Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - October 2024

Richard David Wall

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1604 W Dean Ave, Washington, 99201-1825
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Real Estate and Land Use and Zoning
  • Spokane, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer with 38 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1604 W Dean Ave, Washington, 99201-1825

Shannon Alice Lynch

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

330 W Indiana Ave, Washington, 99205-4716
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 3 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

330 W Indiana Ave, Washington, 99205-4716

Jason Ross Chenette Jr

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1033 West Gardner Ave, Washington, 99260-0280
  • Criminal Defense
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 4 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1033 West Gardner Ave, Washington, 99260-0280

Catherine Elizabeth Harkins

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7502 W Deschutes Pl, Washington, 99336-7719
  • Criminal Defense
  • Kennewick, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 18 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 783-5551

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7502 W Deschutes Pl, Washington, 99336-7719
Free Consultation (509) 783-5551

Joyce Marie Heritage

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Cle Elum - Washington

PO Box 50, Washington, 98922-0050
  • Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Cle Elum, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 24 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Cle Elum - Washington

PO Box 50, Washington, 98922-0050

William Jesse Forbes

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Charleston - West Virginia

Forbes Law Offices, PLLC 1118 Kanawha Blvd E , West Virginia, 25301
  • Criminal Defense, DUI and DWI, Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Federal Crime, Litigation, Speeding and Traffic Ticket, Trucking Accident and White Collar Crime
  • Charleston, West Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation (304) 343-4050

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Charleston - West Virginia

Forbes Law Offices, PLLC 1118 Kanawha Blvd E , West Virginia, 25301
Free Consultation (304) 343-4050

Jared Dale Vaughn

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Gadsden - Alabama

Jared Vaughn, Attorney at Law, Alabama, 35901
  • Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Real Estate, Motorcycle Accident, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Family, ...
  • Gadsden, Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer
Free Consultation (256) 547-4444

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Gadsden - Alabama

Jared Vaughn, Attorney at Law, Alabama, 35901
Free Consultation (256) 547-4444

David R. Spencer

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Minot - North Dakota

The Spencer Law Firm, North Dakota, 58701
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • Minot, North Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (701) 818-7361

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Minot - North Dakota

The Spencer Law Firm, North Dakota, 58701
Free Consultation (701) 818-7361

Chad Bank

DUI and DWI Lawyer Serving at Providence - Rhode Island

The Law Office of Chad F Bank, Rhode Island, 02903
  • DUI and DWI, Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, ...
  • Providence, Rhode Island DUI and DWI Lawyer
Free Consultation (401) 229-5088

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Providence - Rhode Island

The Law Office of Chad F Bank, Rhode Island, 02903
Free Consultation (401) 229-5088

Afshin nan Tadayon

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

Gazda & Tadayon Injury Law Firm, 2600 S Rainbow Blvd, Nevada, 89146
  • Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction and Development, Motorcycle Accident, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, ...
  • Las Vegas, Nevada Personal Injury Lawyer
Free Consultation (702) 220-7128

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

Gazda & Tadayon Injury Law Firm, 2600 S Rainbow Blvd, Nevada, 89146
Free Consultation (702) 220-7128

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.