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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - May 2025

0 reviews

Matthew Curran Knauss

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

4040 Lk Wa Blvd NE Ste 300, Washington, 98033-7874
  • Criminal Defense
  • Kirkland, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 21 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 300-5566

Matthew Curran.Knauss

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

4040 Lk Wa Blvd NE Ste 300, Washington, 98033-7874
Free Consultation (425) 300-5566

0 reviews

Nathaniel Sugg

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046
  • Appeals and Appellate and Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (425) 388-6316

Nathaniel Sugg

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4046
Free Consultation (425) 388-6316

0 reviews

Allyson Michelle Dahlhauser

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Pasco - Washington

PO Box 2368 1915 Sun Willows Blvd, Washington, 99302-2368
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Litigation, Personal Injury and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Pasco, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 14 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 545-8531

Allyson Michelle.Dahlhauser

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Pasco - Washington

PO Box 2368 1915 Sun Willows Blvd, Washington, 99302-2368
Free Consultation (509) 545-8531

0 reviews

Robert Michael Seines

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1312 N Monroe St, Washington, 99201-2623
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury
  • Spokane, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 39 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 844-3723

Robert Michael.Seines

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1312 N Monroe St, Washington, 99201-2623
Free Consultation (509) 844-3723

0 reviews

Timothy D. Edstrom

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Longmont - Colorado

630 15th Ave #300 , Colorado, 80501
  • Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Premises Liability, Trucking Accident, Wrongful Death, Criminal Defense, Drug Crime, ...
  • Longmont, Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation (720) 727-6648
View Website

Timothy D..Edstrom

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Longmont - Colorado

630 15th Ave #300 , Colorado, 80501
Free Consultation (720) 727-6648
View Website

0 reviews

Bruce H. Morris

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

3340 Peachtree Road NE Suite 2540, Georgia, 30326-1000
  • Criminal Defense
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 51 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 262-2500

Bruce H..Morris

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

3340 Peachtree Road NE Suite 2540, Georgia, 30326-1000
Free Consultation (404) 262-2500

0 reviews

Michael B. Nation

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Conyers - Georgia

957 Bank Street, Georgia, 30012
  • Criminal Defense
  • Conyers, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 922-1818

Michael B..Nation

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Conyers - Georgia

957 Bank Street, Georgia, 30012
Free Consultation (770) 922-1818

0 reviews

John D. Bunker

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bangor - Maine

PO BOX 1451, Maine, 04402-1451
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Criminal Defense, Family, General Practice and Landlord and Tenant
  • Bangor, Maine Criminal Defense Lawyer with 47 years of experience
Free Consultation (207) 947-0191

John D..Bunker

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bangor - Maine

PO BOX 1451, Maine, 04402-1451
Free Consultation (207) 947-0191

0 reviews

Ashley Eileen Chalut

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Howell - Michigan

123 Mason Rd, Michigan, 48843-2531
  • Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Family, General Practice, Juvenile and Litigation
  • Howell, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (810) 229-6167

Ashley Eileen.Chalut

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Howell - Michigan

123 Mason Rd, Michigan, 48843-2531
Free Consultation (810) 229-6167

0 reviews

Richard E. E. Banks

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lockhart - Texas

525 S Guadalupe St, Texas, 78644-3020
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Lockhart, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 54 years of experience
Free Consultation 512-557-9539

Richard E. E..Banks

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lockhart - Texas

525 S Guadalupe St, Texas, 78644-3020
Free Consultation 512-557-9539

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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