Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Amanda Bianka Bianka Cervantes

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Amarillo - Texas

500 S Fillmore St Ste 301, Texas, 79101
  • Criminal Defense
  • Amarillo, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 2 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-379-2255

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Amarillo - Texas

500 S Fillmore St Ste 301, Texas, 79101
Free Consultation 806-379-2255

Allen James Hammons

Business Lawyer Serving at Brownfield - Texas

305 W Broadway St Ste A, Texas, 79316-4338
  • Business, Consumer Protection, Debt and Lending Agreements, Criminal Defense, Family, Insurance, Litigation, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, ...
  • Brownfield, Texas Business Lawyer with 42 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-637-8523

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Brownfield - Texas

305 W Broadway St Ste A, Texas, 79316-4338
Free Consultation 806-637-8523

Laurie Kathleen Lay English

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Ozona - Texas

PO Box 1187, Texas, 76943-1187
  • Criminal Defense and Appeals and Appellate
  • Ozona, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation 325-392-2025

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ozona - Texas

PO Box 1187, Texas, 76943-1187
Free Consultation 325-392-2025

Maggie Jean Jean Fouts

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Haskell - Texas

PO Box 206, Texas, 79521-0206
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, Wills and Living Wills and Elder Law
  • Haskell, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 1 years of experience
Free Consultation 940-864-3191

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Haskell - Texas

PO Box 206, Texas, 79521-0206
Free Consultation 940-864-3191

Rosario M. M. Peralez-Cowher

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Fort Stockton - Texas

PO Box 1625, Texas, 79735-1625
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Fort Stockton, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 30 years of experience
Free Consultation 432-827-2313

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Fort Stockton - Texas

PO Box 1625, Texas, 79735-1625
Free Consultation 432-827-2313

Kristen E Gestaut

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

200 Broadway Ste 301, Washington, 98122-7435
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 17 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

200 Broadway Ste 301, Washington, 98122-7435

David Henry Gehrke

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Des Moines - Washington

22030 7th Ave S Ste 202, Washington, 98198-6219
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Government, Personal Injury and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Des Moines, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 46 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Des Moines - Washington

22030 7th Ave S Ste 202, Washington, 98198-6219

Stephen Dexter Shuman

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

2522 N. Proctor, #11, Washington, 98406
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 31 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 279-7423

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

2522 N. Proctor, #11, Washington, 98406
Free Consultation (253) 279-7423

Kim E Hunter

Constitutional Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

13036 SE Kent Kangley Rd, Washington, 98030-7965
  • Constitutional, Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Kent, Washington Constitutional Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 709-5050

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

13036 SE Kent Kangley Rd, Washington, 98030-7965
Free Consultation (253) 709-5050

David Duane Lowell

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Burlington - Washington

PO Box 1346, Washington, 98233-0690
  • Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Family and Personal Injury
  • Burlington, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 31 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Burlington - Washington

PO Box 1346, Washington, 98233-0690

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.