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The Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia With Strong Expertise

best-criminal-defense-lawyers-philadelphia
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

Track Record and Trial Experience: We examined the historical performance of each firm during high-stakes proceedings in local courts. Consistent courtroom success and a willingness to fiercely defend clients at trial were heavily weighted.  

Specialization and Focus: We prioritized legal practices that dedicate their time primarily to criminal law matters. A concentrated focus ensures that attorneys remain continuously updated on the latest defensive strategies and penal codes.  

Client Communication and Accessibility: Navigating the justice system is a terrifying ordeal, so we actively looked for firms that prioritize fast, transparent responses.   

Attorneys who provide around-the-clock availability or dedicated phone lines naturally ranked higher.  

Local Jurisdictional Knowledge: Familiarity with specific regional magistrates and county prosecutors is fundamentally crucial for effective plea negotiations.   

We selected lawyers who demonstrate deep, practical experience operating within the municipal and common pleas courts.

Facing legal trouble is one of the most stressful experiences imaginable. And the advocate you choose can completely alter the trajectory of your future. 

Navigating a minor misdemeanor or a severe federal charge requires expert guidance, making your search for the best criminal defense lawyers in Philadelphia a critical necessity. 

The legal landscape here is remarkably complex, and having a knowledgeable professional by your side ensures your rights remain strictly protected against a formidable prosecution. 

I have thoroughly explored the local legal sector to help you identify reputable law firms that combine courtroom prowess with compassionate counsel, making your pursuit of the ideal attorney much less intimidating.

How much does criminal defense cost in Philadelphia?

When hiring legal representation, you can expect costs to vary significantly based on charge severity and case complexity, ranging from straightforward flat fees to extensive hourly litigation rates.

Case TypeEstimated Fee Range
Simple Misdemeanor Plea$1,500 – $5,000
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Defense$3,000 – $15,000+
Felony Plea/Non-Trial$5,000 – $25,000
Felony Trial$25,000 – $100,000+
General Federal Felony$15,000 – $40,000
Complex Federal/White-Collar$75,000 – $250,000+

1. Coleman Defense LLC

coleman-defense-llc

Website: https://www.philadelphiadefense.com/

Address: 1717 Arch Street, Suite 320

Contact: (215) 564-1634, [email protected]

Hours: 24 Hours

Facing the justice system requires an attorney whose sole focus is your freedom, rather than one dividing their attention across unrelated legal fields like real estate or acting as a divorce lawyer in Philadelphia

Under the leadership of owner Joseph L. Coleman, Coleman Defense LLC delivers determined, tailored representation exclusively in criminal matters. For anyone needing dedicated advocacy, this highly focused approach is incredibly reassuring.

I sat down with a former client who praised how their focused litigation strategies made a massive difference during a preliminary hearing. They seamlessly handle cases at all stages of criminal proceedings in both state and federal courts. 

By intentionally keeping their caseload small, they ensure specific, personalized attention for every single individual. 

However, because they deliberately accept fewer clients, the firm has a limited capacity to take on high-volume casework. 

Pros

  • Handles cases from preliminary hearings to trials
  • Practices exclusively in criminal litigation
  • Represents clients in state and federal courts
  • Ensures specific, personalized client attention

Cons

  • Limited capacity for high-volume casework
  • Intentional restrictions on total client intake

Customer Reviews:

Amazing job, was able to get the case thrown out before trial, also got me pre trial house arrest while it was on going, cops didn’t read me my rights and mr.coleman took advantage of that fact and won me the case 10 out of 10 attorney, highly recommend 👍

Anthony Rodriguez | Google Review

Court room bully hands down….. I put my trust in him and he did his big one for me… great price great communication….  Coleman is the man fasure fasure I would recommend him to anybody that got cases they need beat !!! His actions in the court room was phenomenal we got the victory and he made it look oh so easy !!

Roc Head | Google Review

2. Fienman Defense LLC

fienman-defense-llc

Website: https://www.philadelphiacriminalattorney.com/

Address: 1608 Walnut St Ste 900

Contact: (215) 712-8811

Hours: 24 Hours

Navigating the nuances of local legal systems can be overwhelming without the right guidance. 

Fienman Defense LLC, led by attorney Michael Fienman, offers extensive jurisdictional reach and specialized knowledge of various county and municipal courts across the region. 

The team represents clients in Philadelphia Municipal Court as well as the Court of Common Pleas, providing specific procedural details directly to help defendants prepare. 

They maintain multiple office locations in Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties to deliberately increase client accessibility. 

Communication is also streamlined through dedicated phone lines for different counties and a general advice email. 

On the downside, managing representation across multiple counties outside of Philadelphia means their resources are divided across different regional court systems. Still, their widespread presence makes them a solid option for those needing flexible, multi-county assistance.

Pros

  • Represents clients in multiple court levels
  • Maintains multiple regional office locations
  • Outlines procedural details for client preparation
  • Provides dedicated phone lines by county

Cons

  • Resources are divided across the regional court systems

Customer Reviews:

Michael represented me in a case that could have resulted in costing me a lot of time and money. He was able to take what I had, and we won. From our meetings, Michael communicated clearly and strategically on his approaches. I highly recommend him.

Bruce Wong | Google Review

I contacted Attorney Fienman for a consultation. He declined to take me as a client but instead of just hanging up the phone he took an extra five minutes to break everything down and explain why the case wouldn’t be worth perusing. I truly appreciated his time and knowledge.

Jeffrey Moore | Google Review

3. The Zeiger Firm

the-zeiger-firm

Website: https://brianzeiger.com/

Address: 1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 620A

Contact: (215) 546-0340

Hours: 24 Hours

Going to trial is a daunting prospect, but having an attorney who’s entirely comfortable before a jury changes the dynamic completely. While you might consult business brokers in Philadelphia for corporate issues, a trial-tested advocate is essential here.

Helmed by Brian Zeiger, The Zeiger Firm delivers aggressive legal representation built upon extensive experience with thousands of cases and hundreds of jury trials. 

I accompanied a family friend to an evening appointment here, and the team’s dedication to accessible communication was highly evident. They strive to respond to inquiries within one hour. 

They conduct representation for both state and federal level criminal cases, accommodating varied schedules with weekend meetings by appointment. 

However, the firm extensively handles civil rights litigation and prisoner medical rights cases, meaning their practice isn’t exclusively dedicated to criminal matters. 

Pros

  • Conducts state and federal case representation
  • Leverages a background of hundreds of jury trials
  • Offers evening and weekend meetings by appointment
  • Strives to respond to inquiries within one hour

Cons

  • Practice not exclusively dedicated to criminal matters

Customer Reviews:

I saw Mr. Zeiger’s reviews and needed an attorney fast. Not only did he himself reach out to me within hours of making the call, he made everything very simple. A very respectable and honorable attorney who is likely the solution to your legal issues.

Nick D | Google Review

Brian is the best lawyer in Philadelphia. If I can give him a 6 star rating i would. If you guys ever need a great lawyer Brian is your guy. He got my chargers dropped at my first court hiring. He’s a man of his word, he kept me calm throughout the whole way. He got me out of the situation like he said he would. He’s a straight beast in the court room. Highly recommend him to everyone! Thank you again Brian really appreciate it!!

thanim 108 | Google Review

4. Liberty Law Team

liberty-law-team

Website: https://www.philadelphiacriminallawyers.com/

Address: 1515 Market Street Suite 1200

Contact: (215) 509-5235, [email protected]

Hours: Daily: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Finding a legal team that combines strategic thinking with seasoned insight is essential when facing serious accusations. Liberty Law Team utilizes a dynamic and tactical defense approach built on over 15 years of experience fighting various criminal charges. 

They defend against serious felonies and misdemeanors, ensuring comprehensive representation and personalized service. They also extend representation beyond initial trials to expertly handle criminal appeals and post-conviction relief matters. 

With key practitioners like Lonny available for direct contact, prospective clients facing charges can conveniently take advantage of free initial case evaluations to understand their options before committing. 

A notable drawback is that practicing in multiple areas, such as personal injury and auto accidents, indicates the firm’s focus is split between civil litigation and criminal law. Despite this, their tactical strategies remain highly effective.

Pros

  • Brings over 15 years of legal experience
  • Offers free initial case evaluations
  • Handles criminal appeals and post-conviction relief
  • Employs a tactical approach for personalized service

Cons

  • Focus is split between civil litigation and criminal law

Customer Reviews:

I highly recommend Attorney Fish and the Liberty Law Team to anyone who needs legal counsel! I was completely terrified and facing 11-23 months in jail and they told me exactly what documents to gather and they reminded  me when I needed to do something but most importantly they fought for me and got my sentence reduced to probation. I truly appreciate everyone at the liberty law team and I’ll never forget how much better I felt when I knew they were on my side.

Joanna Scandlen | Google Review

My husband had the pleasure of having Lonnie as his attorney. He did nothing but support my husband & myself.

I highly recommend Lonnie as anyone’s attorney. Liberty Law Team answered all my questions and was fast responding.

God bless ❤️

Rebecca Torres | Google Review

5. Wimmer Criminal Defense, PC

wimmer-criminal-defense-pc

Website: https://www.wimmercriminaldefense.com/

Address: 123 S Broad Street Suite 2037

Contact: 215-712-1212, [email protected]

Hours: Monday to Friday: 24 Hours, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

A strong defense often requires dismantling the prosecution’s evidence before a case even reaches the courtroom. That’s why Wimmer Criminal Defense, PC takes a proactive and meticulous approach to defending clients. 

Guided by Attorney Lauren A. Wimmer, the firm dedicates resources aggressively to mitigate sentencing or beat charges. They provide comprehensive representation for both adult and juvenile defendants in felony and misdemeanor cases. 

The team challenges evidence meticulously, frequently attacking police procedures and utilizing entrapment defenses. They also successfully implement proactive strategies for severe charges, including death penalty sentence mitigation. 

Plus, we love that they offer free, confidential initial case reviews. 

One potential concern is that the firm’s aggressive approach may result in prolonged and complex legal proceedings. For clients willing to endure a rigorous legal battle, though, this methodology provides robust protection.

Pros

  • Represents adult and juvenile defendants
  • Implements strategies for death penalty mitigation
  • Offers free and confidential initial case reviews
  • Challenges evidence and attacks police procedures

Cons

  • Aggressive challenges may prolong legal proceedings

Customer Reviews:

Ms.Wimmer’s both a great attorney with exceptional leadership and communication skills. Her assistant, Julia spoke with me on the phone with love, care and compassion about our case. They’re both extremely exceptional at what they do and I’d highly recommend this firm.

Kai L | Google Review

The ABSOLUTE BEST LAWYER/HUMAN I’ve met. I meant Lauren over 2 years ago in one of the most confusing and scary moments in my life. She immediately said yes she could help. I didn’t have a lot of extra funds available. She worked with my family showing us empathy and compassion while fighting strong for us. With the seriousness of our case I’m happy to say ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED. I cannot thank her enough for all of her hard work. #MYFOREVERLAWYER

tameka norman | Google Review