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4.9 out of 5 stars Based on 110+ reviews
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When it is time to fight, we fight to win!
We are available 24/7
Nearly 30 years of combined criminal defense experience
A former Oregon prosecutor now fights on your side
More than 60 trials fought in the courtroom
A DUI or criminal allegation in Cowlitz County can create urgent questions about release, contact with family, work, driving, and the next court date. The government may already be collecting reports, recordings, statements, and test evidence. Getting advice early gives the defense more time to understand the charge and prepare around the evidence rather than react to each deadline alone.
VanWa Legal brings prosecution and public-defense perspective to private criminal representation. The team explains the process directly, reviews how evidence was gathered, and prepares for negotiation, motions, hearings, or trial according to the case. The firm's flat-fee approach and payment-plan options on most matters also give clients a clearer way to evaluate representation.
Cowlitz County proceedings may use District or Superior Court records in Kelso, and a hearing notice may identify a Longview location. VanWa's only office is in Vancouver and is not a courthouse. Schedule a free consultation and bring every current notice so the lawyers can focus on the defense while confirming the correct appearance details.
Why VanWa Legal
Distance from the Vancouver office does not change the need for responsive advice, careful evidence review, and a defense prepared for the court process ahead.
The team's prosecution and public-defense background informs its review of charging decisions, reports, witnesses, and evidentiary weaknesses.
VanWa works toward negotiation, motions, or trial based on the client's goals and the record, not merely the next calendar date.
The first consultation is free, fees are quoted as a flat amount up front, and payment plans are available for most representations.
Practice areas
VanWa Legal defends Cowlitz County DUI allegations by examining the stop, officer observations, video, field tests, breath or blood evidence, refusals, and related driving charges. The lawyers prepare each issue for the court and hearing location shown on the current filing rather than assuming every event occurs in one Kelso room.
View DUI DefenseProcess & penalties
Cowlitz County clients can seek VanWa's help with misdemeanor and felony allegations involving domestic violence, assault, theft, drugs, burglary, harassment, orders, and other charges. The team challenges weak evidence, explains release conditions, and prepares for District or Superior Court proceedings, including preliminary stages where applicable.
View Criminal DefenseCharges
Case types
Clean your record
What Happens Next
Tell us what happened and what court date is coming up. The consultation is free.
The team reviews the charge, court timing, evidence issues, license concerns, and no-contact order problems.
You receive clear guidance about the risks, defenses, deadlines, and next steps that may apply to your Cowlitz County case.
The firm prepares for negotiation, hearings, motions, trial, or another strategy based on the facts of the case.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.
Meet the Team
Criminal defense and DUI attorney. Former Oregon prosecutor and Washington public defender. Practicing criminal law since 2009, with approximately 60 jury trials. Leads the firm's felony work.
About Roger Priest
Criminal defense attorney. Practicing criminal law since 2014. Interned as a prosecutor before becoming a Washington public defender. Focuses on the firm's misdemeanor defense.
About Kevin O'Brien
Guides clients from the first call to resolution, so nothing falls through the cracks between hearings.
About Vanessa Cavanaugh4.9 star reviews based on 110+ reviews
Local Case Information
District Court and the Superior Court clerk use the same 312 SW 1st Ave street address in Kelso but different rooms. District Court is in Room 207, and the Superior Court clerk is in Room 233. A clerk's office location is not necessarily the assigned courtroom.
Cowlitz County publishes separate guidance about important case locations, including proceedings that may use Longview. Check the current hearing notice for the actual building, room, date, and appearance method.
Limited-jurisdiction court
312 SW 1st Ave, Room 207, Kelso, WA
District Court handles matters within its jurisdiction and contracted city cases that include Woodland. Use the case record to confirm that District Court is the assigned court.
Official informationSuperior Court clerk
Clerk: 312 SW 1st Ave, Room 233, Kelso, WA
The clerk's official page provides court information. Room 233 identifies the clerk, not a universal hearing room; the hearing notice supplies the proceeding location.
Official informationHearing-location guidance
Use the location on the hearing notice
The county's official location guide explains that case-related proceedings can use different places, including Longview. Match the guide to the current notice.
Official informationYour paperwork controls
Follow the court and location named on the current citation, summons, release paperwork, docket, or hearing notice. Do not assume Room 233 is the hearing room for every Superior Court matter, and do not assume every proceeding will be in Kelso if the notice identifies Longview.
Meeting With VanWa Legal
Travel to VanWa Legal's downtown Vancouver office is generally oriented south on I-5 before using current downtown directions. That route is for an office meeting only; a Cowlitz County hearing may be in Kelso, Longview, or another location stated on the notice.
The office is at 712 W Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660. It is not a courthouse, and a meeting at the office does not replace any required court appearance.
Official Resources
Areas We Serve
DUI and criminal defense for Cowlitz County clients, with direct advice and practical local guidance.
View All Areas ServedFAQ
Read the newest hearing notice or docket rather than relying on a clerk address. District Court is in Room 207 at 312 SW 1st Ave in Kelso, while some proceedings may use Longview or another stated appearance method.
VanWa meets clients at 712 W Evergreen Blvd in downtown Vancouver, generally south from Cowlitz County along I-5. The office is not a court location, and a meeting there does not replace a Kelso, Longview, or remote appearance listed on the case notice.
The firm handles DUI cases and a broad range of misdemeanor and felony accusations, including domestic violence, assault, property offenses, drugs, harassment, no-contact-order issues, and related record matters. Acceptance and scope depend on the facts of the case.
The lawyers review the filed charge, reports, recordings, statements, searches, witnesses, test evidence, and restrictions. They then prepare the issues for negotiation, motions, hearings, or trial without promising a particular result.
The initial case review is free. If VanWa is retained, the firm quotes a flat fee up front based on the charge and anticipated scope, and payment plans are offered on most cases.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.