Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Timothy Rasmussen

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Nine Mile Falls - Washington

6078D Highway 291, Washington, 99026-5008
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Nine Mile Falls, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (509) 468-9933 EXT 150

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Nine Mile Falls - Washington

6078D Highway 291, Washington, 99026-5008
Free Consultation (509) 468-9933 EXT 150

Tamara Ann Hanlon

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Yakima - Washington

117 N 3rd St Ste 203, Washington, 98901-2766
  • Appeals and Appellate and Criminal Defense
  • Yakima, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 26 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Yakima - Washington

117 N 3rd St Ste 203, Washington, 98901-2766

Shane L. Kenison

Agriculture Law Lawyer Serving at Moses Lake - Washington

404 S Division St PO Box 610, Washington, 98837-0091
  • Agriculture Law, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Family, Juvenile, Landlord and Tenant, Personal Injury ...
  • Moses Lake, Washington Agriculture Law Lawyer with 34 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 765-3493

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Moses Lake - Washington

404 S Division St PO Box 610, Washington, 98837-0091
Free Consultation (509) 765-3493

Robin L Olson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

318 W Main St, Washington, 99362-2821
  • Criminal Defense
  • Walla Walla, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

318 W Main St, Washington, 99362-2821

Jordan Jennifer Camino

Family Lawyer Serving at Buffalo - Wyoming

Camino Law, LLC 75 North Main Street, Wyoming, 82834
  • Family, Estate Planning, General Practice, Criminal Defense and Litigation
  • Buffalo, Wyoming Family Lawyer with 9 years of experience
Free Consultation (307) 278-0226

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Buffalo - Wyoming

Camino Law, LLC 75 North Main Street, Wyoming, 82834
Free Consultation (307) 278-0226

Michael T Mackhanlall

Child Custody Lawyer Serving at Orlando - Florida

Mack Law P.A.37 N. Orange Ave., Suite 500, Orlando, FL , Florida,
  • Child Custody and Criminal Defense
  • Orlando, Florida Child Custody Lawyer with 0 years of experience
Free Consultation (855) 918-5293

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Orlando - Florida

Mack Law P.A.37 N. Orange Ave., Suite 500, Orlando, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (855) 918-5293

Arthur Brian Brandt

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Stuart - Florida

Baginski Brandt & Brandt,27 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense
  • Stuart, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 0 years of experience
Free Consultation (772) 773-6507

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Stuart - Florida

Baginski Brandt & Brandt,27 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (772) 773-6507

Luke Edward Baumgarten

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Pullman - Washington

1125 NW Nye Street, Ste. A, Washington, 99163
  • Criminal Defense and DUI and DWI
  • Pullman, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 10 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Pullman - Washington

1125 NW Nye Street, Ste. A, Washington, 99163

Michael Lee Lamb

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

440 Burroughs St Ste 164, Michigan, 48202-3428
  • Appeals and Appellate, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Driver’s License Restoration, Elder Law, Guardianship, Probate and Land Use and Zoning
  • Detroit, Michigan Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 621-3754

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

440 Burroughs St Ste 164, Michigan, 48202-3428
Free Consultation (248) 621-3754

Kevin Michael Michael Bailey

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Midland - Texas

PO Box 1152, Texas, 79702-1152
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Midland, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 9 years of experience
Free Consultation 432-685-7253

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Midland - Texas

PO Box 1152, Texas, 79702-1152
Free Consultation 432-685-7253

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.