10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Lake Charles, LA

This guide covers 10 criminal defense attorneys and firms serving Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, Moss Bluff, DeQuincy, and the rest of Calcasieu Parish and Southwest Louisiana. Felony and misdemeanor cases from Calcasieu Parish are prosecuted by the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney in the 14th Judicial District Court in downtown Lake Charles. We evaluated each attorney on relevant prior experience, such as service as an assistant district attorney, DWI special prosecutor, public defender, judicial clerk, or state trooper; years spent defending cases in the 14th Judicial District Court; DWI-specific training such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing certification or National College for DUI Defense membership; whether criminal defense is the firm’s primary focus or one of several practice areas; and practical factors such as free consultations and 24/7 availability.

When comparing options, ask three practical questions. First, does the attorney appear regularly before 14th Judicial District Court judges and know how the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s office handles your type of charge? Second, does the attorney understand how the state builds its case, through experience as a prosecutor, public defender, or law enforcement officer? Third, for a DWI arrest, will the firm also request the separate administrative hearing with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to protect your driver’s license?

Here is the list of best Lake Charles criminal defense attorneys:

1. McHale Law Firm

• Attorney/Key Figure: R. Michael McHale Jr., Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 921 Ryan St., Suite A, Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Phone: (337) 802-9259
• Website: mchalelawyer.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DWI/DUI, College Student DWI, Drug Crimes and Drug Trafficking, Violent Crimes, Theft and Burglary, White Collar Crimes, Fraud, Federal Crimes), Family Law (Divorce, Child Custody)
• Firm Size: Lake Charles practice serving Southwest Louisiana since 1995; founder has more than 30 years of experience
• Practice Area Page: Lake Charles Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Social Profiles: Facebook

About the Firm: Michael McHale has represented people in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana since 1995, bringing more than 30 years of experience to misdemeanor and felony cases in the 14th Judicial District Court and in federal court. A graduate of Southern University Law Center, he has been a member of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers since 2010 and of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association since 1995, and he is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell.

His criminal practice covers DWI and DUI, including cases involving college students, drug possession, distribution, and trafficking, violent offenses, theft and burglary, and white collar charges such as fraud and embezzlement. Every case starts with a close review of the charges and police reports, physical and digital evidence, and witness accounts, along with a search for constitutional violations such as unlawful searches. From there, he pursues dismissal, reduced charges, or diversion where possible and prepares for trial when needed, keeping clients informed at every step. His family law practice is a valuable complement when a criminal charge affects a divorce or custody case.

2. Sanchez Burke

• Attorney/Key Figure: Walter M. “Walt” Sanchez, Joseph M. W. Burke, and Clare Sanchez Burke, Attorneys
• Headquarters: 1200 Ryan St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 (additional office at 223 E. Main St., New Iberia, LA 70563)
• Phone: (337) 433-4405
• Website: sanchezburke.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Drug Crimes, DWI, Murder and Vehicular Homicide, Assault, Sex Crimes, Internet Crimes and Online Solicitation, White Collar Crime, Child Pornography, Juvenile Defense), Personal Injury, Maritime Injury, Family Law, Professional Disciplinary Actions, Estate Planning and Succession
• Firm Size: Five-attorney Lake Charles firm; its criminal attorneys have more than 70 years of combined experience in criminal cases
• Practice Area Page: Lake Charles Criminal Defense Lawyer

About the Firm: Sanchez Burke is a five-attorney firm on Ryan Street in downtown Lake Charles, with a second office in New Iberia. Its criminal defense attorneys bring more than 70 years of combined experience in criminal cases and handle the full range of charges heard in the 14th Judicial District Court, from DWI and drug possession to murder, vehicular homicide, sex offenses, and internet crimes.

For serious cases, the firm brings in professional investigators, DNA and forensic experts, psychologists, forensic accountants, and computer experts, the kind of support that can change the outcome of a homicide or white collar case. It encourages clients to call as soon as they learn they are under investigation, handles plea negotiations and sentencing advocacy, and offers a free initial consultation. Its professional disciplinary practice also helps licensed professionals whose criminal charge threatens their license.

3. The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory

• Attorney/Key Figure: Joshua S. Guillory, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 203 W. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 3, Lafayette, LA 70506
• Phone: (337) 233-1303
• Website: jsguillorylaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Felonies, Misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, Drug Crimes, Violent Crimes, Domestic Violence, Assault, Theft, Forgery, Embezzlement, Fraud, Bribery, Healthcare Fraud, Identity Theft, White Collar Crimes, Juvenile Crimes, Expungements, Pardon Applications, Federal Appeals), Family Law, Estate Planning, Business Law, Personal Injury
• Firm Size: South Louisiana firm serving Calcasieu, Lafayette, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, and five other parishes; founder is a law professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

About the Firm: Joshua S. Guillory leads a South Louisiana practice that represents criminal defendants in Calcasieu Parish and Lake Charles along with Lafayette, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, and surrounding parishes. He also serves as a professor of law at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which keeps him closely engaged with developments in Louisiana criminal law and procedure.

The firm’s criminal practice is unusually broad, covering felonies and misdemeanors, DWI, drug and violent crimes, white collar offenses such as healthcare fraud, embezzlement, and bribery, and post-conviction work including expungements, pardon applications, and federal appeals. That range makes it a strong fit for clients facing complex fraud charges or needing help clearing a record after a case is resolved.

4. Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates

• Attorney/Key Figure: John Fitz-Gerald and Anthony “Tony” Hebert, Attorneys
• Headquarters: 313 Alamo St., Suite C, Lake Charles, LA 70605 (additional offices in Westlake and Baton Rouge)
• Phone: (337) 494-1200
• Website: fhdfirm.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DUI, Drug Crimes, Assault and Battery, Theft and Burglary, Domestic Violence, Sex Offenses, Traffic Violations, Expungement), Family Law, Personal Injury, Business Law, Environmental Law, Estate Planning and Succession
• Firm Size: Southwest Louisiana firm with four attorneys and more than 80 years of combined experience; offices in Lake Charles, Westlake, and Baton Rouge
• Practice Area Page: Lake Charles Criminal Defense Lawyer

About the Firm: Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates brings more than 80 years of combined experience to criminal defense in Calcasieu Parish, with offices in Lake Charles and Westlake that keep its attorneys close to the 14th Judicial District Court. The firm defends DUI, drug offenses from simple possession to distribution and trafficking, assault and battery, theft and burglary, domestic violence, and sex offenses, and it knows the local judges, prosecutors, and courtroom procedures in the Lake Charles area.

The firm’s defense approach includes scrutinizing police procedures and analyzing the evidence for weaknesses, and it helps clients with related issues such as missed court dates, restoring firearm rights after a conviction, and expungement. The attorneys whose names are on the firm are the ones who work each case, take client calls, and meet clients in person, so clients deal directly with experienced lawyers.

5. The Johnson Firm

• Attorney/Key Figure: Adam Johnson, Partner and Co-Owner; Terry Johnson, Founder
• Headquarters: 1419 Ryan St., Suite 1, Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Phone: (337) 333-4057
• Website: johnsoncriminallawyer.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DUI/DWI, Drug Offenses, Homicide, Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence, Sex Crimes, Internet and Cybercrimes, White Collar Crime, Juvenile Defense, State Charges, Expungement), Professional Disciplinary Defense
• Firm Size: Criminal defense firm serving Southwest Louisiana since 1980; team includes a retired Louisiana State Police Master Trooper

About the Firm: The Johnson Firm has defended clients in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana since 1980. Partner Adam Johnson has more than 15 years of criminal defense experience and clerked for a local Lake Charles judge, attorney Nathan Jones brings appellate experience with a focus on DWI and domestic violence defense, and attorney Andrew Leonards spent more than 20 years in law enforcement as a Louisiana State Police Master Trooper.

A former trooper on the defense team is a real advantage in DWI and traffic stop cases, where knowing how field sobriety tests, breath tests, and stops are supposed to be conducted can expose mistakes. The firm has tried jury cases in state and federal courts and argued before the Louisiana Supreme Court, and its phone line is answered 24/7.

6. 337 Law (Marcus L. Myers, Esq. LLC)

• Attorney/Key Figure: Marcus L. Myers, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 900 Ryan St., Suite 401, Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Phone: (337) 905-2000
• Website: 337law.org
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DWI, Drug Possession and Distribution, Violent Crimes, Theft, Embezzlement, Burglary, Fraud, Bond Reductions), Civil Litigation, Successions, Car Accidents
• Firm Size: Solo practice; founder is a former DWI special prosecutor and assistant district attorney with more than 15 years of experience

About the Firm: Marcus L. Myers is a former DWI special prosecutor and assistant district attorney with more than 15 years of experience and thousands of DWI cases behind him. He is trained in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and previously taught criminal law at the Calcasieu Law Enforcement Training Academy, so he knows how local officers are trained to conduct the stops and roadside tests that DWI cases depend on.

That combination of prosecution experience and police-training knowledge makes the practice particularly strong for DWI defense, and he also handles drug, violent crime, theft, embezzlement, and bond reduction matters. He offers free telephone consultations. As a solo practitioner, he does not have the bench depth of a multi-attorney firm.

7. Todd Clemons & Associates, APLC

• Attorney/Key Figure: Todd S. Clemons, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 1740 Ryan St., Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Phone: (337) 477-0000
• Website: toddclemons.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Personal Injury
• Firm Size: Lake Charles firm; founder licensed in Louisiana since 1987 and selected to Super Lawyers multiple years

About the Firm: Todd S. Clemons has practiced law in Louisiana since 1987 and leads a Lake Charles firm focused on criminal defense and personal injury. He has been selected to Super Lawyers in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025, and 2026 and is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

The firm describes itself as “Battle Tested,” citing a record of jury trial wins and favorable pretrial resolutions, and it serves Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Lafayette, and clients throughout Louisiana. Its personal injury practice is a significant part of the firm, so criminal defense is one of two main areas.

8. Barkemeyer Law Firm

• Attorney/Key Figure: Carl Barkemeyer, Founding Attorney; Devon McKnight and Brenda Verbois, Attorneys
• Headquarters: Baton Rouge, LA (Lake Charles office at 1639 Ryan St., Suite 200, Lake Charles, LA 70601; additional offices across Louisiana)
• Phone: (337) 564-3121
• Website: attorneycarl.com
• Practice Areas: DWI/DUI Defense (First, Second, and Third Offense, CDL, Child Endangerment, Underage DWI, Hardship Licenses, OMV Hearings, Article 894 and Expungement), Drug Charges, Criminal Defense
• Firm Size: Multi-office DWI and criminal defense firm with more than 100 years of combined experience; founder is AV rated and author of a book on Louisiana DWI defense

About the Firm: Carl Barkemeyer has written a published book on Louisiana DWI defense, lectures other attorneys on the subject, and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and his firm’s attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined experience. Attorneys Devon McKnight and Brenda Verbois handle the Lake Charles region, which includes Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Allen, Beauregard, and Vernon Parishes.

The firm’s DWI practice covers every piece of a Louisiana DWI case, including OMV license hearings, hardship licenses, SR-22 issues, CDL consequences, and Article 894 deferred sentences that can lead to dismissal and expungement. It also defends drug charges. Because it is a statewide multi-office firm, Lake Charles clients may work with a regional attorney rather than the founder.

9. Devin Fontenot, Attorney at Law

• Attorney/Key Figure: Devin Fontenot, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 2706 Hodges St., Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Phone: (337) 508-2627
• Website: dfontenotlaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DWI/DUI, Drug Offenses, Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Defense, Felonies and Misdemeanors, Expungement), Personal Injury
• Firm Size: Solo practice; founder is a former Calcasieu Parish juvenile public defender with more than 10 years in the parish

About the Firm: Devin Fontenot served as a juvenile public defender in Calcasieu Parish before building his own practice, and he has more than 10 years of experience defending cases in the parish’s 14th Judicial District Court. His practice covers DWI, drug offenses from possession to trafficking, assault and battery, domestic violence, juvenile cases, and expungements.

His public defender background gives him day-to-day familiarity with the local court and its prosecutors, and his juvenile defense experience is valuable for families whose teenager has been charged. He offers in-person and phone consultations, evening appointments by request, and responses to case review requests within one business day. As a solo practice, it has a smaller team than the multi-attorney firms.

10. The Hinch Firm Trial Attorneys

• Attorney/Key Figure: Shane Hinch, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 1400 Ryan St., Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Phone: (337) 267-8430
• Website: shanehinch.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DWI/DUI, Drug Offenses, Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence, Sex Crimes, Manslaughter and Homicide, Theft and Burglary), Personal Injury, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Professional Discipline
• Firm Size: Lake Charles trial firm; founder is AV rated and named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100

About the Firm: Shane Hinch leads a Lake Charles trial firm whose criminal practice covers DWI, drug offenses, assault and battery, domestic violence, sex crimes, and homicide. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100, is recognized by Super Lawyers, and is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

The firm offers same-day appointments in most cases and a Spanish-language version of its website. Criminal consultations carry a fee, and the firm also maintains large personal injury and family law practices, so criminal defense is one of several focus areas.

Lake Charles, LA Criminal Defense Resources

• 14th Judicial District Court: Calcasieu Parish Courthouse, downtown Lake Charles. Hears felony and misdemeanor criminal cases for Calcasieu Parish.
• Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court: Maintains criminal court records and processes filings, including expungement motions.
• Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office: Prosecutes felony and misdemeanor cases in the parish.
• 14th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office: Represents defendants who cannot afford a private attorney.
• Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office: Operates the parish correctional center and handles bonds and arrest records.
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles: Handles DWI administrative license suspensions, hardship licenses, and reinstatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my driver’s license after a DWI arrest in Lake Charles?

A DWI arrest starts two separate processes: the criminal case in court and an administrative license suspension by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. You have 30 days to request an administrative hearing, and missing that deadline means the suspension takes effect automatically. DWI-focused attorneys such as Marcus Myers, a former DWI special prosecutor, and Barkemeyer Law Firm handle both sides of the case.

Can a DWI or misdemeanor be dismissed under Article 894?

Often, yes. Article 894 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure lets a judge defer a misdemeanor sentence, including for a first-offense DWI. If you complete probation, the conviction is set aside and dismissed, which allows expungement. Article 893 provides a similar option for many felonies. Firms such as Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates and Devin Fontenot regularly help clients pursue these outcomes.

Should I hire a former prosecutor or former law enforcement officer?

Both can help. A former prosecutor, such as Marcus Myers, understands how charges are built and how plea offers are decided. The Johnson Firm includes a retired Louisiana State Police Master Trooper, whose knowledge of traffic stops and testing procedures is valuable in DWI cases. Trial experience matters too, so ask how many cases the attorney has taken to a jury.

Does Louisiana require a unanimous jury?

Yes. Since 2019, Louisiana has required a unanimous jury verdict to convict in felony cases, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in Ramos v. Louisiana made unanimity a constitutional requirement nationwide. Experienced trial attorneys such as Todd Clemons and Shane Hinch take that requirement into account when deciding whether to go to trial.

Can I get my criminal record expunged in Louisiana?

Many records can be expunged, including arrests that did not result in a conviction, many misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period, and some felony convictions, especially after a successful Article 893 or 894 deferred sentence. Firms such as The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory, which also handles pardon applications, and The Johnson Firm handle expungement filings.

What should I do if I am under investigation but not yet charged?

Contact a criminal defense attorney before speaking with investigators. Early representation can sometimes prevent charges or narrow them, and it protects you from statements that could be used later. Firms such as Sanchez Burke, which works with investigators and forensic experts on serious cases, and McHale Law Firm advise clients at the investigation stage.

Disclaimer: For informational and educational use only-this content does not constitute legal advice or an endorsement of any specific attorney. Criminal laws, penalties, and lawyer credentials change over time and vary by jurisdiction. Always independently verify credentials with the Louisiana State Bar Association and consult qualified legal counsel regarding your specific situation before retaining representation.