressively to represent her clients, she also respects that each of her clients is different, each with different circumstances and stories. She understands the stress and fear the uncertainty of the criminal process can bring to a client and their loved ones and makes herself accessible to address any questions or concerns her client may have. This communication allows her to guide her client through the intimidating criminal process.To compliment her individualized advocacy, Alison is also meticulous in reviewing any evidence against her client by looking for inaccuracies or legal insufficiencies she can then use, along with her client’s personal story, to negotiate an outcome favorable to her client.. Alison attended the University of Washington where she received a B.A. in psychology. She then earned her law degree from Seattle University School of Law in 2005 and immediately began her career as a criminal defense attorney working at the Department of Assigned Counsel in Pierce County. There, she gained valuable and extensive trial experience in all types of misdemeanor cases.

After 30 years of representing clients in the Tacoma area, Mr. Bauer has proved himself as not just an attorney, but a counselor at law. On both sides of the aisle, Mr. Bauer has represented people charged with crimes and victims of criminal acts. He realizes that everyone makes mistakes, that you don't need a lawyer to judge or condemn you, that what you need is dedicated passionate counsel who fights hard for you and your rights. Mr. Bauer gives seasoned advice, is able to assess your case with an experienced eye, and is not afraid to try some of the hardest cases imaginable.