Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

CIUDAD AUTONOMA DE...

California

Colorado

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virgin Islands

Virginia

Washington

Washington DC

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Show More

Cannabis Law Cannabis Law

DUI and DWI DUI and DWI

Drug Crime Drug Crime

Expungement Expungement

Federal Crime Federal Crime

Juvenile Juvenile

Sex Crime Sex Crime

Speeding and... Speeding and...

Violent Crime Violent Crime

White Collar Crime White Collar...

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

0 reviews

Aileen B Miller

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

PO Box 40100, Washington, 98504-0100
  • Administrative Law, Government, Civil Rights, Constitutional, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Education and Employment and Labor
  • Olympia, Washington Administrative Law Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation (360)  753-2582

Aileen B.Miller

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

PO Box 40100, Washington, 98504-0100
Free Consultation (360)  753-2582

0 reviews

Douglas J Kresl

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Port Angeles - Washington

516 E Front St, Washington, 98362-3318
  • Criminal Defense
  • Port Angeles, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 25 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 452-3307

Douglas J.Kresl

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Angeles - Washington

516 E Front St, Washington, 98362-3318
Free Consultation (360) 452-3307

0 reviews

James William Nelson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Mount Vernon - Washington

PO Box 1918, Washington, 98273-1918
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Mount Vernon, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 35 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 941-3297

James William.Nelson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mount Vernon - Washington

PO Box 1918, Washington, 98273-1918
Free Consultation (360) 941-3297

0 reviews

Jennifer Marie Bitner

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3102 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4029
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Juvenile and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 212-1825

Jennifer Marie.Bitner

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3102 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4029
Free Consultation (425) 212-1825

0 reviews

Van Le Chu

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 339-6300 EXT 502

Van Le.Chu

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
Free Consultation (425) 339-6300 EXT 502

0 reviews

Sarah Zimmerman

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

8350 W Grandridge Blvd Ste 200 # 430, Washington, 99336-1678
  • Criminal Defense
  • Kennewick, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (509) 585-4375

Sarah Zimmerman

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

8350 W Grandridge Blvd Ste 200 # 430, Washington, 99336-1678
Free Consultation (509) 585-4375

0 reviews

John C. Perry

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

707 W Main Ave Ste B1, Washington, 99201-0631
  • Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills and Real Estate
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 38 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 919-4859

John C..Perry

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

707 W Main Ave Ste B1, Washington, 99201-0631
Free Consultation (509) 919-4859

0 reviews

Shawn J Peterson

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Yelm - Washington

22425 Clearview Ct SE, Washington, 98597-8912
  • Administrative Law, Government, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Litigation and Military Law
  • Yelm, Washington Administrative Law Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Free Consultation (720) 892-8753

Shawn J.Peterson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Yelm - Washington

22425 Clearview Ct SE, Washington, 98597-8912
Free Consultation (720) 892-8753

0 reviews

Ryan J Krupp

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at St. Louis - Missouri

Krupp Law Firm, LLC, 12813 Flushing Meadows Dr. Ste. 150, Missouri, 63131
  • Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction and Development, Motorcycle Accident, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Criminal Defense, ...
  • St. Louis, Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer
Free Consultation (314) 835-9999

Ryan J.Krupp

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at St. Louis - Missouri

Krupp Law Firm, LLC, 12813 Flushing Meadows Dr. Ste. 150, Missouri, 63131
Free Consultation (314) 835-9999

0 reviews

Richard James Lundy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Cedartown - Georgia

212 Main Street, Georgia, 30125-1018
  • Criminal Defense, Family and General Practice
  • Cedartown, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 37 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 748-5643

Richard James.Lundy

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Cedartown - Georgia

212 Main Street, Georgia, 30125-1018
Free Consultation (770) 748-5643

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.

© 1995-2024 Legal.com