Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Steven Edward Bennett

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Silverdale - Washington

9057 Washington Ave NW Ste 102, Washington, 98383-8342
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Silverdale, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 38 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 698-3000

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Silverdale - Washington

9057 Washington Ave NW Ste 102, Washington, 98383-8342
Free Consultation (360) 698-3000

Michael Rhodes

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1312 N Monroe St, Washington, 99201-2623
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Personal Injury
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1312 N Monroe St, Washington, 99201-2623

Tanesha La Trelle Canzater

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

PO Box 29737, Washington, 98228-1737
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Family, Immigration, Native Peoples Law, Legal Writing and Personal Injury
  • Bellingham, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 21 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

PO Box 29737, Washington, 98228-1737

Travis Jordan Bing

Family Lawyer Serving at Pinedale - Wyoming

Bing Law, PC P.O. Box 33, Wyoming, 82941
  • Family, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Wills and Living Wills, Adoption, Business, General Practice, Guardianship and Real Estate
  • Pinedale, Wyoming Family Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Free Consultation (307) 367-3671

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Pinedale - Wyoming

Bing Law, PC P.O. Box 33, Wyoming, 82941
Free Consultation (307) 367-3671

Alex R. Hernandez Hernandez

Business Lawyer Serving at Austin - Texas

ARH Consulting LLC, 9442 Capital of Texas Highway North Aboretum Plaza, Suite 500, Texas, 78759
  • Business, Franchising, Mergers and Acquisitions, Lawsuits and Disputes, Real Estate, Commercial, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, ...
  • Austin, Texas Business Lawyer
Free Consultation (512) 640-4099

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Austin - Texas

ARH Consulting LLC, 9442 Capital of Texas Highway North Aboretum Plaza, Suite 500, Texas, 78759
Free Consultation (512) 640-4099

Jeffery Lotter

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Orlando - Florida

Law Office of Jeff Lotter200 E. Robinson St, #1140, Orlando, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense and Expungement
  • Orlando, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 0 years of experience
Free Consultation (407) 988-2403

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Orlando - Florida

Law Office of Jeff Lotter200 E. Robinson St, #1140, Orlando, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (407) 988-2403

Randolph Elliott Daar

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at San Francisco - California

randolph daar, 3330 Geary Blvd 3rd flr East, California, 94118
  • Criminal Defense
  • San Francisco, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (415) 986-5591

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at San Francisco - California

randolph daar, 3330 Geary Blvd 3rd flr East, California, 94118
Free Consultation (415) 986-5591

Frank Gregory Podesta

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Roswell - Georgia

555 Sun Valley Drive, Suite N-3, Georgia, 30076
  • Appeals and Appellate, Business, Criminal Defense and Tax
  • Roswell, Georgia Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (678) 677-5143

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Roswell - Georgia

555 Sun Valley Drive, Suite N-3, Georgia, 30076
Free Consultation (678) 677-5143

Robert Hinojosa

Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Flint - Michigan

503 S Saginaw St, Michigan, 48502-1820
  • Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law Sch
  • Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, General Practice, Guardianship, Landlord and Tenant, Medicaid and Medicare, Police Misconduct ...
  • Flint, Michigan Contracts and Agreements Lawyer
Free Consultation (810) 240-9054

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Flint - Michigan

503 S Saginaw St, Michigan, 48502-1820
Free Consultation (810) 240-9054

Shahad Atiya

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Royal Oak - Michigan

30701 Woodward Ave, Michigan, 48073-0990
  • Administrative Law, Appeals and Appellate, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Family, Health Care, Immigration and International Law
  • Royal Oak, Michigan Administrative Law Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Royal Oak - Michigan

30701 Woodward Ave, Michigan, 48073-0990

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.