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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - April 2025

0 reviews

William David McCool

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

PO Box 514, Washington, 99362-0014
  • Criminal Defense and Personal Injury
  • Walla Walla, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 46 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 525-2630

William David.McCool

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

PO Box 514, Washington, 99362-0014
Free Consultation (509) 525-2630

0 reviews

Wayne Robert King II

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

824 N Monroe St, Washington, 99201-2110
  • Criminal Defense
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 835-5955

Wayne Robert King.II

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

824 N Monroe St, Washington, 99201-2110
Free Consultation (509) 835-5955

0 reviews

Arthur Calderon

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Madison - Mississippi

Calderón Law, Mississippi, 39110
  • Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Real Estate, Motorcycle Accident, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Criminal Defense, ...
  • Madison, Mississippi Personal Injury Lawyer
Free Consultation (662) 594-2439
View Website

Arthur Calderon

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Madison - Mississippi

Calderón Law, Mississippi, 39110
Free Consultation (662) 594-2439
View Website

0 reviews

James Oronoz

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

9900 Covington Cross Drive, Suite 290, Nevada,
  • Personal Injury, Criminal Defense and Car Accidents
  • Las Vegas, Nevada Personal Injury Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation  (702) 832-4037
View Website

James Oronoz

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

9900 Covington Cross Drive, Suite 290, Nevada,
Free Consultation  (702) 832-4037
View Website

0 reviews

William Howard Safford

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Los Gatos - California

Safford Legal, 15559 Union Ave Pmb 3002, California, 95032-3904
  • Appeals and Appellate and Criminal Defense
  • Los Gatos, California Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (847) 744-4903

William Howard.Safford

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Los Gatos - California

Safford Legal, 15559 Union Ave Pmb 3002, California, 95032-3904
Free Consultation (847) 744-4903

0 reviews

Brittany Danielle Jacks

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Decatur - Georgia

3630 Camp Circle, Georgia, 30032
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Decatur, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 4 years of experience
Free Consultation

Brittany Danielle.Jacks

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Decatur - Georgia

3630 Camp Circle, Georgia, 30032
Free Consultation

0 reviews

David Shorter Kennedy Kennedy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Gainesville - Georgia

675 E.E. Butler Parkway Suite D, Georgia, 30501
  • Criminal Defense and Immigration
  • Gainesville, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation (678) 971-5888

David Shorter Kennedy.Kennedy

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Gainesville - Georgia

675 E.E. Butler Parkway Suite D, Georgia, 30501
Free Consultation (678) 971-5888

0 reviews

Malia Phillips-Lee

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Colquitt - Georgia

169 S Cuthbert Street, Georgia, 39837
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Colquitt, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 17 years of experience
Free Consultation (229) 202-4529

Malia Phillips-Lee

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Colquitt - Georgia

169 S Cuthbert Street, Georgia, 39837
Free Consultation (229) 202-4529

0 reviews

Robert Frank Schnatmeier Schnatmeier

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

278 North Marietta Parkway, Georgia, 30060
  • Criminal Defense and Insurance
  • Marietta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 31 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 422-9080

Robert Frank Schnatmeier.Schnatmeier

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

278 North Marietta Parkway, Georgia, 30060
Free Consultation (770) 422-9080

0 reviews

Patrick William O'Keefe

Wrongful Death Lawyer Serving at Lansing - Michigan

7804 Francis Ct Ste 110, Michigan, 48917-7769
  • Wrongful Death, Administrative Law, Appeals and Appellate, Car Accidents, Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, Driver’s License Restoration, Litigation, ...
  • Lansing, Michigan Wrongful Death Lawyer
Free Consultation (517) 253-0114

Patrick William.O'Keefe

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lansing - Michigan

7804 Francis Ct Ste 110, Michigan, 48917-7769
Free Consultation (517) 253-0114

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.

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