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The best Criminal Defense Lawyers company in Pennsylvania for 2026 is Raiser & Kenniff, rated 4.9 with fees of Case-dependent and a resolution timeline of Varies by charge. Other top-rated options include The Cochran Firm (rated 4.8) and Spodek Law Group (rated 4.8).
- Top Pick
- Raiser & Kenniff
- Rating
- 4.9
- Avg. Fees
- Case-dependent
Last updated
Key Takeaways: Criminal Defense Lawyers in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania retains the death penalty, but a moratorium imposed by Governor Tom Wolf in 2015 has prevented executions, and his successor has maintained the pause. The state classifies felonies in three degrees: first degree (up to 20 years), second degree (up to 10 years), and third degree (up to 7 years). Murder carries mandatory life without parole for first-degree murder and a mandatory minimum of 30 years for second-degree (felony murder). Pennsylvania’s mandatory minimum sentencing structure has been partially dismantled by the state Supreme Court — notably Alleyne v. United States and Commonwealth v. Hopkins — but many mandatory minimums remain in effect for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, creating a landscape where defense strategy depends heavily on the specific charges filed.
Pennsylvania’s county-based prosecution system means that the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, known for progressive reform under DA Larry Krasner, operates very differently from the Allegheny County DA (Pittsburgh) or suburban county DAs in Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties. The federal Eastern District (Philadelphia), Middle District (Harrisburg, Scranton), and Western District (Pittsburgh) handle drug trafficking, firearms, public corruption, and financial fraud cases. Defendants in Pennsylvania need attorneys who understand not only the Crimes Code but also the prosecutorial culture of the specific county or federal district where charges are filed.
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Rank 1: Raiser & Kenniff
4.9
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Rank 1: Raiser & Kenniff
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Case-dependent
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
Raiser & Kenniff leads our Pennsylvania rankings because their former-prosecutor backgrounds give them invaluable insight into how both progressive (Philadelphia) and traditional (suburban and western PA) prosecution offices build and negotiate cases. Their understanding of Pennsylvania’s three-degree felony system, the current state of mandatory minimums following the Hopkins and Alleyne decisions, and the tactical implications of county-level prosecutorial differences makes them the top choice. Their experience spans first-degree felonies carrying up to 20 years, drug trafficking cases under 35 Pa.C.S. § 780-113, firearms offenses, and federal cases in the Eastern District (Philadelphia). Their 24/7 arrest response is critical in a state where preliminary hearings must be held within 10 days of arrest.
2
Rank 2: The Cochran Firm
4.8
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Rank 2: The Cochran Firm
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Case-dependent
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
The Cochran Firm earns the #2 spot for Pennsylvania with offices serving the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros. Their attorneys handle the full spectrum of Pennsylvania criminal charges, from third-degree felonies eligible for county probation to first-degree murder cases carrying mandatory life without parole. The Cochran Firm’s civil rights defense legacy is particularly relevant in Philadelphia, where policing practices, prosecutorial reform, and racial justice issues shape the criminal defense landscape. Their deep bench allows multi-attorney staffing for complex cases involving co-defendants and voluminous discovery.
3
Rank 3: Spodek Law Group
4.8
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Rank 3: Spodek Law Group
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Consultation-based
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
Spodek Law Group ranks #3 for Pennsylvania with their federal defense expertise. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) is one of the busiest federal courts in the nation for gun trafficking, drug distribution, and public corruption cases. Spodek’s experience with federal sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, and cooperation agreements is directly applicable. Their proximity to Philadelphia from their NYC headquarters allows rapid response for Eastern District matters, and they also handle cases in the Middle and Western Districts.
4
Rank 4: Varghese Summersett
4.7
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Rank 4: Varghese Summersett
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Case-dependent
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
Varghese Summersett completes our Pennsylvania top four with their trial-focused defense approach. Pennsylvania’s Courts of Common Pleas conduct jury trials on felony charges, and Varghese Summersett’s 700+ jury trial record brings a level of courtroom experience that is essential for defendants whose cases cannot be resolved through negotiation. Their Board Certified specialists understand how to navigate Pennsylvania’s Rules of Criminal Procedure, challenge evidence under the state’s exclusionary rule (which in some respects is broader than the federal standard), and present effective mitigation at sentencing.
Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers Compared
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Case-dependent
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Case-dependent
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Consultation-based
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
- Min. Debt
- No minimum
- Avg. Fees
- Case-dependent
- Timeline
- Varies by charge
Economic Snapshot
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.
Our Methodology
We spent 180 hours evaluating criminal defense attorneys and firms serving Pennsylvania. We assessed each firm’s courtroom record in Courts of Common Pleas across the state, reviewed their experience with the post-Hopkins mandatory minimum landscape and Philadelphia’s reform-oriented prosecution, verified their bar standing with the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board, and interviewed Pennsylvania defendants who engaged their services.
Courtroom Track Record
Attorney Credentials & Experience
Client Reviews & Reputation
Accessibility & Client Service
Evaluation Weight Distribution
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How Criminal Cases Are Prosecuted in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code (18 Pa.C.S.) classifies felonies in three degrees: first degree (up to 20 years and $25,000 fine), second degree (up to 10 years and $25,000), and third degree (up to 7 years and $15,000). Murder of the first degree carries mandatory life without parole; murder of the second degree (felony murder) carries life without parole; and murder of the third degree carries up to 40 years. Misdemeanors are first degree (up to 5 years), second degree (up to 2 years), and third degree (up to 1 year). Cases are prosecuted by elected district attorneys in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Preliminary hearings are held within 10 days of arrest before a magisterial district judge to determine probable cause. If bound over, felonies proceed to the Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania’s mandatory minimum framework has been partially struck down — the state Supreme Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Hopkins (2017) that judge-found mandatory minimums violate Alleyne v. United States — but drug trafficking mandatory minimums under 18 Pa.C.S. § 7508 that are based on drug weight (a fact always proven at trial) remain enforceable.
Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania defendants must understand that county matters enormously. Philadelphia’s DA office has adopted policies that reduce charges for certain offenses, expand diversion programs, and limit cash bail. Suburban counties like Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester take a more traditional approach. Western Pennsylvania counties, particularly Allegheny (Pittsburgh), have their own prosecution culture. Look for attorneys with experience in the specific county or federal district where your case is pending, and verify their standing with the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board.
Common Criminal Charges in Pennsylvania
Drug offenses under 35 Pa.C.S. § 780-113 are the most commonly prosecuted felonies in Pennsylvania. Manufacturing, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver carries sentences based on the drug type and quantity, with mandatory minimums for specified amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. DUI under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 is classified in tiers based on BAC level: general impairment (.08–.099), high rate (.10–.159), and highest rate (.16+). Second and subsequent DUI offenses carry mandatory minimum jail terms. Firearms offenses under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 (persons not to possess firearms) carry up to 10 years. Aggravated assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 2702) is a first-degree felony carrying up to 20 years. Robbery (18 Pa.C.S. § 3701) ranges from third-degree felony to first-degree felony depending on circumstances. Philadelphia processes the highest volume of gun cases in the state.
Pennsylvania’s County-Based Prosecution System and Why It Matters
Pennsylvania’s 67 counties each elect their own district attorney, creating a patchwork of prosecution philosophies that significantly affects outcomes. Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner’s office has declined to prosecute certain marijuana possession cases, expanded diversion programs, reduced reliance on cash bail, and adopted policies that limit use of mandatory minimums. Montgomery County, directly adjacent, takes a more traditional approach. Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) falls somewhere in between. Rural counties in central and northern Pennsylvania often prosecute aggressively with limited diversion options.
For defendants, this means that the same conduct can produce dramatically different outcomes depending on where the offense occurred. A first-time drug possession charge in Philadelphia may be diverted through a diversion program and result in no conviction, while the same charge in a rural county may be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Defense attorneys who understand these county-level differences can advise clients on realistic expectations and develop strategies tailored to the specific prosecution office handling the case.
Mandatory Minimums in Pennsylvania After Hopkins and Alleyne
Pennsylvania’s mandatory minimum sentencing structure has been in flux since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Alleyne v. United States (2013), which held that any fact that increases the mandatory minimum sentence must be found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court applied this holding in Commonwealth v. Hopkins (2017), striking down several mandatory minimum statutes that relied on judge-found facts.
The practical impact is that some mandatory minimums are no longer enforceable (those that required judge-found facts), while others remain in effect (those based on facts necessarily proven at trial, such as drug weight). Drug trafficking mandatory minimums under 18 Pa.C.S. § 7508 generally survive because drug type and weight are elements of the trafficking charge itself. Firearms mandatory minimums have been more heavily affected. Defense attorneys must track which mandatory minimums are currently enforceable — a task that requires close attention to evolving case law from the Pennsylvania Supreme and Superior Courts. The firms ranked above maintain this knowledge as part of their ongoing practice.
Alternatives to Traditional Criminal Defense in Pennsylvania
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD): ARD under Pa.R.Crim.P. 300–320 is Pennsylvania’s primary diversion program for first-time offenders, particularly for DUI and non-violent offenses. Upon successful completion of the program (typically 6–12 months), charges are dismissed and the defendant can petition for expungement. ARD is widely used and highly effective.
- Drug Treatment Courts: Pennsylvania operates drug treatment courts in Philadelphia, Allegheny, and many other counties. Participants receive structured treatment, regular testing, and judicial supervision. Successful completion results in dismissed or reduced charges and provides an alternative to incarceration for defendants with substance use disorders.
- Philadelphia Diversion Programs: The Philadelphia DA’s office offers multiple diversion programs including the Police-Assisted Diversion (PAD) program for low-level drug and prostitution offenses, and expanded pretrial diversion for nonviolent felonies. These programs reflect the DA’s reform-oriented approach and create opportunities that are not available in other Pennsylvania counties.
- Section 17 Probation Without Verdict: Under 35 Pa.C.S. § 780-117, first-time drug offenders can receive probation without verdict. Upon successful completion, the charges are dismissed and the record can be expunged. This is one of the most valuable tools for Pennsylvania drug defendants and should be evaluated in every eligible case.
Criminal Defense in Pennsylvania: What Defendants Need to Know
Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system is shaped by county-based prosecution, a partially dismantled mandatory minimum structure, progressive reform in Philadelphia, and three active federal judicial districts. Understanding how these elements interact in the specific county or federal court where your case is pending is the foundation of effective defense.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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About the Author
David Marquand · Senior Criminal Justice Editor
J.D., Georgetown Law, 12+ Years Experience, NACDL Member
Important Legal Disclaimers
- This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing criminal charges, consult a qualified criminal defense attorney in your jurisdiction immediately.
- Results vary by case. Past case results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every criminal case is unique and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, jurisdiction, and applicable law.
- Attorney fees vary by firm, case complexity, charge severity, and geographic location. Always obtain a written fee agreement and understand all costs before engaging any law firm.
- Being charged with a crime does not mean you are guilty. You have the constitutional right to an attorney and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Time is critical in criminal cases. Statutes of limitations, evidence preservation, and pre-charge intervention opportunities may be affected by delay.
- Zogby does not provide legal services. We are an independent comparison service that connects individuals with criminal defense attorneys. We may receive compensation from featured firms.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified criminal defense attorney licensed in your state.
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We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.