Experienced, professional criminal defense.

    •  Five years as a respected prosecutor in Oregon's busiest District Attorney's Office including work in the following units:

        •  Traffic offenses and misdemeanors

        •  Felony property crimes

        •  Drugs and vice

        •  Felony assaults and sexual abuse crimes (including Ballot Measure 11 Offenses).

    •  Three years as the lead attorney to the largest municipal law enforcement agency in the state.

        •  Sought after law enforcement instructor on issues related to the use of force, deadly force, search and seizure, and civil liability.
 

    •  Skilled Oregon trial attorney

        •  Prevailed in scores and scores of  criminal cases before Oregon juries;

        •  Experienced trial lawyer in both state and federal court;

        •  Seventeen years as an Oregon attorney.

Mr. Lesh has been an Oregon attorney since 1990.  Prior to opening his own law practice, he worked for five years as a respected and successful Oregon prosecuting attorney and then served for three years as lead counsel to the largest municipal law enforcement agency in the state.  In his years as an Oregon deputy district attorney, David Lesh tried countless criminal cases and prosecuted nearly every type of complex Oregon criminal offense including marijuana and other drug crimes, sex crimes, DUI / DUII, theft, assault, and Measure 11 charges. 

[Measure 11 offenses are serious felony charges carrying lengthy mandatory prison terms for persons age 15 and older.  Some of the most common Ballot Measure 11 crimes are:  assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, rape in the first degree, rape in the second degree, sodomy in the first degree, and sodomy in the second degree.]  

David Lesh has a rare "insider's understanding" of law enforcement operations and prosecution in the State of Oregon.  Unlike other Oregon criminal defense lawyers, Mr. Lesh has presented hundreds of cases to Oregon grand juries; has written and assisted with the execution of search warrants; has drafted law enforcement policies and criminal law legislation; has published articles in national periodicals; and has worked inside a police precinct. 

He is a recognized authority on law enforcement policies and procedures and has tremendous knowledge of state and federal search and seizure law.

Mr. Lesh writes and speaks on criminal law matters and has been interviewed by CNN's Newsnight, USA Today, Lawyers Weekly USA and other media.  David Lesh has instructed hundreds of public safety officials throughout Oregon and Washington.  Of course, these organizations and individuals demand the best, and so should you.  Mr. Lesh's professional experience, negotiation skill, and trial expertise can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your criminal case. 

When individuals face an Oregon misdemeanor or felony charge, perhaps the most important decision they make is who to retain as their criminal defense lawyer.  Choose an Oregon criminal attorney that will give your case confidential, personal, and professional attention.  Beware of Oregon lawyers that pass your case off to other less experienced criminal attorneys after being retained.

Call Oregon defense attorney David Lesh today at 503.481.8484 for a no-cost initial consultation at his Portland, Oregon law office. 

David N Lesh

Oregon Criminal Defense Attorney

1916 SW Madison Street

Portland, Oregon

Tele:  503.481.8484

Fax:  503.296.2935

Consultations are by appointment only. 

Question:  What should I look for when choosing among Oregon criminal defense attorneys? 

Answer:  Defending criminal cases requires a variety of skills.  Successful Oregon criminal attorneys will have an extensive knowledge of criminal and constitutional (search and seizure) law and, of course, be skilled in trial practice and settlement negotiation. 

A criminal defense lawyer should also be familiar with statutes, regulations and consequences which might effect your ability to do such things as:  (1) expunge or seal a possible conviction; (2) receive student financial aid; (3) lawfully posses a firearm following a conviction; (4) become licensed to perform certain professions; and (5) operate a motor vehicle.  It is also helpful to have knowledge of the policies and practices of both prosecuting attorneys and local law enforcement agencies. 

Of course, when choosing among Oregon criminal lawyers you want someone who is personable, who is discreet, and who has the highest levels of professionalism. 

Question:  What types of Oregon criminal cases does Mr. Lesh handle? 

Answer:  David Lesh provides defense services to individuals facing most felony and misdemeanor crimes.  He handles a variety of criminal charges including the following:

• Property crimes, including theft:

• Measure 11 felonies:

•      Arson

•      Assault

•      Robbery

•      Sex abuse

•      Sexual abuse

•      Kidnapping

•      Attempted murder

•      Sexual offenses ( sodomy, sex abuse, statutory rape)

• Controlled substance - drug charges:

• Firearm and weapon offenses:

• Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor (person under 21)

• Vehicle and Traffic offenses:

• Computer Crime

• Prostitution (including promoting prostitution and

•       prostitution procurement activities )

• Public indecency and private indecency

• Failure to register as sex offender

• Probation violation

• Disorderly Conduct 

Question:  Is David Lesh "board certified" in criminal law or another area of legal specialization?

Answer:  No.  Unlike some state bar associations, the Oregon State Bar does not offer certificate programs or otherwise certify lawyers in legal specialties.

Question:  Can I seal or expunge my arrest or conviction record?

Answer:  Perhaps.  Oregon law does allow for the sealing / expungement of certain arrests and convictions (traffic matters and sex crimes generally cannot be expunged) but it will depend on your individual circumstances and background.  Contact an experienced criminal attorney for information about possibly expunging your individual arrest or conviction. 

Question:  What should I do if I believe that I am under criminal investigation or suspected of committing a crime?

Answer:  Adopt my Ten Habits of Highly Effective Criminals:

1.  If contacted by law enforcement, invoke your right to silence.  Do not make admissions; do not confess; do not lie.  Simply say, "I don't want to speak with you."  Repeat this as many times as it takes. Confession may be good for the soul but it is the single most damaging thing you can do to yourself in a criminal investigation.

2.  If contacted by law enforcement, invoke your right to counsel.  Tell the officer, “I want a lawyer.”  Repeat this over and over.  Be polite but firm. 

3.  Do not allow yourself to be manipulated by the police.  The best police interrogators are master manipulators.  When an officer says, "Why do you need a lawyer if you're innocent?" they are attempting to manipulate you into waiving your constitutional rights to silence and counsel.  Refer again to Habits 1 and 2.

4.  Do not consent to any search.  Always insist that the police get a search warrant.  [If the police have a valid search warrant, they are permitted to search over your objection.]

5.  Do not take a police polygraph examination.  Refer again to Habit 3.  [Discuss whether a private polygraph examination is in your best interest with your Oregon defense lawyer.]

6.  Beware of the pretext phone call.  When investigating person crimes, especially sex crimes, law enforcement may direct the complaining witness to telephone the suspect in an attempt to elicit admissions or other incriminating statements.  Unbeknownst to the suspect, these calls are monitored by law enforcement, are recorded, and will be played at your trial.

7.  Beware of the computer.  Email, instant messages, browser history, digital photographs, video files, and other information stored on your hard drive may be accessed by law enforcement computer specialists even when you think it has been deleted.  Postings or conversations in myspace / facebook / chat rooms / blogs / etc are to be avoided.  Assume anyone advertising under the "erotic services" listing in Craigslist is an undercover cop (and probably not very erotic).

8.  Beware of cellular phones.  Detailed call records, text messages, and suspect tracking though triangulation frequently aid law enforcement investigations.

9.  Observe court decorum.  Dress conservatively and appropriately.  Do not have alcohol in your system or on your breath during court appearances.  Remove your hat, do not chew gum, turn off your cell phone, leave children at home, be on time―every time.

10.  Contact an experienced Oregon defense lawyer as soon as you believe you are under investigation.  Do not lie to your attorney, and do not omit important details.

Question:  What parts of the State of Oregon does David Lesh serve?

Answer:  The bulk of Mr. Lesh's criminal law practice is concentrated in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties including the cities of Portland, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard, and Oregon City.