Defending Clients. Rebuilding Lives.

In 2003, Susan Hawk was elected to the 291st Judicial District Court where she presided over all felony cases. Early in her career, she noticed that something was broken that was not addressing the severe mental health and substance abuse issues that were the root cause of so many crimes.   

Two years later, she launched the groundbreaking ATLAS (Achieving True Liberty and Success) Mental Health Diversion program. By emphasizing treatment over incarceration, this innovative court program helped hundreds of defendants with mental illness break free from the cycle of crime and re-incarceration and reconnect with their loved ones.

Further, Susan Hawk presided over cases where exonerated individuals spent decades in the penitentiary for crimes they did not commit and witnessed firsthand how their lives and their families’ lives were unjustly destroyed by the criminal justice system. This unique perspective and combined experience are the heart and soul of Hawk Criminal Law.

Today, Susan’s private practice focuses on three crucial areas:

1. Providing smart, comprehensive and tenacious representation to defendants accused of crime and

2. Helping those struggling with mental health issues find a path to getting the treatment they need instead of being warehoused in the penitentiary.

3. The threat or penalty of a trial will NEVER be a deterrent in your defense.

For those facing criminal charges, mental health issues or both, Hawk Criminal Law provides unsurpassed legal expertise and an unwavering commitment to every client’s best interests.