A criminal charge may go through numerous phases before it finally reaches disposition. The DUI or traffic lawyer you interview may not be the attorney you want handling a forensic-intensive felony or matter headed to trial.
That is the useful way to compare Lancaster criminal defense attorneys.
The best option isn’t necessarily the lawyer with the longest bio or the most reviews. It’s the lawyer with experience that fits the accusation, the evidence, the stage of trial, and your access needs.
The following comparison is of attorneys located in Lancaster who currently practice criminal defense. This is intended to be editorial content, not legal advice nor an estimation of your case.
In This Guide
- How to choose a Lancaster criminal defense attorney
- Miller Lyden, P.C.
- Steven L. Breit, Attorney at Law
- Marinaro Law
- Chieppor & Egner LLC
- Clymer, Musser & Sarno, P.C.
- Quick comparison
- Final verdict
How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney in Lancaster
Start with the case, not the marketing.
Lancaster County has Magisterial District Courts, where preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony cases can take place, and Court of Common Pleas, where serious criminal cases can be tried. You can visit Lancaster County Courts for details.
Before hiring counsel, compare four things:
- Work that involved the same type of charge/evidence.
- Courtside experience: Trial, prosecutor, public-defense, or forensic backgrounds may or may not be relevant depending on context.
- Attorney access: Who will really work on your matter and after hours communication:
- What they do now: You can verify a lawyer’s current standing with the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board attorney lookup, which includes contact info and public disciplinary records.
No attorney can promise you a specific outcome. Instead, an informative consultation will explain the charges, the immediate deadlines, potential stages of court and possibly useful defense work.
1. Miller Lyden, P.C. – Best Overall for Hands-On Local Representation
Miller Lyden, P. C. offers comprehensive criminal- defense representation with a focus on local community. The firm handles DUI, drug charges, assault, theft, probation violations, homicide, robbery and other felony and misdemeanor cases in Lancaster County.
The firm’s hallmark, however, is access to attorneys. While the firm’s existing criminal- law website page notes that attorney Cory Miller will give clients his personal cell phone number so they can reach him day or night, the firm also handles family law and civil-rights issues. This makes Miller Lyden, P.C.’s legal services a smart first stop for individuals who want direct access to the attorney who will work on their case rather than going through multiple layers of intake.
What makes them number one: Local court experience and a broad criminal-defense focus complimented by personal communication from Miller Lyden.
Public reviews agree with that assessment. Avvo’s client reviews for Cory Miller mention professionalism, communication style, responsiveness, zeal, and knowledge of the case as common themes.
If you are charged in Lancaster County and are seeking an attorney who will be involved from your very first hearing on down through negotiation or preparation for trial, Miller Lyden is the most well-rounded firm of those listed.
2. Steven L. Breit, Attorney at Law – Best for DUI, Traffic, and License Matters
Steven L. Breit is a former police officer, prosecutor and police academy instructor who has more than 20 years of experience working in law enforcement. Mr. Breit concentrates his practice, Steven L. Breit, Attorney at Law, on criminal defense work, especially DUI and traffic cases.
Breit has extensive experience handling DUI and other traffic violations in Clark County. If you have been arrested for drunk driving or another traffic offense in Las Vegas you should speak with him about your rights and possible defenses. Because of his background as a former law enforcement officer, Mr. Breit has knowledge that other attorneys may not have and he will fight aggressively to protect your rights.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Las Vegas you should speak with an attorney immediately. DUI charges can result in jail time, driver’s license suspension, mandatory alcohol evaluation and treatment, community service, and hefty fines. Call Steven L. Breit today to discuss your rights and options.
Steven L. Breit, Attorney at Law has a dedicated Lancaster criminal-defense practice concentrating on DUI’s, traffic offenses, driver’s-licenses, expungements and other related criminal offenses.
That narrower concentration is the reason Breit ranks highly here.
His website touts a practice focused on criminal defense and motor-vehicle matters. He has an office downtown Lancaster near the courthouse and says he works after normal office hours. If you’re a driver facing a DUI charge, major traffic ticket, suspended license or situation where criminal and PennDOT issues intersect, that could be beneficial.
Best suited to: defendants who need their problem associated directly with driving privileges, DUI procedure, traffic court or centered around one issue criminal case.
3. Marinaro Law – Best for Cases Involving Forensic Evidence
Marinaro Law has one of the clearest specialist angles in this comparison.
Michael Marinaro previously spent 10 years as a State Police forensic chemist before going into private practice. According to his firm, that background gave him experience with fingerprinting, DNA testing, firearms testing, blood analysis, and forensic toxicology.
That matters most when the evidence itself is the battleground.
Drug cases involving lab reports, violent-crime prosecutions based on physical evidence, or other cases where scientific testing should be carefully reviewed may require an attorney who can speak to the scientific basis of the prosecution’s evidence.
The firm does cover a wider variety of criminal charges but its forensic background is what really sets it apart from the other firms in Lancaster.
4. Chieppor & Egner LLC – Best for Former-Prosecutor Perspective
Chieppor & Egner LLC is a law practice located in Lancaster. They position themselves as a criminal-defense firm with former prosecutor attorneys.
Jonathan Chieppor and Alex Egner are listed on the firm website as prosecutors. Their practice includes criminal defense, DUI, theft, drug-related cases, expungements and more. The firm also has Mark Walmer, who previously served as an Assistant District Attorney and Assistant Public Defender in Lancaster.
The useful distinction is perspective from both sides of a criminal case.
If you are a defendant seeking representation that understands how prosecutors think about evidence, plea negotiations and trial tactics, Chieppor & Egner is one worth considering. It could be a good fit for defendants who are looking for something smaller than a one-man shop.
5. Clymer, Musser & Sarno, P.C. – Best for Serious Trial-Heavy Matters
Clymer, Musser & Sarno, P. C. is a larger Lancaster practice that maintains a criminal-defense component represented in large part by attorney Christopher Sarno.
Sarno has had professional experiences that many criminal litigators do not. According to his biography on his law firm website, he was an Assistant Public Defender and later was employed by the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting serious felonies such as sex crimes, child-abuse and homicide prosecutions against those who kill children.
The firm handles homicide cases as well as drug charges, DUI, theft, robbery and burglary on its criminal-defense pages. Sexual offenses are included.
Ideal for: defendants interviewing attorneys on serious felony charges, cases with significant exposure if tried, or where courtroom experience of a former prosecutor is a key factor.
Quick Comparison
| Attorney or firm | Best for | Distinctive strength |
|---|---|---|
| Miller Lyden, P.C. | Comprehensive Lancaster criminal defense | Speak with an attorney now and the firm will handle the case throughout Lancaster County. |
| Steven L. Breit | DUI, traffic, and license issues | Concentrated criminal and motor-vehicle law practice |
| Marinaro Law | Evidence-heavy criminal cases | Former forensic chemist background |
| Chieppor & Egner LLC | Understanding the prosecutor’s perspective. | Trial attorneys with prosecution experience. |
| Clymer, Musser & Sarno, P. C. | Complex felony cases and trials | Experienced in public-defense and prosecution |
Final Verdict
Lancaster has several credible criminal-defense options, but they are not interchangeable.
Breit specializes in DUI/driving offenses. Marinaro approaches fact-intensive cases from a scientific perspective. Chieppor & Egner allows you to have the former-prosecutor approach. Clymer, Musser & Sarno has serious-case trial experience.
When it comes to a balance of Lancaster County recognition, criminal-defense breadth, and personal access to your attorney, Miller Lyden, P. C. is your best option here.
The Right Next Step offers case specific consultations which will determine if your attorney’s experience aligns with your charge, evidence and stage of case.
