Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Melanie Tratnik

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

800 5th Ave Ste 2000, Washington, 98104-3188
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (206) 389-2005

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

800 5th Ave Ste 2000, Washington, 98104-3188
Free Consultation (206) 389-2005

Amy K Parker

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

710 2nd Ave Ste 1000, Washington, 98104-1744
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

710 2nd Ave Ste 1000, Washington, 98104-1744

Sandro Parrotta

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

200 Broadway Ste 301, Washington, 98122-7435
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (206) 552-3739

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

200 Broadway Ste 301, Washington, 98122-7435
Free Consultation (206) 552-3739

James Egan

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

600 1st Ave Ste 100, Washington, 98104-2287
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Government and Personal Injury
  • Seattle, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer
Free Consultation (206) 749-0333

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

600 1st Ave Ste 100, Washington, 98104-2287
Free Consultation (206) 749-0333

Angela Jeanenne Ossman

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

930 Tacoma Ave S Rm 946, Washington, 98402-2102
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 4 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

930 Tacoma Ave S Rm 946, Washington, 98402-2102

Salena Laniece Campbell

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

655 W Smith St Ste 210, Washington, 98032-4477
  • Criminal Defense
  • Kent, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

655 W Smith St Ste 210, Washington, 98032-4477

Rebecca Marie Knecht

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Port Orchard - Washington

614 Division St, Washington, 98366-4614
  • Criminal Defense
  • Port Orchard, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 8 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Orchard - Washington

614 Division St, Washington, 98366-4614

Joseph James Anthony Jackson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Bldg 2, Washington, 98502-6045
  • Criminal Defense
  • Olympia, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 18 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 786-5540

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Bldg 2, Washington, 98502-6045
Free Consultation (360) 786-5540

Robert M Vukanovich

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

2220 H St, Washington, 98663-3252
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Vancouver, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 25 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 993-0389

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

2220 H St, Washington, 98663-3252
Free Consultation (360) 993-0389

Ruth Esther Ptak

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046
  • Appeals and Appellate and Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 7 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046

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.