Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Aundrea Lattressa Roberts

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lawrenceville - Georgia

PO Box 1856, Georgia, 30046
  • Criminal Defense and Immigration
  • Lawrenceville, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 17 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 686-7210

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lawrenceville - Georgia

PO Box 1856, Georgia, 30046
Free Consultation (770) 686-7210

Adrienne Nicole Young

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

3031 W Grand Blvd Ste 450, Michigan, 48202-3026
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Juvenile and Prisons and Corrections
  • Detroit, Michigan Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 256-9833

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

3031 W Grand Blvd Ste 450, Michigan, 48202-3026
Free Consultation (313) 256-9833

Wendy M. Baxter

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

PO Box 211190, Michigan, 48221-5190
  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
  • Criminal Defense, General Practice, Employment and Labor and Wrongful Death
  • Detroit, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

PO Box 211190, Michigan, 48221-5190

Richard Edward Edinger

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Fargo - North Dakota

P.O. Box 1295, North Dakota, 58107-1295
  • Criminal Defense, DUI and DWI, Speeding and Traffic Ticket, Violent Crime and White Collar Crime
  • Fargo, North Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyer with 28 years of experience
Free Consultation (701) 298-0764

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Fargo - North Dakota

P.O. Box 1295, North Dakota, 58107-1295
Free Consultation (701) 298-0764

Stanley Olson Hulse

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Devine - Texas

PO Box 604, Texas, 78016-0604
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Devine, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation 210-845-2111

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Devine - Texas

PO Box 604, Texas, 78016-0604
Free Consultation 210-845-2111

Charles Trey Brown

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Glen Rose - Texas

PO Box 1335, Texas, 76043-1335
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Juvenile and Contracts and Agreements
  • Glen Rose, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation 254-897-2277

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Glen Rose - Texas

PO Box 1335, Texas, 76043-1335
Free Consultation 254-897-2277

L. Sheryl Adams

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Mc Kinney - Texas

PO Box 2171, Texas, 75070-8166
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Mc Kinney, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 35 years of experience
Free Consultation 972-489-5279

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mc Kinney - Texas

PO Box 2171, Texas, 75070-8166
Free Consultation 972-489-5279

Taryn Criswell Criswell Minter

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Plainview - Texas

706 Broadway St, Texas, 79072-7314
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Plainview, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-429-8054

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Plainview - Texas

706 Broadway St, Texas, 79072-7314
Free Consultation 806-429-8054

Michael Glenn Glenn Mask

Debt and Lending Agreements Lawyer Serving at Jacksboro - Texas

110 W Belknap St, Texas, 76458-2306
  • Debt and Lending Agreements, Criminal Defense, Family, Litigation, Oil and Gas, Real Estate and Wills and Living Wills
  • Jacksboro, Texas Debt and Lending Agreements Lawyer with 46 years of experience
Free Consultation 940-567-2237

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Jacksboro - Texas

110 W Belknap St, Texas, 76458-2306
Free Consultation 940-567-2237

Darrell R Charles

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

701 5th Ave Ste 2050, Washington, 98104-7095
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

701 5th Ave Ste 2050, Washington, 98104-7095

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.