Criminal Defense Attorneys in Eugene, OR

Whether it’s a DUII stop, a drug charge, or an assault allegation in Eugene, Lane County cases move quickly and early decisions matter. An Oregon-licensed criminal defense attorney will review your charges for free.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with an Oregon attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Eugene criminal defense case review

A Oregon attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

By submitting, you agree that DearLegal and the attorneys or law firms we connect you with may contact you by phone and email about your inquiry, including by automated technology.

DearLegal is not a law firm and will not provide legal advice. DearLegal connects users to licensed attorneys.

How we match your Eugene criminal defense case

When you submit a Eugene 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 Oregon law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Oregon 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.

Start my free case review How DearLegal works

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 Eugene

More about legal help in Eugene →

Criminal charges in Eugene range from DUII stops on Interstate 5 and around campus, to alcohol and drug cases involving students, to theft, assault, and domestic disputes. Arrests by Eugene police, University police, or the Lane County Sheriff’s Office move into Lane County courts, located right in the city, where arraignments and release decisions happen quickly. Oregon’s diversion programs, license consequences, and sentencing rules vary by charge. DearLegal matches you with an Oregon-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Eugene, free review.

Eugene arrests are prosecuted in Lane County courts, located in the city itself.
Student alcohol, drug, and DUII cases around the University of Oregon are common.
Early release and diversion decisions happen fast, so contact a Lane County attorney promptly.

Oregon criminal defense rules at a glance

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

Read the full Oregon criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for murder; 12 years for sex offenses against minors with continuing victimization; 3 years for most other felonies (ORS § 131.125)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years for most misdemeanors; 4 years for some financial offenses (ORS § 131.125)
Sentencing Structure: Class A-C
Class A-C felony grading under ORS § 161.605; Measure 11 mandatory minimums for 16 violent offenses (ORS § 137.700); Sentencing Guidelines grid for non-Measure 11 felonies; repeat property offender and dangerous offender enhancements
Expungement / Record Sealing: 1 year
Set-Aside under ORS § 137.225 — SB 397 (2021) significantly expanded; most misdemeanors after 1 year, many felonies after 3-7 years; Measure 110 / drug-decriminalization automatic expungement
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under ORS § 135.245 et seq.; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Or. Const. Art. I, § 14); release on recognizance is presumptive in many cases
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Eugene criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Oregon · 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 Oregon are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Oregon work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Or. RPC 1.5(c)(3) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases (Measure 11, capital-equivalent, multi-count) use hourly billing. The Oregon Public Defense Services Commission and contract public defender offices represent indigent defendants — Oregon has faced significant public defender shortages in recent years.

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

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Eugene criminal defense questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Oregon attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

Cases arising in Eugene are handled in Lane County courts, which sit in Eugene and also serve Springfield. Misdemeanors and felonies move through different tracks. A local defense attorney knows the prosecutors and judges and can appear with you from arraignment onward.

Oregon offers a diversion program for many first-time DUII charges that can lead to dismissal if completed. Eligibility and timing rules are strict, and there are separate license consequences. An attorney can evaluate whether diversion fits your case and protect your student record.

It is wise. Even misdemeanors can bring jail time, fines, and a record that affects housing, jobs, and student status. A Lane County attorney can negotiate reductions, seek diversion, and make sure your rights are protected in court. A free review can help you decide.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Oregon State Police, PPB (Portland Police Bureau), county sheriffs, and federal agents in Oregon use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Or. Const. Art. I, § 12 right against self-incrimination.

Yes. Oregon misdemeanors carry up to 1 year jail (Class A) and varying fines under ORS § 161.615. Conditional Discharge under ORS § 475.245 for drug offenses; diversion programs (DA discretion) for various offenses. DV and DUII convictions trigger major collateral consequences.