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Criminal defense

Charged with a crime in Jefferson County?

Justin Gooch spent two years prosecuting cases in Louisville's courts before he ever defended one. He knows how the Commonwealth builds a case, which is exactly how he takes one apart. DUI, drugs, assault, theft, white-collar and juvenile matters, in District and Circuit Court.

Call (502) 475-0556Free consultation
4.714 Google reviews
Stone columns and steps of a civic building
Former prosecutorAssistant Jefferson County Attorney, 2011 to 2013
Your rights, protectedNo statements, no searches, without counsel
The whole record consideredDiversion, amendment and expungement in view
Reach the attorneyNot a call center, not a paralegal

What we handle

Criminal cases Gooch Law defends.

From a first-offense DUI in District Court to a felony indictment in Circuit Court.

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DUI and traffic offenses

The stop, the field sobriety tests, the breath or blood test and the timing all have to be right. Justin reviews every step. License consequences, aggravators and repeat-offense rules explained.

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Drug charges

Possession, trafficking, paraphernalia and prescription cases. Unlawful searches are the most common defense, and treatment-based resolutions are often available.

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Assault and violent crimes

From a fourth-degree assault after a fight to serious felony charges. Self-defense, witness credibility and the actual injuries are where these cases are won.

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Theft and property crimes

Shoplifting, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and burglary. Kentucky's dollar thresholds decide misdemeanor versus felony.

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White-collar crimes

Fraud, embezzlement, forgery and financial investigations, often state and federal. Early counsel can shape whether charges are ever filed.

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Juvenile offenses

Juvenile court is built around rehabilitation, and the goal is a resolution that does not follow a young person into adulthood.

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Justin Gooch standing beside a marble wall in a dimly lit lobby2 yrsas a Jefferson County prosecutor

The prosecutor's vantage point

He has read thousands of case files from the other side of the table.

As an Assistant Jefferson County Attorney from 2011 to 2013, Justin decided which cases to pursue, what to offer and when a case could not be proven. That experience is now yours. He knows what the arresting officer's report leaves out, what the lab has to show, which motions the Commonwealth does not want to litigate and what a fair resolution looks like in this courthouse.

  • Every stop, search and statement reviewed for constitutional problems
  • Discovery demanded and read line by line
  • Diversion, amendment and dismissal pursued before plea is ever discussed
  • Trial when the Commonwealth cannot prove its case
Call (502) 475-0556Case review

If you have been arrested

Three rules that protect your case.

Say you want a lawyer, then stop

You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Use both. Do not explain, argue or try to talk your way out. Nothing you say helps you.

Do not consent to searches

You can say no politely. If police search anyway, that is a question for the courtroom, not the roadside. Consent gives away a defense.

Call Gooch Law before court

Arraignment comes quickly. Having Justin there from the first appearance affects bond, the record and everything that follows.

Criminal defense FAQ

What people ask first.

I was just arrested. What do I do first?

Ask for a lawyer and stop talking. Do not explain, do not consent to a search, do not try to clear it up. Then call Gooch Law. If a family member is in custody, call and Justin will explain bond, arraignment and what happens next.

Should I talk to the police to clear things up?

Not without a lawyer. Investigators are allowed to mislead you, and anything you say will be used. Justin can find out what the police want and, when it helps, speak to them on your behalf.

What does a former prosecutor bring to my defense?

Justin spent two years as an Assistant Jefferson County Attorney managing thousands of cases. He knows how the Commonwealth charges, what it needs to prove, where its cases are weak and what it will realistically offer. That is the vantage point every defendant wants on their side.

How much will my defense cost?

It depends on the charge and the court. Justin quotes a flat fee or an hourly arrangement in writing before any work starts. There are no surprise bills.

Can a charge be kept off my record?

Sometimes through a dismissal, a diversion program or an amended charge, and later through Kentucky's expungement statutes. Justin considers the long-term record from the first day of the case, not just the immediate outcome.

Case review

Tell Justin what you are facing.

The charge, the court, whether anyone is in custody. Keep it brief; the details belong in a private conversation, not a web form.

  • Free first conversation
  • Fees quoted in writing before work starts
  • District and Circuit Court, Jefferson County and beyond
Call (502) 475-0556
4.714 Google reviews

Please share only the basic information needed to request a consultation, and do not send confidential documents or sensitive case details through this form. Sending a request does not create an attorney-client relationship. Justin will explain the next steps before you share more.

Under arrest or under investigation?

Call (502) 475-0556. If someone is in custody, call now rather than sending the form.

Call (502) 475-0556Free consultation