Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - September 2024

Hussein Karmali

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

PO Box 7303, Washington, 98008-1303
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Bellevue, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

PO Box 7303, Washington, 98008-1303

Dana E Hahn

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

421 W Riverside Ave Ste 717, Washington, 99201-0410
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Juvenile and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 18 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 252-2699

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

421 W Riverside Ave Ste 717, Washington, 99201-0410
Free Consultation (509) 252-2699

Stephanie McAloon

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7122 W Okanogan Pl Bldg A, Washington, 99336-2359
  • Criminal Defense
  • Kennewick, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7122 W Okanogan Pl Bldg A, Washington, 99336-2359

Richard Vincent Foster

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

13719 SE 36th St, Washington, 98683-7770
  • Criminal Defense, Lawsuits and Disputes, Family, Government, Juvenile, Personal Injury, Real Estate and Land Use and Zoning
  • Vancouver, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 1 years of experience

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

13719 SE 36th St, Washington, 98683-7770

Jose Roberto Gallegos

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Woodland Hills - California

6351 Owensmouth Ave, Ste 101B, California, 91367-2225
  • Criminal Defense and Immigration
  • Woodland Hills, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (818) 804-5729

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Woodland Hills - California

6351 Owensmouth Ave, Ste 101B, California, 91367-2225
Free Consultation (818) 804-5729

Jackie The Fly Lawyer Patterson

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

2970 Clairmont Road Suite 240, Georgia, 30329
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense and Insurance
  • Atlanta, Georgia Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 841-4081

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

2970 Clairmont Road Suite 240, Georgia, 30329
Free Consultation (404) 841-4081

Barton W. Morris, Jr.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Troy - Michigan

801 W Big Beaver Rd Ste 600, Michigan, 48084-4725
  • Criminal Defense and Medicaid and Medicare
  • Troy, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 541-2600

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Troy - Michigan

801 W Big Beaver Rd Ste 600, Michigan, 48084-4725
Free Consultation (248) 541-2600

Geofrey Chilekeye Muroto Bilabaye

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Battle Creek - Michigan

161 E Michigan Ave, Michigan, 49014-4021
  • Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law Sch
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense and Federal Regulation
  • Battle Creek, Michigan Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (269) 969-6980

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Battle Creek - Michigan

161 E Michigan Ave, Michigan, 49014-4021
Free Consultation (269) 969-6980

Daniel Joseph LoBello, Jr.

Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Saginaw - Michigan

300 Saint Andrews Rd Ste 302, Michigan, 48638-5977
  • Western Michigan University-T.M. Cooley Law
  • Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Employment and Labor, Landlord and Tenant and Probate
  • Saginaw, Michigan Contracts and Agreements Lawyer
Free Consultation (989) 790-0960

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Saginaw - Michigan

300 Saint Andrews Rd Ste 302, Michigan, 48638-5977
Free Consultation (989) 790-0960

John Webster Mcgregor

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Ballinger - Texas

708 Park Ave, Texas, 76821-4720
  • Criminal Defense, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, Wills and Living Wills and Elder Law
  • Ballinger, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 50 years of experience
Free Consultation 325-365-5355

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ballinger - Texas

708 Park Ave, Texas, 76821-4720
Free Consultation 325-365-5355

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.