Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Gina Maria Costello

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

101 W Cataldo Ave Ste 301, Washington, 99201-3202
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 23 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

101 W Cataldo Ave Ste 301, Washington, 99201-3202

David P. Badanes

Divorce and Separation Lawyer Serving at Northport - New York

Badanes Law Office, New York, 11768
  • Divorce and Separation, Collaborative Law, Military Law, Property Division, Alimony, Uncontested Divorce, Family, Adoption, Child Custody, ...
  • Northport, New York Divorce and Separation Lawyer
Free Consultation (631) 239-1702

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Northport - New York

Badanes Law Office, New York, 11768
Free Consultation (631) 239-1702

John P. Fazzio Iii

Foreclosure Lawyer Serving at Hoboken - New Jersey

FAZZIO LAW OFFICES, New Jersey, 07030
  • Foreclosure, Tax, International Law, Public Finance and Tax Exempt Finance, Business, Franchising, Mergers and Acquisitions, Lawsuits and Disputes, Trademark Application, ...
  • Hoboken, New Jersey Foreclosure Lawyer
Free Consultation (201) 529-8024

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Hoboken - New Jersey

FAZZIO LAW OFFICES, New Jersey, 07030
Free Consultation (201) 529-8024

Lonny Ross Fish

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Philadelphia - Pennsylvania

Liberty Law Team (Law Offices of Lonny Fish), 1515 Market Street Suite 1200, Pennsylvania, 19102
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (215) 732-3474

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Philadelphia - Pennsylvania

Liberty Law Team (Law Offices of Lonny Fish), 1515 Market Street Suite 1200, Pennsylvania, 19102
Free Consultation (215) 732-3474

Paul Stephen Kish

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

229 Peachtree Street NE Suite 2505, Georgia, 30303
  • Criminal Defense
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 42 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 207-1338

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

229 Peachtree Street NE Suite 2505, Georgia, 30303
Free Consultation (404) 207-1338

William H. Noland

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Macon - Georgia

5400 Riverside Drive Suite 205, Georgia, 31210
  • Criminal Defense, Lawsuits and Disputes and Insurance
  • Macon, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation (478) 621-4980

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Macon - Georgia

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

Robert Maclean Patten

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Summerville - Georgia

84 West Washington Street, Georgia, 30747
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Summerville, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 15 years of experience
Free Consultation (706) 857-6596

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Summerville - Georgia

84 West Washington Street, Georgia, 30747
Free Consultation (706) 857-6596

Jonathan Boone Phillips

Cannabis Law Lawyer Serving at Savannah - Georgia

1901 Abercorn Street, Georgia, 31401
  • Cannabis Law, Criminal Defense and Insurance
  • Savannah, Georgia Cannabis Law Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Free Consultation (912) 232-0081

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Savannah - Georgia

1901 Abercorn Street, Georgia, 31401
Free Consultation (912) 232-0081

Mahek Devang Shah

Business

  • Business, Criminal Defense, Lawsuits and Disputes, Immigration and Insurance
  • with 3 years of experience
Free Consultation

0 reviews

Free Consultation

Jasmine Elizabeth Davis

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

3030 West Grand Blvd., Suite 10-300, Michigan, 48202
  • University of Michigan Law School
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Federal Regulation, Insurance and Litigation
  • Detroit, Michigan Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (517) 335-7650

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

3030 West Grand Blvd., Suite 10-300, Michigan, 48202
Free Consultation (517) 335-7650

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.