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Criminal defense attorneys serving Woodland, WA

4.9 out of 5 stars Based on 110+ reviews

Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Woodland, WA

Make Us Your First Call!

When it is time to fight, we fight to win!

Why Clients Choose VanWa Legal

Dedication

We are available 24/7

Experience

Nearly 30 years of combined criminal defense experience

Insider Knowledge

A former Oregon prosecutor now fights on your side

Trial-Tested

More than 60 trials fought in the courtroom

A Woodland Criminal Charge Requires Careful Defense Work

A Woodland arrest or criminal charge can create immediate pressure around release, driving, family contact, employment, and the next hearing. The facts may still be disputed while official documents are already demanding action. Getting defense advice early can help preserve useful information, clarify restrictions, and avoid decisions made without understanding the charge.

VanWa Legal's attorneys bring prosecution and public-defense experience to the review of stops, searches, statements, tests, witnesses, recordings, and police reports. The team prepares for negotiation, motions, hearings, or trial and explains the work in direct terms. Clients are not promised a result; they receive a defense built around the evidence and the actual case.

Woodland spans Cowlitz and Clark counties, so the city name alone does not determine the court. Cowlitz District Court handles contracted city cases including Woodland, while other filings may follow a different county path. Bring the newest papers to a free consultation at VanWa's Vancouver office so the lawyers can address both the defense and the correct filing.

Why VanWa Legal

Why Woodland Clients Contact VanWa Legal

VanWa gives Woodland clients experienced criminal-defense counsel, a clear explanation of their options, and preparation that accounts for both the evidence and the county-dependent filing.

01

Experience Reading the Government's Case

Prosecution and public-defense backgrounds help the team assess reports, charging choices, witness evidence, and potential defense issues.

02

Ready for Negotiation or Trial

VanWa prepares motions, hearings, negotiations, and trial strategy according to the facts rather than assuming how the case will end.

03

A Practical Fee Conversation

The first consultation is free, the firm provides an up-front flat-fee quote, and payment plans are available on most cases.

Practice areas

DUI and Criminal Defense Services for Woodland

DUI Defense

VanWa Legal defends Woodland DUI clients by reviewing the stop, officer observations, video, field tests, statements, breath or blood evidence, refusals, and related driving allegations. Because Woodland spans two counties, the team also confirms the filing shown on the citation before preparing the court strategy.

View DUI Defense

Criminal Defense

Woodland clients can seek VanWa's representation for misdemeanors and felonies involving domestic violence, assault, theft, drugs, burglary, harassment, orders, and other linked offenses. The lawyers separate the Woodland Police investigation from the formal Cowlitz or Clark County filing and prepare the evidence accordingly.

View Criminal Defense
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What Happens Next

From your first call to your defense plan

Call or send the form

Tell us what happened and what court date is coming up. The consultation is free.

Get a case review

The team reviews the charge, court timing, evidence issues, license concerns, and no-contact order problems.

Understand your options

You receive clear guidance about the risks, defenses, deadlines, and next steps that may apply to your Woodland case.

Build a defense plan

The firm prepares for negotiation, hearings, motions, trial, or another strategy based on the facts of the case.

Contact us

Take the first step today

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.

Or Call (360) 281-7314
Gavel and legal scales

Meet the Team

A Criminal Defense Team Serving Woodland

Roger Priest, VanWa Legal attorney

Roger Priest

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
Kevin O'Brien, VanWa Legal attorney

Kevin O'Brien

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
Vanessa Cavanaugh, VanWa Legal attorney

Vanessa Cavanaugh

Guides clients from the first call to resolution, so nothing falls through the cracks between hearings.

About Vanessa Cavanaugh

4.9 star reviews based on 110+ reviews

Client Reviews Of VanWa Legal

I hired Roger to represent my husband when he was arrested on false charges. From the very beginning, Roger was responsive, knowledgeable and willing to take on the case. He was the only one to return my call when I was searching for help. He is very confident in his ability and worked hard to get all the charges dismissed. He is able to be calm in situations where his clients are anything but. I am so grateful for the services provided by Roger. He is very respected in the legal community here in Vancouver. I hope I never need a lawyer again, but if I did, Roger would be my first choice.
RL Rosie L. 2 months ago
I am writing a much overdue review for Roger Priest after he has gone above and beyond while representing me as my lawyer. Last year I found myself facing legal difficulties after my first and only DUI. While the circumstances were incredibly stressful, Roger's involvement in my case made the process straight forward and my case was resolved in a timely manner. Roger is exceptionally proficient in cases like mine and he demonstrates that in and out of the court room. Not only did he walk me through the process but he put my family's concerns at ease by answering all of our questions and making himself available whenever we needed clarification. I was very fortunate to have Roger on my side during that difficult time and would highly recommend his services to anyone that finds themselves in need of legal counsel. Thank you once again, Roger!
CM Carly M. 3 months ago
Called for advice on what turned out to be a scam call. Roger Priest had me at ease in a very timely manner. Thank you!
FA Florence A. 1 month ago
VanWa Legal exceeded my expectations. From the initial consultation to the final court appearance, they were thorough, strategic, and always had my best interests in mind. Their attention to detail and dedication to their clients is unmatched. Highly recommend!
D Deimer 2 months ago
Roger Priest at VanWa Legal has been instrumental in changing my life for the better. He fought for me and won! I'm forever grateful.
BC Becky C 4 months ago
I met Roger at the start of 2025, somehow after I paid for a fender bender that I caused I was hit with a hit and run little did I know when I had a warrant two years after the incident. As of today my case was entirely dismissed without even going to trial. I couldn't be happier with the results and couldn't vouch for a different lawyer. Every time we had a court date, we were the first ones on and promptly the first case handled. Roger Priest is the man- I would highly recommend you give him a call if you are experiencing trouble.
CC Cristian Carter 1 month ago
Had a consultation with Roger priest this morning, paid attention to detail and what he had to say and he was very honest and upforward not to mention he took the time to look up additional information which lead to the best possible news. I thought my life was over and he gave me hope. Thank you Roger I will be hiring you!!! You give people with a bad past who are trying to do good lots of hope! God bless you.
ML Mr Lopez 3 months ago
Roger handled my case promptly and painlessly. We are from out of state and had spoken with quite a few attorneys in the area before we made the trip. Roger was middle of the road cost-wise (which was truly fair) and was clearly competent, handling the case in one trip over as oppose to the two or even three trip process many of the others were communicating would be the case. I would hire again without a second thought. Thanks again Roger.
SW Shelley W 5 months ago
Excellent responsiveness, considerate and honest. Roger got the job done results were in my favor. Couldn't be happier, Highly recommend!!
KS Karin Saltz 6 months ago
Roger Priest provided truly exceptional service for a family member of mine. He was an extraordinary value for the level of knowledge and proffessionalism he provided. My loved one got the deal of a lifetime thanks to him. If any of my friends or family are ever in a less than fortunate spot and need legal advice Roger will always be my #1 reccomendation.
TV Taylor Vance 5 months ago
Roger Priest is professional, intelligent and experienced, you can tell by the way he holds himself in court. Out of the 21 lawyers I interviewed and compared on an excel spreadsheet. I put my trust in Roger and he didn't let me down.
AM Aaron M 7 months ago
Roger Priest was my Criminal Attorney for a DUI case I had in 2018. Through out the whole process he was in contact and always was reassuring! He gave his honest opinion on rather or not if my case would be worth going to trial, which is hard to come by! Today I left the courtroom a free man to come home to my family with a lot of tension lifted off my shoulders because of how he was articulate and presented my defense. I am very lucky to have him in my corner and to be spared. I will take this experience as a wake up call because these opportunities don't come too often! Mr. Priest definitely deserves a 5 star rating for his devotion and overall performance.
JB JB 8 months ago
Roger Priest was referred to me by another lawyer (who could not take my case). Out of the 3 lawyers I reached out to Mr. Priest was willing to hear my case and not just try and convince me to take the easy route and plead out. He was informative, honest, and very tactical (in his approach with my case). Mr. Priest not only kept me updated with his plans and what to except he involved me in every aspect I could be in. He was very approachable and kind. I won my case, I wouldn't have if I had gone with another lawyer. I am very satisfied with having had Roger Priest defend me. I hope to never have to use his services again but definitely would rehire him again (I wish I could hire him as my divorce attorney).
AS Alicia S. 6 months ago
I recently consulted Roger for my first and only legal matter. He explained at length the legal ramifications that i was facing and he listened closely to all my questions and concerns. He was very attentive and empathic towards my situation and did not rush through things. I would highly recommend Roger to anyone I know seeking legal representation.
IK Itzel Keefer 7 months ago

Local Case Information

County-Dependent Court Assignments for Woodland Cases

Cowlitz County District Court at 312 SW 1st Ave, Room 207, handles contracted city cases that include Woodland. Cowlitz County Superior Court's clerk is in Room 233 at the same street address, but the clerk room is not a universal hearing room. Some Cowlitz proceedings may use Longview.

Because Woodland extends into Clark County, the city and address alone do not settle the court assignment. Read the county and court shown on the citation, charging papers, docket, or hearing notice before deciding whether the case points north toward a Cowlitz court or south toward a Clark County court.

Contracted city-case court

Cowlitz County District Court

312 SW 1st Ave, Room 207, Kelso, WA

Cowlitz County District Court handles contracted city cases that include Woodland. Confirm the Cowlitz filing on the citation or docket before using this address.

Official information

Superior Court clerk

Cowlitz County Superior Court

Clerk: 312 SW 1st Ave, Room 233, Kelso, WA

Room 233 identifies the clerk's location, not every hearing room. The current notice may identify another room or a Longview proceeding location.

Official information

Possible county alternative

Clark County District Court

210 E 13th St, Vancouver, WA

Woodland's Clark County area can create a different county path. Use this address only if the filing documents identify Clark County District Court.

Official information

Your paperwork controls

Follow the county, court, and location named on the current citation, summons, release paperwork, docket, or hearing notice. Do not infer the assignment from the word Woodland, the city police department, I-5, or SR 503; the filed case record controls.

Meeting With VanWa Legal

From Woodland to the Downtown Vancouver Office

Travel to VanWa Legal's office is generally oriented south on I-5 from the Woodland area before entering downtown Vancouver. SR 503 helps orient the Woodland junction, but current directions should be used and the office route should never be substituted for a Kelso, Longview, or Clark County court 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.

Areas We Serve

Criminal Defense Near Woodland and Both County Paths

Defense for Woodland clients, with clear guidance about which county and court may handle the case.

View All Areas Served

FAQ

Woodland Criminal Defense and Representation Questions

How does Woodland's county line affect where a case is filed?

Woodland spans Cowlitz and Clark counties, so the city name or street address alone does not establish the court. Check the county and full court caption on the citation, charging papers, docket, or hearing notice.

Where is VanWa's office in relation to Woodland court locations?

VanWa's office is at 712 W Evergreen Blvd in Vancouver, generally south from Woodland on I-5. Cowlitz proceedings may use Kelso or Longview, and Clark County cases use separate court addresses, so the office should not be treated as court.

What can VanWa review in a Woodland criminal case?

The lawyers can examine the filed charge, Woodland Police or other agency reports, searches, statements, video, messages, witnesses, test evidence, and release conditions, then prepare issues for the assigned county court.

Why should a Woodland client call before the next hearing?

Calling beforehand gives the defense time to verify the filing, review current restrictions, preserve information, and explain the purpose of the upcoming proceeding. It also lets the client make decisions with legal advice rather than assumptions.

How are consultation and representation costs handled for Woodland cases?

The initial consultation is free. When VanWa accepts a case and is hired, it quotes a flat fee up front and offers payment plans on most representations so the client can evaluate the cost before proceeding.

Contact us

Speak With A Lawyer Now

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.

Or Call (360) 281-7314
The VanWa Legal attorney team