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 - May 2025

0 reviews

Derrick Axel Isackson

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

5506 6th Ave S Ste 201A, Washington, 98108-2553
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense and Employment and Labor
  • Seattle, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 957-0926

Derrick Axel.Isackson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

5506 6th Ave S Ste 201A, Washington, 98108-2553
Free Consultation (206) 957-0926

0 reviews

Fred C. Wist II

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

930 Tacoma Ave S Rm 946, Washington, 98402-2171
  • Criminal Defense, Government and Litigation
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 798-3616

Fred C. Wist.II

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

930 Tacoma Ave S Rm 946, Washington, 98402-2171
Free Consultation (253) 798-3616

0 reviews

Trisha Dian Johnson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Mount Vernon - Washington

605 S 3rd St, Washington, 98273-3867
  • Criminal Defense
  • Mount Vernon, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 31 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 416-1600

Trisha Dian.Johnson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mount Vernon - Washington

605 S 3rd St, Washington, 98273-3867
Free Consultation (360) 416-1600

0 reviews

Erik Matthew Birnel

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

6128 N Howard St, Washington, 99205-6430
  • Criminal Defense, Litigation and Military Law
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 487-6354

Erik Matthew.Birnel

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

6128 N Howard St, Washington, 99205-6430
Free Consultation (360) 487-6354

0 reviews

Jon Tunheim

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Bldg 2, Washington, 98502-6045
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Olympia, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (360) 786-5540

Jon Tunheim

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Bldg 2, Washington, 98502-6045
Free Consultation (360) 786-5540

0 reviews

Joshua Baldwin

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Longview - Washington

1338 Commerce Ave Ste 101, Washington, 98632-3726
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Juvenile
  • Longview, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (360) 998-2612

Joshua Baldwin

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Longview - Washington

1338 Commerce Ave Ste 101, Washington, 98632-3726
Free Consultation (360) 998-2612

0 reviews

Halley Royal Hupp

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

M/S 504 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4060
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 388-3333

Halley Royal.Hupp

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

M/S 504 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4060
Free Consultation (425) 388-3333

0 reviews

Gretchen Eileen Verhoef

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1100 W Mallon Ave, Washington, 99260-0270
  • Appeals and Appellate and Criminal Defense
  • Spokane, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (509)  477-3662

Gretchen Eileen.Verhoef

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1100 W Mallon Ave, Washington, 99260-0270
Free Consultation (509)  477-3662

0 reviews

Eileen M Murphy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Ellensburg - Washington

205 W 5th Ave Ste 212, Washington, 98926-1912
  • Criminal Defense
  • Ellensburg, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 962-7042

Eileen M.Murphy

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ellensburg - Washington

205 W 5th Ave Ste 212, Washington, 98926-1912
Free Consultation (509) 962-7042

0 reviews

Lora Ellen Cooper

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Green River - Wyoming

Sweetwater County Attorney's Office 80 West Flaming Gorge Way, Suite 21, Wyoming, 82935
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Family, General Practice and Litigation
  • Green River, Wyoming Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation (307) 922-5260

Lora Ellen.Cooper

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Green River - Wyoming

Sweetwater County Attorney's Office 80 West Flaming Gorge Way, Suite 21, Wyoming, 82935
Free Consultation (307) 922-5260

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