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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

0 reviews

Tim Altaras

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Cleburne - Texas

109 W Henderson St, Texas, 76033-4905
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Juvenile
  • Cleburne, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 50 years of experience
Free Consultation 817-641-6611

Tim Altaras

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Cleburne - Texas

109 W Henderson St, Texas, 76033-4905
Free Consultation 817-641-6611

0 reviews

Dennis Alan Alan Olson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Fort Stockton - Texas

PO Box 1261, Texas, 79735-1261
  • Criminal Defense
  • Fort Stockton, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation 432-360-3660

Dennis Alan Alan.Olson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Fort Stockton - Texas

PO Box 1261, Texas, 79735-1261
Free Consultation 432-360-3660

0 reviews

Michael Charles Kahrs

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

2208 NW Market St Ste 304, Washington, 98107-4049
  • Appeals and Appellate, Civil Rights, Constitutional, Criminal Defense, Government, Legal Writing, Litigation and Personal Injury
  • Seattle, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 27 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 264-0643

Michael Charles.Kahrs

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

2208 NW Market St Ste 304, Washington, 98107-4049
Free Consultation (206) 264-0643

0 reviews

Peter Thomas Geisness

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bainbridge Island - Washington

PO Box 11785, Washington, 98110-5785
  • Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Workers Compensation Law
  • Bainbridge Island, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 455-4689

Peter Thomas.Geisness

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bainbridge Island - Washington

PO Box 11785, Washington, 98110-5785
Free Consultation (206) 455-4689

0 reviews

Kristin Ann Relyea

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

701 5th Ave Ste 600, Washington, 98104-7108
  • Criminal Defense and Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 477-1120

Kristin Ann.Relyea

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

701 5th Ave Ste 600, Washington, 98104-7108
Free Consultation (206) 477-1120

0 reviews

Sarah Marie Caruana

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tukwila - Washington

7755 E Marginal Way S, Washington, 98108-4002
  • Criminal Defense, Health Care and Litigation
  • Tukwila, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 2 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 757-8305

Sarah Marie.Caruana

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tukwila - Washington

7755 E Marginal Way S, Washington, 98108-4002
Free Consultation (206) 757-8305

0 reviews

Peter H Clark

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

1623 E J St Ste 2, Washington, 98421-1602
  • Administrative Law, Government, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Immigration, Military Law and Tax
  • Tacoma, Washington Administrative Law Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 428-5173

Peter H.Clark

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

1623 E J St Ste 2, Washington, 98421-1602
Free Consultation (253) 428-5173

0 reviews

Glenn Kenneth Carpenter Jr

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

24730 36th Ave S, Washington, 98032-4105
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Admiralty and Maritime and Personal Injury
  • Kent, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer with 36 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 839-8449

Glenn Kenneth Carpenter.Jr

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

24730 36th Ave S, Washington, 98032-4105
Free Consultation (253) 839-8449

0 reviews

Stanley B Myers Jr

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Port Angeles - Washington

734 E 1st St Unit A, Washington, 98362-3630
  • Administrative Law, Government, Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Port Angeles, Washington Administrative Law Lawyer
Free Consultation (360) 452-4173

Stanley B Myers.Jr

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Angeles - Washington

734 E 1st St Unit A, Washington, 98362-3630
Free Consultation (360) 452-4173

0 reviews

Phillip Meurig Mason

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 212-2669

Phillip Meurig.Mason

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
Free Consultation (425) 212-2669

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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