Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Adrian Karimi

Medical Malpractice Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

517 S 3rd St, Las Vegas, Nevada,
  • Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Criminal Defense
  • Las Vegas, Nevada Medical Malpractice Lawyer with 9 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

517 S 3rd St, Las Vegas, Nevada,

Jeffrey Lee

Criminal Defense

  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation

0 reviews

Free Consultation

Adrian Lopez Patrick

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Snellville - Georgia

3115 Brownwood Drive, Georgia, 30078
  • Criminal Defense
  • Snellville, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 30 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 219-1789

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Snellville - Georgia

3115 Brownwood Drive, Georgia, 30078
Free Consultation (404) 219-1789

Aimee M. Fowler

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Grosse Pointe Farms - Michigan

18538 Mack Ave, Michigan, 48236-3223
  • Cleveland Marshall College of Law
  • Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Family and General Practice
  • Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 458-8279

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Grosse Pointe Farms - Michigan

18538 Mack Ave, Michigan, 48236-3223
Free Consultation (313) 458-8279

Nicholas Roumel

Federal Regulation Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan

501 Avis Dr., Michigan, 48108
  • Federal Regulation, Freedom of Information Act, General Practice, Employment and Labor, Libel and Slander, Litigation, Government, Personal Injury, Police Misconduct, ...
  • Ann Arbor, Michigan Federal Regulation Lawyer
Free Consultation (734) 663-7550

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan

501 Avis Dr., Michigan, 48108
Free Consultation (734) 663-7550

Gerald R. Lykins

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Grand Rapids - Michigan

234 Division Ave N Ste 400, Michigan, 49503-2532
  • Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, Driver’s License Restoration and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Grand Rapids, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (616) 540-0443

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Grand Rapids - Michigan

234 Division Ave N Ste 400, Michigan, 49503-2532
Free Consultation (616) 540-0443

Erica Cicchelli

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer Serving at Southfield - Michigan

15900 W 10 Mile Rd Ste 201, Michigan, 48075-2079
  • Bankruptcy and debt, Criminal Defense, Debt and Lending Agreements, Divorce and Separation, Family, Guardianship, Probate, Speeding and Traffic Ticket and Wills and Living Wills
  • Southfield, Michigan Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 552-9210

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Southfield - Michigan

15900 W 10 Mile Rd Ste 201, Michigan, 48075-2079
Free Consultation (248) 552-9210

Lawrence F. Harrison

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Junction - Texas

PO Box 385, Texas, 76849-0385
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Real Estate and Wills and Living Wills
  • Junction, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 56 years of experience
Free Consultation 325-446-2317

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Junction - Texas

PO Box 385, Texas, 76849-0385
Free Consultation 325-446-2317

Mary Ann Aldous

Lawsuits and Disputes Lawyer Serving at Angleton - Texas

111 E Locust St Ste 408A, Texas, 77515-4672
  • Lawsuits and Disputes and Criminal Defense
  • Angleton, Texas Lawsuits and Disputes Lawyer with 27 years of experience
Free Consultation 979-864-1230

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Angleton - Texas

111 E Locust St Ste 408A, Texas, 77515-4672
Free Consultation 979-864-1230

William Coty Siegert

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Franklin - Texas

PO Box 409, Texas, 77856-0409
  • Criminal Defense
  • Franklin, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation 979-828-3205

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Franklin - Texas

PO Box 409, Texas, 77856-0409
Free Consultation 979-828-3205

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.