Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Chad Wythers

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seward - Nebraska

Wythers Law, Nebraska, 68434
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • Seward, Nebraska Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (402) 643-5427

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seward - Nebraska

Wythers Law, Nebraska, 68434
Free Consultation (402) 643-5427

Kensley Barrett

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at East Greenwich - Rhode Island

Marin and Barrett, Inc. - East Greenwich Office, Rhode Island, 02818
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • East Greenwich, Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (401) 298-9116

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at East Greenwich - Rhode Island

Marin and Barrett, Inc. - East Greenwich Office, Rhode Island, 02818
Free Consultation (401) 298-9116

Sadeer Sabbak

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Roswell - Georgia

1875 Old Alabama Road Suite 510, Georgia, 30076
  • Criminal Defense
  • Roswell, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 793-7773

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Roswell - Georgia

1875 Old Alabama Road Suite 510, Georgia, 30076
Free Consultation (404) 793-7773

Michael Paul Weed, Jr.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Battle Creek - Michigan

161 E Michigan, Michigan, 49014
  • Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Family, Landlord and Tenant and Probate
  • Battle Creek, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (269) 969-6980

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Battle Creek - Michigan

161 E Michigan, Michigan, 49014
Free Consultation (269) 969-6980

Patrick James Bailey

Business Lawyer Serving at Okemos - Michigan

2211 Association Dr Ste 600, Michigan, 48864-4900
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • Business, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation and Landlord and Tenant
  • Okemos, Michigan Business Lawyer
Free Consultation (517) 349-2800

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Okemos - Michigan

2211 Association Dr Ste 600, Michigan, 48864-4900
Free Consultation (517) 349-2800

Valarie I Fujii

Child Custody Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

706 S. Eighth St., Nevada, 89101
  • Whittier College
  • Child Custody, Divorce and Separation, Family, Alimony, Child Abuse, Child Support, Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, Insurance, ...
  • Las Vegas, Nevada Child Custody Lawyer with 28 years of experience
Free Consultation (702) 341-6464

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

706 S. Eighth St., Nevada, 89101
Free Consultation (702) 341-6464

Justin Elliott Elliott Reed

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Mexia - Texas

201 N McKinney St, Texas, 76667-2826
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Real Estate
  • Mexia, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation 254-562-5547

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mexia - Texas

201 N McKinney St, Texas, 76667-2826
Free Consultation 254-562-5547

Larry G. Byrd

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer Serving at Lufkin - Texas

3201 S Medford Dr Ste 6, Texas, 75901-5796
  • Bankruptcy and debt, Business, Consumer Protection, Debt and Lending Agreements, Criminal Defense, Family, Litigation, Legal Marketing and Client Development, Real Estate, ...
  • Lufkin, Texas Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer with 57 years of experience
Free Consultation 936-639-3191

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lufkin - Texas

3201 S Medford Dr Ste 6, Texas, 75901-5796
Free Consultation 936-639-3191

Walter E. E. Herman

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Alpine - Texas

PO Box 252, Texas, 79831-0252
  • Criminal Defense and Wills and Living Wills
  • Alpine, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 43 years of experience
Free Consultation 432-386-8371

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Alpine - Texas

PO Box 252, Texas, 79831-0252
Free Consultation 432-386-8371

John Russell Phenix

Consumer Protection Lawyer Serving at Henderson - Texas

PO Box 1005, Texas, 75653-1005
  • Consumer Protection, Criminal Defense, Litigation, Oil and Gas, Wills and Living Wills and Social Security
  • Henderson, Texas Consumer Protection Lawyer with 40 years of experience
Free Consultation 903-657-3595

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Henderson - Texas

PO Box 1005, Texas, 75653-1005
Free Consultation 903-657-3595

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.