Best Criminal Lawyer in louisiana
Carl Barkemeyer
Criminal Lawyer
Carl Barkemeyer grew up in Baton Rouge. He graduated from McKinley High School. Obtained his law degree from Loyola Law School in New Orleans. At that time and beyond, he became a Golden Gloves boxer. He defends clients like he used to box…he doesn’t let the prosecutor or judge control the case and run all over his client. Since law school, he has devoted his career to fighting for his clients with criminal charges to protect them from prosecutors.
Born a Defense Attorney
Mr. Barkemeyer is not a former police officer or prosecutor. After law school he chose to work for the public defender’s office instead of the prosecutor’s office.
He has defense-attorney in his blood. Mr. Barkemeyer has never had an interest or desire to prosecute the accused. His career went from public defender to private practice in 2010. He was able to make the transition easily since he always represented defendants as opposed to prosecuting them before, then switching to defending them. So, if you hire Mr. Barkemeyer, you do not need to be concerned if your criminal lawyer once arrested or prosecuted you or a friend.
James E. Sudduth, III
Criminal Lawyer
James E. Sudduth, III is the founder and driving force behind Sudduth and Associates, LLC. As a Lake Charles native, he witnessed the lack of growth and direction present in his beloved city and decided to become the force of change the city needed. James knew that to accomplish this goal he would have to temporarily relocate to Baton Rouge. After law school, James returned home to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s office, and during his tenure he was promoted to Misdemeanor Section Chief.When offered a second promotion to the Felony Division, James declined stating that he was being called to serve the public in a different arena.
“At the end of the day it isn’t about the amount of money you bring home or the prestige attached to your name; rather it is the satisfaction of a job well done and knowing that despite your limited resources you have accomplished the near impossible. It is about making a difference in people’s lives and having the desire to serve them when no one else will. This is what it means to be a true servant to the public.”
Carl Barkemeyer
Criminal Lawyer
If you have been arrested, it is important to contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The Barkemeyer Law Firm has a team of experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorneys who are ready to fight for your rights and your freedom.
We understand that this is a difficult time and will do everything possible to get you the best outcome for your case. Our attorneys are the best criminal defense attorneys in Louisiana. We have a proven track record of success in court and we look forward to helping.
Louisiana criminal lawyers and DWI attorneys at the Barkemeyer Law Firm providing legal defense services for clients in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Hahnville, Belle Chasse, St. Bernard, Slidell, St. Tammany, St. Charles, St. John, Laplace, Mandeville, Covington, Shreveport, Bossier, and Jefferson.
Jarrett Ambeau
Criminal Lawyer
Attorney Jarrett Ambeau is a Criminal Defense Trial Attorney and a court-qualified Expert in Forensic DNA Interpretation. In his 13+ years of practicing criminal defense, he has brought more than 50 felony jury trials to verdict.
Jarrett is committed to fighting for your rights and working diligently to achieve the best outcome possible in your legal matter. I am honored to practice law in the State of Louisiana, the Parishes of Ascension and East Baton Rouge, and the surrounding areas. I will care for your legal matter as though it were my own. I understand that you worked hard to earn the fees paid to my office – I will give you a diligent and honorable effort in return.
Jarrett earned his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey. He completed his undergraduate studies while deployed to Kuwait/Iraq in 2004 with the United State Military. Before deployment, he studied at Louisiana State University for 3 ½ years. His undergraduate thesis at LSU focused on the ethics of Immanuel Kant and the formal logic analysis of his formulations of the moral law from his book ‘Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals’.
Upon return from Iraq, Jarrett graduated from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in the spring of 2008. In law school, he was a two-time finalist in the Ira S. Flory Moot Court competition and a member of the 2007-2008 Moot Court Board.
In the Spring of 2020, Jarrett graduated from the University of Florida with a Masters’s Degree in Forensic DNA and Serology.
Rhett Spano
Criminal Lawyer
Rhett Spano is a Louisiana criminal defense lawyer with over 20 years of experience. A former prosecutor, Rhett knows the ins and out of the courtroom and how to best handle your case. White collar crimes, violent crimes, Federal offenses, drug crimes, sex crimes, murder, and fraud cases in the Baton Rouge, LA area.
As a former prosecutor I know how to fight for you and the treatment you rightfully deserve. I recently had the opportunity to defend a case where the defendant was in possession of 450 grams of marijuana, ledger books and 2 semi-automatic rifles. The defendant was charged with Possession With the Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm While In Possession of Drugs. Collectively the defendant was facing a maximum of 15 years on both charges.
After vigorously contesting the legality of the search of the defendant’s home where the marijuana and guns were located the District Attorney reduced the charges to misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and the defendant was sentenced to 2 days in jail, which they had already served after the initial arrest. The defendant was also allowed to regain possession of their firearms.
Hiring a professional criminal defense attorney, as you can see, can make a HUGE difference in your life, don’t hesitate and call ASAP.
James P. Manasseh
Criminal Lawyer
James P. Manasseh, a 1988 graduate of the LSU Law Center and a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Eastern, Middle and West District Courts of Louisiana, the Southern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Texas and for the U.S. Claims Court. Manasseh has also been granted pro hac vice status in the past to handle cases in numerous states.
Manasseh is a former partner of Regan, Manasseh & Boshea with offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Oakland, California. He managed cases and the administration of offices in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Manasseh was instrumental in growing the practice into the twenty-second largest law firm and the largest criminal defense practice in the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area (source: the Baton Rouge Business Report).
Manasseh became one of the youngest attorneys ever to successfully argue a case at the United States Supreme Court in 1991, Foucha vs. Louisiana. Over the course of his career, Manasseh has served as lead counsel in thousands of cases ranging from serious personal injury matters to appellate cases and all types of felony and misdemeanor criminal defense cases. Manasseh has represented clients in a vast array of legal matters over his career. His firm has engaged in representation in international class action litigation, construction litigation, along with professional sports and entertainment fields. Manasseh’s success has led to thousands of clients’ futures being saved though his trial and negotiation skills.
James P. Manasseh, is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell is listed as one of the top 100 trial lawyers for 2013 and 2014 by the National Association of Trial Lawyers. The law firm of Manasseh, Gill, Knipe & Bélanger, PLC was presented with the Presidents Award for Appreciation by the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and was named an LSU 100, the 100 Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Son of Paul Manasseh, the first public relations director of the Denver Broncos and long-time LSU sports information director, James has served as the interior public address announcer in The Paul Manasseh Press Box at all LSU home football games since 1982.
Alfred F. Boustany, II
Criminal Lawyer
Alfred F. Boustany, II is a top-rated attorney practicing in the Lafayette, Louisiana area. Providing legal representation in Louisiana for a variety of different issues, He is admitted to practice before the courts in Louisiana.
After completing undergraduate studies, Alfred F. Boustany, II attended law school. Alfred Boustany, II was enrolled at Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He earned a juris doctor degree in 1977. Alfred Boustany, II would be admitted to the practice of law in 1977.
Alfred Boustany, II represents clients with Criminal Defense issues. Additional legal issues represented include Personal Injury – General: Plaintiff and Criminal Defense: DUI / DWI.
Janna Messina Kiefer
Criminal Lawyer
Janna Messina Kiefer was born in Monroe, Louisiana and raised in Baton Rouge. She graduated high school from Parkview Baptist. She attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she majored in History. While pursuing her undergraduate education, Janna was initiated into Kappa Kappa Gamma Women’s Fraternity. In 2004, she moved to New York City and attended Hunter University on the Upper East Side. She studied Italian abroad, while living in Pescara, Italy during the summer of 2007. She returned to Baton Rouge to graduate from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in 2009 and began law school at Southern University Law Center in the fall.
Janna received her Juris Doctorate degree from the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2012. While in attendance, she became a member of Phi Alpha Delta, an international law fraternity. She also was the Vice President of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of Southern Law Center from 2011-2012. She received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Security Devices in 2012.
While in school, Janna worked for her father as a runner, secretary’s assistant, and law clerk. She also participated in many activities, including the Criminal Law Clinic at Southern University and interning at the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office. She also clerked for the late Honorable James Brady in the Middle District of Louisiana in 2011.
Navigating the Gumbo of Louisiana Law: Why You Need a Top-Tier Criminal Lawyer
Facing criminal charges in Louisiana can feel like wading through a murky swamp – confusing, disorienting, and potentially dangerous. The legal system can be a labyrinth of unfamiliar terms and procedures. In this situation, having the best criminal lawyer in Louisiana by your side is not just a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Here’s why securing a top-tier criminal lawyer is crucial for protecting your freedom and achieving the best possible outcome:
1. Unmasking the Mysteries of Louisiana Criminal Law:
Louisiana’s legal code, unlike other states, is based on a unique blend of civil law and common law traditions. A top-tier criminal lawyer licensed in Louisiana possesses an in-depth understanding of these nuances, allowing them to:
- Decode the Legal Lexicon: They can meticulously analyze your case within the framework of Louisiana’s Revised Statutes and interpret key court decisions (known as jurisprudence) that may influence the prosecution’s strategy and your potential defenses.
- Stay Gumbo-Smart on Legal Developments: The legal landscape is constantly evolving. Your lawyer actively monitors changes in Louisiana criminal law, ensuring your defense strategy reflects the most up-to-date legal principles and leverages any recent rulings that could benefit your case.
- Identify Location-Specific Issues: Louisiana has parishes (equivalent to counties) that may have their own local ordinances or procedures. Your lawyer’s deep understanding of the state’s legal landscape allows them to identify any potential location-specific issues that could impact your case.
2. A Stalwart Champion in Diverse Louisiana Criminal Defense:
Criminal cases in Louisiana encompass a wide spectrum of offenses. The best criminal lawyers in the state specialize in defending clients facing a variety of charges, including:
- Violent Crimes: Murder, assault, domestic violence
- Property Crimes: Theft, robbery, burglary, vandalism
- Drug Crimes: Possession, distribution, manufacturing
- DUI/DWI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- White-Collar Crimes: Embezzlement, fraud, money laundering
- Traffic Offenses: Driving violations, license suspensions
This extensive experience allows them to tailor their defense strategy to the specific details and complexities of your case, drawing upon their knowledge of past cases and successful defense strategies used within the Louisiana legal system.
3. A Guardian of Your Constitutional Rights in the Bayou State:
The foundation of Louisiana’s criminal justice process lies in your fundamental rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Top-tier criminal lawyers in Louisiana are dedicated to safeguarding these rights throughout your legal journey:
- Understanding Your Rights in Louisiana: They ensure you fully comprehend your Miranda rights (right to remain silent and right to an attorney), as well as other crucial legal protections under Louisiana law.
- Ensuring Due Process under the Pelican State’s Law: Your lawyer meticulously reviews all legal procedures to guarantee you receive fair treatment under the law, adhering to the established principles of due process within the Louisiana judicial system.
- Challenging Unlawful Searches and Seizures: If your rights were violated during a search or seizure, your lawyer can fight to suppress any illegally obtained evidence that could be used against you in court.
4. Unveiling the Truth Through Meticulous Investigation:
Building a strong defense starts with a comprehensive understanding of the facts. The best criminal lawyers conduct a thorough investigation into your case, specifically tailored to the laws and procedures of Louisiana:
- Dissecting Police Reports and Witness Statements: They meticulously scrutinize police reports and witness statements to identify any inconsistencies, weaknesses, or potential defenses that could cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.
- Securing Exculpatory Evidence: Your lawyer actively searches for any evidence within the legal framework of Louisiana that may support your innocence or mitigate the charges against you. This may include witness alibis, physical evidence, or overlooked details in the police report.
- Consulting with Experts: When necessary, they may collaborate with experts like forensic investigators, ballistics analysts, or mental health professionals familiar with Louisiana legal standards, to strengthen your case and provide expert testimony that could be crucial to your defense.