Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Heidi Marie Ellerd

Business Lawyer Serving at Pasco - Washington

1915 Sun Willows Blvd Ste A, Washington, 99301-6128
  • Business, Commercial, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Guardianship, Landlord and Tenant, ...
  • Pasco, Washington Business Lawyer with 23 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Pasco - Washington

1915 Sun Willows Blvd Ste A, Washington, 99301-6128

Matthew Lee Newberg

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Pomeroy - Washington

809 Columbia St, Washington, 99347-3007
  • Criminal Defense, Government and State, Local And Municipal Law
  • Pomeroy, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 843-3082

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Pomeroy - Washington

809 Columbia St, Washington, 99347-3007
Free Consultation (509) 843-3082

Charles E. Liken

Family Lawyer Serving at Longmont - Colorado

630 15th Ave #300 , Colorado, 80501
  • Family, Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Guardianship, Marriage and Prenuptials, Domestic Violence, LGBT+ Law, ...
  • Longmont, Colorado Family Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (720) 815-4824

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Longmont - Colorado

630 15th Ave #300 , Colorado, 80501
Free Consultation (720) 815-4824

Mark Russell Eiglarsh

Car Accidents Lawyer Serving at Fort Lauderdale - Florida

3107 Stirling Road, Suite 207, Florida,
  • Car Accidents and Criminal Defense
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida Car Accidents Lawyer with 31 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Fort Lauderdale - Florida

3107 Stirling Road, Suite 207, Florida,

Randall J. Bates

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Yarmouth - Maine

P.O. Box 1146, Maine, 04096
  • University of Maine
  • Criminal Defense, DUI and DWI, Federal Crime, Juvenile, Sex Crime, Violent Crime and White Collar Crime
  • Yarmouth, Maine Criminal Defense Lawyer with 28 years of experience
Free Consultation (207) 274-9704

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Yarmouth - Maine

P.O. Box 1146, Maine, 04096
Free Consultation (207) 274-9704

Matthew A. Fraiberg

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan

1000 S Old Woodward Ave Ste 103, Michigan, 48009-6729
  • University of Toledo College of Law
  • Criminal Defense, Family and General Practice
  • Birmingham, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 837-2399

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan

1000 S Old Woodward Ave Ste 103, Michigan, 48009-6729
Free Consultation (248) 837-2399

Odey K. Meroueh

Business Lawyer Serving at Dearborn - Michigan

14339 Ford Rd Fl 2, Michigan, 48126-3149
  • Business, Criminal Defense, International Law, Juvenile, Landlord and Tenant, Sports, Speeding and Traffic Ticket and Land Use and Zoning
  • Dearborn, Michigan Business Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 582-7469

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Dearborn - Michigan

14339 Ford Rd Fl 2, Michigan, 48126-3149
Free Consultation (313) 582-7469

Daniel Joseph Williams

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Grosse Pointe Farms - Michigan

18538 Mack Ave, Michigan, 48236-3223
  • Wayne State University Law School
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Licensing, Medicaid and Medicare and Personal Injury
  • Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 458-8276

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Grosse Pointe Farms - Michigan

18538 Mack Ave, Michigan, 48236-3223
Free Consultation (313) 458-8276

Matthew Douglas Spring

General Practice Lawyer Serving at St. George - Utah

162 North 400 East, Suite A-204, Utah, 84770
  • William S. Boyd, School of Law
  • General Practice, Criminal Defense, Intellectual Property and Litigation
  • St. George, Utah General Practice Lawyer with 15 years of experience
Free Consultation (435) 634-1940

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at St. George - Utah

162 North 400 East, Suite A-204, Utah, 84770
Free Consultation (435) 634-1940

Daniel W. Leedy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellville - Texas

One E. Main St, Texas, 77418-0000
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Wills and Living Wills and Juvenile
  • Bellville, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 41 years of experience
Free Consultation 979-865-5911

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellville - Texas

One E. Main St, Texas, 77418-0000
Free Consultation 979-865-5911

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.