Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Jesus A. Nerio

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

1800 Peachtree Street NW Suite 430, Georgia, 30309-2409
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Immigration
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 39 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 874-2141

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

1800 Peachtree Street NW Suite 430, Georgia, 30309-2409
Free Consultation (404) 874-2141

Jason Jonghyop Park

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Duluth - Georgia

3575 Koger Blvd Suite 215, Georgia, 30096
  • Criminal Defense
  • Duluth, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (678) 802-8421

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Duluth - Georgia

3575 Koger Blvd Suite 215, Georgia, 30096
Free Consultation (678) 802-8421

Alan Joseph Boehme

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Pocatello - Idaho

624 E. Center Street, Room 204, Idaho, 83201
  • Criminal Defense, Education, Employment and Labor, Immigration and Litigation
  • Pocatello, Idaho Criminal Defense Lawyer with 12 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Pocatello - Idaho

624 E. Center Street, Room 204, Idaho, 83201

Kamilah J. Horne

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Flint - Michigan

436 S Saginaw St Ste 101, Michigan, 48502-1823
  • Criminal Defense, Debt and Lending Agreements and Driver’s License Restoration
  • Flint, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (810) 377-6033

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Flint - Michigan

436 S Saginaw St Ste 101, Michigan, 48502-1823
Free Consultation (810) 377-6033

Samuel Marion Bailey

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Beaufort - South Carolina

2 Professional Village Circle, South Carolina, 29907
  • University of South Carolina School of Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Beaufort, South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (843) 524-4000 1203

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Beaufort - South Carolina

2 Professional Village Circle, South Carolina, 29907
Free Consultation (843) 524-4000 1203

Martha Warren Warner

Business Lawyer Serving at Beeville - Texas

105 E. Jones St., Texas, 78102
  • Business, Criminal Defense, Real Estate, Wills and Living Wills and School and College Law
  • Beeville, Texas Business Lawyer with 44 years of experience
Free Consultation

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Beeville - Texas

105 E. Jones St., Texas, 78102
Free Consultation

James Calvin Fling

Business Lawyer Serving at Newark - Texas

14032 Edgemon Way, Texas, 76071
  • Business, Consumer Protection, Debt and Lending Agreements, Criminal Defense, Family, Litigation, Real Estate, Tax, Wills and Living Wills, ...
  • Newark, Texas Business Lawyer with 52 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-334-1350

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Newark - Texas

14032 Edgemon Way, Texas, 76071
Free Consultation 806-334-1350

Jose Guadalupe Guadalupe Garza

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Mcallen - Texas

4900 W Expressway 83 Suite 111, Texas, 78501
  • Criminal Defense and Litigation
  • Mcallen, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation 956-437-8893

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mcallen - Texas

4900 W Expressway 83 Suite 111, Texas, 78501
Free Consultation 956-437-8893

George Bishop

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Chappell Hill - Texas

4191 Fm 1155 S, Texas, 77426-6281
  • Criminal Defense, Litigation, Real Estate and Appeals and Appellate
  • Chappell Hill, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 10 years of experience
Free Consultation 713-305-5510

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Chappell Hill - Texas

4191 Fm 1155 S, Texas, 77426-6281
Free Consultation 713-305-5510

Myles Keith Porter

Business Lawyer Serving at Bonham - Texas

411 N Main St, Texas, 75418-4322
  • Business, Criminal Defense, Family, Litigation and Real Estate
  • Bonham, Texas Business Lawyer with 29 years of experience
Free Consultation 903-583-8539

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bonham - Texas

411 N Main St, Texas, 75418-4322
Free Consultation 903-583-8539

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.