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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Philadelphia, PA

Criminal defense lawyers in Philadelphia represent people who have been arrested, charged, or contacted by police. Their cases include drunk driving, drug possession, gun charges, assault, theft, and federal crimes. A lawyer can argue for lower bail, challenge an illegal search, and negotiate with prosecutors. Some cases end in a dismissal or a diversion program. Others go to trial. The list below mixes Center City firms with suburban offices in Bala Cynwyd and West Chester.

Listed Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyers are ranked by one score, applied the same way to every firm. It draws on public signals, including:

  • Client satisfaction and overall online reputation
  • The volume and consistency of client feedback
  • How established the firm is
  • Peer recognition within the legal community and across the web

Rankings are calculated independently from public data. Paid placements don't change a listing's score.

Leading Philadelphia Criminal Lawyers for DUI, Drug & Felony Charges

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

Fienman Defense is a Philadelphia criminal defense law firm founded by attorney Michael H. Fienman. He has handled cases in every district and Common Pleas court in the region. The firm also has offices in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

The team defends DUI, drug, weapons, fraud, and violent felony charges. Fienman holds an NHTSA-approved certificate in field sobriety testing. He also represents doctors, nurses, teachers, and other licensed professionals before state boards.

Free consultations are available by phone or text, 24/7.

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

Goldstein Mehta LLC is a team of criminal defense lawyers in Philadelphia. Its attorneys are former prosecutors and public defenders. Led by Zak T. Goldstein and Demetra Mehta, the firm defends state and federal charges in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The attorneys are known for taking hard cases to trial. They have won acquittals in murder, rape, and drug delivery cases. The firm also files appeals, PCRA petitions, and federal habeas petitions, and has overturned wrongful convictions.

Clients can book a free 15-minute strategy session, usually within 24 hours.

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

SKA Law Group is a small Philadelphia criminal law firm with a limited caseload. Every client works directly with one of the founding partners. The legal team includes Michael N. Kotik and Amato T. Sanita, with over 25 years of combined practice.

The firm handles everything from misdemeanors and DUI to homicide and white-collar cases. It has offices in Philadelphia, Norristown, and Feasterville. SKA offers flexible payment plans and answers calls 24/7.

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

The Copoulos Firm is a Philadelphia criminal defense and civil trial practice. Attorney Mark D. Copoulos leads the firm. He has litigated thousands of cases in the city. The National Trial Lawyers named him a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in criminal defense.

On the criminal side, the firm defends DUI, assault, and probation violation charges. It also handles evictions, ejectments, and sheriff sale motions for landlords. Civil defense work includes premises liability and dog bite claims. The firm works on flat rates and offers free consultations around the clock.

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

The Fishman Firm is a criminal defense office in Philadelphia founded by former prosecutor Brian Fishman. As an assistant district attorney, he tried hundreds of cases in Philadelphia courts. He has practiced law since 2001 and opened his own firm in 2014.

Fishman defends DUI, drug, firearms, sex crime, and homicide charges. He also handles bail hearings, appeals, and expungements. The firm takes some personal injury, civil rights, and Family Court cases as well. Fishman is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

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

Skinner Law Firm is a West Chester criminal defense firm led by Michael J. Skinner. He is a former assistant district attorney for Chester County. The firm takes cases across Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

DUI defense is a core focus, including first offenses, CDL cases, and the ARD program. The firm also defends drug, weapons, theft, sex crime, and violent crime charges. Past results include an acquittal in a murder case in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.

Consultations are free.

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

Hughes Law is a criminal defense practice in Philadelphia run by attorney Evan Hughes. Newsweek named him one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the United States. Super Lawyers has also recognized him for multiple years.

Hughes takes on high-stakes state and federal cases. These include white-collar crime, money laundering, homicide, and cybercrimes. He also handles immigration and deportation defense, appeals, and police brutality claims. Hughes often comments on criminal cases in national media, and the office speaks Spanish.

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

The Zeiger Firm pairs criminal defense with civil rights litigation in Philadelphia. Attorney Brian J. Zeiger has practiced for more than two decades. He defends clients in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester counties.

Past results include:

  • Not guilty verdicts in rape, attempted murder, and armed robbery cases
  • A $1.25 million recovery for prisoner medical deprivation
  • $500,000 and $375,000 police brutality recoveries

Zeiger has been selected for Super Lawyers many times. Case reviews are free and confidential.

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

Alva & Moscow, LLC is a Philadelphia-area criminal defense and injury firm based in Bala Cynwyd. It has defended clients since 1987. Its attorneys appear in Philadelphia's Common Pleas and Municipal Courts. They also try cases in federal court.

The team handles federal charges, DUI, drug, and violent crime cases. It also represents teachers, nurses, police officers, and students facing career fallout from an arrest. A second office in West Chester serves Chester County. Injury clients pay no fee unless they recover money.

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

Liberty Law Team handles criminal defense in Philadelphia under attorney Lonny Fish. He has defended clients for over 20 years. The team covers every stage, from bail hearings to trials, appeals, and PCRA petitions.

Past results include not guilty verdicts in two murder trials. The firm also represents Temple, Drexel, and UPenn students in criminal and campus disciplinary matters. Civil rights and personal injury cases round out the practice.

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

Richard J. Fuschino Jr. is a Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor. His office defends homicide, sex offense, drug, DUI, and federal white-collar cases. If a case goes to trial, he handles it personally.

Fuschino is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Third Circuit, and state courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The firm also handles expungements and probation terminations. Case evaluations are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Philadelphia?

Usually a flat fee or hourly rate. Pennsylvania ethics rules bar contingency fees in criminal cases. The price depends on the charge, the court, and whether the case goes to trial. Ask for a written fee agreement before you hire anyone.

What happens in Philadelphia Municipal Court?

It handles lower-level criminal cases. Municipal Court tries misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to five years. A judge, not a jury, hears these trials. Felony cases start here with a preliminary hearing, then move to the Court of Common Pleas.

How long do prosecutors have to file charges in Pennsylvania?

Two years for most crimes. The deadline extends to five years for major offenses such as robbery, burglary, and aggravated assault. Murder has no time limit. Some sex offenses and fraud cases follow longer or special rules.

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

The grade sets the maximum sentence. Felonies carry up to 20, 10, or 7 years in prison, depending on the degree. Misdemeanors carry up to 5, 2, or 1 year in jail. A summary offense is lower still and usually ends in a fine.

Can a first offense stay off my record?

Often, through a diversion program. Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is open to many first-time, nonviolent defendants. Finishing the program leads to dismissal and makes the arrest eligible for expungement. The District Attorney decides who gets in, so a lawyer's request matters.

Can old criminal records be sealed in Pennsylvania?

Many can, under the Clean Slate law. Most misdemeanor convictions may be sealed after seven years with no new convictions. Some lower-level felonies may qualify after ten years. Sealed records are hidden from most employers and landlords.

Types of Criminal Cases in Philadelphia

DUI and Drunk Driving. Pennsylvania grades DUI by blood alcohol level and prior offenses. A first offense may qualify for ARD. Higher BAC tiers bring longer license suspensions.

Drug Charges. Charges include simple possession and possession with intent to deliver (PWID). Many turn on how police found the drugs. A suppression motion can knock out key evidence.

Gun Charges. Carrying a firearm on Philadelphia streets without a license is a separate crime under state law. Charges stack quickly when a stop, a gun, and a prior record are involved.

Assault and Domestic Violence. These cases often rest on witness accounts. A Protection From Abuse order can run alongside the criminal case. Both can affect custody and housing.

Theft and Retail Theft. Value of the property sets the grade. Repeat retail theft can become a felony even when the amount is small.

Federal and White-Collar Crimes. Federal cases are heard in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Federal sentencing rules and investigations differ sharply from state court.

Juvenile Cases. Young defendants may be charged in juvenile court or as adults. A lawyer can argue to keep or move a case to juvenile court.

Probation Violations. A new arrest or missed meeting can trigger a violation hearing. Judges have wide discretion at these hearings.

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Philadelphia

Look for local courtroom experience. Philadelphia cases move through the Criminal Justice Center and its own set of judges. A lawyer who works there often knows how each courtroom runs.

Ask about trial work. Many cases settle, but a lawyer ready for trial negotiates from a stronger position. Ask how often the attorney takes cases to a jury.

Match the lawyer to the court. Federal charges need someone admitted to federal court. Suburban cases may need experience in Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, or Chester County.

Compare against a public defender. The Defender Association of Philadelphia handles many cases well. A private lawyer may have more time per case and be easier to reach.

Get the scope in writing. Confirm whether the fee covers a preliminary hearing, trial, and any appeal.

What Affects the Outcome of a Philadelphia Criminal Case

Results depend on the evidence, the charge grade, and how the police gathered proof. Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines consider the offense's seriousness and your prior record. A clean record can open doors to diversion or probation. Successful pretrial motions can reduce charges or lead to dismissal. A local attorney can explain the realistic range for your case.

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