Kenneth Craig Smith, Criminal Defense Attorney in Shreveport, Louisiana
Over 33 years of legal practice · focused on Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, and Expungement · 4.6/5 rating from 4 verified client reviews
MemberatSmith & John Attorneys at Law
Shreveport, LA
Practicing criminal defense in Shreveport since 1993.
- 33+
- Years practicing
- 4.6 ★
- 4 client reviews
- 4
- Bar admissions
Are you Kenneth Craig Smith?
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Quick answer
Kenneth Craig Smith is a member based in Shreveport, LA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, and Expungement. Kenneth has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Smith & John Attorneys at Law. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 4 client reviews.
- Based in
- Shreveport, LA
- Experience
- over 33 years
- Known for
- Criminal Defense · DUI/DWI · Expungement
- Handles Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, and Expungement matters from Shreveport, LA.
- Over 33 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with BV Distinguished.
About Kenneth Craig Smith: Kenneth Craig Smith is a member based in Shreveport, LA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, and Expungement. Kenneth has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Smith & John Attorneys at Law. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 4 client reviews.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Kenneth takes on
Kenneth concentrates on criminal defense, dui/dwi, expungement, litigation, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Kenneth handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Criminal Defense
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DUI/DWI
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Expungement
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Litigation
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Personal Injury
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Traffic
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Wrongful Death
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Criminal Defense cases in Shreveport, Louisiana
Kenneth takes criminal defense matters in Shreveport, Louisiana. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kenneth agrees to represent you.
DUI/DWI cases in Shreveport, Louisiana
Kenneth takes dui/dwi matters in Shreveport, Louisiana. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kenneth agrees to represent you.
Expungement cases in Shreveport, Louisiana
Kenneth takes expungement matters in Shreveport, Louisiana. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kenneth agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Shreveport, Louisiana
Kenneth takes litigation matters in Shreveport, Louisiana. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kenneth agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in Shreveport, Louisiana
Kenneth takes personal injury matters in Shreveport, Louisiana. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kenneth agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Kenneth Craig Smith — criminal defense lawyer in Shreveport
Kenneth Craig Smith is a member based in Shreveport, LA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, and Expungement. Kenneth has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Smith & John Attorneys at Law. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 4 client reviews.
Craig has been selected for the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® © by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C. He has been previously selected for the prior year\'s editions from 2007-2022.
Craig has also been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers® list. Super Lawyers is part of Thomson Reuters. He has been previously selected for the prior years of 2017-2022.
Additionally, Craig has been listed as one of the top lawyers in the Shreveport-Bossier area in SB Magazine\'s "Top Lawyers" issue (2004-2023).
He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and Fifth Federal Circuit Bar Association. He has been a Master Member of the Harry V. Booth and Henry A. Politz Chapter of the American Inns of Court. Craig was invited to join the Inn as an Associate member in 1998. Since then, he has advanced to a Barrister Member and then a Master member. The Inn is a group of select judges and lawyers dedicated to improving the skills, professionalism, and ethics of the bench and bar. (1998-2012)
Craig will be serving a tenth term for the 2022-2024 term in the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association for the First Judicial District Court which encompasses all of Caddo Parish. (Prior terms: \'02-\'04. \'04-\'06, \'06-\'08, \'08-\'10, \'10-\'12, \'12-\'14, \'14-\'16, \'16-\'18, and \'18-\'20.) The House of Delegates is the policy making body of the Louisiana State Bar Association. Craig has chaired the Criminal Law Committee of the Shreveport Bar Association, and he has chaired the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee which handled grievances by clients against their attorneys.
Craig has lectured numerous times on the subjects of "Expungements" and criminal law. Instructor, "DWI Defense," Shreveport Bar Association December CLE By The Hour, December 15, 2021; Instructor, "Expungements," Legal Services of North Louisiana, Inc. Recent Developments CLE, November 2015; Instructor, "Expungements," Legal Services of North Louisiana, Inc. Recent Developments CLE, September 2014; Instructor, "DWI Seminar," Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, October 2011. Instructor, "Art of Criminal Law," Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, October 2010. Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2007. Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2006. Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2003. Instructor/Author, "Expungements," Shreveport Bench-Bar Conference 2000. Craig also teaches the certificate course "Paralegal of Criminal Litigation" at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and has done so during the Fall of 2010-2019 and 2021 semesters.
Craig was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from Loyola College Prep in 1985. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 1990. He attended law school at Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he graduated in 1993.
Craig was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1993, and since then, he has been admitted to practice before the following courts: U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana; and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana.
He is a past board member of the Young Lawyer\'s Section of the Shreveport Bar Association. He has served as a Teen Court Judge and has volunteered his time as a Teen Court Advisor and to KTBS-3\'s "Call a Lawyer" program. He has given his time to area high school mock trial competitions. Craig has also served on the St. Joseph\'s Parish Finance Council as Vice-president and as a council member.
Craig is married to Mary Ann, and they have two sons Craig III and Jack, and a daughter, Mary Kathryn.
Craig practices throughout North Louisiana in the following cities and parishes: Shreveport, Blanchard, Mooringsport, Greenwood, Vivian, Caddo Parish, Bossier City, Benton, Plain Dealing, Haughton, Bossier Parish, Minden, Springhill, Cullen, Webster Parish, Mansfield, Stonewall, DeSoto Parish, Arcadia, Bienville Parish, Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Coushatta, Red River Parish, Homer, Claiborne Parish, Many, and Sabine Parish.
Kenneth's approach to criminal defense cases
Craig has been selected for the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® © by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C. He has been previously selected for the prior year\'s editions from 2007-2022. Craig has also been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers® list. Super Lawyers is part of Thomson Reuters. He has been previously selected for the prior years of 2017-2022.…
Clients Kenneth works with
Kenneth reviews new inquiries case-by-case for criminal defense, dui/dwi, and expungement matters in Shreveport and the surrounding Louisiana area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, Paul M. Hebert Law Center
J.D. · 1993
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
B.S. Finance · 1990
Jurisdictions
Kenneth's state bar admissions
U.S. District Court,
1999 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
1995 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1994 · ACTIVE
Louisiana
1993 · ACTIVE
Kenneth studied at J.D. in Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, Paul M. Hebert Law Center and B.S. Finance in Louisiana State University at Shreveport.
Law school and academic background
Kenneth completed J.D. in Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, Paul M. Hebert Law Center and B.S. Finance in Louisiana State University at Shreveport. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Kenneth runs in Louisiana is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Kenneth has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
BV Distinguished
Legal awards and honors
BV Distinguished.
Locations
Kenneth Craig Smith's office in Shreveport
Kenneth's primary office is at 3646 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA, 71105. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Kenneth Craig Smith — 4.6/5 rating from 4 verified client reviews
Every review below is from a verified client of Kenneth. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing criminal defense attorneys in Shreveport.
4.6
4 client reviews
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Kenneth Craig Smith claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Kenneth Craig Smith — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new criminal defense attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Kenneth usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Kenneth charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kenneth's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Kenneth will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney in Shreveport, Louisiana
A short list to run through before you commit: How many criminal defense matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Kenneth
Kenneth discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in criminal defense practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every criminal defense matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Kenneth confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Kenneth's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many criminal defense practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Kenneth Craig Smith
How much does it cost to hire Kenneth for a criminal defense case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Kenneth walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Kenneth offer a free consultation?
Kenneth charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kenneth's office. Some criminal defense attorneys offer free consults — check Kenneth's current terms during booking.
How long do criminal defense cases in Louisiana typically take?
Simple criminal defense matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Kenneth gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Kenneth take my case if I'm outside Shreveport?
Kenneth is licensed in Louisiana. Matters governed by Louisiana law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Kenneth will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Kenneth?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Kenneth will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Kenneth accepting new criminal defense clients right now?
Kenneth's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Criminal Defense attorneys serving Shreveport, New Orleans and Baton Rouge in Louisiana
Kenneth handles criminal defense matters throughout Louisiana. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified criminal defense attorneys in that community.
More counsel
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If Kenneth's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these criminal defense attorneys in Shreveport handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.
