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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Charleston

2023

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Website
3744 Teays Valley Road, Suite 204, Hurricane, WV 25526

Why choose this provider?

Barney Law PLLC is a law firm that handles criminal defense cases in Charleston. It represents clients against charges of murder, sexual abuse, assault, computer fraud, and DUI with injury. The law office also represents parties who have been convicted for serious crimes in habeas corpus actions. Before his private practice, Founder Mark Barney previously worked in a firm handling personal injury matters and was chosen as one of the top 100 personal injury attorneys by The National Trial Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Barney - Founder17 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3818 MacCorkle Avenue Southeast, Charleston, WV 25304

Why choose this provider?

John J. Balenovich Law Offices LC is a Charleston-based criminal defense firm. Mr. Balenovich has many years of experience handling the full spectrum of criminal cases, from DUI, tax fraud, and political corruption to drug offenses, rape, and capital murder. Attorney Balenovich is admitted to practice in West Virginia's state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District. He also practices family law, bankruptcy, and personal injury law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Balenovich - Principal17 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
16 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301

Why choose this provider?

Walters Law Firm PLLC is a criminal defense law practice based in Charleston that represents clients in the counties of Putnam, Lincoln, Boone, Wayne, and Logan. Attorney Ron Walters has over 10 years of experience representing clients at all stages, from advising them during police investigations to defending them in court and appealing their sentences. He accepts cases relating to domestic violence, white-collar crimes, DUI, drugs, and crimes involving property.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ron Walters - Principal3 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
805 Bigley Avenue, Charleston, WV 25302

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Claude S. Smith III is a sole proprietorship located in Charleston, serving clients throughout the surrounding counties. Attorney Claude Smith has been defending people accused of felonies and misdemeanors for more than a quarter of a century. His experience includes crimes involving violence, such as domestic violence and aggravated assault, and crimes involving drugs, including DUI. Attorney Smith also practices family law, personal injury law, estate planning, and probate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Claude Smith - Principal31 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (3)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)
Avvo
3.5 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1118 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25301

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2001, Forbes Law Offices PLLC is a small team of criminal lawyers in Charleston that advises clients under investigation and defends those charged with crimes. The attorneys represent defendants in cases of theft, including robbery, burglary, and shoplifting. They also defend clients accused of DUI/DWI anywhere in West Virginia. Forbes Law Offices PLLC includes attorneys who are members of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the West Virginia Association for Justice.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
William Forbes - Partner18 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)
FindLaw
0.5 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
205 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301

Why choose this provider?

Zerbe & Pence, PLLC, is a Charleston-based law firm that represents clients in diverse legal matters. Established in 2005, this company has a criminal defense lawyer who seeks to protect the rights of accused individuals. David R. Pence is well-versed in West Virginia's legal system, avoiding consequences such as imprisonment. He handles domestic battery, assault, shoplifting, public intoxication, and drug-related charges. Moreover, he uses case precedents. Zerbe & Pence, PLLC also deals with cases involving reckless driving, felonies, and social security claims.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Pence - Partner18 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
105 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301

Why choose this provider?

Carrico Law Offices LC is a family firm of criminal justice attorneys in Charleston. Since 1965, its lead attorney, John B. Carrico, has been advising and defending clients accused of felonies and misdemeanors. The firm argues in West Virginia's state and federal courts for people charged with white-collar crimes, DUI, drug offenses, and sex crimes, including offenses involving the internet. Its attorneys include members of the Kanawha County and West Virginia Bar associations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Timothy Carrico - Partner28 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
1.7
FindLaw
0.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
707 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV 25301

Why choose this provider?

For more than 90 years, Kay, Casto & Chaney PLLC has been representing clients throughout West Virginia from its offices in Charleston and Morgantown. The firm practices various areas of law, including criminal law. Its attorneys have many years of experience handling pre-trial investigations, plea negotiations, and jury trials for clients accused of felonies and misdemeanors, such as domestic violence, crimes involving property, white-collar crime, DUI, aggravated assault, and drug-related offenses.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Chaney - Partner/Member50 yrs
Craig Kay - Member35 yrs
Robert Rodecker - Member49 yrs
Teresa Dumire - Managing Member24 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
716 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV 25301

Why choose this provider?

Pritt & Spano PLLC is a firm of criminal defense attorneys in Charleston with more than 20 years of experience defending those accused of criminal behavior. The attorneys have experience handling a range of felony and misdemeanor cases, including DUI/DWI and white-collar crimes, such as identify theft, fraud, and embezzlement. The firm's attorneys are members of the West Virginia Association for Justice. They are available 24/7 and also practice personal injury and family law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Joseph Spano - Founding Partner13 yrs
Alan Pritt - Founding Partner13 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
Avvo
4.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
707 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV 25323

Why choose this provider?

The attorneys at Carey, Scott, Douglas & Kessler PLLC, a firm of criminal lawyers in Charleston, have more than 200 years of combined experience defending and advising clients accused of criminal behavior. They handle felony and misdemeanor cases relating to white-collar crimes, advocating for professionals and public officials accused of fraud, filing false tax returns, and embezzlement. The firm's attorneys practice in West Virginia's state and federal courts, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Kessler - Partner47 yrs
Michael Carey - Partner44 yrs

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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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 withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Charleston, West Virginia?

    The non-emergency contact number for the Charleston Police Department is 304-348-8111.

  • What are the commonly reported crimes in Charleston?

    The most commonly reported crime in Charleston is theft, with a rate of 13.11 per 1,000 residents in a standard year. Other commonly reported crimes are vandalism, with a rate of 8.153, and burglary, with a rate of 3.019. Assault, drug crimes, identity theft, and arson also occur more than other criminal offenses.

  • What are the safest neighborhoods in Charleston?

    According to data culled from local law enforcement agencies, the safest neighborhoods in Charleston are Rocky Fork, Loudon Heights, Sissonville, South Hills West, and Derricks Creek. Other relatively safe areas in the metro include Tyler Heights, Guthrie, Blount, and Loudendale. In general, however, Charleston has one of the highest crime rates in the country for its size.

  • What is the criminal process for Charleston DUI charges?

    Following a DUI arrest in Charleston, the defendant will be arraigned and released from jail within 24 hours of their arrest. After the release, he or she will receive a hearing notice from the local municipal or magistrate court. Failure to appear at one’s hearing may lead to the issuing of bench warrants and many of one’s rights being waived.

  • How does Charleston penalize drug offenses?

    Possession of marijuana, which is the most common drug crime in Charleston, is punishable by up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. Other drug crimes, such as the manufacturing, transport, distribution, and sale of illegal substances are considered felony offenses. The penalties are also increased if there is death or bodily injury involved.

  • Who investigates Charleston federal crimes?

    Depending on the nature of the crime, federal offenses in Charleston are investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service. These authorities often work together with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charleston. Examples of federal crimes include fraud, tax evasion, and bribery.

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