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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbia, MD

Our Recommended Top 16

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

87Reviewed

58Curated

16Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

5850 Waterloo Road, Columbia, MD 21045

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Ryan J. Dymek LLC provides legal assistance to individuals facing criminal charges in Columbia. Founder Ryan Dymek represents clients facing drug possession and distribution charges, helping them obtain reduced penalties or jail sentences. He also assists clients convicted of fraud, embezzlement, probation violations, disorderly conduct, domestic violence, kidnapping, and burglary. Mr. Dymek is a member of the Maryland Bar Association and the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ryan Dymek - PrincipalActive15 yrs

10015 Old Columbia Road , Suite B-215, Columbia, MD 21046

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Neveen H. Kurtom LLC helps people seeking the services of a criminal defense attorney in Columbia. Founder Neveen H. Kurtom has over 15 years of experience handling traffic violations, including DWI/DUI, driving while suspended, negligent driving, and driving uninsured cars, as well as identity theft and vandalism cases. She also defends clients prosecuted for fraud and drug offenses. Ms. Kurtom is a member of the American Bar Association and the Howard County Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Neveen Kurtom - PrincipalActive18 yrs

5850 Waterloo Road, Suite 140, Columbia, MD 21045

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

O'Guinn McNeal Attorneys serves individuals throughout the Columbia area. It offers criminal defense services and represents clients who are facing DUI charges and traffic offenses. It also handles cases involving moving traffic violations, speeding, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, violation of probation, and driving in violation of license restriction Patrick J. O'Guinn, Sr., partner at the firm, is also admitted to practice in Washington, D.C. He is a Digital Forensics Cyber Investigation Subject Matter Expert and an Online Digital Forensics Subject Matter Expert.

  • DWI/DUI

14750 Main Street, Suite C, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (107)
Facebook
3.7 (6)
Avvo
3.7 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Thomas C. Mooney counsels clients in the Columbia metro and the surrounding communities. It offers representation to individuals in various types of criminal defense cases, including aggravated assault, attempted murder, child endangerment, domestic violence, DUI, and vehicular manslaughter. It also works on claims involving drug manufacturing, indecent exposure, lewd behavior, and prescription forging. Thomas C. Mooney, a partner, is a member of the Maryland Association For Justice. He is also fluent in Spanish.

  • DWI/DUI

5501 Twin Knolls Rd #102, Columbia, MD 21045

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.9 (14)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Kim & Grillo Law helps people looking for the services of criminal defense attorneys in Columbia. Its lawyers have over 40 years of combined experience defending clients against multiple traffic violation offenses such as driving while suspended and excessive speeding. They also represent individuals facing possible jail time or fines for committing a probation violation, credit card and identity theft, embezzlement, child abuse, and contract fraud crimes. Attorney Tae H. Kim is licensed to practice in the Maryland Court of Appeals and the United States District Court, District of Maryland.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Tae Kim - PartnerActive25 yrs

6304 Woodside Court, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (22)
Facebook
5.0 (4)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

FrizWoods is a criminal defense firm serving the litigation needs of Columbia residents. It represents criminal defendants in a wide range of cases, from traffic citations and juvenile defense to felony and gun charges. Its lawyers guide clients in the ins and outs of the criminal justice proceedings, including motion filing, drug court processing, and jury trial preparation. Partner Luke Woods has been in practice since 2006 and previously worked at the DoJ and JAG Corps.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

6100 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Paul E. Mack, Attorney at Law, offers legal counsel to people looking for a criminal defense attorney near Columbia. Owner Paul Mack counsels and represents clients facing charges arising from auto accident crimes, sexual offenses, drug possession and distribution, white collar crimes, and traffic violations. He also assists children facing criminal charges, including the destruction of property and shoplifting, and represents those intending to obtain expungements. Mr. Mack takes cyberbullying and officer assault cases, as well.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Paul Mack - PrincipalActive28 yrs

10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Addison-Darden, P.C., is a criminal defense firm that serves the Columbia metro and the neighboring communities. The firm protects the rights of individuals facing criminal charges. It defends its clients in a wide range of criminal charges, including aggravated assault, domestic violence, drug possession, manslaughter, and theft. It also handles personal injury and medical malpractice cases. The firm has been providing legal representation for more than three decades. Its founder, Evelyn Darden, is a former state attorney.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

10015 Old Columbia Road, Suite B215, Columbia, MD 21046

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Demeksa Law represents individuals in Columbia and nearby areas. It provides legal counsel to clients in various aspects of criminal law. The practice takes on cases involving domestic violence, manslaughter, assault, theft, and burglary and advocates for defendants' rights. It also caters to first- to second-time offenders dealing with DUI violations and creates defense strategies to settle mandatory penalties, such as imprisonment and license suspension. Founder and principal lawyer Demeksa Oli also handles immigration, personal injury, and family law matters.

  • DWI/DUI

1435 Sulphur Spring Road 1st Floor, Baltimore, MD 21227

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.7 (62)
Google
4.6 (59)
Facebook
2.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter defends individuals who have been accused of criminal offenses. The firm handles cases involving sex crimes, including the distribution or possession of offensive media that depicts the violent or lewd treatment of minors. The office also tackles matters concerning DUIs, traffic violations, and assaults. Counsel Charles L. Waechter has more than 35 years of experience in penal law practice and takes on over 750 cases every year.

  • Arraignment

6851 Oak Hall Lane, Suite 305, Columbia, MD 21045

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (7)
Google
3.4 (5)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Abramson & Rand, LLC, is a law office that counsels clients in the Columbia metro and the surrounding communities. It assists individuals accused of committing crimes, including armed robbery, murder, second-degree assault, and theft. It offers them legal representation and helps them mitigate penalties and sentencing. The firm's other practice areas are construction law, estate planning, family law, and personal injury. Joel Marc Abramson, a senior partner, is licensed to practice law before the US Supreme Court.

  • DWI/DUI

601 7th Street, Laurel, MD 20707

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (31)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles, P.A. is a law firm serving the Columbia area. It handles criminal defense, personal injury law, bankruptcy, family law and other domestic issues. Pyles has over 25 years of legal experience and has tried over 200 jury trials and 1,000 bench trials. He helps injury victims get the compensation they deserve in cases involving motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-falls, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, defective products and dog bites.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Thomas Pyles - FounderActive33 yrs

10450 Shaker Drive, Suite 111, Columbia, MD 21046

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (8)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Clarke F. Ahlers, P.C. is a criminal defense practice serving the Columbia area. Firm attorney Clarke F. Ahlers advocates for the rights of clients facing DUI charges and arrested for serious traffic offenses, covering accident reconstruction and manslaughter cases. He also defends individuals accused of shoplifting and homicide. The legal professional holds pre-trial consultations. Key witness cross-examination and critical witness preparation are also offered. Ahlers formerly worked for the Howard County Police Department. The NACDL member has been practicing privately since 1986.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Theft & Burglary

8808 Centre Park Drive Ste 306, Columbia, MD 21045

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (7)

Why choose this provider?

For over 40 years, Discepolo Firm has handled criminal defense cases, helping individuals in Columbia. Its attorneys deal with matters involving drug charges and sex work sting operations. They investigate the filed cases and use evidence of manipulation by the prosecutors to negotiate plea bargain agreements. They also defend clients facing convictions for white collar crimes, including intellectual property theft, money laundering, and financial institution fraud. Attorney Donald Discepolo is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Don Discepolo - PrincipalActive26 yrs

10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (7)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Lilly Law Firm is a multi-service practice that serves clients in Columbia. It represents defendants in various criminal law charges and motor vehicle offenses. It also handles other practice areas, including personal injury, family law, employment law, and wills and trusts. The firm has been addressing the legal needs of communities since 2001. It offers special arrangements for reserve and active-duty military individuals, veterans, and their families. Principal attorney John R. Lilly has been in the legal practice for over 29 years.

  • DWI/DUI

9256 Bendix Road, Suite 102, Columbia, MD 21045

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.8 (13)
Avvo
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Carol L. James serves clients in Columbia and the neighboring areas. It provides representation for a number of practice areas, including criminal defense. It also represents defendants in motor vehicle matters and guides them in negotiating resolutions. The firm also deals with a wide range of legal issues that involve family law, such as contested, collaborative, and same-sex divorce as well as property division, child support and custody, alimony, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
The Law Office of Ryan J Dymek, LLC
5850 Waterloo Road, Columbia, MD 21045
Law Office of Neveen H. Kurtom, LLC
10015 Old Columbia Road , Suite B-215, Columbia, MD 21046
O'Guinn McNeal Attorneys
5850 Waterloo Road, Suite 140, Columbia, MD 21045
Law Offices of Thomas C. Mooney
14750 Main Street, Suite C, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Kim & Grillo Law
5501 Twin Knolls Rd #102, Columbia, MD 21045
FrizWoods
6304 Woodside Court, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046
Paul E. Mack, Attorney at Law
6100 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029
Law Offices of Addison-Darden, P.C.
10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044
Demeksa Law
10015 Old Columbia Road, Suite B215, Columbia, MD 21046
Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter
1435 Sulphur Spring Road 1st Floor, Baltimore, MD 21227
Abramson & Rand, LLC
6851 Oak Hall Lane, Suite 305, Columbia, MD 21045
The Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles, P.A.
601 7th Street, Laurel, MD 20707
Clarke F. Ahlers, P.C.
10450 Shaker Drive, Suite 111, Columbia, MD 21046
Discepolo Firm
8808 Centre Park Drive Ste 306, Columbia, MD 21045
Lilly Law Firm
10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044
Law Offices of Carol L. James
9256 Bendix Road, Suite 102, Columbia, MD 21045

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 Columbia, Maryland?

    The non-emergency contact numbers for the local police in Columbia are 410-313-2200 for the Howard County Police Department and 410-313-5805 for the Oakland Mills Community Policing Office.

  • What are the safest neighborhoods in Columbia?

    As per location profiler NeighborhoodScout, the safest neighborhoods in Columbia include Clarksville, River Hill, Thunder Hill, Kendall Ridge and Harpers Choice West. The communities of Long Reach, Woodleigh/Hickory Ridge, Kings Meade/Kings Contrivance, Jeffers Hill, and Kings Contrivance North are considered safe as well.

  • Is Columbia a safe place to live?

    Fox 5 DC reported in October 2022 crowns Columbia as the safest city to live in compared to over 180 US cities across 42 key safety indicators, including murder rates, identity theft complaints, and unemployment. The study is annually conducted by the finance group WalletHub based on the latest FBI UCR.

  • What are my chances of becoming a crime victim in Columbia?

    The chances of a person becoming a victim of a violent crime in Columbia is 1 in 341. This includes cases of aggravated assault, armed robbery, murder, and rape. This translates to a rate of 3 per one thousand Columbia residents. For property crimes such as arson, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, it's 1 in 69.

  • How frequently do violent crimes occur in Columbia?

    According to the annual uniform crime report of the Howard County Police Department, the county that includes Columbia has an ongoing five-year average of 555.6 violent crimes reported per year. Aggravated assault remains the most reported violent crime at 329.2 crimes listed every year.

  • What is the crime rate at Columbia?

    For the first quarter of 2022, the violent crime rate is at 27.7 per 100,000 people. This includes homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and human trafficking cases. The property crime rate is 264.7 per 100,000 Columbia residents. The number covers burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.