Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Christopher Grant Humphrey

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at CHEYENNE - Wyoming

Humphrey & Associates, Wyoming, 82001
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • CHEYENNE, Wyoming Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (307) 222-4946

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at CHEYENNE - Wyoming

Humphrey & Associates, Wyoming, 82001
Free Consultation (307) 222-4946

Peter R Tovey

Immigration Lawyer Serving at Hillsboro - Oregon

Hillsboro Law Group PC, Oregon, 97124
  • Immigration, Asylum, Appeals and Appellate, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Health Care, Trusts, Wills and Living Wills, Criminal Defense, ...
  • Hillsboro, Oregon Immigration Lawyer
Free Consultation (503) 648-0707

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Hillsboro - Oregon

Hillsboro Law Group PC, Oregon, 97124
Free Consultation (503) 648-0707

Robert Joseph Pinnero

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at PO Box 1379 - Georgia

Suite D, PO Box 1379, Georgia,
  • Personal Injury and Criminal Defense
  • PO Box 1379, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer with 30 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at PO Box 1379 - Georgia

Suite D, PO Box 1379, Georgia,

Mattie Montana Armstrong

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at San Francisco - California

Dolores Street Community Services, 938 Valencia St, California, 94110-2321
  • Criminal Defense and Immigration
  • San Francisco, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (415) 282-6209

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at San Francisco - California

Dolores Street Community Services, 938 Valencia St, California, 94110-2321
Free Consultation (415) 282-6209

Carey Allen Miller

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

500 14th Street NW, Georgia, 30318
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 8 years of experience
Free Consultation (678) 701-9381

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

500 14th Street NW, Georgia, 30318
Free Consultation (678) 701-9381

Ethan Phuc Huu Pham

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Norcross - Georgia

5430 Jimmy Carter Boulevard Suite 202, Georgia, 30093
  • Criminal Defense, Judicial and Insurance
  • Norcross, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 10 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 685-7561

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Norcross - Georgia

5430 Jimmy Carter Boulevard Suite 202, Georgia, 30093
Free Consultation (770) 685-7561

Edwin H. Selwocki, Jr.

Car Accidents Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1441 Saint Antoine St Fl 11, Michigan, 48226-2362
  • Detroit College of Law
  • Car Accidents, Collections, Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, Litigation, Negligence Law, Personal Injury, Probate and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Detroit, Michigan Car Accidents Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 202-7088

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1441 Saint Antoine St Fl 11, Michigan, 48226-2362
Free Consultation (313) 202-7088

Melvin Joseph Babi

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer Serving at Novi - Michigan

39500 High Pointe Blvd Ste 155, Michigan, 48375-5500
  • Bankruptcy and debt, Business, Collections, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Debt and Lending Agreements, Driver’s License Restoration, Franchising, Freedom of Information Act, ...
  • Novi, Michigan Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 434-4110

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Novi - Michigan

39500 High Pointe Blvd Ste 155, Michigan, 48375-5500
Free Consultation (248) 434-4110

John William Fraser

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Lansing - Michigan

201 Townsend St Ste 900, Michigan, 48933-1529
  • Administrative Law, Appeals and Appellate, Business, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense and Medicaid and Medicare
  • Lansing, Michigan Administrative Law Lawyer
Free Consultation (517) 374-9100

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lansing - Michigan

201 Townsend St Ste 900, Michigan, 48933-1529
Free Consultation (517) 374-9100

Michael L. Jones

Employment and Labor Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1300 Broadway St Fl 5, Michigan, 48226-2202
  • Employment and Labor, Medical Malpractice, Business, Personal Injury, Civil Rights, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Police Misconduct, Premises Liability, ...
  • Detroit, Michigan Employment and Labor Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1300 Broadway St Fl 5, Michigan, 48226-2202

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.