Free Consultation
$0 first 15 minutes
For Justus, criminal defense begins with listening. Behind every charge is a person facing uncertainty about their freedom, family, work, and future. Justus takes time to understand what happened, what the government alleges, and what matters most to his client before deciding how to challenge the case.
Justus has practiced criminal defense since 2012. He has handled more than 3,500 criminal matters, with charges ranging from misdemeanors including DUI to serious felony and violent-crime allegations, including murder and aggravated assault. His practice has included DUI, domestic violence, other driving offenses, theft, drug and weapons charges, sex offense.
No two cases are the same, even when the charges are identical. Justus examines what the evidence actually proves rather than accepting the conclusions in a police report, witness statement, or laboratory result. That may mean testing an officer’s account through cross-examination, challenging the legality of a stop, investigating how evidence was collected and preserved, or working with an expert to assess scientific evidence. When trial is the right course, he is prepared to take the case to a jury.
Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Poulsbo, Washington, Justus graduated from Saint Martin’s University before attending Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston on an academic scholarship. During law school, he interned with the Fort Bend Mental Health Public Defender’s Office, working with people who faced criminal charges alongside significant mental health challenges. That experience reinforced a principle that still guides his practice: a police report rarely tells a person’s whole story.
After graduating from law school in 2012, Justus returned to the Pacific Northwest and began his career as a public defender. Criminal defense has remained the focus of his work ever since.
DUI defense is a significant part of Justus’s practice. He has handled more than 500 DUI and physical-control-related matters, with outcomes that include acquittals, dismissals, reduced charges, deferred prosecutions, diversions, and other alternatives. He looks beyond a breath-test or toxicology number to examine timing, collection and handling, testing reliability, witness observations, and whether the evidence establishes impairment at the time of driving.
Justus believes clients deserve candid advice about risk and a lawyer willing to challenge the government when the facts and law support it. He works to explain the process, identify realistic options, and give clients the information they need to make decisions about their own lives. Whether the case calls for negotiation, expert investigation, a motion, or trial, his approach remains the same: listen to the client, examine the evidence, and build the defense from there.
Outside the courtroom, Justus enjoys golf, running, and pub trivia.
Free Consultation
$0 first 15 minutes
State: Washington
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
1145 Broadway, Ste 218, Tacoma, WA, 98402
90 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Trustworthiness
Posted by anthony | December 15, 2022
awesome attorney
awesome attorney he was extremely helpful, honest and he kept me updated with everything to do with my case i hope ill never get in the same trouble again but if i did i would definitely want his help
Posted by Debi | March 24, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Debi Valliere
I would highly recommend Justus to anyone if they are looking for a reliable dependable attorney. It was a positive experience for me. He did everything and it turned out just like he said. I could have been in a lot of expensive trouble. As it was zero fines and dismissed case. Thank you Justus
Posted by Amber | January 28, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Great lawyer got my case dismissed !!
I had gotten a physical control of a motor vehicle charge back in December of 2019 . I was formally charged in February of 2020 and had a different lawyer for the first year and a half of the case who advised me that I would probably end up having to plead guilty to this or possibly a lower driving c...
Posted by anonymous | February 25, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Helpful, dependable and trustworthy
Justus Kandoll was the best public defender I could have asked for. He was extremely helpful, dedicating time and effort that exceeded the expectations I assumed were necessary through the duration of my case. When you communicate your questions or needs to him, his response is almost instantaneo...
Posted by Shayne | August 28, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Equal
Justice he was a very good public defender for my case and involving around a misdemeanor so we sat down got to talk a lot about not only my life , and not only did he completely take his time, but he decided to approach it with heart, effort, and purpose; cautiously getting to the bottom of my case...
"I really cannot say enough about Justus Kandoll – he is an amazing advocate for his clients and an amazing asset to the legal community. I continue to be impressed by his passion for criminal defense both in and out of court. I endorse, and highly recommend, Mr. Kandoll because he is a knowledgeable, personable, and dedicated advocate. He is an invaluable resource whether you need professional practice tips or just need to find the right courtroom. Simply put, Justus is an outstanding attorney."
"Justus Kandoll is an excellent attorney and I would highly recommend him to any of my friends and family if they ever needed a criminal defense attorney."
"Not only is Justus is a great attorney who never quits working for his clients, he is a fantastic colleague to practice with who has developed into a highly respected advocate."
Criminal defense lawyer
Unknown lawyer
2017 - Present
Associate, Taschner and Associates
2014 - 2016
Solo Practitioner, Law office of Justus Kandoll
2013 - 2014
Associate, Garden City Group
2015 - Present
Grays Harbor County Bar AssociationMember
2012
JD - Juris Doctor
2008
BA - Bachelor of Arts