Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - November 2024

Grace Simms Martin

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Macon - Georgia

5400 Riverside Drive Suite 205, Georgia, 31210-0855
  • Criminal Defense
  • Macon, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation (478) 621-4980

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Macon - Georgia

5400 Riverside Drive Suite 205, Georgia, 31210-0855
Free Consultation (478) 621-4980

Lori Ann Mireles-Smith

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1441 Saint Antoine St Fl 11, Michigan, 48226-2362
  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Detroit, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 967-2847

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1441 Saint Antoine St Fl 11, Michigan, 48226-2362
Free Consultation (313) 967-2847

David A. Makled

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Battle Creek - Michigan

190 E Michigan Ave, Michigan, 49014-4005
  • The University of Michigan Law School
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Juvenile
  • Battle Creek, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (269) 966-7556

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Battle Creek - Michigan

190 E Michigan Ave, Michigan, 49014-4005
Free Consultation (269) 966-7556

Kevin Goebel Goebel Barnes

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Liberty - Texas

1923 Sam Houston St Ste 202, Texas, 77575-4846
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Liberty, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation 936-336-4609

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Liberty - Texas

1923 Sam Houston St Ste 202, Texas, 77575-4846
Free Consultation 936-336-4609

William W. Torrey

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Cameron - Texas

PO Box 713, Texas, 76520-0713
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Insurance, Litigation, Wills and Living Wills and Juvenile
  • Cameron, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 48 years of experience
Free Consultation 254-697-7013

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Cameron - Texas

PO Box 713, Texas, 76520-0713
Free Consultation 254-697-7013

Cesar Omar Omar Aguilar

Lawsuits and Disputes Lawyer Serving at Mission - Texas

2112 S Shary Rd Ste 15, Texas, 78572-0010
  • Lawsuits and Disputes, Business, Criminal Defense, Family, Wills and Living Wills, Immigration and Juvenile
  • Mission, Texas Lawsuits and Disputes Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mission - Texas

2112 S Shary Rd Ste 15, Texas, 78572-0010
Free Consultation

Rebekah Gay Gay Filley

Business Lawyer Serving at Tahoka - Texas

PO Box 848, Texas, 79373-0848
  • Business, Criminal Defense, Family, Government, Real Estate, Wills and Living Wills and Juvenile
  • Tahoka, Texas Business Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-561-5286

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tahoka - Texas

PO Box 848, Texas, 79373-0848
Free Consultation 806-561-5286

Jessica Thompson

Antitrust and Trade Law Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

1301 2nd Ave Ste 2000, Washington, 98101-3810
  • Antitrust and Trade Law, Appeals and Appellate, Business, Commercial, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Employment and Labor, Legal Writing and Litigation
  • Seattle, Washington Antitrust and Trade Law Lawyer
Free Consultation (206) 268-9335

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

1301 2nd Ave Ste 2000, Washington, 98101-3810
Free Consultation (206) 268-9335

Lauren Nicole Conner

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

710 2nd Ave Ste 700, Washington, 98104-1724
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 9 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

710 2nd Ave Ste 700, Washington, 98104-1724

Sean Skillingstad

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

8106 NE 141st St, Washington, 98034-5324
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Health Care, Employment and Labor, Legal Writing, Military Law, State, Local And Municipal Law, Personal Injury, Speeding and Traffic Ticket ...
  • Kirkland, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

8106 NE 141st St, Washington, 98034-5324

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.