D.C. Criminal Defense Attorney
When your freedom is on the line, you need a defender who has actually tried cases, not someone who will meet you in the hallway and push you toward the easy plea. Sellano L. Simmons has tried over 50 jury trials, including murder cases, federal cases, and the cases other lawyers were afraid to take.
If you have been arrested, call immediately. Do not talk to police. Do not consent to searches. Call before you do anything else.
The Lawyer You Hire Today Decides the Rest of Your Life.
Being charged with a crime is one of the most frightening things that can happen to a person. The system is built to move fast. Prosecutors have unlimited resources. Most defendants are pushed toward a plea before they ever understand what they were charged with.
You need a defender who has actually tried cases, who knows the courthouse, and who will not push you toward the easy plea to make his own day easier. From the first call, I prepare like your freedom is the only thing that matters. Because to you, it is.
I have tried over 50 jury trials. I have won murder cases. I have won federal cases. I have won cases other lawyers told the client to plead.
D.C. Criminal Cases I Defend.
What I Bring to Your Defense
Trial experience that changes the math.
When the prosecutor knows your lawyer will go to trial, the offers change. When your lawyer has tried over 50 cases, the prosecutor reads the file differently. Most criminal lawyers settle almost every case without a trial. I am willing to try the case. That is the leverage that improves every outcome, including pleas.
D.C. courthouse knowledge.
I know D.C. Superior Court. I know the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. I know the judges, the clerks, the prosecutors, and how each courtroom moves. When I show up, they know me. That matters.
Federal court admission.
I am admitted in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and serve on the CJA Panel. Federal cases are different. The rules are different. The sentencing exposure is different. You need a lawyer who has actually practiced in federal court.
Real preparation, every time.
I read the file. I learn every fact. I research the law. I find the weaknesses in the government’s case before the government finds them. By the time we are in front of a judge, I know that case cold.
Connection.
I will know your name. I will know your family situation. I will know what is at stake for you, because we will have talked about it. You are not a file number to me.
If You Have Been Arrested, Read This First.
01
Do not talk to the police
Anything you say will be used against you. You have the right to remain silent. Use it.
02
Do not consent to a search
Of your car, your home, your phone, anything. Politely decline. Make them get a warrant.
03
Do not post about it
Do not text about it. Assume everything you write will end up in a discovery file.
04
Call a lawyer immediately
Call me at (240) 485-6106. I answer calls 24/7 for new criminal matters.
Cases Won
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
01
D.C. Superior Court
Handles most D.C. local crimes: assaults, drug charges, weapons charges, theft, and most violent crimes. Your first appearance happens within 24 hours of arrest at the Moultrie Courthouse on Indiana Avenue. The court will decide on release conditions or pretrial detention.
02
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Handles federal crimes: federal drug conspiracies, federal weapons charges, RICO, federal fraud, and crimes against federal interests. Federal cases follow the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and federal sentencing guidelines. The exposure is usually higher and the timelines are different.
I practice in both. The difference matters, and a lawyer who only practices in one is not equipped to handle a case in the other.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in D.C.?
Criminal defense fees vary by the seriousness of the charge, the court, whether the case is likely to go to trial, and the lawyer’s experience. I price each case individually after I have reviewed what you are facing, and I am transparent about fees from the first conversation. If trial becomes necessary, you will know what that means before we get there.
What is the difference between D.C. Superior Court and federal court?
D.C. Superior Court handles most D.C. local crimes. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia handles federal offenses, such as federal drug conspiracies, federal weapons charges, RICO, and federal fraud. Federal cases follow different rules, different sentencing guidelines, and generally carry higher exposure.
Should I just take the plea deal the prosecutor is offering?
Not until your lawyer has reviewed every piece of evidence and tested the government’s case. Most plea offers improve significantly when the prosecutor knows your lawyer is prepared to go to trial. Some cases should be pleaded, but only after the defense has been built. Never plead without a real defense built behind you.
What happens at my first court appearance in D.C.?
Your first appearance in D.C. Superior Court happens within 24 hours of arrest. The court will arraign you on the charges and decide on release conditions or pretrial detention. Having a lawyer at that appearance matters, because release conditions are easier to set well than to change later.
Can I be released from D.C. jail on bond?
D.C. does not use cash bail the same way most states do. The court uses a risk-based system to decide release conditions, such as non-financial conditions, GPS monitoring, halfway house placement, or pretrial detention. A lawyer who knows how D.C. release decisions work can make a real difference at that first hearing.
What if I am charged with a federal crime in D.C.?
Federal cases are different. The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure apply. The sentencing guidelines apply. The detention standards under the Bail Reform Act apply. You need a lawyer admitted to U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia who has actually tried federal cases. I am, and I have.
Do you handle white collar and federal fraud cases?
Yes. Federal fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, RICO, conspiracy, and money laundering. White collar cases turn on the documents and the timeline. They reward preparation more than almost any other type of case.
How long does a criminal case take in D.C.?
A misdemeanor in D.C. Superior Court might resolve in a few months. A felony can take a year or more. A federal case often takes 12 to 24 months from indictment to resolution. I will give you a realistic timeline once I have reviewed your case.
What if I cannot afford a private attorney?
If you cannot afford a private attorney, you have a constitutional right to court-appointed counsel. Call my office anyway. Sometimes there are options that are not obvious, and I can point you to resources.
Will you actually try my case if it needs to go to trial?
Yes. I have tried over 50 jury trials. Trial is not a last resort for me. It is part of the toolkit. When the prosecution knows that, every part of the case improves.
Take the First Step
Your First Call Decides How This Goes.
If you have been arrested or charged in D.C., the most important decision you will make is who represents you. Call me. We will talk about what you are facing, and I will tell you the truth about your options.