Spokane, Washington
Charged with a crime or a DUI in Spokane? The first 48 hours matter. These are the defense attorneys who show up repeatedly in peer rankings, with what they handle and what they charge.
If you have been arrested or charged in Spokane, the clock is already running. A DUI triggers a separate Department of Licensing hearing you must request within a short window or you lose your license automatically, regardless of the criminal case. A felony charge can move quickly toward arraignment. The lawyers below were chosen because they have verifiable Spokane-area criminal practices and recognition from bar groups or local peer rankings.
Washington treats a first-offense DUI as a gross misdemeanor with mandatory minimums: jail time or electronic home monitoring, fines, license suspension, and an ignition interlock requirement. The facts of the stop, the breath or blood test, and the timing of every deadline all matter, which is why an experienced local defender is worth the fee.
Most defense firms here charge flat fees for misdemeanors and DUIs and offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Use that call to understand the charge, the realistic outcomes, and exactly who would handle your case.
Spokane criminal cases run through Spokane County District and Superior Court, with city charges heard in Spokane Municipal Court. Which court your case lands in shapes the prosecutor you face and the judge's tendencies, and it can determine whether you qualify for a diversion or deferred-prosecution program. That is one more reason local courtroom experience is worth paying for.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Spokane-area dui / criminal defense practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: DUI defense, felony and misdemeanor criminal defense
Chris Bugbee has nearly three decades of criminal experience and a background as a prosecutor, and the firm has been recognized as a top DUI attorney by Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine.
Why they made the list: Prosecutor experience plus a concentrated DUI defense practice and local recognition.
Practice focus: Felony defense, drug charges, DUI
Steve Graham has practiced criminal defense in Spokane since the late 1990s and was rated one of the Top 5 criminal lawyers by Spokane Living magazine.
Why they made the list: Long Spokane defense tenure and recognition for serious felony work.
Practice focus: White-collar criminal defense, complex litigation
Carl Oreskovich is a long-recognized Spokane trial lawyer whose firm handles serious and white-collar criminal matters alongside complex civil litigation.
Why they made the list: Top-tier trial reputation for high-stakes and white-collar charges.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, record expungement
Joe Kuhlman was recognized by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys as a top criminal defense attorney in Washington and handles the full range of charges plus expungements.
Why they made the list: Statewide recognition and a practice that includes clearing past records.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, complex trial matters
Julie Twyford has defended Spokane clients on criminal and DUI charges for more than 30 years and is regarded as a prominent local trial lawyer.
Why they made the list: Three decades of courtroom experience across criminal and DUI cases.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, personal injury
Cooney Law has served Eastern Washington since 1949 and handles criminal defense and DUI charges alongside its injury practice.
Why they made the list: One of the oldest Spokane firms, with a long criminal-defense history.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, personal injury, probate
Best known for injury work, CCD Law also maintains an active criminal defense practice handling misdemeanors, felonies, and DUI charges in Spokane County.
Why they made the list: A full-service Spokane firm with trial lawyers on both the criminal and civil side.
Charged in Spokane? Tell us about the situation and we'll connect you with one of these defense firms or a similar one for a free, confidential consultation.
Separate the DUI license deadline from the criminal case. A DUI arrest starts a short clock to request a Department of Licensing hearing or your license is suspended automatically. Confirm the firm will handle that hearing, not just the criminal charge.
Match the lawyer to the charge. A first-time DUI and a felony are different animals. For serious felonies or white-collar exposure, prioritize trial-heavy firms like Etter McMahon or Steve Graham; for a standard DUI, a dedicated DUI defender like Bugbee Law is a strong fit.
Ask who appears in court for you. At a busy firm you may meet a partner and then have an associate handle hearings. Ask in writing who will stand next to you at each appearance.
Get the flat fee and what it covers in writing. Find out whether the quoted fee covers trial, or only the pretrial phase, and what happens if the case goes longer than expected.
Check familiarity with Spokane courts. A defender who regularly appears before Spokane County and Municipal Court judges and prosecutors knows which arguments land and which alternatives, like deferred prosecution or a diversion program, you may qualify for.
Spokane criminal defense fees depend heavily on the charge and whether the case goes to trial. Typical ranges:
Cheaper is not always better in criminal defense; the cost of an avoidable conviction, in jail time, license loss, and a permanent record, dwarfs the difference in fees.
A Spokane criminal case moves through predictable stages, though timing varies by charge:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most dui / criminal defense matters, gather:
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Most charge a flat fee, commonly about $3,500 to $7,500 for a first-offense DUI, with more for trials or repeat offenses. The initial consultation is usually free.
A DUI arrest triggers a separate Department of Licensing action. You must request a hearing within a short deadline or your license is suspended automatically, independent of the criminal case.
Yes, a first-offense DUI is a gross misdemeanor, but it carries mandatory minimums including jail or home monitoring, fines, license suspension, and an ignition interlock requirement.
Often, yes. Defense lawyers challenge the stop, the testing, and the evidence, and many cases resolve through a negotiated reduction. Outcomes depend on the facts and the judge.
Almost always. Even a misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent record that affects jobs, housing, and firearm rights. A lawyer can often limit or avoid those consequences.
Immediately. Early representation protects your rights, preserves evidence, and meets the DUI license deadline that runs from the date of arrest.
Sometimes. Depending on the evidence, a DUI may be negotiated down to a lesser charge such as negligent driving, but it depends on your record, the test results, and the prosecutor. An attorney can assess your realistic odds.
It can. Many convictions, including some misdemeanors and all felonies, affect firearm rights, professional licenses, and employment. A defense lawyer works to avoid or limit these collateral consequences.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.