Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Clarence Dameon Mitchell

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

235 Peachtree Street NE Suite 430, Georgia, 30303
  • Criminal Defense
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 9 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 506-9966

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

235 Peachtree Street NE Suite 430, Georgia, 30303
Free Consultation (404) 506-9966

Marijane Cauthorn Sanders

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

212 Church Street, Georgia, 30060
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Fiduciary Law
  • Marietta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 528-0150

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

212 Church Street, Georgia, 30060
Free Consultation (770) 528-0150

Elizabeth Ash Young

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

613 Abbott St Ste 500, Michigan, 48226-2582
  • Wayne State University Law School
  • Criminal Defense
  • Detroit, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 917-6655

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

613 Abbott St Ste 500, Michigan, 48226-2582
Free Consultation (313) 917-6655

Christopher E. Podoll

Car Accidents Lawyer Serving at Ionia - Michigan

301 W Main St, Michigan, 48846-1639
  • Car Accidents, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Family, General Practice, Negligence Law and Personal Injury
  • Ionia, Michigan Car Accidents Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ionia - Michigan

301 W Main St, Michigan, 48846-1639

Jason Richard Eggert

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

3031 W Grand Blvd Ste 450, Michigan, 48202-3026
  • Criminal Defense
  • Detroit, Michigan Criminal Defense 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

Amanda Rose Harris

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Mandan - North Dakota

208 E. Main St. P.O. Box 311, North Dakota, 58554
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Mandan, North Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (701) 751-7636

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mandan - North Dakota

208 E. Main St. P.O. Box 311, North Dakota, 58554
Free Consultation (701) 751-7636

Daniel Johnson Kindred

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Hondo - Texas

3102 Ave G., Texas, 78861
  • Criminal Defense
  • Hondo, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation 830-741-6187

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Hondo - Texas

3102 Ave G., Texas, 78861
Free Consultation 830-741-6187

Jose L. Aliseda

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Beeville - Texas

111 S Saint Marys St Ste 203, Texas, 78102-5619
  • Criminal Defense, Government, Juvenile and Appeals and Appellate
  • Beeville, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 42 years of experience
Free Consultation 361-358-1007

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Beeville - Texas

111 S Saint Marys St Ste 203, Texas, 78102-5619
Free Consultation 361-358-1007

Carol Adare Chaney

Debt and Lending Agreements Lawyer Serving at Hempstead - Texas

400 Sheriff R Glenn Smith Dr, Texas, 77445-3003
  • Debt and Lending Agreements, Criminal Defense, Family, Wills and Living Wills and Juvenile
  • Hempstead, Texas Debt and Lending Agreements Lawyer with 31 years of experience
Free Consultation 979-826-7762

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Hempstead - Texas

400 Sheriff R Glenn Smith Dr, Texas, 77445-3003
Free Consultation 979-826-7762

Kathryn Jo Gilliam

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Marlin - Texas

125 Bridge St Rm 309, Texas, 76661-2871
  • Criminal Defense and Appeals and Appellate
  • Marlin, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 37 years of experience
Free Consultation 254-883-1416

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Marlin - Texas

125 Bridge St Rm 309, Texas, 76661-2871
Free Consultation 254-883-1416

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.