Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Larry Donald Murrell

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at West Palm Beach - Florida

L. D. Murrell, P.A.400 Executive Center Dr Ste 201, West Palm Beach, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense, Federal Crime and Sex Crime
  • West Palm Beach, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 0 years of experience
Free Consultation (561) 623-3668

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at West Palm Beach - Florida

L. D. Murrell, P.A.400 Executive Center Dr Ste 201, West Palm Beach, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (561) 623-3668

John Howard Quinn

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Yreka - California

DA Siskiyou County, PO Box 986, California, 96097-0986
  • Criminal Defense
  • Yreka, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (530) 842-8125

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Yreka - California

DA Siskiyou County, PO Box 986, California, 96097-0986
Free Consultation (530) 842-8125

Lauren Shurling Kirkland

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Vidalia - Georgia

PO Box 1343, Georgia, 30475
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Vidalia, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 20 years of experience
Free Consultation (912) 537-3025

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Vidalia - Georgia

PO Box 1343, Georgia, 30475
Free Consultation (912) 537-3025

Betty Jean Moore

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Albany - Georgia

PO Box 462, Georgia, 31702
  • Criminal Defense
  • Albany, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation (229) 573-7373

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Albany - Georgia

PO Box 462, Georgia, 31702
Free Consultation (229) 573-7373

Devin R. Pommerenke

Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Alpena - Michigan

PO Box 756, Michigan, 49707-0756
  • Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law Sch
  • Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Speeding and Traffic Ticket, Driver’s License Restoration, Family, Juvenile, Litigation and Personal Injury
  • Alpena, Michigan Contracts and Agreements Lawyer
Free Consultation (989) 771-6089

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Alpena - Michigan

PO Box 756, Michigan, 49707-0756
Free Consultation (989) 771-6089

Beverly Marie Griffor

Arbitration Lawyer Serving at Ypsilanti - Michigan

1851 Washtenaw Rd, Michigan, 48197-1702
  • Arbitration, Appeals and Appellate, Business, Copyright Infringement, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, General Practice and Trademark Application
  • Ypsilanti, Michigan Arbitration Lawyer
Free Consultation (734) 827-1337

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ypsilanti - Michigan

1851 Washtenaw Rd, Michigan, 48197-1702
Free Consultation (734) 827-1337

Andrew J. J. Heap

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Junction - Texas

131 N 6th St, Texas, 76849-4717
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Real Estate and Wills and Living Wills
  • Junction, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation 325-446-2323

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Junction - Texas

131 N 6th St, Texas, 76849-4717
Free Consultation 325-446-2323

Elaine Longoria Mustard

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Marfa - Texas

PO Box 338, Texas, 79843-0338
  • Criminal Defense
  • Marfa, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 34 years of experience
Free Consultation 432-729-1963

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Marfa - Texas

PO Box 338, Texas, 79843-0338
Free Consultation 432-729-1963

Jerome Jake Aldrich

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lake Jackson - Texas

122 Westway, Ste 316, Texas, 77566
  • Criminal Defense
  • Lake Jackson, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 41 years of experience
Free Consultation 979-297-5355

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lake Jackson - Texas

122 Westway, Ste 316, Texas, 77566
Free Consultation 979-297-5355

Herman Robert Robert Yezak

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bremond - Texas

14096 Lehoski Road, Texas, 76629-4671
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Bremond, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 17 years of experience
Free Consultation 979-828-3205

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bremond - Texas

14096 Lehoski Road, Texas, 76629-4671
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.