Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Janene Mccabe

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Boulder - Colorado

McCabe Law, Colorado, 80301
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • Boulder, Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (720) 996-2422

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Boulder - Colorado

McCabe Law, Colorado, 80301
Free Consultation (720) 996-2422

Taylor Douglas Martin

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Conway - Arkansas

Taylor D. Martin Law Firm, PLLC, Arkansas, 72032
  • Criminal Defense, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, Domestic Violence, ...
  • Conway, Arkansas Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (501) 313-0895

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Conway - Arkansas

Taylor D. Martin Law Firm, PLLC, Arkansas, 72032
Free Consultation (501) 313-0895

Ecleynne nan Mercy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

Mercy Law PC, 101 Marietta Street NW Suite 3650, Georgia, 30303
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (404) 599-3031

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

Mercy Law PC, 101 Marietta Street NW Suite 3650, Georgia, 30303
Free Consultation (404) 599-3031

Michelle Mcintyre

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

101 Marietta Street NW Suite 1500, Georgia, 30303
  • Criminal Defense
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 688-7530

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

101 Marietta Street NW Suite 1500, Georgia, 30303
Free Consultation (404) 688-7530

Sherwin H. Zaban

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Northbrook - Illinois

Sherwin H. Zaban 1160 Lee Rd, Illinois , 60062-3807
  • Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Litigation, Power Of Attorney and Trusts
  • Northbrook, Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyer with 51 years of experience
Free Consultation (847) 715-9388

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Northbrook - Illinois

Sherwin H. Zaban 1160 Lee Rd, Illinois , 60062-3807
Free Consultation (847) 715-9388

Elizabeth Anne Elsberry

Family Lawyer Serving at Bismarck - North Dakota

103 S. Third St., Ste. 5, North Dakota, 58501
  • Family, Criminal Defense and Energy and Utilities
  • Bismarck, North Dakota Family Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (701) 557-3384

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bismarck - North Dakota

103 S. Third St., Ste. 5, North Dakota, 58501
Free Consultation (701) 557-3384

Daniel Karl Karl Sieloff

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Dumas - Texas

310 South Bliss Avenue, Texas, 79029
  • Criminal Defense
  • Dumas, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 4 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-930-8466

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Dumas - Texas

310 South Bliss Avenue, Texas, 79029
Free Consultation 806-930-8466

Ernest Acevedo

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at San Antonio - Texas

222 S Flores St, Texas, 78204-1011
  • Criminal Defense
  • San Antonio, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 30 years of experience
Free Consultation 210-226-5656

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at San Antonio - Texas

222 S Flores St, Texas, 78204-1011
Free Consultation 210-226-5656

Phillip Craig Gregory

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Graham - Texas

PO Box 867, Texas, 76450-0867
  • Criminal Defense
  • Graham, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation 817-798-4531

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Graham - Texas

PO Box 867, Texas, 76450-0867
Free Consultation 817-798-4531

Anthony Wayne Wayne Acosta

Business Lawyer Serving at Haslet - Texas

2117 Clover Springs Dr, Texas, 76052-2868
  • Business, Consumer Protection, Criminal Defense, Family, Employment and Labor, Litigation, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, Wills and Living Wills, ...
  • Haslet, Texas Business Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation 817-946-5287

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Haslet - Texas

2117 Clover Springs Dr, Texas, 76052-2868
Free Consultation 817-946-5287

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.