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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - May 2025

0 reviews

Kristin Lianne Timm

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

1223 Broadway, Washington, 98201-1715
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Guardianship and Juvenile
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 35 years of experience
Free Consultation (425)252-0797

Kristin Lianne.Timm

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

1223 Broadway, Washington, 98201-1715
Free Consultation (425)252-0797

0 reviews

Margaret Kane Harrington

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

808 W Spokane Falls Blvd Fl 5, Washington, 99201-3333
  • Administrative Law, Government, Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Spokane, Washington Administrative Law Lawyer with 34 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 456-3711

Margaret Kane.Harrington

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

808 W Spokane Falls Blvd Fl 5, Washington, 99201-3333
Free Consultation (509) 456-3711

0 reviews

Mark Charles Prothero

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

421 W Riverside Ave Ste 304, Washington, 99201-0402
  • Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Workers Compensation Law
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 36 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 747-8157

Mark Charles.Prothero

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

421 W Riverside Ave Ste 304, Washington, 99201-0402
Free Consultation (509) 747-8157

0 reviews

Branden David Landon

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Richland - Washington

PO Box 1640, Washington, 99352-6640
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Government and Juvenile
  • Richland, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 842-5073

Branden David.Landon

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Richland - Washington

PO Box 1640, Washington, 99352-6640
Free Consultation (509) 842-5073

0 reviews

Sara Duross Porto

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

820 W Sprague Ave, Unit C, Washington, 99201
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Government, Guardianship and Juvenile
  • Spokane, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation (850) 541-6502

Sara Duross.Porto

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

820 W Sprague Ave, Unit C, Washington, 99201
Free Consultation (850) 541-6502

0 reviews

Vonnie Clay Dones Iii

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at New York - New York

The Law Firm of Vonnie C. Dones III, Esq., New York, 10036
  • Criminal Defense, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, DUI and DWI, ...
  • New York, New York Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (646) 758-0023
View Website

Vonnie Clay Dones.Iii

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at New York - New York

The Law Firm of Vonnie C. Dones III, Esq., New York, 10036
Free Consultation (646) 758-0023
View Website

0 reviews

Robert A. Levine

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Portland - Maine

1250 Forest Avenue, Portland, Maine,
  • Personal Injury, Family and Criminal Defense
  • Portland, Maine Personal Injury Lawyer with 36 years of experience
Free Consultation  (207) 618-8503
View Website

Robert A..Levine

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Portland - Maine

1250 Forest Avenue, Portland, Maine,
Free Consultation  (207) 618-8503
View Website

0 reviews

Genine Ann Mejia

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Deland - Florida

Law Office Of Genine Ann Mejia,226 E New York Ave, Deland, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense
  • Deland, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 1 years of experience
Free Consultation (386) 866-3457

Genine Ann.Mejia

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Deland - Florida

Law Office Of Genine Ann Mejia,226 E New York Ave, Deland, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (386) 866-3457

0 reviews

Chadwick Daniel Medlin

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Evans - Georgia

254 North Belair Road, Georgia, 30809
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Evans, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (706) 724-5555

Chadwick Daniel.Medlin

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Evans - Georgia

254 North Belair Road, Georgia, 30809
Free Consultation (706) 724-5555

0 reviews

Robert Joseph Pinnero

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer Serving at Albany - Georgia

409 N Jackson Street, Georgia, 31701-5128
  • Bankruptcy and debt, Criminal Defense and General Practice
  • Albany, Georgia Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free Consultation (229) 436-9661

Robert Joseph.Pinnero

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Albany - Georgia

409 N Jackson Street, Georgia, 31701-5128
Free Consultation (229) 436-9661

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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