Criminal Defense Attorneys in Shreveport, LA

Charges in Shreveport, from DWI to drug possession, move quickly through Caddo Parish court. A licensed Louisiana criminal defense attorney will review your case for free before you decide anything.

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How we match your Shreveport criminal defense case

When you submit a Shreveport criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Louisiana law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Louisiana who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Criminal Defense cases in Shreveport

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Shreveport arrests run through the Caddo Parish jail and are prosecuted by the Caddo Parish District Attorney, with felony and most misdemeanor cases handled in the First Judicial District Court and city ordinance matters in Shreveport City Court. Traffic and DWI stops along I-20 and I-49, and incidents in the downtown entertainment and casino district, generate a steady stream of charges. Because Interstate corridors and river-port activity also draw federal attention, some drug and firearm cases end up in federal court instead. DearLegal matches you with a Louisiana-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Shreveport, with a free review.

Felony and serious misdemeanor charges from Shreveport are prosecuted in the First Judicial District Court for Caddo Parish; city ordinance violations go to Shreveport City Court.
The Caddo Parish District Attorney's office decides charging, plea, and diversion options for cases arising in the city.
Arrests in Bossier City are handled by Bossier Parish authorities, and some interstate drug or firearm cases are charged federally rather than in state court.

Louisiana criminal defense rules at a glance

Shreveport cases run under Louisiana law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Louisiana page.

Read the full Louisiana criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for capital offenses and crimes punishable by life imprisonment; 30 years for forcible rape and aggravated sexual offenses (within tolling); 6 years for most other felonies (La. C.Cr.P. art. 571-572)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years for most misdemeanors (La. C.Cr.P. art. 572(A)(2))
Sentencing Structure: Statute-specific maximums
Statute-specific maximums; Habitual Offender Law (La. R.S. 15:529.1) enhances second/third/fourth-felony offenders; firearm enhancements under La. R.S. 14:95.1; mandatory life for first-degree murder
Expungement / Record Sealing: 5 years
La. C.Cr.P. art. 977-995 — broad expungement framework expanded 2014 and subsequently; most misdemeanors after 5 years and many felonies after 10 years post-completion (with prosecutor objection allowed)
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under La. C.Cr.P. art. 312 et seq.; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (La. Const. Art. I, § 18); pretrial services in many parishes
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Shreveport criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Louisiana · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Louisiana are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Louisiana work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under La. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Louisiana Public Defender Board and district public defender offices represent indigent defendants — Orleans Public Defenders is notable.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Shreveport criminal defense questions, answered

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Felonies and most misdemeanors under state law are handled in the First Judicial District Court for Caddo Parish, while violations of city ordinances go to Shreveport City Court. Certain drug, firearm, or fraud cases can be charged in federal court instead. An attorney will confirm which court and prosecutor have your case.

You are not required to answer questions, and statements made during a stop or interview are frequently the strongest evidence against a defendant. Politely declining and asking for a lawyer is not an admission of anything. Have an attorney present before any interview, including a seemingly informal one.

Louisiana provides diversion programs and expungement in some situations, and availability depends on the charge, your record, and the prosecutor's policies. Eligibility rules and waiting periods are specific, so do not assume you qualify or that you are barred. A Louisiana attorney can review the charge and tell you what options exist.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Louisiana State Police, NOPD, parish sheriffs, and city police use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and Louisiana Constitution Art. I, § 13 protections.

Yes. Louisiana misdemeanors carry up to 6 months or 1 year depending on the offense, plus fines. Pretrial Intervention programs through parish DAs can result in dismissal. DV and DWI convictions trigger major collateral consequences (federal firearm bans, license suspension).