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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

0 reviews

Susanna Love Southworth

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

2522 North Proctor Street Suite 85, Washington, 98406
  • Criminal Defense, Litigation and Personal Injury
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 20 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 392-4409

Susanna Love.Southworth

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

2522 North Proctor Street Suite 85, Washington, 98406
Free Consultation (253) 392-4409

0 reviews

Sean Francis Mangan

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Silverdale - Washington

10661 Old Frontier Rd NW Ste 211, Washington, 98383-8577
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Employment and Labor, Family, Military Law and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Silverdale, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 970-4160

Sean Francis.Mangan

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Silverdale - Washington

10661 Old Frontier Rd NW Ste 211, Washington, 98383-8577
Free Consultation (253) 970-4160

0 reviews

William Thomas Wisdom JD

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

104 W Magnolia St Unit 2628, Washington, 98227-3446
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Bellingham, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 3 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 296-5785

William Thomas Wisdom.JD

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

104 W Magnolia St Unit 2628, Washington, 98227-3446
Free Consultation (360) 296-5785

0 reviews

Larissa Payne

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

2425 Bristol Ct SW PO Box 40114, Washington, 98504-0114
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Olympia, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (360) 586-8880

Larissa Payne

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

2425 Bristol Ct SW PO Box 40114, Washington, 98504-0114
Free Consultation (360) 586-8880

0 reviews

Tanya Alexandrovna Sanders

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kalama - Washington

985 NW 2nd St, Washington, 98625-9647
  • Criminal Defense, Government and Litigation
  • Kalama, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 673-2825

Tanya Alexandrovna.Sanders

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kalama - Washington

985 NW 2nd St, Washington, 98625-9647
Free Consultation (360) 673-2825

0 reviews

Kenneth H Kato

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1020 N Washington St, Washington, 99201-2237
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Lawsuits and Disputes and Family
  • Spokane, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 49 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 220-2237

Kenneth H.Kato

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1020 N Washington St, Washington, 99201-2237
Free Consultation (509) 220-2237

0 reviews

Anne Wasilewski

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1033 W Gardner Ave, Washington, 99201-2016
  • Criminal Defense
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (509) 477-4800

Anne Wasilewski

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1033 W Gardner Ave, Washington, 99201-2016
Free Consultation (509) 477-4800

0 reviews

Kimberly Ann Ouren

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

4101 S Union St, Washington, 99337-2667
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Kennewick, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 783-5759

Kimberly Ann.Ouren

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

4101 S Union St, Washington, 99337-2667
Free Consultation (509) 783-5759

0 reviews

Robert Richard Northcott

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Cowiche - Washington

90 Hancock Rd, Washington, 98923-9777
  • Administrative Law, Government, Criminal Defense, Lawsuits and Disputes, Family, Judicial Officer and Personal Injury
  • Cowiche, Washington Administrative Law Lawyer with 49 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 901-1670

Robert Richard.Northcott

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Cowiche - Washington

90 Hancock Rd, Washington, 98923-9777
Free Consultation (509) 901-1670

0 reviews

Christopher Thomas Herion

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Ellensburg - Washington

110 W 6th Ave, Washington, 98926-3106
  • Criminal Defense, Guardianship and Juvenile
  • Ellensburg, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation (888) 758-1769

Christopher Thomas.Herion

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ellensburg - Washington

110 W 6th Ave, Washington, 98926-3106
Free Consultation (888) 758-1769

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

How Do I Find the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer?
When searching for a defense attorney, consider their expertise in criminal law, experience with similar cases, and their approach to client communication.
What Services Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Provide?
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.
What Should I Consider When Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney?
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.
Do Any Criminal Defense Lawyers Offer Free Consultations?
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.
How Often Does Legal.com Update Its List of Criminal Defense Lawyers?
Our list of the best criminal defense lawyers is updated monthly to ensure we provide access to the latest and most accurate information.
What Criteria Does Legal.com Consider When Listing Lawyers?
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.
Is Legal.com Affiliated With Any Criminal Defense Law Firms It Lists?
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.

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