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Peter A. Camiel
About Peter
Biography
Superb trial lawyer. In 40-plus years of private practice Peter has tried well over 100 cases to juries, winning not guilty verdicts on charges of murder, manslaughter, felony and misdemeanor assault, in both domestic violence and non-DV cases, and on sexual misconduct charges. He has successfully defended clients on charges of fraud and other financial misconduct, drug possession and dealing, and RICO. He has won cases throughout the state of Washington and in Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia and Montana. He is a skilled, experienced, persuasive trial lawyer. He has persuaded prosecutors to dismiss serious charges after conducting investigation.
Peter has also won extraordinary results in post-conviction advocacy. In 2017 he won reversal of murder convictions for three clients in Georgia when the entire Georgia Supreme Court granted his habeas petition because the prosecutors had failed to disclose important evidence that another person committed the murder. His successful representation of Clyde Ray Spencer, a former police officer who had been sentenced to life in prison for child rape, was featured by ABC's 20/20. Peter won reversal of Mr. Spencer's life sentence and his release and ultimately vacation of the conviction. His successful fight to free Barry Beach, a wrongfully convicted inmate in Montana, was featured on Dateline NBC. He won reversal of murder convictions of two clients who had been wrongfully convicted in California, Willie Green and Frank O'Connell.
In 2009 the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers gave Peter its highest award, the William O. Douglas Award, recognizing a pattern of extraordinary achievement, courage and dedication in the practice of criminal law. He is listed as a Best Lawyer in the Pacific Northwest by U.S. News & World Report for both Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense and as a "Super Lawyer" in Washington Law & Politics Magazine.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Criminal Defense
100%
44 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 43 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1982
No misconduct found
Location
Camiel & Chaney, P.S.
2800 1st Avenue, Suite 309, Seattle, WA, 98121
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Peter A. Camiel's Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Charles | March 19, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Superior Attorney
Peter gets results. My ex wife did everything that she could in her power to conjure up lies in effort to send me to jail. I was frustrated but turned to Peter. We took our case in front of a jury, and he was able to contradict my ex- wife's testimony and extract the truth. The jury went to deliberat...
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2008
Ms. Susan L. Guse
Attorney Camiel is responsive, reliable, has a gentle demeanor which puts the client at ease. He follows through and inspires trust and confidence. He is an excellent attorney.
Peter A. Camiel's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Peter is an exceptional lawyer with years of experience."
Gilbert Levy
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2018
Tier 1 Criminal Defense: General Practice, US News - Best Law Firms
2017
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2017
Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense, The Best Lawyers in America, Pacific Northwest
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2016
Listed, White Collar Criminal Defense, The Best Lawyers in America, Pacific Northwest
2016
Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense Non-White Collar, The Best Lawyers in America, Pacific Northwest
2015
Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense, The Best Lawyers in Amerca
2015
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2014
Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense, The Best Lawyers in America
2014
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2013
Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense, The Best Lawyers in America
2013
Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2013
Criminal Defense, Seattle's Best Lawyers
2012
Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense, Seattle's Best Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2012
Best lawyers-Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense, Seattle Business Magazine
2011
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2010
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2009
William O. Douglas Award, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2009
Non-White Collar Criminal Defense, The Best Lawyers in America
2006
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2005
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2004
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2003
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Partner, Camiel & Chaney, P.S.
2001 - 2017
Consulting Attorney representing wrongfully convicted clients, Centurion Ministries (Prisoner Innocence Project)
1983 - 2014
Partner, Mair & Camiel
Associations
1986 - Present
Washington Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1982 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Defendant
Sex charge dismissed after defense investigation.
State v. Defendant, western WA county
reduced to misdemeanor, non-sex offense, no jail
State v. Defendant, eastern WA county
reduced to misdemeanor, non-sex offense, no jail
People v. O'Connell
conviction vacated, client freed, charge dismissed
State v. Defendant, Kitsap County Superior Court
Not guilty jury verdict on indecent liberties charges
State v. Clyde Spencer
life sentence commuted, subesquent successful PRP and all charges dismissed.
People v. Willie Green, Los Angeles County Superior Court
habeas petition granted & client freed after serving 25 years in prison
State v. Jason Fakih
acquitted of murder, manslaughter and felony assault charges and self-defense attorney fees awarded
State v. Defendant-Pierce County
rape charges dismissed
United States v. Defendant
all charges dismissed
United States v. Defendant
all charges dismissed
United States v. Defendant
all charges dismissed
United States v. Defendant
all charges dismissed
People v. Willie Earl Green
Habeas Petition granted, murder charge dismissed
Education
1982
University of Puget Sound School of Law
Juris Doctor, Summa Cum Laude
1979
Washington State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
fed. court demonstration for middle school teachers
Voir Dire
2010
Montana Association of Criminal Defensel Lawyers annual conference
Post conviction practice
2009
The Canadian Defendant
Common issues in representing Canadian defendants
2008
Continuing Legal Education seminar
Federal Motions
2007
National Institute of Trial Advocacy
trial skills
2006
National Institute of Trial Advocacy
trial skills
2005
National Institute of Trial Advocacy
trial skills
Languages
English