Washington, DC · Updated October 2026
Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Washington, DC (2026)
Three DC criminal defense practices compared on Google ratings, the courts they cover, their focus and what clients actually say. Lotze Mosley PLLC is our featured firm.
- ✓DC Superior Court
- ✓Federal charges
- ✓DUI & domestic violence
- ✓Former prosecutor
At a glance
Washington, DC criminal defense firms compared
| Firm | Google rating | Reviews | Main focus | Courts covered (per firm) | Free consultation | Spanish site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Lotze Mosley PLLC ★ Featured | ★★★★½ 4.7 | 52 | Local & federal criminal trials | DC and Maryland | Call to ask | Call to ask |
| 2Capital Criminal & DUI Defense Group (David Benowitz) | ★★★★½ 4.9 | 259 | DUI & Superior Court charges | DC local and federal | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3Law Offices of Maddox Levine PLLC | ★★★★½ 4.8 | 21 | DUI & DC criminal | DC | Call to ask | Call to ask |
“Call to ask” means the firm does not publish this on its website.
Ratings and review counts from Google, checked October 15, 2026. Hours can change on holidays; call to confirm.
The list
Top 3 criminal defense lawyers in Washington, DC
1
★ Featured
Lotze Mosley PLLC
Charges handled
Lotze Mosley PLLC is led by Monica “Nikki” Lotze, an experienced criminal defense attorney in Washington, DC who has tried criminal cases in District of Columbia and Maryland courts since 1993. The firm practices criminal defense exclusively and says it has tried more than 100 criminal cases, from drug, gun and fraud charges to sex offenses, violent crimes and DUI, in both local and federal court. Its office sits on 7th Street NW, a short walk from DC Superior Court.
What clients praise
- Reviewers credit Nikki Lotze with deep knowledge of the DC and Maryland court systems
- Clients say she kept them informed, answered questions honestly and moved quickly
- Several reviews describe her handling of domestic violence and civil protection order cases
Worth knowing
- The practice is built around one lead trial lawyer, so ask about her availability for your court dates
- No Spanish-language pages and no free-consultation policy published; call to ask
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: A criminal-defense-only firm whose lead trial lawyer has covered both DC and Maryland criminal courts since 1993.
📍 400 7th St NW Unit 206, Washington, DC 20004
2
Capital Criminal & DUI Defense Group (David Benowitz)
Capital Criminal & DUI Defense Group is the DC criminal practice of David Benowitz. He says he is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, board-certified as a criminal trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a member of the National College of DUI Defense and a faculty member at Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop. The practice covers DUI, assault, gun, drug and other Superior Court charges as well as federal and white-collar matters, offers free case evaluations and has a Spanish-language version of its site.
What clients praise
- Reviewers say free consultations with attorney Jack McCoy laid out their options clearly and without pressure
- Clients describe follow-up calls even after their issue was resolved
- Attorney Odom and David Benowitz are both praised as professional and attentive
Worth knowing
- Many reviews name associate attorneys, so ask who will handle your case day to day
- Its site forms reference the Price Benowitz team, a larger multi-office firm
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: The highest-volume review profile here (4.9★, 259 reviews) with a dedicated DUI focus and free case evaluations.
📍 409 7th St NW #222, Washington, DC 20004
3
Law Offices of Maddox Levine PLLC
Law Offices of Maddox Levine PLLC is a DC DUI and criminal defense firm led by T. Gail Maddox-Levine, a former prosecutor with the DC Office of the Attorney General, the office that prosecutes DUI in the District. The firm says it brings more than 20 years of courtroom experience, focuses on alcohol, drug-related, underage and repeat DUI charges, and offers flat fees. It also handles civil matters such as contract disputes and car accident claims, and phone consultations can be booked online.
What clients praise
- Clients say Ms. Maddox-Levine handled their case herself and kept them informed throughout
- Reviewers call her fees affordable and mention she will work with clients on payments
- DUI clients describe her as caring, persistent and well-researched on their options
Worth knowing
- Smallest review base on the list (21 Google reviews)
- Weekday office hours only, and DUI is the core focus; ask about experience with felony or federal charges
- Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
- Sat–Sun Closed
Why it made the list: The only lead attorney on the list who previously prosecuted for the DC Attorney General, the office that handles DC DUI cases.
📍 1629 K St NW #300, Washington, DC 20006
Free tool
Which DC firm fits your case?
Tick what you need. We match it against what each firm publishes on its own website.
Guide
How criminal cases work in Washington, DC
1 court
One local trial court
All local criminal cases in the District, from misdemeanors to homicides, go through DC Superior Court at the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Ave NW.
USAO
A federal prosecutor for local crimes
Unlike anywhere else in the country, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for DC prosecutes most local felonies and misdemeanors in Superior Court, as well as federal crimes in U.S. District Court.
OAG
DUI goes to the DC Attorney General
The DC Office of the Attorney General prosecutes DUI and certain lesser offenses. One arrest can lead to two separate cases, for example a DUI by the OAG and a drug charge by the U.S. Attorney.
Fed
Federal charges are a different system
Federal cases are heard in U.S. District Court at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse, with different procedures and sentencing rules, so make sure your lawyer is admitted in federal court.
MD
Maryland is separate
A charge across the line in Montgomery or Prince George’s County runs through Maryland’s own District and Circuit Courts under Maryland law, not DC’s.
Quiet
Say nothing without counsel
If police or federal agents reach out, politely decline to answer questions until you have a lawyer. Statements, even denials, can be used in an investigation.
Before your first meeting
What to bring to a criminal defense consultation
0 of 7 ready
Methodology
How we chose these firms
We compared Washington, DC criminal defense practices on their Google ratings and review volume, the courts and charges each says it handles, language access, and recurring themes in real client reviews, including limitations.
Lotze Mosley PLLC is our featured firm and appears first; both other listings have higher Google ratings, so it is marked Featured rather than Top rated. The other firms are included on merit; we are not affiliated with them and they did not pay to appear.
Ratings, review counts and hours were checked on October 15, 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Washington, DC?
Most local felonies and misdemeanors are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia in DC Superior Court. The DC Office of the Attorney General prosecutes DUI and certain lesser offenses. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in U.S. District Court.
What is the difference between DC Superior Court and federal court?
Superior Court is the District’s local trial court and hears charges under the DC Code. U.S. District Court hears federal charges under the U.S. Code, with different procedures and federal sentencing guidelines.
Can one arrest lead to two cases in DC?
Yes. Because two different offices prosecute in Superior Court, a single stop can produce a DUI case brought by the Attorney General and a separate case, such as drug possession, brought by the U.S. Attorney.
Should I talk to police or federal agents before hiring a lawyer?
It is generally safest to politely decline to answer questions and ask for a lawyer. Statements, including denials, can be used against you.
What should I do if I receive a grand jury subpoena or target letter?
Do not ignore it and do not respond on your own. A defense lawyer can explain whether you are a witness, subject or target and how to respond.
Do these firms handle cases in Maryland?
Lotze Mosley PLLC says it practices in both DC and Maryland criminal courts. The other two listings present themselves as DC practices, so confirm coverage for your specific court before hiring.
How do I choose between these DC criminal defense lawyers?
Match the lawyer to the court and charge: local Superior Court trial experience for DC Code charges, DUI focus for drunk driving cases, and federal investigation experience for white-collar or agency matters. Ask who will personally handle your case.
Local guide
Washington, DC criminal court local guide
Two of the firms sit on 7th Street NW in Penn Quarter, a few minutes’ walk from the local and federal courthouses; the third is downtown on K Street NW.
What is near each firm
Lotze Mosley
Penn Quarter (7th St NW)
NEAREST COURTHOUSES
- DC Superior Court (Moultrie Courthouse)
500 Indiana Ave NW, Washington0.2 mi - E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
333 Constitution Ave NW, Washington0.4 mi
David Benowitz
Penn Quarter (7th St NW)
NEAREST COURTHOUSES
- DC Superior Court (Moultrie Courthouse)
500 Indiana Ave NW, Washington0.2 mi - E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
333 Constitution Ave NW, Washington0.3 mi
Maddox Levine
Downtown DC (K St NW)
NEAREST COURTHOUSES
- DC Superior Court (Moultrie Courthouse)
500 Indiana Ave NW, Washington1.2 mi - E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
333 Constitution Ave NW, Washington1.4 mi
Distances are straight-line estimates.
DC and nearby Maryland courthouses
Tips if you’re facing charges in DC
- Don’t miss court. A missed date in Superior Court can lead to a bench warrant and a separate charge.
- Follow release conditions exactly. Stay-away orders and check-ins with Pretrial Services are enforced strictly.
- Stay off social media about the case. Posts and messages are routinely used as evidence.
- Keep every document. Citations, release papers and letters from prosecutors all matter to your lawyer.
- Ask who will handle your case. At multi-attorney firms, confirm which lawyer will appear in court with you.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Lotze Mosley PLLC is the featured firm on this page; we are not affiliated with the other firms listed. Ratings, reviews and hours were checked on October 15, 2026, and can change.
