Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

CIUDAD AUTONOMA DE...

California

Colorado

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virgin Islands

Virginia

Washington

Washington DC

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Show More

Cannabis Law Cannabis Law

DUI and DWI DUI and DWI

Drug Crime Drug Crime

Expungement Expungement

Federal Crime Federal Crime

Juvenile Juvenile

Sex Crime Sex Crime

Speeding and... Speeding and...

Violent Crime Violent Crime

White Collar Crime White Collar...

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - April 2025

0 reviews

James Robert Doran

Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

100 Pine St Ste 205, Washington, 98225-5463
  • Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Foreclosure, Government, Landlord and Tenant, Personal Injury ...
  • Bellingham, Washington Contracts and Agreements Lawyer with 40 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 393-9506

James Robert.Doran

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

100 Pine St Ste 205, Washington, 98225-5463
Free Consultation (360) 393-9506

0 reviews

Eric Robert Mapes

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

215 N Commercial St, Washington, 98225-4409
  • Criminal Defense
  • Bellingham, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 778-5687

Eric Robert.Mapes

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellingham - Washington

215 N Commercial St, Washington, 98225-4409
Free Consultation (360) 778-5687

0 reviews

Jeremiah Spencer Styles

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Edmonds - Washington

22727 Highway 99 Ste 204, Washington, 98026-8381
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Immigration and Personal Injury
  • Edmonds, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 10 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 448-7246

Jeremiah Spencer.Styles

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Edmonds - Washington

22727 Highway 99 Ste 204, Washington, 98026-8381
Free Consultation (425) 448-7246

0 reviews

Michelle Marie Mulhern

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

240 W Alder St Ste 201, Washington, 99362-2807
  • Criminal Defense, Government and Juvenile
  • Walla Walla, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 524-5445

Michelle Marie.Mulhern

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

240 W Alder St Ste 201, Washington, 99362-2807
Free Consultation (509) 524-5445

0 reviews

Zachary Ryan Leighton

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

909 W Mallon Ave, Washington, 99201-2129
  • Criminal Defense
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 835-5924

Zachary Ryan.Leighton

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

909 W Mallon Ave, Washington, 99201-2129
Free Consultation (509) 835-5924

0 reviews

Dennis Benjamin Cygan

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lacey - Washington

700 Sleater Kinney Rd SE Ste B # 164, Washington, 98503-1113
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Lacey, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (564) 669-9527

Dennis Benjamin.Cygan

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lacey - Washington

700 Sleater Kinney Rd SE Ste B # 164, Washington, 98503-1113
Free Consultation (564) 669-9527

0 reviews

Mark Edward Arneson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Minneapolis - Minnesota

Arneson & Geffen PLLC, Minnesota, 55401
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (612) 465-8581
View Website

Mark Edward.Arneson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Minneapolis - Minnesota

Arneson & Geffen PLLC, Minnesota, 55401
Free Consultation (612) 465-8581
View Website

0 reviews

Katie Rose Martin

Criminal Defense

  • Criminal Defense, Equine Law, General Practice, Government, Immigration and Professional Liability
  • with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation

Katie Rose.Martin

0 reviews

Free Consultation

0 reviews

Dorian Murry

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Stone Mountain - Georgia

5300 Memorial Drive Suite 130, Georgia, 30083
  • Criminal Defense, General Practice and Insurance
  • Stone Mountain, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 27 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 450-0123

Dorian Murry

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Stone Mountain - Georgia

5300 Memorial Drive Suite 130, Georgia, 30083
Free Consultation (770) 450-0123

0 reviews

Genghis Iraqk X Tel Haj Shakhan

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Fayetteville - Georgia

105A Glynn Street S, Georgia, 30214-2037
  • Criminal Defense, Family, General Practice and Military Law
  • Fayetteville, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 999-9529

Genghis Iraqk X Tel Haj.Shakhan

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Fayetteville - Georgia

105A Glynn Street S, Georgia, 30214-2037
Free Consultation (404) 999-9529

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.

© 1995-2025 Legal.com