1. Mashni Law, PLLC
Practice Focus: State and federal criminal defense, DUI/OVI defense, drug offenses, violent crimes, theft crimes, and domestic violence cases.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, drug possession and trafficking, assault, theft, domestic violence, probation violations, weapons charges.
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, bail hearings, grand jury representation, motion practice, post-conviction relief, expungement petitions, pretrial intervention.
Background: Attorney Abe Mashni earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He began his career at the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office under a Limited Practice License, prosecuting felony trials while in law school. He later clerked for Fayette Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Bunnell before joining private practice in 2014. In 2018, he became partner at Baldani Law Group before founding Mashni Law, PLLC. He currently serves as President of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL). The firm received Gold and Bronze awards for “Criminal Defense Firm” and “Law Firm” in the Herald Leader’s 2024 Best of Lexington, along with the Fayette County Bar Association’s 2024 “Citizen Lawyer” award.
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Contact: (859) 559-4457 | https://kycriminaldefense.com
Consultation: Free case evaluations available; payment plans offered.
2. Dan Carman Attorney at Law, PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense including DUI/DWI, drug crimes, white collar crimes, violent offenses, and federal criminal matters.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, theft, identity theft, perjury, harassment, assault, probation violations, RICO charges.
Legal Services: Trial defense, appeals, preliminary hearings, suppression motions, plea negotiations, grand jury representation, federal court representation.
Background: Dan Carman graduated from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law in 2005, where he served on the Kentucky Law Journal and as President of the College of Law’s Federalist Society chapter. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Davidson College in 2001, where he was captain of the Division I wrestling team. Before private practice, he served as a Captain and Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, working as both prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. He clerked for the Honorable Jennifer B. Coffman in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Location: 111 Church Street, Lexington, KY 40507
Contact: (859) 685-1055 | https://www.lexingtondefense.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available.
3. Baldani Law Group
Practice Focus: State and federal criminal defense, DUI defense, capital murder defense, drug crimes, violent offenses, theft crimes, and white collar criminal matters.
Case Types Handled: Felonies including capital offenses, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, drug trafficking and possession, theft and robbery, assault, domestic violence, murder charges.
Legal Services: Trial defense, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, grand jury representation, plea negotiations, appeals, suppression motions, expungement.
Background: Baldani Law Group was established in 1988 and has represented thousands of clients across Central Kentucky. The attorneys possess more than 100 years of combined experience. Managing partner Randolph Tucker Richardson III is a founding member who received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Kentucky in 1985 and J.D. from the University of Louisville College of Law in 1988. He was admitted to the Kentucky Bar Association and U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky in 1988, and to the United States Supreme Court in 1994. In January 2015, he was elected to the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. He is the past president of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL) and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). The firm has been named “Best of Lexington” for four consecutive years from 2022 through 2025.
Location: 300 W Short Street, Lexington, KY 40507
Contact: (859) 259-0727 | https://baldanilaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation for criminal defense matters; available around the clock at listed phone number.
4. Christopher A. Spedding, Attorney at Law, P.S.C.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense with concentration on DUI/OVI offenses, drug crimes, felonies and misdemeanors in both state and federal courts.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, drug possession and trafficking, theft, burglary, embezzlement, traffic offenses.
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, suppression motions, plea negotiations, appeals, federal court representation, expungement assistance.
Background: Christopher Spedding has practiced criminal defense in Kentucky since 1995, accumulating nearly 30 years of experience. He earned his J.D. from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky (1995), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2008), and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (2007). His practice is 100% dedicated to criminal defense including DUI, drug offenses, felonies, and misdemeanors. He handles cases in Fayette, Bourbon, Franklin, Jessamine, Scott, and Woodford counties. According to Avvo, he is licensed in Kentucky with active status and no misconduct found.
Location: 271 W Short Street, Suite 402, Lexington, KY 40507
Contact: (859) 255-0050 (Office) | (859) 270-1255 (Cell) | https://lexingtoncriminallawyer.com
Consultation: Available around the clock; free consultation offered.
5. Oakley & Oakley, LLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense encompassing misdemeanors and felonies in state and federal court, with particular focus on drug crimes, violent offenses, sex crimes, and domestic violence.
Case Types Handled: Felonies including Class A through D, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/OVI, drug possession and trafficking, assault, domestic violence, sex crimes, weapons charges, theft.
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, suppression motions, plea negotiations, appeals to Kentucky Court of Appeals and Kentucky Supreme Court, federal court representation, expungement, post-conviction relief.
Background: Attorney John Wesley Oakley II (Jay Oakley) graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Economics and earned his J.D. from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, receiving the Bratton-Wirthlin Award. He is licensed to practice in all courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Federal Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (admitted 2007), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (admitted 2015). He has nearly 20 years of experience in both state and federal courts, with jury trial acquittals including a murder-for-hire and kidnapping case (5:19-CR-101-KKC, EDKY). He has argued before the Kentucky Supreme Court, Kentucky Court of Appeals, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The firm has served the Lexington community since 2006.
Location: 111 Church Street, Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40507
Contact: (859) 712-7365 | https://www.oakleylawky.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation; available around the clock; Spanish language services available (Hablamos español).
Criminal Defense Regulations in Kentucky
Bar Admission Requirements: Attorneys must pass the Kentucky Bar Examination or qualify under reciprocity provisions, complete a character and fitness review through the Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions, and be admitted by the Kentucky Supreme Court. The Kentucky Bar Association serves as an independent agency of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, currently serving approximately 19,581 active and inactive licensed attorneys.
Public Defender System: The Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) provides representation to indigent defendants throughout the Commonwealth. The DPA operates trial offices in every region, including two offices in Lexington serving Fayette County (North and South Trial Offices at 163 W. Short Street). Eligibility is determined by the court based on financial inability to afford private counsel. Juvenile defendants are automatically appointed a public defender.
Specialty Certifications: Kentucky does not have a state-specific criminal law specialist certification program administered by the Kentucky Bar Association. Attorneys may hold certifications from national organizations such as the National Board of Trial Advocacy or membership in selective organizations like the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.
Attorney Advertising Rules: Kentucky attorneys must comply with Kentucky Supreme Court Rules 3.130(7.01) through 3.130(7.50) governing advertising and solicitation, requiring that all communications be truthful and not misleading.
Attorney-Client Privilege: Kentucky Rule of Evidence 503 protects confidential communications between attorneys and clients. Communications made during legal consultations are privileged and cannot be compelled in legal proceedings.
Continuing Legal Education: Kentucky requires attorneys to complete 12.5 hours of CLE annually, including 2 hours of ethics/professionalism. New attorneys must complete additional requirements during their first three years of practice.
Arraignment Timelines: Under Kentucky criminal procedure, defendants arrested and held in custody must be brought before a court within a reasonable time for arraignment. Preliminary hearings for felony charges must be held within 10 days if the defendant is in jail or within 20 days if released, unless the defendant agrees to a longer period.
Discovery Rules: Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 7.24 governs discovery, requiring the prosecution to disclose evidence favorable to the defendant. Both parties must comply with discovery timelines set by the court.
Speedy Trial Requirements: Kentucky follows constitutional speedy trial standards under the Sixth Amendment and Kentucky Constitution Section 11, with courts applying a balancing test considering length of delay, reason for delay, defendant’s assertion of the right, and prejudice to the defendant.
Bail and Pretrial Release: Kentucky uses a statewide bail schedule for misdemeanors. Felony defendants receive individualized bail hearings in court. The state has reformed its bail system to reduce reliance on money bail for lower-risk defendants.
Felony Classification System: Kentucky classifies felonies into Capital Offenses and Classes A through D:
Capital Offenses include murder and kidnapping resulting in death, punishable by death, life imprisonment without parole, or 25 years to life.
Class A Felonies carry 20 to 50 years or life imprisonment (examples: rape of a child, kidnapping with serious injury).
Class B Felonies carry 10 to 20 years imprisonment (examples: first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree rape).
Class C Felonies carry 5 to 10 years imprisonment (examples: second-degree assault, trafficking in controlled substances).
Class D Felonies carry 1 to 5 years imprisonment (examples: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, stalking in the first degree, drug possession).
Fines for felony convictions range from $1,000 to $10,000.
Death Penalty Status: Kentucky retains the death penalty for capital murder offenses. Capital defense attorneys must be certified by the Kentucky Supreme Court to handle death penalty cases.
Expungement Eligibility: Kentucky allows expungement of most Class D felony convictions after five years following completion of sentence, including probation or parole, with no subsequent felony or misdemeanor convictions during that period. Misdemeanor convictions may be expunged after five years with no subsequent convictions. Charges dismissed, acquittals, and failures to indict may be expunged with shorter or no waiting periods. The expungement certification costs $40, and the filing fee for felony expungement is $50 initially plus $250 upon granting (payable by installment). Sex offenses, crimes against children, and offenses causing serious bodily injury or death are generally not eligible.
Persistent Felony Offender Laws: Under KRS 532.080, defendants with prior felony convictions face enhanced sentencing as persistent felony offenders, potentially increasing the sentence range significantly based on the number and timing of prior convictions.
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing: Kentucky imposes mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses, particularly repeat DUI offenses (10-year enhancement period), firearm violations, and drug trafficking offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens at an arraignment in Fayette County District Court?
A: At an arraignment in Fayette County, you will appear before a judge who will formally read the charges against you, advise you of your constitutional rights including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, and ask you to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can request a public defender. The judge will also address bond conditions. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment to preserve all legal options. The Fayette County District Court is located at 150 N. Limestone in Lexington.
Q: How long can I be held in the Fayette County Detention Center before seeing a judge?
A: Under Kentucky law and constitutional requirements, you must be brought before a judge within a reasonable time after arrest, typically within 24 to 48 hours for most offenses. The Fayette County Detention Center, located at 600 Old Frankfort Circle in Lexington, processes arrestees for initial appearances. For misdemeanors, you may be released on the statewide bail schedule amount. For felonies, you will have an individualized bail hearing where a judge determines release conditions.
Q: What are the penalties for a first DUI offense in Kentucky?
A: A first DUI offense in Kentucky is an ungraded misdemeanor carrying up to 30 days in jail (with a mandatory minimum of 48 hours), fines between $200 and $500, a 30 to 120 day license suspension, mandatory completion of an alcohol or substance abuse program, and community service. DUI convictions are “enhanceable” offenses in Kentucky, meaning penalties increase substantially with each subsequent conviction within a 10-year period. A fourth DUI within 10 years becomes a Class D felony with mandatory prison time.
Q: Does Fayette County offer any diversion programs for first-time offenders?
A: Yes, the Fayette County Attorney’s Office administers pretrial diversion programs for eligible first-time offenders charged with certain misdemeanor offenses. Successful completion of diversion, which may include community service, educational programs, and monitoring, results in dismissal of charges. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense and criminal history. Additionally, Kentucky offers deferred prosecution and pretrial diversion for some drug offenses through drug court programs. Fayette County operates specialized courts including Drug Court and Mental Health Court for qualifying defendants.
Q: Can I get my criminal record expunged in Kentucky, and what does it cost?
A: Kentucky permits expungement of many criminal records. For acquittals and dismissals with prejudice after July 15, 2020, expungement occurs automatically after 30 days. For dismissed cases without prejudice, you may petition for expungement after one year (misdemeanors) or three years (felonies) with no filing fee. For misdemeanor convictions, you must wait five years after completing your sentence with no subsequent convictions. For most Class D felonies, you must wait five years after completing your sentence including probation, with no subsequent convictions. The expungement certification costs $40. For felony expungements, the filing fee is $50, with an additional $250 fee upon granting (payable by installment). Sex offenses, crimes against children, and certain violent offenses are not eligible for expungement. Once expunged, you may legally deny the record’s existence on employment and credit applications.