Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Katie Nicole Steffes

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Grandville - Michigan

3996 Chicago Dr SW, Michigan, 49418-1384
  • Appeals and Appellate, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Family, General Practice, Guardianship, Litigation, Probate, ...
  • Grandville, Michigan Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (616) 531-7711

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Grandville - Michigan

3996 Chicago Dr SW, Michigan, 49418-1384
Free Consultation (616) 531-7711

Valerie A. Foster

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Grand Rapids - Michigan

146 Monroe Center St NW Ste 920, Michigan, 49503-2818
  • Criminal Defense
  • Grand Rapids, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (616) 774-8181

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Grand Rapids - Michigan

146 Monroe Center St NW Ste 920, Michigan, 49503-2818
Free Consultation (616) 774-8181

James Warren Amberg

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Royal Oak - Michigan

32121 Woodward Ave PH 10, Michigan, 48073-5904
  • Criminal Defense and Federal Regulation
  • Royal Oak, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 681-6255

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Royal Oak - Michigan

32121 Woodward Ave PH 10, Michigan, 48073-5904
Free Consultation (248) 681-6255

Theresa B. Ouellette

Arbitration Lawyer Serving at Westland - Michigan

5885 N Wayne Rd, Michigan, 48185-3129
  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
  • Arbitration, Car Accidents, Bankruptcy and debt, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Family, Insurance, Negligence Law, Personal Injury ...
  • Westland, Michigan Arbitration Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Westland - Michigan

5885 N Wayne Rd, Michigan, 48185-3129

Dane nan Dekrey

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Moorhead - North Dakota

814 Center. Ave., Ste. 5 P.O. Box 853, North Dakota, 56560-0853
  • Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, Drug Crime, DUI and DWI, Violent Crime and Sex Crime
  • Moorhead, North Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyer with 3 years of experience
Free Consultation (218) 284-2145

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Moorhead - North Dakota

814 Center. Ave., Ste. 5 P.O. Box 853, North Dakota, 56560-0853
Free Consultation (218) 284-2145

Harley Dean Dean Caudle

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Wellington - Texas

800 West Ave Rm 201, Texas, 79095-3039
  • Criminal Defense
  • Wellington, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-223-6857

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Wellington - Texas

800 West Ave Rm 201, Texas, 79095-3039
Free Consultation 806-223-6857

Dennis Paul Paul Arriaga

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Port Lavaca - Texas

2206 TX-35, Texas, 77979
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Government, Employment and Labor, Real Estate, Juvenile, Appeals and Appellate and Contracts and Agreements
  • Port Lavaca, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 15 years of experience
Free Consultation 361-552-2971

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Lavaca - Texas

2206 TX-35, Texas, 77979
Free Consultation 361-552-2971

Richard Troberman

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

1215 4th Ave Ste 910, Washington, 98161-1022
  • Criminal Defense and Forfeiture
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (206) 343-1111

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

1215 4th Ave Ste 910, Washington, 98161-1022
Free Consultation (206) 343-1111

Christopher Michael Kranda

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

701 5th Ave Ste 3500, Washington, 98104-7055
  • Criminal Defense, Employment and Labor, Insurance and Litigation
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 4 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 467-5444 EXT 104

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

701 5th Ave Ste 3500, Washington, 98104-7055
Free Consultation (206) 467-5444 EXT 104

Nathan Lee Johnson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

539 Broadway, Washington, 98402-3907
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

539 Broadway, Washington, 98402-3907

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.