Joseph Lesniak
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Media, Pennsylvania
Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 2003
Education: Villanova University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2016 - 2018 Call today:
484-444-2348
Virtual Appointments 
Free Consultation Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC
334 W Front StMedia, PA 19063 Visit website
Joseph Lesniak, an accomplished attorney at the Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, in Media, Pennsylvania, serves clients throughout the state. He focuses his practice on criminal defense, focusing on cases involving:
· Assault
· Child abuse
· Computer crimes
· Domestic violence
· Drug and weapon offenses
· DUI/ traffic violations
· Expungements
· Juvenile crimes
· Sex crimes
Mr. Lesniak earned his bachelor's degree cum laude from Villanova University in 2000, followed by a Juris Doctor from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in 2003. Post law school, he dedicated over nine years to the Delaware County District Attorneys Office, predominantly within the Special Victims Domestic Violence Division. There, he prosecuted numerous sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence cases.
Additionally, Mr. Lesniak served as the lead prosecutor for the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, where he played a crucial part in investigating and prosecuting internet exploitation and child pornography cases. His contributions extended to creating and teaching policies and techniques that have been successfully implemented across the state.
Throughout his tenure at the District Attorney's Office, Mr. Lesniak developed and presented various outreach programs addressing significant issues such as protection from abuse orders, internet safety and cyberbullying. He has delivered presentations both locally and nationally for prestigious organizations, including the National District Attorneys Association, the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse and the U.S. Department of Justice.
In his role as the Nether Providence Township Solicitor for over two years, Mr. Lesniak drafted numerous ordinances, provided legal advice on complex zoning issues, and developed effective policies. He played a key role in drafting a comprehensive Civil Service Ordinance, ensuring compliance with state mandates and fairness in the police officer selection process.
Mr. Lesniak also contributes to academia as an adjunct political science professor at The Pennsylvania State University. His dedication to his profession is further highlighted by his receipt of notable awards, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation Award for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest and the Nicholas Vadino, Jr. Award for outstanding commitment to the Bar by a young lawyer. He also has an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell.
Mr. Lesniak's extensive experience in the legal field, combined with his organizational, communication and litigation skills, has enabled him to build a successful law practice dedicated to serving his clients and community.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWIFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, DUI/DWI, Debt, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations
- 90% Criminal Defense
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
First Admitted: 2003, Pennsylvania
Professional Webpage: https://www.jpllaw.net/about/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Campaign Coordinator for Edwin Erickson, Candidate for Pennsylvania 26th Senatorial District
- Pennsylvania, 2003
- Lawyers Committee Chairman for Gregory Mallon, Candidate for Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas – 2007
- Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge – 2011
- Delaware County District Attorney – 2007
- Executive Campaign Committee for G. Michael Green
- Delaware County Young Republicans
- Gina Gorbey Zarko for 7th Ward Commissioner
- Nathan Much for 4th Ward Commissioner, Campaign Manager
- Committeeman 4th Ward, 2nd Precinct, 2005 to 2012
- American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys 10 Best, 2019
- Member, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Platform Committee
- Delaware County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2010-2011
- Guy G. DeFuria Inn of Courts, 2012-Present, Served as President in 2019-2020
- Philadelphia Bar Association, 2012-Present
- Delaware County Bar Association, 2003-Present
- Delaware County Bar Association, President Young Lawyers Section, 2009
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Client was arrested for molesting his daughter. After a 3 day jury trial he was found not guilty on all charges., 2023
- Client was charged with killing a pet. The client was charged with felony animal cruelty and looking at several years in jail. Worked out a plea to misdemeanors and time served., 2024
- Client was arrested for sexually assaulting her boss. After a 5-day jury trial the client was found not guilty on all charges., 2022
- Client was arrested for having sexual relations with a 15-year old including producing child pornography. He was looking at felonies, years incarceration and lifetime sex offender registration. He eventually pled to misdemeanor tampering with evidence and received probation and no sex offender registration. We were also able to expunge on the felony charges., 2020
- Client was arrested for traveling to have sex with a 14-year old girl. The original offer was for a felony, 3-6 years in jail and lifetime sex offender registration. He eventually received a misdemeanor plea, probation and 15-years sex offender registration., 2019
- Withdraw of all charges included strangulation, indecent assault and assault, 2019
Videos
- Providing insights on how jury selection works in Pennsylvania Courts., How Real Jury Selection Works, Criminal Defense, 2024
- How to successfully defend against a restraining order being filed against you., Why You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Restraining Order, Criminal Defense, 2022
- An introduction to my office and my philosophy as a defense attorney., About The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, Criminal Defense, 2020
- How my office attacks a DUI charged to provide the best possible defense., Advocating For You When Charged with a DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense- DUI, 2017
- A short video on the rights you have if charged with a crime., Rights of Individuals Charged with a Crime, Criminal Defense, 2024
Representative Clients
- Successfully negotiated a contentious easement for a client. The other side eventually gave in to all our conditions, 2023
- Represent Dog the Bounty Hunter and other clients in a injunction case against content creators that continue to defame their reputation and character. The case is currently under appeal in the Superior Court.
- Successfully litigated a lis pendens for a corporate client who attempted to purchase a commercial property, 2019
Pro bono / Community Service
- Coordinated volunteers in making phone calls and going door-to-door. Also, organized campaign events and campaign literature. Senator Erickson won this highly contested campaign
- League of Women Voters of Delaware County - Treasurer, 2024
- Rotary Club of Swarthmore - Treasurer, 2023
- Media Theatre Board Chair. Have served for over 5 years on the Board of the Theatre and last 2 years as the Chair. This is a professional theatre that employs professional actors, designers and technicians., 2025
- League of Women Voters of Central Delaware County Director, 2020
- Helen Kate Furness Library, President, 2011-2012
- Swarthmore Rotary Charitable Fun Fair- Chairman, 2018
- Legal Aid of South Eastern Pennsylvania
- Neumann University, Center for Community Leadership Development and Entrepreneurship, 2011-2012
- High School Mock Trial Competition County, Coordinator, 2004-Present
- Drug Education for Youth Camp, Camp Director, 2008-September 13, 2009
- Strategic Plan Committee, Chairman, 2010
- Nether Providence Parks Commission, Secretary, 2005-2006
- Rotary International – Swarthmore Club, 2012-Present President 2015-2016 Swarthmore Charity Fun Fair Chairman 2017 to Present
- Law Day Committee, Member, 2004-2012
- Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Member, 1998-2006
- Helen Kate Furness Library, Vice President, 2010
- Nether Providence Parks Commission, 2002-2006
- Delaware County Child Death Review Team, Member, 2005-2012
- Upper Darby Center for Family Safety, Board of Directors, 2009-2011
- Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Chairman, 2007-2012
- Helen Kate Furness Library, Wallingford, PA, Board of Directors, Member, 2009
Honors
- Person of the Year, Guy de Furia Inn of Court, 2022
- Selected for a 2nd year in a row as a top attorney in the area of criminal law by the Mainline Times., Mainline Times Top Lawyer, https://mainlinetoday.com/life-style/main-line-top-lawyers/, 2025
- Exceptional and Outstanding Client Services, 10 Best Law Firms in Pennsylvania, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2018
- Lawyers on the Fast Track, The Legal Intelligencer, 2015
- In recognition of hard work, dedication and contribution to the legal profession, Top Lawyer, The Global Directory of Who's Who, 2017
- 10 Best in Pennsylvania, American Institute of Criminal Attorneys, 2014
- Nicholas Vadino Award, Delaware County Bar Association, 2010
- Nicholas Vadino, Jr. Award, Outstanding Commitment to the Bar by a Young Lawyer, Delaware County Bar Association, 2011
- Exceptional Service in the Public Interest, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2010
- High School Mock Trial Competition County Coordinator, 2004 - 2011
Educational Background
- Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, B.A., cum laude, Major: Political Science, Minor: History, May 2000, Honors: Concentration Secondary Social Studies Education, Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, National Liberal Arts and Sciences Honor Society, May 2000, Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor Society, May 1999
White Papers
- Provides an overview of the Pennsylvania laws regarding sexually based crimes, Sexually Based Allegations: A Guide for Legal Processes and Procedures, Criminal Attorneys, Accused, 2020
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Served as a panelist providing insight on criminal law and immigration., Panelist, Immigration Law, Delaware County Bar Association - 2025 Bench Bar Conference, 2025
- Provided a continuing education program on effective opening and closing statements., Lecturer, Opening and Closing Statements, Law, 2025
- National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse – Advanced Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse and Exploitation, Washington, DC – August 23-27, 2010
- Faculty Development – Train the Trainer, National District Attorneys Association, Alexandria, VA – January 10-12, 2011
- Investigating & Prosecuting Possession of Child/Adolescent Sexual Abuse Images – May 2, 2011
- 2011 National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation, San Jose, CA – May 17-20, 2011
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Penncrest High School, Media, PA – March 13-15, 2012
- Presented a 2-hour continuing legal education program with a toxicologist., Presenter, When Sex and Drugs Don't Mix, Pennsylvania Bar Insitute Criminal Law Symposium, Criminal Defense, 2024
- Presentation on the do's and don'ts in a DUI trial., CLE, DUI: Trial Process CLE, MyLawCLE, Criminal Defense, 2021
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Springton Lake Middle School, Media, PA
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Parent/ Teacher Program – October 6, 2011
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Career Day – October 25, 2011
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, The Benchmark School, Media, PA – April 18, 2011
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Lansdowne Baptist Church – August 6, 2011
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Drexel Hill Middle School, Drexel Hill, PA – November 8, 2010
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Saint Rose of Lima School, Ridley Park, PA – October 23, 2010
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Radnor High School, Radnor, PA – October 12, 2011
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Strath Haven High School, Wallingford, PA
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Law Day 2009-2012
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Student Symposium, Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr, PA – October 4, 2011
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training, Classroom Presentation, Acadia University, King of Prussia, PA, March 6, 2012
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training, Courtroom Practicum, Delaware County Court House, Media, PA, May 18, 2012
- Cyberbullying Summit, Neumann University – April 12, 2011
- Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Legal Updates, 2008-2012
- Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings, Lackawanna County – November, 2011
- National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, Reno, NV – Oct. 23-27, 2005
- Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings, Allegheny County – April, 2011
- Protecting Children Online for Prosecutors, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria VA – May 3, 2007
- Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings, Dauphin County – April, 2010
- Protecting Children Online for Prosecutors, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria VA – April 30, 2007
- Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings, Delaware County – October, 2009-2010
- Department of Justice Drug Education for Youth Annual Training Summit, Nashville, TN – February 9-13, 2009
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Abduction Presentation, Delaware County Community College – December 15, 2010
- National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, Orlando, FL – Oct. 22-26, 2007
- Delaware County Safe School Summit, Villanova University, 2010
- National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, San Diego, CA – Oct. 20-24, 2008
- Delaware County Safe School Summit, Villanova University, Internet Safety & Use Policies – October 26, 2010
- Unsafe Havens II (Advanced Prosecutors course for the prosecution of online exploitation of children), National Advocacy Center, Columbia, SC – March 1-5, 2010
- Symposium on Suicide Prevention, Springfield Country Club – November 18, 2010
- Crimes Against Children, Conference, Dallas, TX – August 8-11, 2011
- Dangers of Bullying Presentation, Archbishop John Carroll High School - February 19, 2007
- 2011 National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation, San Jose, CA – May 17-20, 2011
- Special Victims Prosecution Presentation, The PJA School – June 6, 2006
- Investigating & Prosecuting Possession of Child/Adolescent Sexual Abuse Images – May 2, 2011
- Instructor, Cape Institute, 2016
- Advanced Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse and Exploitation, National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse, Washington, DC, August 23-27, 2010
- Delaware County Elder Law Handbook
- Adjunct Professor, Political Science, Pennsylvania State University
- Delaware County Safe School Summit, Villanova University, Protection From Abuse Orders & Child Custody – November, 2008
- Mandatory reporting and HIPPA, An in-depth presentation on the types of child abuse, crimes associated with these types of abuse and obligations of professionals and volunteers under the mandatory reporting laws, Strayer University, Springfield, PA – November 21, 2012
- Mandatory reporting and HIPPA, An in-depth presentation on the types of child abuse, crimes associated with these types of abuse and obligations of professionals and volunteers under the mandatory reporting laws, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland PA – May, 2012
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Rotarian of the Month - Rotary Club of Swarthmore, 2023
- Paul Harris Fellow- Rotary, 2015
- Rotary- Governor's Citation, 2017
- Criminal Justice
- Real Estate
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Joe is a leader in the criminal defense community. ”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2016 - 2018
