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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - May 2025

0 reviews

Garrett Craig Rutherford

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

12040 98th Ave NE Ste 101, Washington, 98034-4217
  • Criminal Defense
  • Kirkland, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 284-2362

Garrett Craig.Rutherford

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

12040 98th Ave NE Ste 101, Washington, 98034-4217
Free Consultation (425) 284-2362

0 reviews

Derek John Reid

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

421 W Riverside Ave Ste 812, Washington, 99201-0403
  • Criminal Defense
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 22 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 356-0374

Derek John.Reid

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

421 W Riverside Ave Ste 812, Washington, 99201-0403
Free Consultation (509) 356-0374

0 reviews

Justin Paul Lonergan

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

10 N Post St Ste 700, Washington, 99201-0709
  • Criminal Defense, Litigation and Military Law
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 624-7606

Justin Paul.Lonergan

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

10 N Post St Ste 700, Washington, 99201-0709
Free Consultation (509) 624-7606

0 reviews

John Van Dyke Jensen

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7014 W Okanogan Pl, Washington, 99336-5076
  • Criminal Defense and Personal Injury
  • Kennewick, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 735-8529

John Van Dyke.Jensen

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7014 W Okanogan Pl, Washington, 99336-5076
Free Consultation (509) 735-8529

0 reviews

David Matthew Wall

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Goldendale - Washington

205 South Columbus Ave., Room 106, Washington, 98620-9054
  • Criminal Defense
  • Goldendale, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 39 years of experience
Free Consultation (590) 773-5838

David Matthew.Wall

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Goldendale - Washington

205 South Columbus Ave., Room 106, Washington, 98620-9054
Free Consultation (590) 773-5838

0 reviews

Andrew Sullo

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Houston - Texas

2020 Southwest Fwy, #300, Texas,
  • Personal Injury, Criminal Defense and Car Accidents
  • Houston, Texas Personal Injury Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation  (713) 715-4397
View Website

Andrew Sullo

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Houston - Texas

2020 Southwest Fwy, #300, Texas,
Free Consultation  (713) 715-4397
View Website

0 reviews

William James Dorsey

Car Accidents Lawyer Serving at Jacksonville - Florida

211 North Liberty Street, Suite 2, Florida,
  • Car Accidents and Criminal Defense
  • Jacksonville, Florida Car Accidents Lawyer with 51 years of experience
Free Consultation  (904) 720-4204
View Website

William James.Dorsey

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Jacksonville - Florida

211 North Liberty Street, Suite 2, Florida,
Free Consultation  (904) 720-4204
View Website

0 reviews

Ernest Joseph Mullins

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kissimmee - Florida

Law Office of Ernest J. Mullins, P.A.519 W. Patrick Street, Kissimmee, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense and Expungement
  • Kissimmee, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 1 years of experience
Free Consultation (407) 801-8097
View Website

Ernest Joseph.Mullins

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kissimmee - Florida

Law Office of Ernest J. Mullins, P.A.519 W. Patrick Street, Kissimmee, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (407) 801-8097
View Website

0 reviews

Michael R Abram

Criminal Defense

  • Criminal Defense and DUI and DWI
  • with 22 years of experience
Free Consultation (302) 856-4944

Michael R.Abram

0 reviews

Free Consultation (302) 856-4944

0 reviews

Audra Rose McClure

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Grand Rapids - Michigan

678 Front Ave NW Ste 176, Michigan, 49504-5300
  • Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Family, General Practice, Guardianship, Juvenile, Probate and Wills and Living Wills
  • Grand Rapids, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (616) 451-4000

Audra Rose.McClure

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Grand Rapids - Michigan

678 Front Ave NW Ste 176, Michigan, 49504-5300
Free Consultation (616) 451-4000

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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