Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Michael Bruce Shapiro

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

770 Bedford Oaks Drive, Georgia, 30068
  • Criminal Defense
  • Marietta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 43 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 906-8827

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

770 Bedford Oaks Drive, Georgia, 30068
Free Consultation (404) 906-8827

Zachary Morgan

Real Estate Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan

PO Box 1360, Michigan, 48012
  • Real Estate, Criminal Defense, Insurance, Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Negligence Law, Personal Injury, Premises Liability and Workers Compensation Law
  • Birmingham, Michigan Real Estate Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 816-9342

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan

PO Box 1360, Michigan, 48012
Free Consultation (248) 816-9342

Tracie Lynn McCarn-Dinehart

Animal and Dog Bites Lawyer Serving at Ludington - Michigan

216 S James St Ste 1PO # 733, Michigan, 49431-2104
  • Animal and Dog Bites, Arbitration, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Family, Personal Injury and Workers Compensation Law
  • Ludington, Michigan Animal and Dog Bites Lawyer
Free Consultation (231) 480-1491

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ludington - Michigan

216 S James St Ste 1PO # 733, Michigan, 49431-2104
Free Consultation (231) 480-1491

Edward J. Nykiel

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Trenton - Michigan

2836 W Jefferson Ave Ste 115, Michigan, 48183-2902
  • Detroit College of Law
  • Administrative Law, Business, Collections, Real Estate, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Debt and Lending Agreements, Divorce and Separation, Driver’s License Restoration, ...
  • Trenton, Michigan Administrative Law Lawyer
Free Consultation (734) 775-5990

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Trenton - Michigan

2836 W Jefferson Ave Ste 115, Michigan, 48183-2902
Free Consultation (734) 775-5990

Michael Lynn Oakes

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lansing - Michigan

2800 E Grand River Ave Ste B, Michigan, 48912-4336
  • Michigan State University
  • Criminal Defense, Litigation and Personal Injury
  • Lansing, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (888) 886-5711

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lansing - Michigan

2800 E Grand River Ave Ste B, Michigan, 48912-4336
Free Consultation (888) 886-5711

Michelle Julie Latray

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Groesbeck - Texas

104 S Dr J B Riggs Dr, Texas, 76642-1703
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Wills and Living Wills and Juvenile
  • Groesbeck, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation 254-729-2059

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Groesbeck - Texas

104 S Dr J B Riggs Dr, Texas, 76642-1703
Free Consultation 254-729-2059

Jeffrey Lynn Lynn Bell

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lufkin - Texas

215 E Lufkin Ave, Texas, 75901-3047
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Lufkin, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 10 years of experience
Free Consultation 936-632-8090

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lufkin - Texas

215 E Lufkin Ave, Texas, 75901-3047
Free Consultation 936-632-8090

Louis Wayne Correa

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Alpine - Texas

108 N 10th St, Texas, 79830-4508
  • Criminal Defense
  • Alpine, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 41 years of experience
Free Consultation 432-837-5598

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Alpine - Texas

108 N 10th St, Texas, 79830-4508
Free Consultation 432-837-5598

Jordan Andrew Andrew Glaze

Consumer Protection Lawyer Serving at Gilmer - Texas

PO Box 1599, Texas, 75644-4599
  • Consumer Protection, Criminal Defense and Litigation
  • Gilmer, Texas Consumer Protection Lawyer with 17 years of experience
Free Consultation 903-843-2323

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Gilmer - Texas

PO Box 1599, Texas, 75644-4599
Free Consultation 903-843-2323

Jose Enrique Enrique Arreola

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Brownsville - Texas

600 E Harrison St Rm 201, Texas, 78520-7155
  • Criminal Defense
  • Brownsville, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation 956-548-2554

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Brownsville - Texas

600 E Harrison St Rm 201, Texas, 78520-7155
Free Consultation 956-548-2554

Introduction to Criminal Defense Law

Being an expert in criminal defense law involves representing individuals accused of committing crimes ranging from minor offenses to serious felonies. Attorneys in this field strive to ensure a fair trial for the accused, challenging evidence and advocating for their clients' legal rights.

Common Areas Handled by Criminal Defense Attorneys

  • Felony Cases – Defending clients charged with serious crimes, including violent offenses, drug trafficking, and major thefts.
  • Misdemeanor Offenses – Representing individuals accused of lesser crimes, such as petty theft, simple assault, and DUI.
  • White-Collar Crime Defense – Specializing in non-violent financial crimes like fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering.
  • Juvenile Delinquency Cases – Advocating for minors facing criminal charges, focusing on rehabilitation and protecting their future.
  • Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief – Handling appeals and seeking post-conviction remedies for clients who have been wrongfully convicted or excessively sentenced.

Keys Considerations When Selecting a Criminal Defense Lawyer

  • Expertise in Criminal Law – Choosing attorneys with extensive knowledge and experience in this specific field of law can help you ensure they can handle your specific type of case.
  • Experience in Local Courts – Looking for lawyers familiar with the local court system and its procedures can be advantageous in navigating your case.
  • Reputation and Track Record – When selecting a criminal defense lawyer, you should look at their history in defending criminal cases, focusing on their ability to secure favorable outcomes.
  • Client Reviews – Feedback from previous clients can help you understand their effectiveness and service quality in criminal defense by providing insights into their reliability and approach.

Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney

  • Initial Research – Legal.com offers a selection of professionals with diverse expertise, which you can use to find seasoned criminal defense lawyers.
  • Credentials Verification – Ensure the attorney’s proper licensing and reputation by confirming their qualifications and standing in the legal community.
  • Consultation – Understand their strategy and how they plan to defend you by discussing these aspects during a case evaluation,
  • Assessing Knowledge and Commitment – You should ultimately choose a lawyer who combines their legal expertise with a commitment to defending your rights and interests.
  • Initial Research – Legal.com offers a selection of professionals with diverse expertise, which you can use to find seasoned criminal defense lawyers.
  • Credentials Verification – Ensure the attorney’s proper licensing and reputation by confirming their qualifications and standing in the legal community.
  • Consultation – Understand their strategy and how they plan to defend you by discussing these aspects during a case evaluation, 
  • Assessing Knowledge and Commitment – You should ultimately choose a lawyer who combines their legal expertise with a commitment to defending your rights and interests.

The Criminal Defense Process

  • Initial Consultation – Essential for outlining your legal situation and the attorney's defense strategy, offering a clear view of what to expect.
  • Case Preparation – Building the actual defense, including evidence gathering, witness interviews, and strategy development.
  • Plea Negotiations – Handling plea bargain discussions, aiming for reduced charges or lesser penalties when appropriate.
  • Trial Representation – Providing skilled legal representation in court, presenting your defense, and challenging the prosecution's case.
  • Post-Trial Actions – Managing appeals or seeking other post-conviction remedies, if necessary, to protect your rights and interests.

Types of Cases That Defense Lawyers Typically Handle

  • Drug Offenses – Defending against charges related to drug possession, distribution, and manufacturing.
  • Assault and Battery – Representing clients accused of assaultive crimes, ensuring a fair trial and challenging the evidence against them.
  • Theft and Burglary – Advocating for individuals charged with theft, burglary, or related property crimes.
  • Sexual Offenses – Defending clients accused of sexual crimes by handling sensitive cases with discretion and rigor.
  • DUI and Traffic Violations – Representing clients in DUI cases and serious traffic offenses, focusing on minimizing penalties and preserving driving privileges.

Common Challenges in Criminal Defense

  • Navigating Legal Complexities – Managing the intricate legal aspects of criminal law and ensuring a thorough understanding of clients' rights.
  • Dealing With Prosecution Tactics – Handling aggressive prosecution strategies and ensuring clients receive a fair trial.
  • Evidence Analysis – Critically examining and challenging evidence presented by the prosecution, which is a key aspect of building a strong defense.
  • Maintaining Client Confidentiality – Ensuring all communications and strategies remain confidential, protecting clients' rights throughout the legal process.

Criminal Defense Lawyers FAQs

When searching for a defense attorney, consider their expertise in criminal law, experience with similar cases, and their approach to client communication.
Criminal defense attorneys offer a variety of services between initial consultation and case resolution. These include case preparation, plea negotiations, trial representation, post-trial actions, and more.
You should hire a lawyer who is knowledgeable and dedicated to your defense. To estimate this, consider their specialization in criminal law, case success rate, client testimonials, and overall approach to defending criminal cases.
There are criminal defense lawyers who offer free initial consultations to discuss your case and explain their defense strategies. Considering this is not an industry standard, it's important to confirm the consultation fee structure of a lawyer you plan to hire beforehand.
Our list of the best criminal defense lawyers is updated monthly to ensure we provide access to the latest and most accurate information.
To make sure we only provide the best of the best, the lawyers featured in our directory are chosen based on their professional achievements, peer and client reviews, and our own independent research.
Legal.com is an independent platform, unaffiliated with any criminal defense law firm. We are committed to maintaining our role as a trustworthy resource for legal support, even if we do accept sponsorships going forward.