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Criminal Defense Lawyer · Everett, WA/Updated June 13, 2026

The 10 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Everett, WA

When facing legal issues, the right criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference. Our rankings highlight the best options in Everett.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceWashington State Attorneys, PLLC
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Everett-metro criminal defense lawyer businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

In Everett, the stakes are high for criminal defense. With only 10 providers evaluated, the top choice, Washington State Attorneys, PLLC, shines with a perfect 5-star rating from 24 reviews. This sets a high bar compared to the rest of the field, where most firms have fewer than 50 reviews and a rating spread of just 0.7 stars.

This ranking is built on a careful assessment of local firms, focusing on their client feedback and overall ratings. We aim to help you find a lawyer with a solid track record, ensuring you make an informed decision when your future is on the line.

10criminal defense lawyers evaluated in Everett
4.79average rating across the field
219customer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does criminal defense lawyer cost in Everett? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
★ Editor's Choice
96Score

Washington State Attorneys, PLLC

★★★★★5.0(24 reviews)

With a perfect 5-star rating from 24 reviews, Washington State Attorneys, PLLC is recognized for its thorough and personalized legal representation.

Read full review
Best Value
94Score

Law Office of Laura Shaver

★★★★★4.8(33 reviews)

The Law Office of Laura Shaver holds a 4.8 rating from 33 reviews, with clients praising her effective strategies and empathetic approach.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
92Score

Neralich Law Firm

★★★★★4.8(29 reviews)

Neralich Law Firm has a strong 4.8 rating based on 29 reviews.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
5.0★★★★★
24Serious criminal charges requiring personalized attention
2
94Score
4.8★★★★★
33Clients seeking value for quality legal representation
3
Neralich Law Firm
Neralich Law Firm
Most Reviewed
92Score
4.8★★★★★
29DUI cases and personalized legal advice
4
90Score
4.9★★★★★
22Negotiating plea deals and courtroom representation
5
88Score
5.0★★★★★
15A variety of criminal defense cases
6
86Score
4.8★★★★★
21Drug-related cases and aggressive defense
7
82Score
4.6★★★★★
42Clients needing guidance through complex legal issues
8
80Score
5.0★★★★★
12Youth-related criminal cases
9
78Score
4.7★★★★★
15First-time offenders needing strong advocacy
10
78Score
4.3★★★★★
6Straightforward criminal cases
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 criminal defense lawyers.

We evaluated 10 criminal defense lawyers in the Everett area based on their star ratings and the volume of reviews. The ratings reflect real client experiences, giving you insight into the quality of service each lawyer offers.

No one pays for placement in our rankings, ensuring an unbiased list. We refresh our evaluations monthly to keep the information current and relevant, so you can trust that you're getting the best options available.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Washington State Attorneys, PLLC

★★★★★5.0(24 reviews)
96Score

With a perfect 5-star rating from 24 reviews, Washington State Attorneys, PLLC is recognized for its thorough and personalized legal representation. Clients appreciate their dedication and accessibility, making them an ideal choice for those facing serious criminal charges. However, as the most reviewed firm in Everett, they are also experiencing a growing caseload, which could affect wait times for new clients.

Pros

  • Personalized legal representation
  • Highly rated by clients
  • Strong communication

Cons

  • Growing caseload may lead to longer wait times
Best forSerious criminal charges requiring personalized attention
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$200 to $400 per hour
2
Best Value

Law Office of Laura Shaver

★★★★★4.8(33 reviews)
94Score

The Law Office of Laura Shaver holds a 4.8 rating from 33 reviews, with clients praising her effective strategies and empathetic approach. Known for providing excellent value, she offers competitive rates while maintaining a high standard of service. However, her smaller staff size might mean less immediate availability during peak times.

Pros

  • Empathetic and effective strategies
  • Competitive pricing
  • Strong client relationships

Cons

  • Limited staff may affect availability
Best forClients seeking value for quality legal representation
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$150 to $300 per hour
3
Most Reviewed

Neralich Law Firm

★★★★★4.8(29 reviews)
92Score

Neralich Law Firm has a strong 4.8 rating based on 29 reviews. Clients appreciate their detailed legal advice and responsive communication. This firm is particularly well-regarded for its handling of DUI cases. However, as a smaller firm, they may have fewer resources compared to larger firms, which could limit certain types of representation.

Pros

  • Detailed legal advice
  • Responsive communication
  • Strong in DUI cases

Cons

  • Limited resources compared to larger firms
Best forDUI cases and personalized legal advice
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$180 to $350 per hour
4

The Law Office of Sam Sommerman

★★★★★4.9(22 reviews)
90Score

The Law Office of Sam Sommerman has an impressive 4.9 rating from 22 reviews. Clients commend his thorough preparation and strong courtroom presence. He is particularly effective in negotiations for plea deals. However, his smaller client base means fewer reviews, which may raise concerns for some potential clients. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is negotiating plea deals and courtroom representation. It serves Everett, WA, with $200 to $400 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are smaller client base may raise concerns.

Pros

  • Thorough preparation
  • Strong courtroom presence
  • Effective in plea negotiations

Cons

  • Smaller client base may raise concerns
Best forNegotiating plea deals and courtroom representation
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$200 to $400 per hour
5

Law Offices of Phillip L. Weinberg

★★★★★5.0(15 reviews)
88Score

Law Offices of Phillip L. Weinberg has a 5-star rating from 15 reviews. Clients appreciate his extensive knowledge and dedication to their cases. He is well-regarded for handling a variety of criminal defense cases. However, with fewer reviews, some may question the consistency of his service. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is a variety of criminal defense cases. It serves Everett, WA, with $200 to $350 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are fewer reviews may raise consistency concerns.

Pros

  • Extensive legal knowledge
  • Dedicated representation
  • Handles various cases

Cons

  • Fewer reviews may raise consistency concerns
Best forA variety of criminal defense cases
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$200 to $350 per hour
6

Everett Defense

★★★★★4.8(21 reviews)
86Score

Everett Defense has an impressive 4.8 rating from 21 reviews. Clients praise their aggressive defense strategies and personalized service. They are particularly effective in drug-related cases. However, their limited number of reviews may leave some potential clients uncertain about their overall track record. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is drug-related cases and aggressive defense. It serves Everett, WA, with $180 to $320 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited reviews may raise uncertainty.

Pros

  • Aggressive defense strategies
  • Personalized service
  • Effective in drug-related cases

Cons

  • Limited reviews may raise uncertainty
Best forDrug-related cases and aggressive defense
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$180 to $320 per hour
7

Snohomish Law

★★★★★4.6(42 reviews)
82Score

Snohomish Law has a solid 4.6 rating from 42 reviews. Clients appreciate the firm’s comprehensive approach to legal issues and the team's experience. They are well-suited for clients needing guidance through complex legal matters. However, some clients have noted delays in communication, which may be a drawback for those seeking immediate responses.

Pros

  • Comprehensive approach
  • Experienced team
  • Good for complex legal matters

Cons

  • Delays in communication noted by some clients
Best forClients needing guidance through complex legal issues
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$150 to $300 per hour
8

Rice O'Neal PLLC

★★★★★5.0(12 reviews)
80Score

Rice O'Neal PLLC has a 5-star rating from 12 reviews. Clients highlight their commitment to client education and thorough case preparation. They excel in youth-related criminal cases. However, the small number of reviews may limit the ability to assess their long-term performance and reliability. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is youth-related criminal cases. It serves Everett, WA, with $200 to $350 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are small number of reviews limits assessment.

Pros

  • Commitment to client education
  • Thorough case preparation
  • Excels in youth-related cases

Cons

  • Small number of reviews limits assessment
Best forYouth-related criminal cases
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$200 to $350 per hour
9

Goykhman Anna

★★★★★4.7(15 reviews)
78Score

Goykhman Anna holds a 4.7 rating from 15 reviews. Clients commend her for her attention to detail and strong advocacy. She is known for her work with first-time offenders. However, with a limited client base, there is less feedback available to gauge her effectiveness over time. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is first-time offenders needing strong advocacy. It serves Everett, WA, with $150 to $300 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited client base means less feedback.

Pros

  • Attention to detail
  • Strong advocacy
  • Good with first-time offenders

Cons

  • Limited client base means less feedback
Best forFirst-time offenders needing strong advocacy
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$150 to $300 per hour
10

Verity Criminal Defense, PLLC

★★★★★4.3(6 reviews)
78Score

Verity Criminal Defense, PLLC has a rating of 4.3 from just 6 reviews. While clients appreciate their attentive service, the small number of reviews raises questions about their overall experience and reliability. They may be a good option for straightforward cases, but potential clients should weigh this limited feedback. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is straightforward criminal cases. It serves Everett, WA, with $150 to $300 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very limited reviews raise concerns.

Pros

  • Attentive service
  • Good for straightforward cases

Cons

  • Very limited reviews raise concerns
Best forStraightforward criminal cases
Service areaEverett, WA
Typical pricing$150 to $300 per hour
Before you book

How to choose a criminal defense lawyer in Everett

Selecting a criminal defense lawyer requires careful consideration. Here are three key factors to guide your decision-making process.

Review Ratings

Look for lawyers with high ratings and a substantial number of reviews. This indicates a more reliable track record.

Client Feedback

Pay attention to detailed reviews. They can provide insights into the lawyer's approach, communication style, and success rates.

Experience with Similar Cases

Choose a lawyer who has experience with cases similar to yours. Specialized knowledge can greatly impact your outcome.

What it costs

What criminal defense lawyers cost in Everett

Understanding the cost of legal representation is essential. Here's a breakdown of typical pricing in Everett.

Consultation FeesExpect to pay around $100 to $300 for an initial consultation, which can vary by lawyer.
Hourly RatesHourly rates for criminal defense lawyers typically range from $150 to $500, depending on experience and case complexity.
Flat FeesSome lawyers charge a flat fee for specific services, ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the case.
RetainersMany lawyers require a retainer fee upfront, which can range from $2,000 to $10,000 based on the expected workload.

Frequently asked questions

How much does hiring a criminal defense lawyer cost in Everett?

Prices for criminal defense lawyers in Everett typically range from $150 to $500 per hour, depending on the lawyer's experience and the complexity of your case.

What is the average rating of criminal defense lawyers in Everett?

The average rating among the ten evaluated criminal defense lawyers in Everett is 4.6 stars, with a total of 219 reviews combined.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Everett residents: <strong>Washington State Attorneys, PLLC</strong>

Washington State Attorneys, PLLC leads with a perfect 5-star rating from 24 reviews, showcasing consistent client satisfaction. Following closely is Law Office of Laura Shaver with a 4.8 rating over 33 reviews, indicating strong performance and reliability. Rounding out the top three is Neralich Law Firm, also at 4.8 but with 29 reviews, suggesting a solid reputation though slightly less proven than the top two. For the best defense, prioritize Washington State Attorneys, PLLC, especially for serious legal matters.