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2024

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Bethesda, MD

Our Recommended Top 15

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Bethesda 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.

59Reviewed

41Curated

15Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

8720 Georgia Ave. Suite 701, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (40)

Why choose this provider?

Cooper Law Firm provides legal services to families and individuals in the area of Bethesda. It aggressively represents and fights for the rights of people who have been charged with crimes such as drug offenses, assaults, domestic violence, fraud, trespassing, and underage drinking. It also works with clients facing estate planning issues, wrongful family matters, and personal injury cases like medical malpractice, dog bites, and vehicle accidents. The Cooper Law Firm has been in operation since 1968.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

401 East Jefferson Street Suite 208, Rockville, MD 20850

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Arii Law Firm, LLC, represents people in Bethesda who are facing criminal charges. It offers legal counsel on various criminal cases, such as DUI, DWI, and misdemeanor offenses. Sole practitioner Sei-Hee Arii guides defendants throughout the legal process, which involves building defense strategies, investigating evidence, and requesting modification of the penalties. These include license revocation, jail time, and probation. She leverages over 20 years of industry experience to protect clients' rights in settlement negotiations and litigation.

  • DWI/DUI

7600 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814

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Why choose this provider?

Since 1950, Lerch, Early & Brewer has served individuals and businesses in Bethesda. The firm maintains a criminal defense practice focused on serious federal charges. It defends clients accused of white-collar crimes, including fraud, corruption, and tax evasion. Its functions range from conducting internal investigations to defending clients in state and federal courts and guiding defendants in their testimonies. Managing partner Ruth O. Katz was named Volunteer of the Year and received the President's Award from the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of Community Associations Institute in 2016.

14825 Pratt Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC, is a multi-practice firm serving Bethesda. Its attorneys advocate for the rights of people facing charges for different criminal violations. They handle cases involving theft and robbery, assault and battery, DUI, murder homicide, and sex crimes. They also represent clients dealing with white-collar crime cases, including bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and insider trading. The law office has been in the industry for over 40 years and also caters to Spanish-speaking clients.

4845 Rugby Avenue, 3rd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (26)
Facebook
5.0 (6)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Pels Law, Attorneys at Law, helps families and individuals in and around the Bethesda area fight for their civil rights. It offers criminal defense to people facing charges such as traffic violations, domestic violence, and white-collar crimes. It also works with clients who need legal representation and advice for cases related to business issues, personal injury, real estate, and family matters. The law firm has been providing legal services to various clients since its founding in 1997.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • DWI/DUI

200A Monroe Street Suite #310, Rockville, MD 20850

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Why choose this provider?

Gritz, Hanifin & Shih, LLC, has been catering to the legal needs of Bethesda residents for over 35 years. It advocates for clients who are facing criminal charges that involve probation violations, car theft, gun possession, and credit card fraud. Its team also helps individuals prepare for personal injury and traffic defense cases by developing sound legal strategies that match their unique situation. One of the firm's principal attorneys, Patrick Hanifin, is a member of the American Institute of Legal Advocates.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • Domestic Violence
  • Juvenile Crimes

50 West Montgomery Ave. Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

RaquinMercer Law Offices serves clients in Bethesda. It advocates for the rights of people who have been wrongfully accused or arrested. It handles misdemeanor and felony cases such as domestic assault and battery, fraud, burglary, weapons offenses, and drug crimes. The firm is committed to providing advanced criminal defense and building a case using forensic instruments and DNA evidence. Its founding partner, Stephen Mercer, served as the chief attorney of the Forensics Division of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender from 2010 to 2017.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

6110 Executive Blvd Suite 1050, Rockville, MD 20852

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Why choose this provider?

Diamant Gerstein provides compassionate representation to individuals in and around Bethesda. It protects the constitutional rights of people facing criminal charges, such as DUI, domestic violence, drug possession, weapons offenses, and sex crimes. The family-run firm also handles cases that intersect between criminal and domestic law. Sharon Diamant, the lead attorney, has been practicing law for over 25 years. As a former prosecutor, she has a deep understanding of how the prosecution operates in Montgomery, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George counties.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

Metro Plaza II 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1100, Silver Spring, MD 20910

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Why choose this provider?

The Canto Law Firm, LLC, serves the people of Bethesda and nearby areas. Its lawyer, José Z. Canto, handles various legal matters, including criminal defense. He upholds the rights of people who were indicted or jailed in criminal prosecutions. Among the misdemeanor and felony cases he handles are embezzlement, larceny, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Canto's prior legal experience includes participating in the Georgetown Criminal Defense Clinic and working with the Felony Trial Division of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.

  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

8630 Fenton St. Suite 320, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of James N. Papirmeister, P.C., caters to the legal needs of Bethesda residents. It represents those facing criminal charges such as theft, gun possession, child abuse and pornography, violent crimes, and assaults. Founder James N. Papirmeister has been fighting for clients' rights in and out of the courtroom for more than 34 years. His work includes creating criminal defense strategies and protecting clients' constitutional rights. He has been featured in Washington Post articles.

  • Federal Crime
  • DWI/DUI
  • Theft & Burglary

50 West Montgomery Avenue, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (15)
Avvo
5.0 (14)

Why choose this provider?

Scrofano Law PC has been fighting for the rights of individuals implicated in the criminal justice system since 2010. Its team provides defense strategies to people in Bethesda who have been charged with or are being investigated for DUI and other traffic offenses, domestic violence, and assault. The firm also represents those dealing with gun-related violations and rape allegations. Founder Joseph A. Scrofano, known to his colleagues as "Scruff Justice," is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Morgan Leigh - PrincipalActive12 yrs

600 Jefferson Plaza Ste 201, Rockville, MD 20852

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Felsen & Sargent LLC caters to the legal needs of the criminally accused individuals and their families in Bethesda. The office addresses several criminal law cases, such as sex crimes, juvenile offenses, domestic violence, DUI, and drug possession. Managing partners Jon W. Sargent and David Felsen leverage their experience of advising opposing parties and judges to create defense strategies. They bring over 30 years of industry experience to represent clients in federal and state courts. They are also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York.

  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 490, Bethesda, MD 20817

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Scott N. Bergman, LLC, has been serving individuals and businesses in Bethesda since 2000. It provides legal representation to clients in criminal cases, including domestic violence, drug charges, DUI, and other traffic offenses. The firm also defends professionals accused of white-collar crimes, such as fraud, tax evasion, blackmail, identity theft, and embezzlement. Founding attorney Scott Bergman is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and is affiliated with the American Association for Justice.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Drug Crimes

50 West Montgomery Avenue, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Scrofano Law PC focuses on criminal defense in Bethesda, achieving favorable outcomes for a variety of charges such as fake ID possession, drunk driving, and theft. The firm also handles domestic violence, disorderly conduct, drug, and firearms offenses. Paolo Gnocchi, an attorney at the firm, is a former AUSA in Baltimore and felony panel attorney for the Office of the Public Defender in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • Expungement
  • Drug Crimes

1300 Spring Street, Suite 120, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

DuBoff & Associates, Chtd. defends individuals in Bethesda accused of criminal offenses. The firm's attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience in criminal law. They handle various types of criminal cases, including DUI/DWI, traffic violations, drug offenses, domestic violence, and juvenile crimes. DuBoff & Associates also advocates for victims of automobile accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse. Its president and founder, Joel DuBoff, has handled numerous high-profile criminal and civil matters.

  • DWI/DUI

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Cooper Law Firm
8720 Georgia Ave. Suite 701, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Arii Law Firm, LLC
401 East Jefferson Street Suite 208, Rockville, MD 20850
Lerch Early Brewer
7600 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC
14825 Pratt Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Pels Law Attorneys at Law
4845 Rugby Avenue, 3rd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814
Gritz, Hanifin & Shih, LLC
200A Monroe Street Suite #310, Rockville, MD 20850
RaquinMercer Law Offices
50 West Montgomery Ave. Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850
Diamant Gerstein
6110 Executive Blvd Suite 1050, Rockville, MD 20852
The Canto Law Firm, LLC
Metro Plaza II 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1100, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Law Offices of James N. Papirmeister, P.C.
8630 Fenton St. Suite 320, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Scrofano Law PC
50 West Montgomery Avenue, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850
Felsen & Sargent LLC
600 Jefferson Plaza Ste 201, Rockville, MD 20852
The Law Offices of Scott N. Bergman, LLC
10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 490, Bethesda, MD 20817
Scrofano Law
50 West Montgomery Avenue, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850
DuBoff & Associates, Chtd.
1300 Spring Street, Suite 120, Silver Spring, MD 20910

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 with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Bethesda, Maryland?

    Contact 301-279-8000 to report non-emergencies to the local police station in Bethesda.

  • Are there always DUI checkpoints in Bethesda?

    DUI checkpoints are not commonly established due to their high cost, but they are usually deployed during holidays such as the summer season and the Super Bowl. Checkpoints are also set up when schools are back in session, as police often spot people driving under the influence late at night. Downtown Bethesda is a common location for sobriety checkpoints. It's worth noting that a driver can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol content is .08% or above.

  • What are the penalties for assault charges in Bethesda?

    In Bethesda, assaulting someone with a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Second-degree assault can result in a $2,500 fine and up to 10 years in jail. Additionally, the defendant may be punished with a $5,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison if the victim is a police officer.

  • What is the process for posting bail in Bethesda?

    A defendant or an individual at least 18 years old can post the bail amount directly to the court in Bethesda. One may post only 10% if the bail amount is $2,500 or less. It will be refunded if the person shows up in all court proceedings. Otherwise, the 10% will be forfeited, and the one who paid it will be held accountable for the remaining amount.

  • Who are eligible to have their criminal records sealed in Bethesda?

    In Bethesda, criminal records can be sealed for people whose charges were dropped or dismissed, who were found not guilty, or who were not criminally responsible for minor offenses. Defendants with inactive cases, juveniles transferred from adult court, and persons under probation before judgment are also allowed to undergo the expungement process.

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