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LicensingUser ReviewsMystery Shopping CallsOur goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Washington DC criminal defense lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
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The Law Offices of Gregory Copeland is a boutique practice that works on criminal defense matters in Washington, DC. Its team provides legal support to individuals charged with DUI, assault, battery, and sexual solicitation. The firm also defends people facing reckless driving charges and allegations related to alcohol and illegal substances. In addition, it represents parties in post-conviction matters such as appeals and expungements. Principal lawyer Gregory Copeland brings over 30 years of legal experience.
Gregory Copeland is a criminal defense attorney who earned certification in DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing in 2023. He is eligible to practice law both in the District of Columbia and Virginia. Copeland is a former trial attorney for the Commonwealth of Virginia Public Defenders Service.
Liles Parker PLLC has been protecting the interests of healthcare professionals and businesses in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas since 1998. It offers legal advice and guidance on any statutory or regulatory issues that could come up in cases filed against them. It responds to the government's concerns in an attempt to diffuse situations and spare clients from a civil lawsuit or criminal indictment. Additionally, if required, it prepares for criminal defense litigation to help clients achieve favorable outcomes in their legal issues.
Robert Liles has represented people and organizations in criminal, civil, and administrative cases. He has over 25 years of experience as a defense counsel and as a federal prosecutor in regulatory compliance. This experience has given him a unique viewpoint on the difficulties faced by clients in highly regulated sectors like healthcare, banking, and finance.
Scrofano Law PC employs a criminal defense attorney who advocates for clients who are facing charges for criminal offenses throughout Washington, D.C. The firm offers legal representation for a range of crimes, from driving under the influence and gun offenses to drug possession and solicitation of prostitution charges. The legal team also handles expungements to assist clients in clearing their arrest records. The firm was established in 2010, and its managing partner, Joseph A. Scrofano, has overseen more than 1,000 cases in D.C. courts.
Attorney Joseph A. Scrofano previously served as Committee Chair of the Steering Committee for the D.C. Bar Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section from 2017 to 2020. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
With more than a decade of courtroom litigation experience, Hannah Akintoye Law PLLC protects the rights of the accused. With criminal defense as its focus practice area, the law firm helps clients understand the charges they have been accused of and defend their legal rights. It assists with a wide range of offenses, including assault, drug charges, gun-related offenses, and theft. The firm also handles record sealing, navigating through Washington, D.C. laws to restrict public access to criminal records.
Hannah Akintoye serves as the managing attorney of Hannah Akintoye Law, PLLC. She handled both civil and criminal matters in a private firm prior to building her own practice. Hannah is a social justice speaker and a public interest attorney who has helped hundreds of clients in their trials.
Federal Criminal Practice Group of Price Benowitz LLP has handled several successful cases, including one charged with obstruction of justice and a perjury case which was ultimately dismissed. Representing residents in Washington, D.C., its criminal defense legal team focuses on white-collar crimes, helping clients protect their rights and future. The firm handles cases of fraud (including healthcare fraud), public corruption, money laundering, and violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. It also assists with federal cases like gun offenses, identity theft, and congressional investigations.
Firm partner David Benowitz is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a criminal trial advocate. He served the DC Bar's Steering Committee for the Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section as its co-chair. David has over 25 years of experience taking on cases in federal and local courts.
Rollins & Chan handles criminal defense law for the residents of Washington, DC. The firm comes to the aid of those accused of allegations such as DUI, assault/threats, weapon charges, domestic violence, and disorderly conduct. Its team explains each part of the legal process and examines facts that would help achieve the best possible results for the case. The firm also assists clients regarding civil protection orders. Rollins & Chan uses technological tools to streamline its internal processes and manage case files.
Mark Rollins began serving the community as a criminal defense lawyer in 1997. He has handled thousands of bench trials and over 32 jury trials. Mark is part of the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society of the West Virginia State University.
David Benowitz represents defendants across Washington, D.C. He comes to the aid of those in need of criminal defense services, assisting in various cases like DUI, domestic violence, sexual assault, drug- and gun-related offenses, and traffic infractions. His firm evaluates case details and creates a strong defense that would hold up in court. It handles a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors to felonies, that could result in fines or jail time. The firm has been featured on The Washington Post, MSNBC, and CTV News.
David Benowitz is a board-certified criminal trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is part of the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyers and is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. David has over 25 years of litigation experience.
Wagner, PLLC, represents plaintiffs in state and federal courts across Washington, DC. It fights for the rights of those who have been accused of criminal activity, making sure their voices are heard in court. The firm deals with a wide range of criminal defense areas, including federal litigation, misdemeanors and felonies, criminal traffic and DUI, and criminal quality of life litigation. Its team explains the client's legal options and advocates for them in the courtroom.
Camille Wagner founded Wagner, PLLC, to protect the rights of the accused. She served as a district assistant attorney general before establishing her own practice. Camille completed her legal studies at the UDC School of Law. She can also speak French and Spanish.
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The non-emergency contact number for the Police Department is (202) 727-9099.
You can get a copy of the incident or offense report by sending an email request to mpd.public-docs@dc.gov or a mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Metropolitan Police Department Public Documents Section ATTN: Accident/Incident Reports 300 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 3075 Washington, DC 20001
You should provide information, including your full name, the incident date, location, and time, and the six-digit report number or CCN. You can also contact (202) 727-4357 for further inquiries.
Probation is an alternative to jail time, wherein a judge in Washington DC sets several conditions that the offender must comply with. If a person was found guilty from of a jury verdict or if that person entered a guilty plea, the judge could sentence probation, jail time, or combination of both. Some of the probation conditions include:
In Washington DC, you do not have a choice if the police officer holds a search warrant for you, your home, or your car. Otherwise, the search will be presumed illegal. If a police officer asks if your car can be searched during a traffic stop, you are not required to consent. They can still proceed with the search, but you can politely say that they don't have your permission. This will give your lawyer an opportunity to contest the legality of the search at a later time.
No, it is considered a felony to possess a firearm in Washington DC if a civil protection order (CPO) was obtained against you, even if it is from a different state. You could face a sentence of two to 10 years in prison or a fine of no more than $25,000 if you are convicted to have possessed a firearm after a CPO has been issued against you.
In Washington DC, the statute of limitations varies, depending on the severity of the criminal offense. The legislature grants longer periods of time for more serious crimes. For example, the deadline for felonies is generally six years while there is no time limit for murder in first or second degree. The statute of limitations expires when an indictment, complaint, or information is filed.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department's 2022 Crime Data, a total of 27,302 offenses were reflected in their records management system. This total comprises the following: 3,830 Violent Crimes
This article explains illegally obtained evidence, its impact on trials, and what criminal defense attorneys can do to defend...
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