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    Client Reviews Seattle

    What do former clients say about Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney, Matthew A. Leyba?

    “Matthew provided excellent service and helped me through the process every step of the way. We reached a great deal with the court and I would highly recommend his legal services. Matt truly cares about his clients and works hard and efficiently in order to reach the best possible outcome for the case.”

    – Criminal client with multiple charges dismissed and reduced.

    “Matt knew and explained the law to me extremely well. He knew the prosecuting attorneys. He knew what the judge can do and what he would likely do. He got the best possible result for my case. I can’t say enough about his lawyering ability.”

    – Criminal client with multiple charges dismissed and reduced

    “I highly recommend Matt. I have had to use his legal services on two separate occasions. In both cases, he was able to get the charges completely dismissed. There is not a better criminal defense attorney out there!”

    – Criminal client with Assault charge completely dismissed

    “I highly Recommend Matthew Leyba. I had a DUI in December 2016 and was recommend to Matthew Leyba for his help. I am very pleased that I contacted him. He helped me understand the court and DOL sides of the DUI. I was very upset and worried about the outcome about the DUI. This was the First time I have ever been in trouble with the law and DOL, he was always compassionate and listened to all my questions and concerns.”

    – DUI client with DUI charge completely dismissed

    “I am a full-time scholarship student with a part time job. I have always gotten great grades and kept employers happy. I felt I had a bright future until I got my DUI. I did not have the time or the resources to keep up with even half of the demands of the court. This was my first offense. I am a good person who made a bad judgment call. After my first phone call with Matthew, I felt relief. He has a warm and welcome demeanor that helped me feel at ease and fact-based answers to kill my anxieties. He walked me through every step of the process and checked in with me constantly. If I contacted him with a question I received a solid answer that day. My appointments were always met on time. I felt genuinely cared for. He is extremely good at what he does. My case is getting knocked down to negligent driving. Today I feel positive and my future is brighter than ever and I can now go back to hitting the books and working like I used to.”

    – DUI client with DUI charge reduced to Negligent Driving 1

    “I hired Matthew Leyba after an auto accident which ended in a criminal charge of DUI. I knew next to nothing about how I was supposed to handle the matter and really despaired of the whole situation. A friend recommended Matthew based on another situation he had seen before, so I gave him a call (on a weekend). He answered, promptly ascertained the facts of the situation, and advised me on my next steps. To make a long story short, I hired him the following Monday and was very happy with both his manner and the results obtained in the end, a lowering of the charge from DUI to Neg 1. He kept me informed at every step and was objective throughout, neither sugarcoating nor exaggerating expectations to press me into a particular course of action. He saved my posterior, and I’d highly recommend him to anyone in a bad situation.”

    – DUI client reduced to Negligent Driving 1.

    “I highly Recommend Matthew Leyba. I had a DUI in December 2016 and was recommend to Matthew Leyba for his help. I am very pleased that I contacted him. He helped me understand the court and DOL sides of the DUI. I was very upset and worried about the outcome about the DUI. This was the First time I have ever been in trouble with the law and DOL, he was always compassionate and listened to all my questions and concerns.
    Matthew kept me calm and following his advice and defense I am very pleased with the outcome of my case which was dismissed. This outcome would not have happened without his help. Thank you, Matthew!”

    – DUI client reduced to Negligent Driving 1.

    “After ‘interviewing’ almost 10 different lawyers before moving forward with my situation, I felt extremely comfortable and trusting in Matt when deciding on someone to take over my case. With it being my only time ever needing legal services, I had no idea what to expect when starting this process and choosing someone to represent me. Matt always made me feel comfortable in explaining different scenarios to me and was always willing to answer any questions that I may have had. He is very respected and known within the court rooms and it is easy to tell that he is confident in representing all of his clients. In what was a terrible and regretful situation, Matt always made me aware of my options and what I may be facing moving forward. He got my DUI charge lessened and throughout the entire process, didn’t make me feel like just a ‘client’. Again, I highly recommend him as he is intelligent and is knowledgeable when it comes to a DUI-related case.”

    – DUI client reduced to Negligent Driving 1.

    “We chose Matthew because of his straight forward demeanor and honesty. Unlike a few other lawyers we interviewed, he told us the challenges of our case and made no promises. Throughout the whole process, he was informative and calm and easily reachable by phone, email, and text.

    In the end, a seemingly helpless case was reduced beyond our highest hopes. It was well worth our money and effort. We were surprised by the outcome but relieved.  I would recommend Matthew to anyone going through a difficult DUI case.”

    – Criminal client reduced to charges.

    “We felt that our situation was a lost cause, that nobody could help, but then we found Matthew. We cannot recommend him highly enough. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable, he kept us informed every step of the way, responded patiently to our numerous questions, and gave generously of his time. Without Matthew’s expertise, we didn’t know what to do, but in the end, Matthew had the two serious charges completely dismissed. If you want the best, make sure you work with Matthew Leyba.”

    – Client with multiple cases dismissed including DUI and Prostitution criminal charges!

    “I got a DUI with a very high breath test, a 911 call, and a written witness statement. For my DOL hearing Matthew made the right choice on what officer of the three to cross-examine and the end result was a statement made by the officer that had my license suspension repealed. For my court case he very professionally represented me, presented my case well to the prosecutor and amazingly I ended up with a plea deal and the DUI being reduced to a reckless driving. A great end result, based on how bad it looked for me going into it.”

    – DUI client reduced to reckless driving.

    “Let’s be honest here: nobody ever wants to have to hire an attorney for a DUI arrest. My own experience was everything one would imagine, both humiliating and terrifying. Matthew Leyba has the unique gift of removing the shame that one can feel after a DUI arrest and has the experience and confidence to alleviate some of that terror. He works incredibly hard, is an exceptional communicator, and knows how to skillfully guide his clients through a very difficult time. During the course of my case, he regularly kept me updated about the proceedings, and, ultimately, was able to negotiate my case down to a Negligent Driving charge – the least painful of all possible outcomes. This was after we had received a plea deal from the prosecutor that was for Reckless Driving, a far more serious charge. Even after we had reached what I believed was a good outcome (anything but a DUI), Matthew kept working for me and was able to obtain an even more desirable outcome. He was able to quickly guide me towards affordable options for the required courses as a result of the arrest, and his guidance throughout the process was invaluable. I could not recommend him more highly.”

    – DUI client reduced to Negligent Driving 1

    “Matt was fantastic to work with and helped lay out the steps of the process while keeping me informed along the way. Based on my personal work situation, he helped come up with a strategy for the best outcome. I would highly recommend Matt to anyone!”

    – Criminal Client reduced charges.

    “I was first referred to Matt by a family member. He was able to get that DUI lowered and then dismissed so I figured he could help me. Over the course of 6 months, I found myself facing 9 charges in 4 different courts. Matt was able to get 5 of the charges dismissed outright. Deferred sentences on 2 where if I stay out of trouble they will get dismissed. And one of my DUIs was reduced so the other one wouldn’t carry the mandatory 45 days in jail. Overall I ended up doing a couple days of work when it could have been so much worse. I was so happy with Matt’s work that I referred my cousin to him for a DV case and Matt got that dismissed. Matt is a great lawyer and I would highly recommend him.”

    — DUI Client with multiple dismissed cases and a reduced Reckless Driving.

    “Leyba Defense swiftly and proactively handled my case from day one and brought it to a very successful conclusion. Mr. Leyba saved me the embarrassment and cost of a conviction by defending my case aggressively and knowledgeably. While I certainly hope to never need a defense attorney again, I would rehire Leyba Defense without hesitation. Stellar results, highly recommended.”

    Client reduced criminal charges.

    “Matthew was able to get my alcohol related driving infraction greatly reduced with minimal time. We also were able to work out a decent payment plan for the fees. He had to miss a continuance/motion hearing which was brief and had a colleague fill in, his colleague spoke very highly of him also. He is strongly recommended.”

    — Client reduced to Reckless Driving with no jail and a small fine.

    “I initially called Matt on a Sunday morning after being charged with a DUI the night before and was feeling helpless. He not only answered his phone on that Sunday, but he took the time to talk to me and give me some advice for what to do the next couple days. I met with 2 other attorneys the week proceeding being charged and decided to use Matthew Leyba over some of the larger firms because he would handle my case himself and not put me through an assembly line treatment. He was very thorough throughout the entire process and kept me abreast of what to expect at each turn. We were able to get my charge down to a Neg1 with minimal community service. I really appreciate Matt and what he did for me and my family to help get us through this terrible situation.”

    — Client reduced Negligent Driving 1.

    “Matt did an excellent job helping me with a recent DUI charge. He was always available for questions and helped me get the charges reduced to Negligent Driving 1. I was impressed that Matt took my call personally as soon as I received the subpoena and took the time to explain what I was facing. He was always available for a late night or weekend call if I had a question and always gave me the sense that my case was important to him. I am very happy with the outcome and I highly recommend Matt to anyone facing a DUI.”

    — DUI Client reduced Negligent Driving 1.

    “Throughout this awful time period, we felt very well informed and guided. Mr. Leyba was great at quelling my panic as well as setting a realistic path. Our case turned out as well as it possibly could and we are grateful for the time and energy offered to our family.”

    Client reduced criminal charges

    “We highly recommend Mr. Leyba, he is professional, honest, and human!! He helped us bring the human piece to the court.”

    — Client reduced criminal charges.

    “This was the first time I needed a lawyer and I was scared and unsure about the entire process. I met with several lawyers to evaluate which one would be the best fit and ended up choosing Matt. Looking back now, I am so happy with my decision and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

    — Client reduced Negligent Driving 1.

    “Matt represented me for a physical control charge and was able to push the judge for a deferred sentence, which will dismiss the case entirely in two years. Despite the extreme stress and emotional toll the situation caused me, I was able to keep perspective and trusted that Matt would pull through, which he did. I am glad to know that there are trustworthy professionals, such as Matt, working in the defense business. I think it would be easy to be taken advantage of and if you are ever in such a horrible predicament as Physical Control or DUI, do not hesitate to retain Matt to defend you. You will be glad you did.”

    — Client reduced Negligent Driving 1 deferred sentence.

    “Matt represented me on a DUI charge. I had never been in trouble before and I didn’t know what to expect. From the first time I met with Matt,  he explained all the possibilities and outcomes and put my mind at ease. He was always quick to return phone calls or emails even on the weekends, and at no time was I worried about how my case was being handled.”

    — DUI Client reduced Negligent Driving 1.

    “I contacted Matt the week of my DOL hearing, He was quick to respond to my email inquiry regarding consultation and was able to meet me the next day. He was very knowledge and straight to the point about what to expect. I knew this was a serious charge however he made me feel a little at ease as he outlined next steps. We had a little glitch (oversight, on the court’s part) at final sentencing, however, he was quick to correct the issue that day. I highly recommend Matt as he’s very knowledgeable and responsive.”

    — Client reduced Reckless Driving.

    “Matt is an excellent attorney and an amazing individual. He deeply cares about his clients, has considerable knowledge of the law, and has extensive experience in defending clients. In my case, Matt worked diligently and won a plea deal out of a difficult situation. He always made me feel like my case was important, and I never felt rushed or out-prioritized. Perhaps most importantly, I trusted him and knew he was truly working in my best interest.”

    — Client reduced Negligent Driving 1.

    “Matthew was always clear, available, and upfront with what to expect. He fights for you, thinks ahead and consistently makes sure you understand what’s going on during the process. I never had to try and contact him more than once before he reached to me. With the plea, he called the prosecutor almost every day to make sure he looked at my case and was fair with his decisions. He never made me feel uncomfortable or ashamed about my mistakes and was personable. Thank you!”

    — Client reduced Negligent Driving 1.

    “Matt went above and beyond to find other ways to support my statement. Given that I did not pay per hour but one total fee, I was very impressed with the amount of work Matt invested in helping me. He was also very responsive (24/7 if needed), and above all, very empathetic and supportive in a situation which for a regular citizen can feel quite devastating.”

    — Client reduced reckless driving.

    “Matt was wonderfully responsive! He would even call or email us over the weekend even though we told him it could wait. We used him to assist a family member and he was very thorough and responded to any need. We had lots of questions and Matt was excellent at walking us through the steps to expect and addressing our concerns. When he found out our case involved a less serious charge than originally thought he even cut back the hours he quoted to us and did not charge us the originally amount. That says a lot about his integrity.”

    — Client dismissed Theft

    “When I was charged with a DUI I thought my life was over. I had no previous criminal record, so it was easy to feel completely overwhelmed by this unfortunate set of circumstances. Prior to this, I’ve never had to reach out to an attorney for any reason whatsoever. I was worried that I was going to find someone similar to a Lionel Hutz or Jackie Chiles. -Someone I couldn’t trust and only wanted a paycheck at the end of the day. This was not the case with Matthew Leyba. He was extremely easy to talk to, communicate with, and at the end of the day, I genuinely felt like Matthew Leyba was there for me and wanted to help me. And that is exactly what he did. The entire process was easy and painless. Needless to say, I was very happy with the outcome of my case. Thank you, Matthew Leyba.”

    — J.G.

    “Matt successfully helped me through a questionable DUI charge and negotiated a reduced judgment for me. It was not an easy case as in my district no video-recordings were available to give evidence of critical gaps in the police report. Matt went above and beyond to find other ways to support my statement. Given that I did not pay per hour but one total fee, I was very impressed with the amount of work Matt invested in helping me. He was also very responsive (24/7), and above all, very empathetic and supportive in a situation which for a regular citizen can feel quite devastating.”

    — A.J

    “Matthew was always clear, available, and upfront with what to expect. He fights for you, thinks ahead and consistently makes sure you understand what’s going on during the process. I never had to try and contact him more than once before he reached to me. With the plea, he called the prosecutor almost every day to make sure he looked at my case and was fair with his decisions. He never made me feel uncomfortable or ashamed about my mistakes and was personable. Thank you!”

    — R.D.

    “The only time I ever worried throughout this entire process was before hiring Matt. He is very personable, diligent, and knowledgeable attorney that kept me up to date about my DUI, eventually getting my charges reduced. Matt responds in a timely manner with appropriate answers and never left me second guessing or worried about the pending outcome.”

    — S.B.

    “It truly was a pleasure being your client! You made a terribly embarrassing situation feel less stressful. Your professionalism and compassion made me feel like I was not only represented by an awesome Attorney but who also cared about me as an individual. Also, I never felt judged by you which was very helpful since I was beating myself up pretty well already. Thank you so much!”

     T.P.

    “I came to Matt after I was arrested and charged with a felony. It took several months and a lot of work on his part but he had the charges dismissed! He gave me hope and was VERY supportive throughout the whole process, keeping me informed about what was going on. Matt goes above and beyond what he is paid for, and what is expected of him or any attorney. I would recommend him to anyone who needed a lawyer.”

    — I.G.

    “I am very pleased with Mr. Leyba’s handling of my case. He is very knowledgeable, professional, and diligent. Not once did I feel he was too busy or unfocused; his professionalism made me feel like I was his only client and sole concern. He was able to convince the prosecution to reduce the charges to a lesser charge, but even if we had gone to court and lost I still would feel that it wasn’t for lack of attention or care to my case. I can’t thank him enough for his diligence helping me navigate the legal system, defend me, and resolve this. Now I can move on with my life without this mistake being extremely damaging to my future. I consider the cost of hiring a quality lawyer in Mr. Leyba money very well spent. Thank you again, Mr. Leyba.”

     R.R.

    “Matt is a great attorney. I highly recommend his services. After receiving a DUI while on probation for a case in Seattle Municipal Court, being nervous was putting it lightly. Matt kept me informed throughout the entire process and was very professional in all of the hearings. Ultimately, my case was dismissed due to lack of probable cause to arrest. Without Matt’s comprehensive knowledge of the law and professionalism, I’m sure I would not have received this end result. After talking with numerous DUI attorneys of all price ranges, Matt was the one I trusted most and I owe him many thanks. Being arrested for DUI in Washington is not a joke. You need the best representation out there. Hire Matt Leyba.”

    — B.G.

    “I would recommend Matthew Leyba to anyone needing sound advice and quality representation. Mr. Leyba represented me on my first DUI case. He executed his plan of defense with painstaking focus, all the while keeping me informed of that plan and encouraging me to remain confident in it. Never once did he fail to communicate or respond to my concerns. After disabling the prosecutor’s complaint the city dropped the charges.”

    — G.Z.

    “I just wanted to send you this Thank You card to express my sincere gratitude for representing me in my DUI charge. I very much appreciated your professionalism and honesty when dealing with what was the most embarrassing moment of my life. If I every know anyone who finds themselves in this unfortunate situation I will not hesitate in giving them your name. I finally feel like I can move on in my life, and thanks to you I don’t have a DUI conviction to worry about. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.”

    – K.M.

    “Thank you so much for all of your efforts to help me get this charged dismissed today. I was a little worried that the Prosecutor swayed the jury when she played that video of me during her closing argument. However, when you got up there and gave your closing argument, I knew we were not going to lose. I will say that I didn’t feel like the prosecutor came across as organized and persuasive as you. I thank you for giving me your honest (personal & professional) opinion and advice throughout this process. Because of your candor and faith in my case, I now have it off my record and this is truly over for me. At all times I had complete faith in you and appreciated your professionalism that you showed me, the judge, the jury, and the witnesses. I couldn’t have felt like I was in better hands. My faith has been restored in this process, and that is in large part thanks to you. All in all – thank you! I am incredibly appreciative of everything you’ve done for me.”

    — T.D.

    “I would highly recommend Mr. Leyba. He represented me when I was charged with a possession of a firearm. I was facing a lot of jail even though I didn’t have any criminal history. He did a lot of work on my case and fought for me. We had a jury trial and the jury found me not guilty after 20 minutes of deliberating.”

    “About a year ago I was charged with my second DUI. Matt was my attorney and I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to defend me. From the first time we met, he put me at ease. He was very knowledgeable about DUI laws and answered all of my questions. In the end, he took my case to trial and we won. At no point did I ever think I would lose. Matt was incredible, just like Perry Mason. I wish he would have represented me for my first case!

    — B.R.

    “Matt I just wanted to drop you a note and express my sincere gratitude for everything you did for me. Because of you, my DUI charge was dismissed. Thank you!”

    — E.G.

    “Mr. Leyba thank you again for defending me on my DUI. This past year has been the toughest time of my life. Even though I have never been in trouble before, I feel like the prosecutor (or should I say the persecutor) treated me like a common criminal. You impressed from the very beginning by not judging me and giving me your honest opinion of my case. I was a little worried about going to trial and risking it all, but your confidence in my case helped me a lot. And in the end, you were right. You are one hell of an attorney. My family and I thank you so much.”

    — K.F.

    “Thank you again, Mr. Leyba for everything you did. The last three days have been so nerve wrecking. But every time I showed up in court you were so calm and confident about my case. It was definitely contagious. Thanks for believing in me and taking my case to trial. A couple of times I just wanted to plead guilty to be done with it, but your faith kept me going. I will never forget you what you did. Thank you sooooo much!”

    — S.S.

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    Schedule a consult with our Seattle DWI attorney via email or call (206) 953-2145 to speak with an experienced Seattle Criminal & DWI lawyer and schedule a free 60-minute confidential consultation that is completely confidential. Our main office is located in downtown Seattle at the corner of 7th & Olive. We also have offices located in both Bothell and Bellevue and can meet you at either location.

    A Seattle Criminal DWI Lawyer cannot make any sort of guarantees or promises regarding the outcome of a case, however, Leyba Defense PLLC guarantees we will not rest until you receive an outcome that is to your satisfaction and in your best interest.