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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Tacoma, WA

Our Recommended Best Tacoma Criminal Defense Lawyers

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

151Reviewed

94Curated

9Top Picks

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Providers

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
812 N Oakes St, Tacoma, WA 98406

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Jay Wilkinson Law, PLLC, is led by a former prosecuting attorney who now represents individuals in Tacoma who are under investigation, arrested, or facing criminal charges. The firm handles a variety of criminal defense cases, including those involving DUI, assault, drug offenses, complex theft charges, traffic violations, and domestic violence. Its team likewise assists individuals in Washington looking to vacate or seal a criminal conviction, expunge their records, or restore their rights to carry a firearm.

Jay Wilkinson has plenty of experience in jury trials, having conducted multiple trials in both superior court (felonies) and district court (misdemeanors). In addition to criminal law, his practice encompasses immigration cases, Public Records Act disputes, and civil cases involving personal injury and police misconduct.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
539 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Led by a criminal defense practitioner who has experience working for the Monroe County Public Defender's Office, Sound Legal Defense PLLC defends the rights of the accused in Tacoma, Washington. It represents those who have been charged with property crimes, drug offenses, assault, and domestic violence. The law firm also helps clients prevent traffic charges from appearing on their driving records so that they can avoid license suspension and being considered habitual traffic offenders.

Criminal defense attorney Nathan L. Johnson received his Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law. He has been practicing law for over 20 years and centers his legal career around defending the accused. He is a member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
708 Broadway Suite 400,, Tacoma, WA 98402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (367)
Facebook
5.0 (19)
Yelp
3.9 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Puget Law Group is a law firm offering a host of legal services through its offices in Tacoma, Seattle, Bellevue, Bremerton, and Olympia. The areas of practice of the law firm include criminal defense, DUI defense, and personal injury. The firm's team of criminal defense lawyers, including six former prosecutors, explains the legal options of its clients and focuses on defending them in court. Puget Law Group handles criminal cases in several different areas, including serious felonies, DUI, drug charges, domestic violence, and white-collar crimes.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
1117 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.8 (75)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Horwath Law has a 98% success rate on its DUI cases and has achieved multiple not-guilty verdicts on all the criminal defense cases it has handled. It provides legal counseling and courtroom representation to residents of Tacoma, Washington, who have been charged with DUI and minor in possession. The law firm investigates the reliability of BAC test results to defend its clients, protect their driving privileges, and obtain the most optimal outcome for them.

Angela Horwath has practiced law for more than a decade. She has received the Client's Choice Award from AVVO for eight consecutive years and has also been included in South Sound Business Magazine's 40 Under 40 list.

  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
705 South 9th Street Suite 206, Tacoma, WA 98405

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Avvo
5.0 (12)
Yelp
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Chris Van Vechten is led by a criminal defense practitioner who has received the Client's Choice Award from Avvo. Serving Tacoma, Washington, it defends the rights of those who have been accused of domestic violence, statutory rape and indecent exposure, DUI, securities fraud and other monetary crimes, and motor vehicle theft. The legal practice also provides juvenile defense for youth who have been charged with sexual offenses, drunk and disorderly conduct, and illegal purchases of tobacco and alcohol.

Criminal defense attorney Chris Van Vechten has experience working as a Rule 9 prosecuting lawyer with the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office. He also volunteered at the Northwest Justice Project Housing Foreclosure Mediation Program and the Tacoma-Pierce County Neighborhood Legal Clinic.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Internet Crime

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
1410 South Meridian Suite B, Puyallup, WA 98371

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Gunderson Law Firm has worked with thousands of individuals with criminal defense cases. It provides legal counseling to the locals of Tacoma, Washington, who have been charged and arrested for domestic violence, shoplifting, and assault. Its legal team also includes former prosecutors who can defend clients accused of DUI and other alcohol-related driving violations. Individuals who wish to vacate their criminal convictions or resolve their traffic tickets can also consult the firm.

William P.E. Gunderson is one of the owners of Gunderson Law Firm. He has been practicing law since 2013 and has worked as a public defender for the City of Puyallup. William also represents indigent clients in municipal courts.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
728 Pacific Ave Suite 220, Tacoma, WA 98402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (568)
Avvo
5.0 (366)
Facebook
5.0 (110)

Why choose this provider?

Garguile Law, PLLC, focuses mainly on driving-related civil and criminal cases through its office in Tacoma. The law firm helps clients dealing with cases involving traffic violations and DUI. It helps clients avoid the penalties associated with traffic violations, which can include fines and the suspension of their driver's license. Garguile Law, PLLC, also helps clients who want to clear their past criminal records through expungement. It evaluates the situation of its clients to ensure they qualify for expungement.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
705 South 9th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (218)
Facebook
5.0 (33)
Yelp
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

With over 40 years of experience in criminal defense, the South Sound Law Group serves the Tacoma area. Founded by William A. White, this law firm offers legal representation to individuals accused of criminal charges, such as theft, assault, robbery, harassment, and domestic violence. As a family-run company, its attorneys uphold the idea of becoming the ideal representative that they would want for their own family members. They strive to build a solid defense for their clients, prioritizing their needs.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Tacoma
506 2nd Avenue, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98104

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (68)
Google
5.0 (32)

Why choose this provider?

With nearly 40 years of combined experience, Burke Brown Attorneys offers legal counsel and representation in criminal defense cases in Tacoma, Washington. It assists clients in navigating the legal process of criminal law, including cases involving domestic violence, protection orders, juvenile offenses, education defense, and CPS/child abuse matters. The firm has successfully defended clients from diverse backgrounds, including low-income individuals and CEOs. Its attorneys have appeared before various judges and interacted with numerous attorneys and prosecutors, building a solid reputation within the legal community.

Dana Brown is a criminal defense lawyer at Burke Brown Attorneys. She is a former member of King County Drug Diversion Court, for which she also served as attorney supervisor. Brown is a member of the Education Law Association, a national organization that advocates for the rights of students in educational institutions, including private and public K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Domestic Violence

Compare Best Tacoma Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Jay Wilkinson Law, PLLC
812 N Oakes St, Tacoma, WA 98406
Sound Legal Defense PLLC
539 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402
Puget Law Group
708 Broadway Suite 400,, Tacoma, WA 98402
Horwath Law
1117 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
Van Vechten
705 South 9th Street Suite 206, Tacoma, WA 98405
Gunderson Law Firm
1410 South Meridian Suite B, Puyallup, WA 98371
Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers
728 Pacific Ave Suite 220, Tacoma, WA 98402
South Sound Law Group
705 South 9th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405
Burke Brown Attorneys
506 2nd Avenue, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98104

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.

Tacoma, WA Criminal Defense FAQs

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

    Contact (253) 287-4455 for non-emergencies in Tacoma.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Tacoma, Washington?

    A copy of your Tacoma police report can be obtained by submitting a request to the Records Request Portal or via mail to the Records Custodian at 3580 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98418.

  • Who investigates federal crimes in Tacoma?

    The investigation of federal crimes in Tacoma is a significant task that falls under the jurisdiction of various federal organizations, such as the FBI, ICE, DEA, and military investigation units. Despite being under investigation by one of these agencies, individuals are still entitled to the rights granted by the Constitution's Fourth Amendment.

  • Why do you need a federal criminal defense attorney when charged with a federal crime in Tacoma?

    When facing a federal criminal charge in Tacoma, it is necessary to have a federal criminal defense attorney represent you. The legal procedures in a federal court differ from those in a state court, and having someone familiar with these specific regulations is vital to ensure the best possible defense. In addition, only a federal criminal defense attorney holds a specific license to operate in the federal court system.

  • Can an adult file a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit in Tacoma?

    An adult over 18 can file a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit in Tacoma within three years of discovering the injury, causal link, or the act itself. Despite the passing of several years or decades since the incident, legal action can be pursued if there is a connection between the injury and the abuse.

  • Are all crimes governed by statutes of limitations in Tacoma?

    In Tacoma, the concept of a statute of limitations does not apply to all types of criminal offenses. This is especially the case for more serious crimes, such as those that cause harm or take the lives of others. Examples of such crimes involve murder or the intentional killing of another person, homicide by abuse or killing someone through a pattern of abuse or neglect, and reckless driving that results in death.

  • Can the police enter one's home in Tacoma without a warrant?

    Without a warrant, it is generally unlawful for police to enter a home in Tacoma unless certain exceptions to the warrant requirement apply. These exceptions include cases where the police have obtained valid consent from the homeowner or where an emergency situation exists. It's important to note that these exceptions can be complex, so it's recommended to seek the advice of a qualified attorney if there are any questions about whether a search was lawful.