Jefferson Memorial

D.C. Criminal Defense and CPO Trial Lawyer

Jamison Koehler is a trial attorney who represents clients in criminal defense and civil protection order (CPO) litigation in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Koehler practices exclusively in D.C. Superior Court.  He does not divide his time between Maryland, Virginia and D.C.  He does not work in federal court.  Nor does he combine his criminal defense and CPO practice with personal injury, family law, or other practice areas.

Mr. Koehler believes that this focus allows him to understand the local practice and applicable laws in D.C.  It also enables him to develop the best possible relationship with judges, prosecutors, probation officers and court staff.  Mr. Koehler offers quality and experienced representation at reasonable, affordable rates. 

Criminal defense in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Koehler represents people charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in the District of Columbia. 

Washington Monument and Capitol buildingMr. Koehler’s practice focuses on the following criminal offenses:

Civil protection orders and anti-stalking orders

Representing both petitioners and respondents, Koehler Law devotes a substantial part of its practice to CPOs and anti-stalking orders (ASOs).

Litigated in D.C. Superior Court, a CPO is a court order directing a person to refrain from certain conduct – typically some form of harassing, assaultive, threatening, or other type of behavior involving “interpersonal violence.”

An ASO prevents the subject of the order from following, monitoring, placing under surveillance, threatening, interfering with or otherwise harassing another person. 

Mr. Koehler’s expertise is particular relevant when a CPO or ASO overlaps with a criminal case.

Trial wins and other successes in D.C. Superior Court

Because every case is different, Koehler Law cannot guarantee success in any particular case.  At the same time, Jamison Koehler has secured successful outcomes for many clients in both criminal and CPO/ASO cases.

Recent victories in criminal court include outright acquittals for Koehler Law clients charged with aggravated assault, simple assault (three cases), destruction of property, misdemeanor sexual assault, drug charges, and carrying a pistol without a license and other firearm charges.

Mr. Koehler has also prevailed at trial or secured dismissals in multiple CPO/ASO cases.  In August 2026, for example, the court denied a request for a civil protection order on the grounds that our client had not engaged in stalking.  In September 2026, another stalking case was dismissed by the court mid-trial for lack of evidence.

Appellate work through the D.C. Court of Appeals

In addition to his trial work, Mr. Koehler has prevailed on a number of high-profile cases before the D.C. Court of Appeals.  

In Curtis Best v. United States, 66 A.3d 1013 (D.C. 2013), Mr. Koehler argued successfully that his client’s constitutional rights were violated when the government was allowed to introduce hearsay testimony against his client. Mr. Best’s conviction for simple assault was therefore overturned. 

In James Schools v. United States, 84 A.3d 503 (D.C. 2013), the D.C. Court of Appeals reversed the conviction of Mr. Koehler’s client after finding that no reasonable jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Koehler’s client possessed the firearm in question.  

In Josue Lopez Ambrocio v. District of Columbia, 124 A.3d 628 (D.C. 2015), Mr. Koehler argued successfully that the government had failed to comply with its obligations under the Jencks Act.  The case was thus remanded to the trial court for further findings.  

Finally, in DeAndre Brooks v. United States, 130 A.3d 952 (D.C. 2015), the Court of Appeals reversed his client’s conviction for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on the basis of insufficient evidence.

Biographical information, qualifications, and legal training

Mr. Koehler graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College and earned a Master’s Degree from Georgetown University.

He received his law degree from Temple University, where he served as an editor of the Temple Political and Civil Rights Law Review. He also represented indigent criminal defendants at the Defender Association of Philadelphia.

Mr. Koehler is a member of the D.C. Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association and the National College for DUI Defense. He is certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to administer the Standarized Field Sobriety Test used in most jurisdictions to screen drivers suspected of drinking-and-driving.  As a founding member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys, Mr. Koehler is also trained in the administration of the Intox EC-IR II, the breath test machine used in both D.C. and Virginia.

The American Bar Association named the “Koehler Law Blog” as one of the nation’s top 100 law blogs for five years straight, and as the top criminal justice blog overall for 2011 and 2012. Mr. Koehler was honored as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers in 2014, and in 2015, the American Institute of Criminal Defense Lawyers gave him its 10 Best in Client Satisfaction Award.

Why hire Jamison Koehler?

Having litigated hundred of trials over the course of his very successful career, Mr. Koehler is first and foremost a trial lawyer.  

As one of his former clients has described things, “it was clear that everyone in the courthouse respected him — judges, prosecutors, court clerks.  At trial, he tied up the prosecutor with the rules of evidence, and he made the police officer look like a lying idiot.”  

Mr. Koehler prides himself in particular on his ability to use the rules of evidence to the advantage of his clients.  

What clients say about Jamison Koehler

The following testimonials provide an example of the positive things clients have posted about Mr. Koehler on legal referral sites.  (The outcome of a criminal case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. By posting the testimonials below, Koehler Law does not mean to imply that it can achieve the same positive result in every case.)

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Attorney Koehler is the kind of lawyer I believed there could be. He is a true practitioner of the law, the way it should be done. He is a good person with clear ethics and character, and brilliant and kind. I would trust him with my life and serious circumstances. I did, in fact. It was the right decision. He won. We prevailed. He is someone I would recommend to my dearest loved ones. Attorney Koehler is a special lawyer in a class all his own.

J.P., Respondent, Anti-Stalking Order

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Mr. Jamison was my lawyer for my second DUI in less than a year and I was facing some real time behind bars. The trial expanded for a few months. He filed about five to six motions on my behalf. He was phenomenal doing the cross examination. He made the prosecution’s Witnesses look foolish.  They ended up dropping all charges against me.  I could not have asked for a better attorney.

— E.A., DUI/DWI

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Mr. Koehler is, as far as I am concerned, the best criminal defense lawyer in D.C. He walked me through things before I hired him, and literally everything he predicted came true. When I brought him on, it was clear that everyone in the courthouse respected him – judges, prosecutors, court clerks. At trial, he tied up the prosecutor with the rules of evidence, and he made the police officer look like a lying idiot. It was fun to watch. You almost felt bad for the officer. I was acquitted of all charges. I will be forever grateful to the man. Thank you, Mr. Koehler!

–J.C., Simple Assault

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Mr. Koehler represented me as the petitioner in a DC CPO case, a horrific affair, 9 months of stalking, harassment, threats of violence and extortion.  If I could give 10 stars I would.  Mr. Koehler is that unique combination of highly knowledgeable and competent, while being incredibly personable.  He handled the horrendous twists and turns of my case with such humanity, care and genuine concern for me (and the law), all the while navigating the DC legal system and the process for me with the utmost professionalism.

After winning my case yesterday, I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in months. I slept so peacefully and soundly — like I haven’t in a very long time. And, I feel safe and secure, and intensely happy that I don’t have to face the prospect of another day wondering what awful thing the stalker might do to attempt some form of contact/show his “affection”….It’s been the most horrendous nightmare.  My family, friends and loved ones — and most importantly I can’t thank Mr. Koehler enough for restoring to me a feeling of safety and freedom. I owe him an immense debt of gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, one Hoya to another.

–K.J.S., Petitioner, Civil Protection Order

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I was falsely accused of a crime. I interviewed a number of lawyers before finding Mr. Koehler. Mr. Koehler was patient and kind with me. He didn’t pressure me to hire him as others did. And he didn’t seem to be all about the money. Everyone at the courthouse seemed to like and respect Mr. Koehler. He investigated the case thoroughly, and he did not pressure me to take a plea offer. He was calm at trial. And he exposed my accuser as the liar she was. We won!

–V.E., Simple Assault/Destruction of Property

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When the stakes are high, you need more than a good attorney, you need someone you can trust completely.  Jamison Koehler was exactly that.  

He represented me in a CPO case, and from the very beginning he was honest, compassionate, attentive, and incredibly communicative. He never sugarcoated anything, but he also never left me wondering what was happening or what came next. Every call, email, and question was answered, and I always felt like my case truly mattered to him.

What impressed me most is something people don’t usually mention in reviews:  Jamison has a calming presence.  When emotions were running high and I felt overwhelmed, he stayed steady.  He never matched the chaos, he brought clarity.  That made all the difference.  

He fought for me, he believed in my case, and he won.  I will always be grateful for his representation.  If you’re looking for an attorney who is not only highly skilled but also genuinely invested in his clients, I can’t recommend Jamison Koehler enough. 

—N.F, Respondent, Civil Protection Order

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I had never been in any sort of legal trouble until couple years ago when I was charged with a serious offense that would put me in prison for many years if convicted. After researching qualified criminal defense lawyers, I was fortunate to come into contact with Mr. Koehler. 

During the initial meeting, Mr.Koehler was very patient and sympathetic when I told him my side of the story. He explained the due process procedures and answered all the questions that I was unsure of. 

The case went on for another year and half because of the government investigation and proceeding. Mr. Koehler and his investigator contacted many witnesses and prepared them to testify on my behalf. Mr. Koehler also filed a number of motions to help fight the case. Thanks to Mr. Koehler’s hard work, we got an offer on the eve of trial that we could not refuse. Not only were the two felony charges dropped, I will also come out of this whole experience without a conviction on my record. 

I highly recommend Jamison Koehler.

H.C.S.,Aggravated Assault/Assault with Significant Bodily Injury

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Dear Mr. Koehler:

What excellent professional law work you did on my case, which ended with a clean dismissal just hours ago. I can’t thank you enough. You acted urgently early in my case, and very skillfully interviewed a computer expert who used AI to discover my accuser’s identity; then to gain the expert’s cooperation, which was a key in building up my defense. This culminated in your masterful letter to the District Attorney just five days ago, pleading my innocence.

Counselor, you have a very special manner that helped me overcome the extreme fear and anxiety of an 86 year old man, who at this late stage in his professional life never expected to be handcuffed, shuffled into a jail cell and unexpectedly brought low by an internet troll making false accusations and running to the police with false video footage.  In every detail and opportunity you truly defended me, as a dedicated and ethical officer of the court should.  I shall never forget your professional efforts on my behalf; and maybe the most, your unique combination of excellent writing, humanism and humor and the kind manner in which you treated me.  Thanks to you, my ordeal is over.

–Anonymous, Simple Assault

Contact: Mr. Koehler can be contacted directly at jkoehler@koehlerlaw.net or 202-549-2374.