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2024

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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Madison

Our Recommended Top 16

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Madison 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.

183Reviewed

116Curated

16Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

33 E Main St Suite 610, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (11)
FindLaw
5.0 (4)
Avvo
2.3 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Based in Madison, Stroud, Willink & Howard works with clients across the local metro. The firm deals with criminal law cases involving individuals with misdemeanor or felony charges, including homicide, drug trafficking, fraud, and domestic violence. It has experience advising clients looking to appeal the court's decision before the state's Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The firm's other practice area is immigration law. Its primary attorney, Anthony Jurek, serves as a board member at the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • DWI/DUI

6405 Century Ave Ste 103, Middleton, WI 53562

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (53)
Avvo
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Mays Law Office LLC serves individuals and businesses in Middleton and Madison who are facing federal and state charges. Its criminal lawyers in Madison regularly handle cases involving drug charges, traffic citations, drunk driving, assault and battery, homicide, white-collar crimes, disorderly conduct, and sexual assault. The agency also assists clients with workers' compensation cases. Attorney Stephen Mays is a member of the Wisconsin, the National, and the Dane County Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Lisa Pierobon mays - Senior AttorneyActive29 yrs
Stephen Mays - OwnerActive29 yrs

6605 University Ave, Suite 101, Middleton, WI 53562
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (34)
Yelp
3.5 (3)
Facebook
4.3 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Tracey Wood and Associates is a group of criminal defense attorneys that helps residents of the greater Madison area. The brokerage focuses on OWI offenses, building defense strategies on improper stops by police and inappropriate interactions between officers and plaintiffs during arrests. The criminal defense practice represents those accused of drug possession, aggravated assault, theft, and white-collar crimes. Common defenses include establishing proof of self-defense and unlawful search and seizure.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Tracey Wood - PrincipalActive31 yrs

10 E Doty St Ste 513, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Coad Law Office SC offers residents of Madison legal representation in criminal defense cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Head attorney Rick Coad has over 15 years of experience defending clients from a range of crimes, such as drug possession and trafficking, sexual assault, underage drinking, property damage, domestic battery, disorderly conduct, burglary, and homicide. The firm also serves clients in administrative and trial courts, defending clients accused of Medicaid fraud.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Richard Coad - PrincipalActive20 yrs

110 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (70)
Facebook
3.1 (6)
Avvo
4.3 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Christopher T. Van Wagner SC has represented clients facing criminal charges for over 25 years. Mr. Van Wagner is a criminal lawyer in Madison who advocates for clients accused of DUI, white collar crimes, sexual assault, insurance and tax fraud, theft, and violent infractions. He also takes cases involving driving with a suspended license and drug crimes, including possession, manufacturing, and trafficking. Mr. Van Wagner is a member of the Dane County Bar Association and the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Christopher Van wagner - PrincipalActive30 yrs

316 W Washington Ave Ste 225, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (394)
Google
4.8 (212)

Why choose this provider?

Johnen Law Offices represents individuals in Madison who have been arrested for misdemeanors and felonies. Its team of criminal defense lawyers has years of experience protecting the rights of clients involved in drunk driving incidents, traffic violations, aggravated assault, domestic violence, and drug-related offenses. The firm works to hold employers and universities liable for violent acts committed by a person that they should have reasonably known had a history of violent behavior.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sasa Johnen - PrincipalActive11 yrs

995 Applegate Rd Suite 8, Madison, WI 53713
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Attorney Jair Alvarez represents clients in business and criminal law matters in Madison. He protects the rights and interests of individuals facing criminal charges, including OWI, sexual assault, drug possession, and disorderly conduct. Alvarez has represented more than 580 clients, with 28 trials litigated in small claims and circuit court since 2014. He also helps clients establish, protect, and expand their businesses and financial assets. Alvarez speaks Spanish, allowing him to cater to the legal needs of the Hispanic community.

5555 Odana Rd Ste 101, Madison, WI 53719

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Charles Kyle Kenyon is a criminal defense attorney based in Madison who has been practicing law since 1979. Mr. Kenyon advocates for the rights of clients arrested for drunk driving, homicide, armed battery, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, theft by fraud, extortion, and prescription forgery. He is a member of the Wisconsin and the National Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as well as the National College for DUI Defense.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Charles Kenyon - PrincipalActive45 yrs

411 West Main Street, Ste 201, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (17)
Avvo
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Chirafisi Law Office provides legal representation to the people of Madison and the greater Wisconsin area handling both misdemeanor and high profile felony cases. Its team of criminal defense attorneys regularly serve people accused of operating while intoxicated (OWI/OWRCS), drug offenses, sexual assault, misdemeanor and felony battery, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, student discipline, juvenile and traffic offenses.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Corey Chirafisi - PartnerActive26 yrs

10 E. Doty St., Suite 800, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Zaleski Law Firm represents clients throughout Madison and the neighboring areas. It offers criminal defense services to help individuals reduce their legal charges or dismiss their cases. It also resolves other issues relating to personal injury, bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, and family law. The legal firm defends medical professionals, business owners, teachers, attorneys, law enforcers, and juveniles. Its founder Steven Zaleski is licensed to practice in Texas and Illinois. He has been practicing law since 1993.

  • DWI/DUI

411 W. Main St., Ste 202, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (71)
Avvo
5.0 (10)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

DK Anderson provides legal services to individuals in Madison and the surrounding communities. The firm counsels and represents clients facing criminal charges. It employs the expertise of a criminal defense attorney in helping clients navigate drug, domestic violence, property crime, drunk driving, and violent crime charges. It also guides clients with traffic citations and sex offenses. David K Anderson has been handling felony, misdemeanor, and OWI charges since 2015. He collaborates with clients to obtain appropriate outcomes.

6441 Enterprise Ln Ste 109, Madison, WI 53719

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (47)
Avvo
5.0 (44)
Facebook
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Stangl Law Offices SC is a criminal defense firm that operates throughout Madison and Hayward. Attorney Pat Stangl has more than 25 years of experience defending clients against a range of criminal offenses, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, drug distribution, prostitution, counterfeiting, and conspiracies. He also represents clients in drunk driving cases. Mr. Stangl has a number of published appellate opinions in both the state and federal Courts of Appeals.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Patrick Stangl - PrincipalActive33 yrs

2501 Parmenter St. Suite 100A First Floor, Middleton, WI 53562

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (15)
Avvo
4.6 (10)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Fuhrman + Dodge, S.C., provides a wide array of legal services to clients in Madison and its surrounding communities. It defends individuals from accusations of disorderly conduct, battery, domestic abuse, DUI, and DWI. It also offers legal counsel and representation in the areas of bankruptcy, construction, business, real estate, intellectual property, and family law. Christopher J. Dodge, one of the firm's partners, has extensive litigation experience and serves as president of the Leadership Greater Madison Alumni Association.

  • DWI/DUI

205 South John Paul Road, Milton, WI 53563

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (2)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

McCarthy Law Office offers litigation solutions to people facing convictions for committing crimes in the Madison area. Its attorneys handle felony and misdemeanor crimes, such as illegal possession of weapons or drugs, kidnapping, and white-collar infractions. They present penalty reduction pleas in trials to help offenders of traffic violations and theft crimes receive more lenient sanctions. Founder Scott McCarthy is a member of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers and the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Scott Mccarthy - PartnerActive33 yrs

118 E Washington Ave Ste 300, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Brophy Law Office represents clients facing state and federal criminal charges, including clients under investigation and those who have already been arrested and charged. The practice's criminal justice attorneys in Madison handle felony and misdemeanor charges, including drunk driving, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft, and other crimes. Attorney Brian Brophy heads the practice's criminal defense team and brings more than 20 years of experience to his clients, with the goal of acquittal of charges or penalty reduction.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Rebecca DeMarb - Founder/PartnerActive27 yrs

121 S Pinckney St Ste 550, Madison, WI 53703
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (17)
Avvo
5.0 (7)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Hurley Law Office, LLC, defends clients who are facing charges of criminal behavior in Madison and the nearby metros. It takes on a wide variety of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges, including those involving drug offenses, sexual assault, driving under the influence, and violent crimes. Additionally, it assists individuals who are looking into having their criminal records sealed or expunged. Sole practitioner Robert Hurley draws on his experience as an Assistant District Attorney in fighting clients' criminal charges.

  • DWI/DUI

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 Madison, Wisconsin?

    If you need non-emergency dispatch, call the Madison Police Department at (608) 255-2345.

  • What is a misdemeanor crime in Madison?

    Misdemeanors in Madison are punishable by a year in jail and a $10,000 fine. Misdemeanor sentences are never more than one year in jail. Misdemeanor convictions and firearm possession are excluded. Domestic violence offenders are not allowed to acquire firearms under the 1996 Gun Control Act amendments. Section (g) (9) prohibits the ownership of a firearm by anybody "convicted in any court of a minor offense of domestic violence."

  • What are the most common sex crimes in Madison that lead to charges?

    Most sexual assault charges in Madison include child sexual abuse. This is because when a child reports being molested, the person they tell must inform the police and social services, which leads to a prosecution. Lack of consent is the second-most frequent accusation. It wouldn't be called "rape" if you had intercourse or touched someone sexually without their permission, which generally includes alcohol or force. Wisconsin sex crime investigations and charges usually include those two scenarios.

  • What constitutes a criminal battery in Madison?

    There are several types of battery charges in Madison. The most serious of these is felony battery. For felony battery, you could spend up to 10 years in prison and pay up to $10,000 in fines. There are three types of felony battery charges:

    • Assault with the intent to cause serious bodily harm -Aggravated battery
    • Substantial battery
  • Is it okay for law enforcement to not tell someone who has been arrested for a crime in Madison what their rights are?

    When you are arrested in Madison, police officers are not obligated to recite you of your Miranda rights. Law enforcement personnel are only obligated to read you your rights if you are detained, and their words will be used as evidence in your case. When police neglect to recite their rights to them, many individuals think their rights have been violated. If the police believe they have sufficient evidence against you and do not intend to use your remarks, they may continue without ever giving you your rights.

  • Can a person's previous criminal convictions be removed or expunged from their record?

    Wisconsin expunges adult State Circuit Court convictions in restricted circumstances. Eligibility depends on the person's sentence and completion. A judge may erase a misdemeanor or restricted felony conviction in Madison if it was imposed after July 1, 2009, and the offender was under 25. If a defendant was under 21 and convicted before July 1, 2009, a judge may erase a misdemeanor conviction from their record. A court request for expungement must be submitted and fought. Completing the sentence needs more than simply probation without being revoked. It also mandates no more convictions.