This guide covers 10 criminal defense attorneys and firms serving Alexandria, Pineville, and the rest of Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. We evaluated each on relevant prior experience (service as a district attorney, public defender, or prosecutor), documented trial experience in the 9th Judicial District Court, Alexandria City Court, and the federal courthouse on Murray Street, years practicing criminal law locally, and whether criminal defense is the firm’s primary focus or one practice area alongside family law, personal injury, or other work.
When comparing options, ask three practical questions. First, does the attorney regularly try cases before the judges and prosecutors of the 9th Judicial District, and are they willing to take a case to trial rather than pleading it out? Second, has the attorney worked on the other side, as a prosecutor or public defender, and do they know how the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s office builds and negotiates cases? Third, for a DWI arrest, will the firm also handle the separate administrative hearing that decides whether you keep your driver’s license? This list is not ranked and not sponsored.
Firm details come from each firm’s own website, cross-checked against attorney directories including Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Justia, and the 9th Judicial District Court’s published information.
1. LaCour Law Firm, LLC
- Attorney/Key Figure: Christopher Kedrick LaCour, Founder
- Headquarters: 3717 Government St., Suite 11, Alexandria, LA 71302
- Phone: (318) 487-0210
- Website: lacourlawfirm.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Murder, Kidnapping, Assault and Battery, DWI, Drug Crimes, Federal Crimes, Gun Crimes, Robbery, Burglary, Theft, Domestic Violence, Probation Violations), Civil Asset Forfeiture, Personal Injury (Car and Truck Accidents, Rideshare Wrecks), Medical Malpractice, Successions
- Firm Size: Trial-focused Alexandria firm founded in 2010; founder is a former public defender
- Practice Area Page: Alexandria Criminal Defense Lawyer
About the Firm: Christopher LaCour founded his Alexandria firm in 2010 after working as a public defender, where he handled a heavy volume of criminal cases and spent significant time in the courtroom. That experience gave him a working knowledge of how cases move through the 9th Judicial District Court and how prosecutors in Rapides Parish evaluate charges, which he now puts to work for privately retained clients.
The firm’s identity is built around trial work, and it takes on the most serious charges in Central Louisiana, including murder and kidnapping, alongside DWI, drug, gun, and federal cases. It also handles civil asset forfeiture, which often arises when police seize cash, vehicles, or property during a drug arrest, so clients can fight the criminal charge and the seizure with the same attorney. LaCour serves clients throughout Central Louisiana, including Avoyelles and Concordia Parishes and Vidalia.
2. Ed Tarpley Law Firm
- Attorney/Key Figure: Edward L. “Ed” Tarpley, Jr., Founder
- Headquarters: 819 Johnston St., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: (318) 487-1460
- Website: edtarpley.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DWI, Felony and Misdemeanor Defense
- Firm Size: Solo criminal defense practice; founder is a former District Attorney with more than 40 years in practice
About the Firm: Ed Tarpley served as the elected District Attorney for Louisiana’s 35th Judicial District in Grant Parish, just north of Alexandria, from 1991 to 1997, and has concentrated on criminal defense for most of the decades since. He has practiced in Louisiana since graduating from LSU Law School in 1979 and has served on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Board of Governors.
Tarpley is one of the most recognized criminal defense lawyers in the state. He was the primary advocate for the 2018 constitutional amendment that ended non-unanimous jury verdicts in Louisiana felony cases, and he received the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. As a solo practitioner, he handles cases personally, which also means he takes on a limited number of matters at a time.
3. Barkemeyer Law Firm
- Attorney/Key Figure: Carl Barkemeyer, Founding Attorney
- Headquarters: 8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 702, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (additional offices in New Orleans, Covington, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Shreveport)
- Phone: (318) 716-3441
- Website: attorneycarl.com
- Practice Areas: DWI and DUI Defense (First and Multiple Offense DWI, OMV Administrative Hearings, Hardship Licenses, CDL Driver Cases, DWI Expungements), Criminal Defense (Drug Charges, Felonies, Misdemeanors, Assault, Battery, Theft, Fraud, Firearm Offenses)
- Firm Size: Statewide DWI defense firm (4 attorneys) with more th
About the Firm: Carl Barkemeyer has more than 20 years of courtroom experience defending DWI cases and built his firm around DWI and DUI defense throughout Louisiana. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys, and wrote DWI: Practical Information for the Accused and Attorneys in Louisiana.
For Alexandria drivers, the firm handles both halves of a DWI case: the criminal charge in the 9th Judicial District Court or Alexandria City Court and the separate Office of Motor Vehicles hearing, which must be requested within 30 days of the arrest to protect a driver’s license. It also handles hardship licenses, CDL cases, and DWI expungements, and regularly represents professionals such as nurses, physicians, and engineers whose licenses can be affected by a conviction. The firm does not have an office in Alexandria, which may matter to clients who prefer regular in-person meetings.
4. Hesser Cooper Law Group, LLC
- Attorney/Key Figure: David C. Hesser, Founding Attorney
- Headquarters: 812 Versailles Blvd., Suite A, Alexandria, LA 71303
- Phone: (318) 542-4862
- Website: hcblawgroup.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Domestic Abuse, Fraud and Embezzlement, White-Collar Offenses, DWI, Felonies, Assault, Homicide, Federal Criminal Cases, Expungement), Family Law, Military Divorce and Family Law
- Firm Size: Small firm with more than 38 years of legal experience; founder is Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization certified and a 10-year Super Lawyers selection
About the Firm: David C. Hesser has practiced for more than 38 years and has been selected to Louisiana Super Lawyers for criminal defense for a decade. He has been certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization since 1993 and holds a Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished peer rating and a 10.0 Avvo rating.
The firm handles cases from simple misdemeanors to homicide in both state and federal court, including white-collar charges such as fraud and embezzlement and expungements for clients with older records. Its family law practice, with a particular focus on military families, is useful when a criminal charge like domestic abuse overlaps with a divorce or custody case. Because the firm splits its time between criminal and family law, it is less specialized than a criminal-only practice.
5. The Davenport Firm, APLC
- Attorney/Key Figure: Thomas “Tommy” Davenport, Jr., Founder
- Headquarters: 607 Main St., Pineville, LA 71360
- Phone: (318) 445-9696
- Website: davenportfirm.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Constitutional Law, Free Speech and Free Press, Legal Ethics and Disciplinary Matters
- Firm Size: Small trial firm; AV Preeminent peer-rated
About the Firm: Tommy Davenport is an experienced trial lawyer whose Pineville firm, directly across the Red River from downtown Alexandria, combines criminal defense with constitutional law. That pairing is less common than it sounds: constitutional issues such as unlawful searches, improper stops, and violations of the right to counsel are often the strongest defenses in a criminal case, and few Louisiana lawyers practice constitutional law as a stated specialty.
Davenport holds an AV Preeminent peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest level of professional excellence in that system, and was named a 2026 Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum. The firm describes itself as veteran-friendly and non-judgmental. Its constitutional and ethics work means criminal cases are one part of a broader practice rather than its only focus.
6. Jones Law Partners
- Attorney/Key Figure: H. Davey Jones IV, Founding Attorney
- Headquarters: 1330 Jackson St., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: (318) 442-1515
- Website: hdjoneslaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Misdemeanors and Felonies, Plea Negotiations, Trial Representation), Family Law, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Successions, Immigration
- Firm Size: Small firm (3 attorneys); founder has practiced in Alexandria since 2009
About the Firm: Davey Jones has represented clients in Alexandria and Central Louisiana since 2009, and his three-attorney firm handles misdemeanor and felony charges through plea negotiations and trial. He is a member of the Crossroads American Inn of Court and the Central Louisiana Pro Bono Project, which keeps him connected to the local bench and bar.
The firm intentionally keeps its caseload small so that attorneys know every aspect of the cases they take on, and clients consistently describe it as responsive. It offers free consultations. Criminal defense is one of several practice areas at the firm, alongside family law and personal injury, so it is a generalist option compared with the criminal-focused practices on this list.
7. Law Office of Katharine Geary
- Attorney/Key Figure: Katharine Geary, Attorney
- Headquarters: 3327-D Jackson St., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: (318) 445-1076
- Website: kgearylawoffice.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Felonies, Misdemeanors, Drug Crimes, Sex Crimes, Weapons Offenses, DUI, Juvenile Cases, Expungements), Family Law, Social Security Disability
- Firm Size: Solo practice; more than 35 years in practice
About the Firm: Katharine Geary has practiced law in Central Louisiana for more than 35 years, and her criminal practice covers felonies and misdemeanors, drug and weapons charges, sex crimes, DUI, juvenile cases, and expungements. She is also listed on the attorney roster of the Rapides Parish Public Defender’s Office in the 9th Judicial District, which means she handles a steady volume of criminal cases in the same courtroom where most Alexandria defendants appear.
That day-to-day exposure to the Rapides Parish criminal docket gives her current, practical knowledge of how local prosecutors and judges handle different types of charges. Her juvenile defense work is useful for families dealing with charges against a minor. Her practice is split among criminal, family, and disability work, so it is not a dedicated criminal defense firm.
8. Huddleston Law LLC
- Attorney/Key Figure: Adam Huddleston, Founding Attorney
- Headquarters: 1628 Metro Dr., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: (318) 787-0910
- Website: huddlestonlaw.net
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Divorce, Child Custody, Personal Injury, Adoptions, Successions
- Firm Size: Solo practice; practicing in Rapides Parish since 2010
About the Firm: Adam Huddleston has practiced in Rapides Parish since graduating from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2010, and criminal defense is the first practice area his firm lists. More than 15 years in the local courts has given him familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and procedures of the 9th Judicial District.
His firm uses a direct-access model: clients speak with Huddleston himself rather than being handed off to associates, and consultations are free. Like several Alexandria practices, the firm also handles family law and personal injury, so criminal defense is one part of a mixed practice rather than its sole focus.
9. Flynn Law
- Attorney/Key Figure: Leo J. “Trey” Flynn III, Owner
- Headquarters: 2820 Jackson St., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: (318) 545-4840
- Website: treyflynnlaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law (Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption), Immigration
- Firm Size: Solo practice; admitted in Louisiana in 2011; former law clerk at the 9th Judicial District Court
About the Firm: Trey Flynn began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Harry F. Randow of the 9th Judicial District Court from 2011 to 2012, the same Rapides Parish court where most Alexandria criminal cases are heard. That year inside the courthouse gave him a working view of how local judges handle motions, pleas, and sentencing. He then spent a decade as a partner at Hesser & Flynn before opening Flynn Law in Alexandria.
Client testimonials on his site describe dismissals in serious felony matters and emphasize the personal attention he gives each case. Flynn also handles immigration matters, which can be important for non-citizen defendants, since a criminal conviction can carry immigration consequences. His practice leans heavily toward family law, so criminal defense is one part of a broader caseload rather than his sole focus.
10. Ory Law Group
- Attorney/Key Figure: Matthew Ory, Founder
- Headquarters: 213-B E. Bayou Rd., Thibodaux, LA 70301 (additional offices in Houma and New Iberia)
- Phone: (855) 628-8679
- Website: askforory.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DUI and DWI, Drug Charges, Theft and Property Crimes, Violent Crimes, White Collar Crimes, Felony and Misdemeanor Defense, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Defense, Expungement, Bail Hearings), Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation
- Firm Size: Multi-office Louisiana firm handling criminal defense, personal injury, and workers’ compensation
About the Firm: Ory Law Group, founded by attorney Matthew Ory, represents criminal defendants across Louisiana and maintains a dedicated practice page for clients charged in Alexandria and Rapides Parish. Its criminal practice covers DWI, drug charges, theft, violent crimes, white collar offenses, domestic violence, and juvenile cases, along with bail hearings and expungements.
The firm stresses early intervention, since what happens in the first days after an arrest, including bail and preserving evidence, can shape the outcome of a case. It is a practical option for clients who want a larger multi-office firm, but its offices are in South Louisiana rather than Alexandria, and its website offers limited detail on attorney backgrounds compared with the local firms on this list
Alexandria, LA Criminal Defense Resources
- 9th Judicial District Court: 701 Murray St., Suite 501, Alexandria. The state trial court for Rapides Parish, hearing felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, and traffic cases. Phone: (318) 443-6893.
- Rapides Parish Clerk of Court, Criminal Department: 701 Murray St., Suite 102, Alexandria. Handles criminal filings, bench warrants, bond forfeitures, court records, and expungement filings. Phone: (318) 473-8153.
- Alexandria City Court: 515 Washington St., Alexandria. Handles city-level cases, with separate lines for the clerk (318) 449-5146, bond and fines (318) 449-5135, and probation and pretrial intervention (318) 449-5100.
- Rapides Parish Public Defender’s Office: 620 Murray St., Alexandria. Provides appointed counsel to eligible defendants who cannot afford a private attorney. Phone: (318) 443-7082.
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana (Alexandria Division): 515 Murray St., Alexandria. The federal courthouse for Central Louisiana, which also houses U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services. Phone: (318) 473-7410.
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles: The state agency that handles driver’s license suspensions and administrative hearings after a DWI arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for a first DWI in Louisiana?
A first-offense DWI in Louisiana is a misdemeanor that can carry jail time of up to six months, a fine, probation, community service, substance abuse programs, and a driver’s license suspension, with harsher penalties for high blood alcohol levels, refusing a chemical test, or having a child in the vehicle. First offenses are often eligible for resolutions that allow the charge to be dismissed and later expunged. Attorneys such as Harold Murry and Randall Hayes regularly handle DWI cases in Rapides Parish.
Do I need to worry about my driver’s license separately from my DWI charge?
Yes. Louisiana treats the license suspension as a separate administrative matter handled by the Office of Motor Vehicles, and drivers generally have only 30 days after the arrest to request a hearing. Missing that deadline can result in an automatic suspension even if the criminal charge is later reduced or dismissed. Ask any attorney you consider whether they handle the OMV hearing along with the criminal case; LaCour Law Firm, for example, has a dedicated DWI defense practice in Alexandria.
Does Louisiana still allow non-unanimous jury verdicts?
No. Louisiana voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 requiring unanimous juries for felonies committed on or after January 1, 2019, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in Ramos v. Louisiana extended that requirement to all pending cases. Ed Tarpley, whose firm is on this list, was the primary advocate for the 2018 amendment.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Louisiana?
Many arrests and convictions can be expunged. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction can often be expunged right away, while misdemeanor convictions generally require a five-year waiting period and felony convictions a ten-year waiting period after the sentence is completed, with some offenses excluded. Filings in Rapides Parish go through the Clerk of Court’s criminal department. Hesser Cooper Law Group and Katharine Geary both list expungement among their services.
Should I choose a former prosecutor or a former public defender?
Both backgrounds offer real advantages. A former prosecutor, such as former District Attorney Ed Tarpley, knows how charging decisions are made and how the state values a case in plea negotiations. A former public defender, such as Christopher LaCour, has usually handled a very high volume of cases and has extensive courtroom experience in the local district court. The most important factors are whether the attorney regularly tries cases in the 9th Judicial District and has experience with your specific charge.
When is a federal criminal defense attorney necessary?
Cases investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, or IRS, including large drug conspiracies, firearms offenses, fraud, and public corruption, are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, which sits in Alexandria at 515 Murray St. Federal cases follow different procedures and sentencing guidelines than state cases. Attorneys with federal experience, such as David Hesser and J. Michael Small, are better suited to these matters than a practice focused on state misdemeanors.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice or a sponsored directory. Inclusion of any Alexandria defense firm does not constitute an endorsement. Always verify credentials and consult directly with a licensed professional before hiring counsel.
