Derek M. Koehler

Anyone reading this review should consider the source when reading the previous person's review…. Derek Koehler is one of the most excellent public defenders I, myself (or anyone requiring free representation) could ask for. Yes, it's true, if you sporadically attempt to contact him or wait until the... last minute before going to court, then your chances of speaking with him personally may be slim. That being said; it clearly states on his voicemail that the best way to contact him is through email & if you heed that advice, he is very prompt & responsive. This man literally represents entire communities in the state of Alaska & I am not surprised that he doesn't go out of his way to contact or call back every single defendant he represents. If you don't want to deal with the hassle & inconvenience of attending court hearings, spending hundreds of dollars in fines & court fees or facing the negative consequences of the results of your actions, then I highly suggest NOT BREAKING THE LAW. Go figure, right!? I hate to be the bearer of bad news; but criminal activity, poor decision making, negligence & lack of common sense MAY result in unpleasant legal consequences such as but not limited to; incarceration & an unnecessary loss of time & money. In closing, my recently closed case could not have been handled any better, nor could there have been a better end result if I had hired an attorney and spent thousands on a retainer alone. Mr. Koehler is an exceptional public defender & any defendant who cannot afford their own representation would be lucky to have him.

I received Derek as my attorney and called him and left messages on a daily basis for 2 months. Not only did he NEVER call me he was never present in court for me 4 times. The same kid was there that told me Derek was "Swamped with 120 cases" and did not have any time to deal with my case and he woul...d just "continue" my case again just like he did the last 4 times. This was after I spent $235 and flew in from out of town for a trial call that I was told by the hack that I did not even need to be present for! I can't wait to see what else my phantom "attorney" has done for me! I have shown up for court 4 times and was always told by someone else Derek was "In court" somewhere else and would not be there and my case needed to be continued!