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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - June 2025

0 reviews

Sarah Elizabeth Johnson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 388-3008

Sarah Elizabeth.Johnson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046
Free Consultation (425) 388-3008

0 reviews

Jacinta Lorena Rodriguez

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Pasco - Washington

5426 Road 68 Ste D # 218, Washington, 99301-5268
  • Criminal Defense
  • Pasco, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 531-7516

Jacinta Lorena.Rodriguez

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Pasco - Washington

5426 Road 68 Ste D # 218, Washington, 99301-5268
Free Consultation (509) 531-7516

0 reviews

Ronnie M Rae

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

PO Box 1646, Washington, 98009-1646
  • Criminal Defense, Lawsuits and Disputes, Human Rights, Insurance, Juvenile, LGBT+ Law, Medical Malpractice, Military Law, State, Local And Municipal Law, ...
  • Bellevue, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 630-8800

Ronnie M.Rae

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

PO Box 1646, Washington, 98009-1646
Free Consultation (509) 630-8800

0 reviews

Michael John Boyle

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Orlando - Florida

37 North Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida,
  • Personal Injury and Criminal Defense
  • Orlando, Florida Personal Injury Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation  (727) 591-6518
View Website

Michael John.Boyle

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Orlando - Florida

37 North Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida,
Free Consultation  (727) 591-6518
View Website

0 reviews

William James Dorsey

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Jacksonville - Florida

The Dorsey Law Firm211 North Liberty Street, Suite 2, Jacksonville, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense
  • Jacksonville, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 1 years of experience
Free Consultation (904) 720-4204
View Website

William James.Dorsey

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Jacksonville - Florida

The Dorsey Law Firm211 North Liberty Street, Suite 2, Jacksonville, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (904) 720-4204
View Website

0 reviews

Douglas Wilson Otto

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Long Beach - California

Law Offices of Douglas W. Otto, 444 W Ocean Blvd Ste 940, California, 90802-4516
  • Criminal Defense, Administrative Law, Appeals and Appellate, Education, Environmental and Natural Resources, Litigation and Land Use and Zoning
  • Long Beach, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (562) 491-1191
View Website

Douglas Wilson.Otto

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Long Beach - California

Law Offices of Douglas W. Otto, 444 W Ocean Blvd Ste 940, California, 90802-4516
Free Consultation (562) 491-1191
View Website

0 reviews

Mark Alan Arnold

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at San Jose - California

Arnold Law Firm, 45 E Julian St, California, 95112
  • Criminal Defense
  • San Jose, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (408) 286-6320

Mark Alan.Arnold

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at San Jose - California

Arnold Law Firm, 45 E Julian St, California, 95112
Free Consultation (408) 286-6320

0 reviews

W. Daniel Knight Knight

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Nashville - Georgia

320 Tifton Hwy, Georgia, 31639-1002
  • Criminal Defense, Family, General Practice and Real Estate
  • Nashville, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 31 years of experience
Free Consultation (229) 646-0012

W. Daniel Knight.Knight

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Nashville - Georgia

320 Tifton Hwy, Georgia, 31639-1002
Free Consultation (229) 646-0012

0 reviews

David Anderson Payne

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

140 Barksdale Drive NE, Georgia, 30309
  • Criminal Defense
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 30 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 285-4249

David Anderson.Payne

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

140 Barksdale Drive NE, Georgia, 30309
Free Consultation (404) 285-4249

0 reviews

J Thomas Salata

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Alpharetta - Georgia

178 South Main Street Suite 250, Georgia, 30009
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Alpharetta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 408-7004

J Thomas.Salata

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Alpharetta - Georgia

178 South Main Street Suite 250, Georgia, 30009
Free Consultation (770) 408-7004

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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