sarah westra law
“You matter,” Criminal Defense Attorney Sarah Westra declares. It is this staunch belief in the protections of our judicial system that she feels deeply, and fiercely advocates on behalf of her clients. Gifted at showing genuine compassion, she skillfully maintains a steady composure when meeting with clients who often reveal delicate or gritty information. “My clients matter to me. I understand their reluctance to believe that our judicial system is intended to protect them. I understand that this is the biggest thing in their life. I enjoy defending clients with complex cases and doing my job, providing solid criminal defense counsel. I value the privilege of compassionately defending them and their rights,” she states.
Doing her best work in this capacity, she is focused on digging deep into the legal issues and nuances, especially when she believes that her client is particularly vulnerable or being treated unfairly by the prosecution. Developing a trusting relationship with her clients is one reason for her success. The other reason is, as she puts it, “It’s not just the ability to practice law, but the opportunity to be in court, to develop relationships within the court system, with the judges and prosecutors, clerks, probation officers, and court officers.” It is her approach to cultivating trust with her clients and the same among her legal colleagues that have earned her an exemplary reputation within the criminal defense practice area.
Known as a determined litigator, Attorney Westra doesn’t back down or bluff when battling against a prosecutor. “It comes down to experience and intelligence. But it also comes down to a willingness to fight the fight against them,” she acknowledges. Attorney Westra has successfully represented clients in a wide range of criminal cases, from domestic violence, child abuse, and seeking protective orders, to operating under the influence (OUI), drug trafficking and other drug offenses, sexual assault, firearms, animal cruelty, and armed robberies. In each of these cases, it is her relentless drive to look for a hidden subtlety or extenuating detail that she will tirelessly pursue and argue in court, resulting in a successful outcome for her client.
She also works with a lot of veterans. “Not a lot of attorneys are familiar with the ‘Brave Act,’ formerly known as the ‘Valor Act,’” she comments. “This applies with OUI first offense or other less serious misdemeanors. There are certain qualifications that a veteran has to meet. Helping someone in this situation to apply this legal provision to their case is a rewarding success.”
Attorney Westra continues to be a sharp-eyed student, always keeping her knowledge of the ever-changing legal landscape in focus. “Just as I am comfortable advocating for my client in a courtroom, I am also comfortable recognizing that the laws in the criminal justice system, in particular, are changing along with the times. I crave learning interesting and new legal dynamics, and adapting these changes to my defense skills, which support my ability to better defend the needs of my clients,” she explains.
Taking her responsibility seriously as a court officer who is on the side of her clients, Attorney Westra emphatically concludes, “I’m passionate about the law and passionate about advocacy. I’m going to fight for you every step of the way. That person is my client and they’re trusting me to fight for them when they don’t know the rules. They just know me and I’m their voice in court. Our founding fathers recognize that people matter and that is why we have our amazing justice system. It’s a circumstance, but it doesn’t define them as human beings.”