At Latta Law, we understand that needing a criminal defense lawyer means you’re facing one of life’s toughest moments. Whether you’re dealing with criminal charges or a misdemeanor, we know Philadelphia’s courts inside and out and will fight to protect what matters most—your freedom, your family, and your future.
When you’re facing criminal charges in Philadelphia, the stakes couldn’t be higher — your freedom, your family, your reputation, and your future are all on the line. At Latta Law, attorney Denita Latta delivers the kind of aggressive, strategic criminal defense that Philadelphia residents deserve: backed by real courtroom experience, deep knowledge of local courts, and a genuine commitment to every client she represents.
We know what you’re going through. The moment you’re charged with a crime or find out you’re under investigation, life feels like it’s closing in. You have questions. You have fear. And you need someone in your corner who knows exactly how to fight back. That’s Latta Law.
Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor charge or a serious felony, whether this is your first run-in with the legal system or you’ve been through it before — we treat every single case with the full attention and determination it deserves. We don’t take shortcuts. We don’t push people toward plea deals just because it’s easier. We fight.
Call 215-929-6771 for a free consultation. Serving Philadelphia and all surrounding counties.
Criminal charges in Pennsylvania can be brought at the state level, the federal level, or both — and each system operates differently, has different rules, different prosecutors, and different stakes. At Latta Law, attorney Denita Latta is equipped to defend clients against criminal charges in both the Pennsylvania state court system and the United States federal courts.
The vast majority of criminal cases in Philadelphia are prosecuted through the Pennsylvania state court system, starting in Philadelphia Municipal Court for preliminary hearings and moving to the Court of Common Pleas for trials on felony and more serious misdemeanor charges. Attorney Latta has extensive experience navigating every stage of the Pennsylvania criminal process — from the preliminary arraignment and bail hearing, through preliminary hearings, pre-trial motions, and trial itself.
We handle state charges including DUI, drug offenses, assault, theft, gun charges, retail theft, robbery, sex offenses, and more. No matter what you’re charged with, we begin building your defense immediately — reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, researching legal defenses, and identifying every possible weakness in the prosecution’s case.
Federal charges are a different beast entirely. Federal prosecutors have virtually unlimited resources, and federal investigations often begin long before charges are ever filed. If you are being investigated by the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, or any other federal agency — or if you have received a target letter or grand jury subpoena — you need to speak with a criminal defense attorney immediately.
At Latta Law, we represent clients in federal court for offenses including federal drug trafficking, federal weapons charges, fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and other federal offenses. We understand federal sentencing guidelines, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and how to build a defense strategy that accounts for the unique pressures of federal prosecution.
Whether your case is in state or federal court — or both — Latta Law is prepared to fight for you at every level.
Facing criminal charges can turn your world upside down overnight. We defend clients against everything from DUIs and drug charges to assault and theft cases, working to protect your freedom, your record, and your reputation.
Our experience in Philadelphia courts means we know how to negotiate with prosecutors and when to take the fight to trial. No matter what you’re accused of, we’ll make sure your side gets heard.
Choosing a criminal defense attorney is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. When your freedom is at risk, you need more than someone who knows the law. You need an attorney you can trust completely — someone who will be straight with you about your situation, communicate with you consistently, and fight for you without compromise.
At Latta Law, attorney Denita Latta has built her practice on a foundation of trust, transparency, and genuine care for her clients. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Some attorneys tell clients what they want to hear. We don’t. From your very first consultation, we give you an honest assessment of your case — the strengths, the weaknesses, the realistic outcomes, and the best path forward. You deserve accurate information so you can make informed decisions about your own life.
One of the most common complaints people have about their lawyers is that they can’t get them on the phone. At Latta Law, responsive communication isn’t optional — it’s foundational. You will always know where your case stands. We return calls, respond to messages, and keep you informed after every hearing, filing, or development in your case. You will never feel left in the dark.
Latta Law is proud to provide culturally competent legal representation to Philadelphia’s diverse communities. Attorney Latta understands that clients come from different backgrounds, speak different languages, and have different experiences with the legal system. We approach every client as a full human being — not just a case file — and we fight for you with that understanding in mind. We ensure that cultural differences, language barriers, and lived experiences never stand between you and a vigorous defense.
Everything you tell your attorney is protected by attorney-client privilege. At Latta Law, your privacy is sacrosanct. You can speak freely and fully — because the more honest you are with us, the better we can defend you. Our conversations are confidential, full stop.
Criminal charges don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we. Latta Law is available Mon–Fri 10am–7pm and responds to after-hours inquiries as quickly as possible. If you’re in a situation that can’t wait, call us at 215-929-6771.
At Latta Law, we don’t just talk about fighting for our clients — we have a record of doing it. Attorney Denita Latta has earned recognition as a Best of Philly 2025 honoree for criminal defense, a distinction that reflects what our clients already know: we get results.
Every case is different, and outcomes are never guaranteed. But our commitment to thorough preparation, aggressive advocacy, and strategic thinking has produced outcomes our clients are proud of — dismissals, acquittals, reduced charges, and suppressed evidence that changed the direction of a case.
The outcomes we pursue for clients depend entirely on the facts and circumstances of each case. In some situations, the strongest result is a full acquittal at trial. In others, it’s the suppression of evidence obtained through an illegal search, which can cause the prosecution’s case to collapse entirely. In still others, it’s negotiating with the District Attorney’s office to have serious charges reduced or diverted — keeping a conviction off your permanent record.
We pursue the best possible outcome for each individual client. That might mean an aggressive trial strategy, a motion to dismiss, entry into a diversionary program like ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) for first-time offenders, or a strategic guilty plea on reduced charges that protects your future. We will always explain your options clearly and honestly, and we will always let you make the final call.
If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in Philadelphia or the surrounding counties, don’t wait. Every day that passes without legal representation is a day the prosecution uses to build its case against you.
At Latta Law, we offer a free, confidential initial consultation. Tell us what’s happening. We’ll listen carefully, give you our honest assessment of the situation, and explain exactly what we can do to help. There’s no obligation and no pressure — just clear, experienced legal guidance from an attorney who genuinely cares.
Call or text: 215-929-6771
Email: denita@lattalaw.org
Office: 1333 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 10am–7pm
After-hours inquiries responded to as quickly as possible.
Your freedom. Your family. Your future. Let’s fight for it together.
Why Choose Latta Law as Your Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorney?
Philadelphia has dozens of criminal defense lawyers. So why choose Latta Law? Here’s what sets us apart from the rest.
At many law firms, you meet with a senior attorney at the consultation — and then never see them again. Your case gets handed off to a junior associate or a paralegal, and you're left wondering who's actually handling your case. At Latta Law, attorney Denita Latta personally handles your case from start to finish. You will speak directly with your attorney. You will know exactly who is in your corner.
Local knowledge matters enormously in criminal defense. Knowing which arguments resonate with which judges, understanding how the Philadelphia District Attorney's office approaches different types of charges, knowing the local prosecutors and public defenders — this institutional knowledge shapes case strategy in ways that out-of-town firms simply can't match. Latta Law is a Philadelphia firm through and through.
Philadelphia is one of America's most diverse cities, and our client base reflects that. Attorney Latta is deeply committed to providing representation that is not only legally excellent but also culturally informed. We serve clients of all backgrounds, and we make it a priority to ensure that cultural differences and language needs never disadvantage our clients. Justice should be accessible to everyone — and at Latta Law, we work to make that a reality.
Philadelphia is one of America's most diverse cities, and our client base reflects that. Attorney Latta is deeply committed to providing representation that is not only legally excellent but also culturally informed. We serve clients of all backgrounds, and we make it a priority to ensure that cultural differences and language needs never disadvantage our clients. Justice should be accessible to everyone — and at Latta Law, we work to make that a reality.
A guilty plea is sometimes the best outcome available in a case. But it should be a strategic decision made after careful analysis — not a first resort taken because your attorney didn't want to do the work. At Latta Law, we investigate every case fully before recommending any outcome. If the evidence and the law are on your side, we go to trial. If a motion to suppress could change everything, we file it. You can trust that every recommendation we make is made with your best interests at the center.
Facing criminal charges can feel dehumanizing. The system is enormous, impersonal, and often overwhelming. At Latta Law, we intentionally do things differently. We listen to your full story. We remember your name. We understand that you are a complete human being with a life, a family, and a future — not just a docket number. That perspective shapes how we approach your case, how we communicate with you, and how we fight for you.
Legal fees shouldn't be a mystery. At Latta Law, we provide clear, upfront information about our fees from the very beginning. We offer a free initial consultation so you can understand your options without any financial pressure. We believe that quality criminal defense representation should be accessible — and we work with our clients to find fee arrangements that are realistic and fair.
Attorney Denita Latta has been recognized as a Best of Philly 2025 honoree for criminal defense — a reflection of her commitment to her clients and her results in Philadelphia's courtrooms
Winning a criminal case isn’t about one single thing — it’s about attacking the prosecution’s case from every possible angle. Here are the seven most important ways Latta Law fights for our clients:
The best time to retain a criminal defense attorney is before charges are even filed. If you know you’re under investigation — if a detective has come to your home, if police have contacted your friends or family, if you’ve received a target letter — acting immediately gives your attorney the opportunity to begin investigating before the prosecution builds its case.
Early intervention allows us to identify and preserve exculpatory evidence that might otherwise disappear, advise you on whether to speak with investigators (in most cases, you should not), contact the investigating detective or prosecutor to indicate you have counsel and that you will not be providing statements, and in some cases, present your side of the events to the prosecution before charges are filed — sometimes preventing charges altogether.
Many people wait until they’ve been charged to hire an attorney. Those who retain counsel earlier give themselves a measurable advantage.
If you’ve been arrested and detained, your first priority is getting you out. Latta Law can appear at your bail hearing and argue for release on your own recognizance or the lowest possible bail amount. We make the case that you are not a flight risk, that you have ties to the community, and that pretrial detention would cause unnecessary hardship to you and your family.
If bail is set at an amount you cannot afford, we can also file a motion for bail reduction. Being out of custody during the pendency of your case makes an enormous practical difference — in your ability to work, care for your family, and assist in your own defense.
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution protect you against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights in obtaining evidence — conducting a search without a valid warrant, stopping you without reasonable suspicion, or detaining you without probable cause — that evidence may be suppressed.
A successful motion to suppress can be case-changing. If the prosecution’s key evidence — drugs, a weapon, a recorded statement — is thrown out because it was obtained illegally, the entire case against you may collapse. Latta Law carefully analyzes every piece of evidence in your case and identifies every opportunity to challenge how it was obtained.
We are also experienced in challenging the admissibility of statements made to police. If you were interrogated without being properly Mirandized, or if your statement was coerced, we fight to have it excluded.
In Pennsylvania, defendants charged with felonies are entitled to a preliminary hearing — a crucial early stage at which the prosecution must demonstrate that there is sufficient evidence to send the case forward. This is not just a formality. It is a genuine opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s case before it ever reaches trial.
At the preliminary hearing, we cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses, challenge the sufficiency of the evidence, and argue for the dismissal or reduction of charges. Many people underestimate how significant the preliminary hearing can be. Latta Law treats every preliminary hearing as an opportunity to win — because sometimes, it is exactly that.
Not every case needs to go to trial, and not every client needs a conviction on their record. Pennsylvania offers several diversion and alternative sentencing programs that, for eligible defendants, can result in charges being reduced or dismissed entirely upon completion of the program.
ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) is available to first-time offenders in many cases, including certain DUI and drug cases. Successful completion of ARD results in dismissal of charges and expungement of the arrest record. We evaluate every client’s eligibility for ARD and other diversion programs and advocate vigorously with the District Attorney’s office when our clients qualify.
We also engage in pre-trial negotiation in cases where a plea agreement is in the client’s interest. If a negotiated outcome is the best option available, we negotiate hard for the most favorable terms — reduced charges, lighter sentencing recommendations, or outcomes that minimize the long-term impact on your record and your life.
When a trial is the right path, Latta Law is ready to take the fight to the courtroom. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because thorough trial preparation is also what produces strong negotiating leverage before trial.
Trial defense includes crafting the overall defense theory and narrative that will guide the jury’s understanding of the case, selecting jurors strategically through the voir dire process, opening statements that set the stage for our defense and humanize our client, rigorous cross-examination of prosecution witnesses to expose inconsistencies, bias, and unreliability, presentation of defense witnesses and expert testimony where applicable, and closing arguments that tie the evidence together and articulate, clearly and powerfully, why the prosecution has not met its burden.
The standard in every criminal case is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Our job is to create that doubt — and to make sure the jury understands it is there. We take that job seriously.
Our representation doesn’t end at the verdict. If a case results in a conviction — whether at trial or through a guilty plea — Latta Law fights for the most favorable sentence possible. We present mitigating evidence, character witnesses, and compelling arguments for alternatives to incarceration where appropriate.
And if a conviction resulted from a legal error — improper jury instructions, an unconstitutional search that wasn’t suppressed, ineffective assistance of prior counsel, or a Brady violation in which prosecutors withheld exculpatory evidence — we pursue appellate relief. Latta Law handles direct appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, as well as Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) petitions for clients whose convictions resulted from constitutional violations.
We fight for our clients at every stage — from the moment of arrest through the final resolution of the case.
Many people wait too long before contacting a criminal defense attorney — and that delay can cost them dearly. Here are the signs that it’s time to call Latta Law, and why acting quickly matters.
This one is obvious — if you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in Philadelphia, you need an attorney immediately. Even if you believe the charges are minor, a criminal conviction carries consequences that can follow you for decades: a permanent record, difficulty finding employment, housing limitations, and potential immigration consequences. Don’t assume a minor charge is something you can handle on your own.
If a detective has shown up at your home or workplace, if federal agents have reached out, if friends or family members have been contacted by law enforcement asking about you, or if you know that an incident occurred in which you were involved — you are potentially under investigation. Do not wait for charges to be filed. Call an attorney now, before you say anything to anyone.
A federal target letter is one of the clearest signs that you are in serious legal jeopardy. It means federal prosecutors have identified you as a subject of their investigation and believe they have evidence of your involvement in a crime. A grand jury subpoena requires you to appear before a grand jury and may compel you to testify or produce documents. Both are situations in which you need experienced criminal defense counsel immediately — do not respond to either without an attorney.
Whether it’s local police asking you to “come in and clear things up” or federal agents requesting a voluntary interview, you are not legally required to submit to questioning without an attorney present — and in almost every case, you should not. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Innocent people have been convicted on the basis of statements they made believing they were clearing their name. Call Latta Law before you speak to anyone in law enforcement.
Even after a conviction, you may have options. If your trial attorney failed to raise a valid legal defense, if the prosecutor withheld evidence, if a judge made a legal error, or if new evidence has emerged, you may be entitled to post-conviction relief. Contact Latta Law to discuss whether an appeal or a PCRA petition could change the outcome of your case.
If a family member has been arrested and charged, you can reach out to Latta Law on their behalf. We can help coordinate representation, appear at bail hearings, and begin the process of building a defense as quickly as possible. Time matters — don’t wait.
Sometimes you don’t know whether you need a criminal defense attorney. You just know that something has happened, law enforcement is involved, and you’re worried. That’s reason enough to call. The initial consultation is free and confidential. We’ll listen to your situation, tell you honestly where you stand, and help you understand your options — with absolutely no obligation. The worst thing that happens is you leave with more information than you had before. The best thing that can happen is we start fighting for you right away.
Call Latta Law at 215-929-6771 — or email denita@lattalaw.org. We’re here when you need us.
Latta Law represents clients charged with a wide range of criminal offenses across Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Each of the following practice areas has a dedicated page on this website with detailed information about the charges, defenses, and what to expect:
Drug charges range from simple possession to Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWID), a felony that carries significant prison time. We challenge unlawful police searches, scrutinize evidence handling, and fight to suppress evidence obtained in violation of your constitutional rights. A drug conviction can affect your employment, housing, and federal benefits — we fight to keep it off your record.
Pennsylvania’s gun laws are complex, and violations can result in mandatory minimum sentences. We defend clients charged with Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act (VUFA), unlicensed carrying, possession by a prohibited person, and other weapons offenses. We scrutinize the legality of every stop and search in gun cases, because many gun charges arise from constitutionally questionable police conduct.
What appears to be a minor charge can escalate quickly. Retail theft convictions can be graded as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the value of the merchandise and prior record. We defend clients at all levels of retail theft charges and fight to keep convictions off their records.
A DUI conviction in Pennsylvania carries fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol safety school, and potentially jail time. We examine the basis for the traffic stop, the administration of field sobriety tests, the calibration records of breathalyzer equipment, and the chain of custody for any blood samples. ARD may be available for first-time offenders, resulting in dismissal and expungement.
Simple assault and aggravated assault charges range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. We defend clients in domestic violence cases, bar altercations, incidents arising from arguments, and alleged assaults involving weapons. We investigate the incident, the credibility of witnesses, and whether self-defense or other legal defenses apply.
Robbery — theft involving force or the threat of force — is a serious felony in Pennsylvania. We defend clients against robbery, burglary, theft by unlawful taking, and related offenses, challenging the identification procedures used by police and the sufficiency of the evidence.
Sex offense allegations carry severe consequences: potential imprisonment, mandatory sex offender registration, and permanent reputational damage. We defend clients against charges of sexual assault, rape, indecent assault, and related offenses, and we fight vigorously to protect our clients’ rights and reputations.
Homicide charges — from third-degree murder to first-degree murder — are the most serious cases in the criminal justice system. They demand the most thorough and aggressive defense possible. At Latta Law, we approach homicide defense with the full weight of our experience, preparation, and commitment.
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215-929-6771
Mon-Fri: 10am – 7pm
denita@lattalaw.org
