Best Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyers

Criminal defense lawyers in Philadelphia usually quote one flat fee. That fee often covers the case only through pre-trial hearings and sentencing. Trial is billed separately, and the second bill can match the first. Ask the firms below what their quote covers if the case goes to trial.

Our team evaluates Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyers on credentials, track record, and client reviews to help you find a good fit.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Aggregate satisfaction signals from independent sources

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

Leading Philadelphia Criminal Lawyers for Felony, DUI & Federal Charges

Screenshot of the Fienman Defense LLC - Highest Rated Criminal Lawyer in Philadelphia Website

Michael H. Fienman is a criminal defense attorney in Philadelphia who was born in the city and still practices here. He has handled cases in every District Court and Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

The firm defends DUI charges, drug crimes, weapons offenses, robbery, burglary, arson, and criminal fraud. Attorney Fienman also represents doctors, nurses, teachers, and other licensed professionals before the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

He holds an NHTSA-approved certificate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, the same training most police officers complete. The Center City office sits near Rittenhouse Square, within walking distance of the city's courts. Satellite offices serve Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

Screenshot of the Goldstein Mehta LLC Website
1717 Arch St Unit 320, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA

Former prosecutors and public defenders make up this Philadelphia criminal defense law firm. That background gives the team direct knowledge of the local District Attorney's Office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and area law enforcement agencies.

Goldstein Mehta has defended thousands of cases across Philadelphia and nearby counties. The attorneys take difficult matters to trial when other firms would push a plea. They have also overturned wrongful convictions and excessive sentences that other firms lost.

Practice areas cover homicide, sex crimes, gun charges, drug offenses, theft, white-collar matters, and juvenile cases. The firm handles direct appeals, PCRA petitions, and federal habeas corpus filings. Clients can request a complimentary 15-minute strategy session, and most calls are returned the same day.

Screenshot of the SKA Law Group, LLC Website
1518 Walnut St # 808, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

SKA Law Group is a criminal defense firm in Philadelphia with over 25 years of combined legal practice. Attorneys Michael N. Kotik and Amato T. Sanita founded the practice and work directly with clients.

The firm deliberately takes fewer cases than most competitors, so every client works one-on-one with a senior attorney. Charges handled include DUI, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, drug possession with intent, and probation violations.

Flexible payment plans are available, and the team answers calls 24/7. Offices in Norristown and Feasterville extend coverage into Montgomery and Bucks counties.

Screenshot of the The Copoulos Firm Website
1628 John F Kennedy Blvd #1301, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA

Mark D. Copoulos has litigated thousands of cases in Philadelphia courtrooms over more than a decade. The National Trial Lawyers named him to its Top 100 list for criminal defense.

His practice covers three areas: criminal defense, landlord-tenant law, and civil litigation. That mix includes DUI cases, assault charges, probation violations, evictions, ejectments, and sheriff sale petitions.

The firm charges flat rates rather than hourly fees. Consultations are free and available around the clock.

Screenshot of the The Fishman Firm Website
100 S Broad St #1910, Philadelphia, PA 19110, USA

Brian M. Fishman tried hundreds of cases as an Assistant District Attorney before opening his own practice in 2014. He has been a Philadelphia trial lawyer since 2001.

The firm defends DUI, drug possession, firearms charges, sexual assault, homicide, and theft cases. Fishman also handles appeals, asset forfeiture, bail hearings, expungements, and PCRA petitions.

He is admitted in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Alongside criminal work, he represents clients in personal injury, family court, and police misconduct matters.

Screenshot of the Skinner Law Firm Website
105 E Evans St Ste D, West Chester, PA 19380, USA

Michael J. Skinner served as an Assistant District Attorney in Chester County before turning to defense work. He now represents clients accused of crimes in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

DUI defense is the core of the practice, including first offenses, drug DUI, underage cases, and CDL matters. The firm also handles drug charges, weapons cases, theft, white-collar allegations, and juvenile matters.

Recent outcomes include a dismissed felony firearm application charge and suppressed evidence in a drugged driving case. Skinner belongs to the National College for DUI Defense and averages close to five stars across 63 client reviews.

Screenshot of the Hughes Law LLC Website
1315 Walnut St Suite 803, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

Newsweek named Evan Hughes one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the United States, and Super Lawyers has recognized him for several consecutive years. He has practiced criminal defense in Philadelphia for more than a decade.

Hughes Law takes federal charges, white-collar and money laundering cases, homicide defense, sex offenses, cybercrimes, and immigration and deportation matters. The firm also files appeals and post-conviction relief petitions.

Staff speaks Spanish, and the office publishes a full Spanish-language site. Hughes often works to stop charges before prosecutors ever file them.

Screenshot of the The Zeiger Firm Website
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #620a, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

Brian J. Zeiger splits his practice between criminal defense and civil rights litigation, which is unusual in this market. His firm sues police departments and prison systems while also defending people the same agencies arrest.

Case results include a $1.25 million recovery for prisoner medical deprivation and a $500,000 police brutality award. On the defense side, the firm has won not guilty verdicts in rape, attempted murder, and armed robbery trials.

The practice covers Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester counties. Zeiger has been selected for Super Lawyers repeatedly and holds a 10.0 Avvo rating.

Screenshot of the Alva & Moscow, LLC Website
Three Bala Plaza East, Suite 120, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, USA

Alva & Moscow has stood up to prosecutors since 1987. The firm works in only two areas: criminal defense and personal injury.

Attorneys appear in Philadelphia Municipal Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and federal court at the James A. Byrne Courthouse. Much of the practice involves professionals whose careers are at risk, including nurses, teachers, police officers, and service members.

A second office in West Chester serves Chester County clients.

Screenshot of the Liberty Law Team Website
1515 Market Street Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

Lonny Fish leads Liberty Law Team, a criminal defense practice serving Philadelphia and seven surrounding counties. The firm has a dedicated focus on college students facing charges, with resources for Temple, Drexel, and Penn.

Coverage runs from bench warrants and bail hearings through trial, sentencing, appeals, and PCRA petitions. The team also handles civil rights claims and injury cases.

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Richard J. Fuschino, Jr. Website

Richard J. Fuschino, Jr. is a former prosecutor with a decade of defense experience in Philadelphia courts and on appeal. He has handled homicides, drug cases, federal regulatory violations, and sex offenses.

Fuschino is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Third Circuit, and the courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He personally handles trials rather than passing them to associates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia cost?

Usually a flat fee. Most Philadelphia criminal attorneys charge one set amount rather than an hourly rate. The quote often stops at sentencing, with a separate fee for a jury trial. Get the scope in writing before you sign.

How long does a criminal case take in Philadelphia?

Months, not weeks. A misdemeanor in Municipal Court can resolve in a few months. Felony cases are heard in the Court of Common Pleas and often take a year or longer. Continuances and discovery delays are the usual cause.

What is the statute of limitations for criminal charges in Pennsylvania?

Two years for most offenses. Under state law, prosecutors generally have two years to file charges. A long list of major offenses, including aggravated assault, kidnapping, arson, and burglary, carries five years. Murder and voluntary manslaughter have no deadline at all.

What is ARD and who qualifies?

A first-offender diversion program. Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition lets some first-time defendants avoid a conviction. Completion usually means the charges are dismissed and the record can be expunged. The District Attorney decides who gets in.

Should I take a public defender instead?

Only if you cannot afford private counsel. Philadelphia public defenders are capable but carry heavy caseloads. A private attorney has more time for your file and is easier to reach. Cost is the real trade-off.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in PA?

Grading changes everything. Misdemeanors in Pennsylvania are graded first through third degree and can still carry up to five years. Felonies carry longer state prison terms and heavier collateral consequences. The grade drives the sentencing guideline range.

Do I need a lawyer at the preliminary hearing?

Yes, and early. The preliminary hearing is where the Commonwealth must show a prima facie case. Charges can be dismissed or reduced right there. Going in without counsel wastes the best early chance you get.

Can I get my record expunged in Philadelphia?

Sometimes. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and completed ARD cases are often eligible. Convictions are harder and may qualify only for record sealing. An attorney can pull your docket and tell you which path applies.

Types of Criminal Cases Philadelphia Lawyers Handle

DUI charges. Pennsylvania sets the limit at .08, and penalties climb with prior offenses and higher BAC readings. Field sobriety and chemical testing are common points of challenge. A first offense may qualify for ARD.

Drug offenses. Possession, paraphernalia and possession with intent to deliver make up a large share of Philadelphia dockets. Search and seizure issues often decide these cases. Suppression motions matter more here than almost anywhere.

Gun and weapons charges. Carrying without a license and persons-not-to-possess cases are prosecuted aggressively in the city. Many turn on whether the stop itself was lawful. Convictions carry mandatory exposure in some situations.

Assault and violent crime. Simple assault is a misdemeanor, but aggravated assault is a felony with serious prison exposure. Self-defense claims require real preparation. Domestic cases often bring a Protection From Abuse petition alongside the charges.

Theft, burglary and robbery. Penalties track the value taken and whether force was used or threatened. Retail theft can escalate to a felony with prior convictions. Robbery is charged as a felony from the start.

White collar and fraud. Forgery, embezzlement, identity theft and insurance fraud fall in this group. Investigations often run for months before charges are filed. Early counsel can sometimes stop a case before indictment.

Sex offenses. These cases carry prison time plus registration with the Pennsylvania State Police. The registry is public and searchable. Defense work here is document heavy and slow.

Federal charges. Cases in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania follow different rules and sentencing guidelines. Mandatory minimums are more common. Not every state-court attorney is admitted to practice there.

Probation violations and appeals. Detainer hearings, post-sentence motions, direct appeals and PCRA petitions are their own specialty. Deadlines are short and unforgiving. Ask specifically whether a firm handles appellate work.

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney in Philadelphia

Ask what the fee actually covers. Find out where the flat fee ends and what a jury trial would add. A clear written scope beats a low headline number.

Check for prosecutor experience. Many Philadelphia defense attorneys are former Assistant District Attorneys. That background shows how the other side builds and values a case.

Confirm they try cases. Some firms plead almost everything out. Ask how many jury trials the attorney has handled in the First Judicial District.

Match the court to the charge. Municipal Court, Common Pleas and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania each run differently. Federal charges require an attorney admitted to federal court.

Ask who will appear for you. The lawyer you meet is not always the one at the hearing. Get a name before you hire.

What Affects the Outcome of a Philadelphia Criminal Case

Outcomes turn on the strength of the evidence and the grading of the charge. Suppression rulings can end a case before trial, especially in drug and gun matters. The prior record score and offense gravity score determine the sentencing guideline range. Eligibility for ARD or another diversion program can keep a first offense off your record entirely. An attorney who knows the assigned judge and the local District Attorney's Office can give you a realistic read on your options.

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