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2024

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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Lake Charles

Our Recommended Top 11

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Lake Charles Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

65

Reviewed

43

Curated

11

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
7732 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Why choose this provider?

Carl Barkemeyer is a criminal defense attorney serving the Lake Charles area. The legal professional, who appeared on Fox, NBC, and CBS, defends clients facing drug, gun, and theft charges. He also protects the rights of individuals arrested in the state but reside outside it. In addition, he provides criminal defense for college students, handling cases that involve murder and armed robbery charges. Barkemeyer has been exclusively practicing criminal and DUI defense for nearly two decades. The former public defender entered private practice in 2010.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (56)

Website
940 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Guillory Hargrave & LaCombe is a Lake Charles-based law firm that serves clients throughout the metro. It represents clients arrested for misdemeanor or felony charges. The firm has experience working on assault, unlawful entry, and theft cases. Other practice areas include family law and estate planning. Brad Guillory, one of its attorneys, has more than 15 years of legal experience. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi and Texas. Before entering law, he served as a police officer under the Lake Charles Police Department.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
518 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Why choose this provider?

Established in 1990, Lorenzi & Barnatt, L.L.C. focuses mainly on criminal defense and estate planning cases in Lake Charles. It represents clients facing different types of criminal charges, including health care fraud, property crimes, and homicide. The law firm has a strong focus on going straight to the point when dealing with its clients and giving them straight answers to their questions. Additionally, it doesn't sugarcoat the truth when it comes to the cases it handles.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.8
Google
4.7 / 5 (13)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
313 Alamo St. Suite C, Lake Charles, LA 70605
  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Fitz-Gerald, Hebert, & Delouche serves the legal needs of individuals and families in the Lake Charles metro. It comprises attorneys with a combined experience of 80 years, representing individuals accused of a criminal offense. They safeguard legal rights for cases involving DUI, drug possession, and traffic violations. In addition, they deal with environmental law issues. One of its attorneys, Jay DeLouche, has been practicing law for 17 years and concentrates on the more technical areas of legal practice.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
105 N Stewart St., Deridder, LA 70634

Why choose this provider?

Sam Jones Law Firm counsels individuals in Lake Charles. Included in its practice areas is criminal law, which covers felony charges such as murder and assault. Its legal team, which also defends clients accused of white-collar crimes and drug possession, obtains evidence and negotiates with judges and prosecutors. The professionals also assist clients in the areas of personal injury and real estate law. The office is headed by Charles Sam Jones, who has over three decades of experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Charles sam Jones - Principal40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Facebook
3.7 / 5 (3)
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
334 Kirby Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Why choose this provider?

Abshire Law Firm, LLC gives legal counsel to clients facing criminal charges in Lake Charles and the surrounding areas. The firm's lawyers represent and protect the rights of individuals during court cases. The legal office's main areas of practice are criminal law, including cases that involve traffic crimes like DUIs. In addition to his experience in handling criminal offenses, founding lawyer Dustan J. Abshire has also dealt with family law trials involving child custody, child support, and divorce.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dustan Abshire - Principal9 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (22)
Google
4.4 / 5 (14)
Avvo
4.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1607 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Why choose this provider?

Hawkins Legal has defended individuals charged with criminal offenses for more than 12 years. Principal attorney Tara Hawkins utilizes her background as a senior felony prosecutor to help develop the most effective strategies for her clients' defense. She conducts investigations involving report analysis, witness interviews, and scene recreations to support each case. Ms. Hawkins works on behalf of those facing DUI, burglary, drug offense, homicide, and probation violation convictions. The firm also handles expungements.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Tara Hawkins - Founder & Principal Attorney27 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1011 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 402, Lake Charles, LA 70601
  • Drug Crimes

Why choose this provider?

The Bougard Law Office, LLC, serves individuals and families in the Lake Charles community. The firm works on criminal defense cases, including DWI, theft, domestic abuse, drug possession, and contractor fraud. Its lawyer, Andrew Bougard, serves as an attorney on the Jefferson Davis Parish Indigent Defender Board while managing his firm. He volunteers for the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana and the Chamber of Southwest Louisiana. The attorney also handles personal injury and family law matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
900 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Why choose this provider?

Colonna Law Firm, LLC offers legal representation for individuals in Lake Charles who are facing criminal charges. Jacob Colonna advocates for the rights of the accused in cases including DUI, aggravated rape, robbery, assault, marijuana possession, and embezzlement. He walks clients through the criminal prosecution process, informs them of their legal options, and works to avoid harsh legal consequences like license suspension for DUIs and jail time. In addition, he seeks to reduce bonds to get clients out of jail. Colonna Law Firm, LLC also handles personal injury.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ernest Colonna - Managing Attorney15 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (75)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (16)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1135 Hodges St., Lake Charles, LA 70601

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of John Green Jr. helps individuals who are facing criminal charges in the Lake Charles metro. Lead attorney, John, has been practicing law for more than two decades and has litigated cases involving DUI, drugs, domestic violence, assault, theft, and felony. The firm aims to protect clients from police violence and help minimize penalties by examining evidence and constructing effective vindication. It handles other practice areas, including family law, personal injury, and professional disciplinary defense.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (42)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
910 Ford Street,, Lake Charles, LA 70601
  • DWI/DUI

Why choose this provider?

Chavis Law, LLC, handles criminal cases of clients in Lake Charles and the neighboring cities. It represents individuals arrested for criminal charges to help them fight for their rights and recover their normal lives. The law firm is also available for expungement solutions for clients who wish to remove their criminal records from public view to restore their opportunities. In addition to criminal defense, the law firm resolves family law cases involving child support, custody, and divorce.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

    To report non-emergency situations in Lake Charles, please contact (337) 494-0460.

  • Why is it important to investigate criminal cases in Lake Charles privately?

    Private investigations for criminal cases in Lake Charles help defendants and the legal team determine what kind of approach they are going to take to resolve the case. Investigations can level the playing field and enable individuals to overcome issues like police reports that may contain boilerplate information. Most of the time, police reports have incorrect or missing information.

  • What charges are eligible for expungement in Lake Charles?

    If you have been convicted of a criminal violation in Lake Charles, you can have your record expunged if it is a minor violation and your first and only offense. Dismissed charges can also be cleared. You can also have charges removed from your record if you are acquitted or found not guilty.

  • What types of crimes can a minor commit in Lake Charles?

    It is not uncommon for Lake Charles minors to commit mistakes. There are several crime categories that children can get arrested for. They can face criminal charges if caught shoplifting or driving while intoxicated. They can also be convicted if they have violated the rights of other people.

  • What should you look for in a criminal defense attorney in Lake Charles?

    If you are facing criminal charges in Lake Charles, you must hire a criminal defense attorney. You need to know how long the attorney has been practicing and how much time they can give for your criminal case. Most importantly, you need to determine if you are comfortable working with them.