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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Charleston
2021

We scored 46 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Charleston, WV and Picked the Top 9

Here are the Picks:

Carey, Scott, Douglas & Kessler, PLLC

Carrico Law Offices LC

Forbes Law Offices PLLC

John J. Balenovich Law Offices, LC

Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC

Law Offices of Claude S. Smith, III

Pritt & Spano, PLLC

Walters Law Firm, PLLC

Zerbe & Pence, PLLC

Why These Criminal Defense Lawyers?

Our goal is to connect people with the best local experts. We scored Charleston 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.

Reviewed Curated Top Picks 46 31 9

Our Selection Criteria:

  • 1. Availability

    Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored.

  • 2. Qualifications

    Building customer confidence with licensing, accreditations, and awards.

  • 3. Reputation

    A history of delighted customers and outstanding service.

  • 4. Experience

    Masters of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education.

  • 5. Professionalism

    Providing service with honesty, reliability, and respect.

Read more about our selection process

Carey, Scott, Douglas & Kessler, PLLC

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.

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707 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25323

Website

(304) 345-1234 Website

Professionalism: A

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A

Detail: --

Carey, Scott, Douglas & Kessler, PLLC Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
Michael Carey - Partner Active 41
John Kessler - Partner Active 44
Individual Attorney Information

Carrico Law Offices LC

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.

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105 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301

Website

(304) 881-0632 Website

Professionalism: A+

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A+

Detail: A+

Carrico Law Offices LC Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
Timothy Carrico - Partner Active 25
Individual Attorney Information

Forbes Law Offices PLLC

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.

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1118 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25301

Website

(304) 205-9202 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

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.

Online Profiles:

3 (Best)

Average Review Score:

3.8 / 5 (Good)

Total Reviews:

8 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Variable (Good)

Professionalism: A+

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A+

Detail: A+

Price: From 40% Contingency Fee | Free consultation

Forbes Law Offices PLLC Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
William Forbes - Attorney/ Owner Active 15
Individual Attorney Information

John J. Balenovich Law Offices, LC

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.

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3818 MacCorkle Avenue Southeast
Charleston, WV 25304

Website

(304) 205-1523 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

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.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

2 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Professionalism: A+

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A

Detail: A

Price: Free consultation

John J. Balenovich Law Offices, LC Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
John Balenovich - Principal Active 14
Individual Attorney Information

Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC

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.

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707 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301

Website Instagram

(304) 345-8900 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

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.

Online Profiles:

1 (Good)

Average Review Score:

5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

1 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Professionalism: A+

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A+

Detail: A+

Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
Teresa Dumire - Managing Member Active 21
Michael Chaney - Partner Active 47
Individual Attorney Information

Law Offices of Claude S. Smith, III

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.

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805 Bigley Avenue
Charleston, WV 25302

Website

(304) 244-4799 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

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.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.3 / 5 (Better)

Total Reviews:

4 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Professionalism: A+

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A+

Detail: A+

Price: From 33% Contingency Fee | Free consultation

Law Offices of Claude S. Smith, III Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
Claude Smith - Principal Active 28
Individual Attorney Information

Pritt & Spano, PLLC

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.

Click to Call

716 Lee Street East
Charleston, WV 25301

Website

(304) 513-4082 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

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.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.6 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

9 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Professionalism: A+

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A+

Detail: A+

Pritt & Spano, PLLC Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
Alan Pritt - Founding Partner Active 10
Joseph Spano - Founding Partner Active 10
Individual Attorney Information

Walters Law Firm, PLLC

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.

Click to Call

16 Capitol St
Charleston, WV 25301

Website

(304) 391-8002 Website

Professionalism: A+

More Info

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

Responsiveness: A+

Friendliness: A+

Helpfulness: A+

Detail: A

Price: Free consultation

Walters Law Firm, PLLC Attorneys:

Attorney Names: Bar Association Status: Years Of Experience:
Ron Walters - Principal Active 1
Individual Attorney Information

Zerbe & Pence, PLLC

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.

Click to Call

205 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301

Website

(304) 345-2728 Website

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