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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - May 2025

0 reviews

Sara I Beigh

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Chehalis - Washington

345 W Main St Fl 2, Washington, 98532-4802
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense and Government
  • Chehalis, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 740-1240

Sara I.Beigh

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Chehalis - Washington

345 W Main St Fl 2, Washington, 98532-4802
Free Consultation (360) 740-1240

0 reviews

Allyson L Barker

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Port Orchard - Washington

813 Division St, Washington, 98366-4511
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Family and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Port Orchard, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 876-9900

Allyson L.Barker

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Orchard - Washington

813 Division St, Washington, 98366-4511
Free Consultation (360) 876-9900

0 reviews

Tyler James Scott

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 9 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 388-3333

Tyler James.Scott

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046
Free Consultation (425) 388-3333

0 reviews

Angelina Petrosyan

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

PO Box 90012, Washington, 98009-9012
  • Criminal Defense and Litigation
  • Bellevue, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (425) 452-6886

Angelina Petrosyan

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

PO Box 90012, Washington, 98009-9012
Free Consultation (425) 452-6886

0 reviews

John Leonard Hartzell III

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

6 E Alder St Ste 414, Washington, 99362-1938
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Walla Walla, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (509)  529-0269

John Leonard Hartzell.III

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Walla Walla - Washington

6 E Alder St Ste 414, Washington, 99362-1938
Free Consultation (509)  529-0269

0 reviews

Gregory Lee Zempel

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Ellensburg - Washington

205 W 5th Ave Ste 213, Washington, 98926-2887
  • Criminal Defense and Government
  • Ellensburg, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 36 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 962-7520

Gregory Lee.Zempel

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ellensburg - Washington

205 W 5th Ave Ste 213, Washington, 98926-2887
Free Consultation (509) 962-7520

0 reviews

Dan Herbel

DUI and DWI Lawyer Serving at Bismarck - North Dakota

Herbel Law Firm, North Dakota, 58501
  • DUI and DWI, Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law and Violent Crime
  • Bismarck, North Dakota DUI and DWI Lawyer
Free Consultation (701) 323-0123
View Website

Dan Herbel

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bismarck - North Dakota

Herbel Law Firm, North Dakota, 58501
Free Consultation (701) 323-0123
View Website

0 reviews

David Amin Jaffer

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Tucker - Georgia

Building D, Georgia, 30084
  • Administrative Law and Criminal Defense
  • Tucker, Georgia Administrative Law Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 939-8720

David Amin.Jaffer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tucker - Georgia

Building D, Georgia, 30084
Free Consultation (770) 939-8720

0 reviews

Courtney Reynolds Lerch

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Savannah - Georgia

302 E. Bay Street, Georgia, 31401
  • Criminal Defense
  • Savannah, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (912) 298-0014

Courtney Reynolds.Lerch

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Savannah - Georgia

302 E. Bay Street, Georgia, 31401
Free Consultation (912) 298-0014

0 reviews

Theodore Salter Salter

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Canton - Georgia

107 Clifford Court, Georgia, 30115-9336
  • Criminal Defense and Workers Compensation Law
  • Canton, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 52 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 364-2757

Theodore Salter.Salter

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Canton - Georgia

107 Clifford Court, Georgia, 30115-9336
Free Consultation (770) 364-2757

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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