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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - May 2025

0 reviews

Morgan Lake

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

3703 S Edmunds St. #115, Washington, 98118-1728
  • Civil Rights, Real Estate, Consumer Protection, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Debt and Lending Agreements, Government, Landlord and Tenant, Litigation, ...
  • Seattle, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer
Free Consultation (360) 499-2144

Morgan Lake

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

3703 S Edmunds St. #115, Washington, 98118-1728
Free Consultation (360) 499-2144

0 reviews

Harold K Grover

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Renton - Washington

17505 133rd Ln SE, Washington, 98058-6854
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Renton, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 18 years of experience
Free Consultation (425)  563-6700

Harold K.Grover

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Renton - Washington

17505 133rd Ln SE, Washington, 98058-6854
Free Consultation (425)  563-6700

0 reviews

Michael Charles Held

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Washington, 98201-4046
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Government, State, Local And Municipal Law and Personal Injury
  • Everett, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer with 35 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 388-6330

Michael Charles.Held

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Washington, 98201-4046
Free Consultation (425) 388-6330

0 reviews

Yevgeny Jack Berner

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3112 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4029
  • Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Family, Guardianship and Personal Injury
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 25 years of experience
Free Consultation (425)259-6533

Yevgeny Jack.Berner

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

3112 Rockefeller Ave, Washington, 98201-4029
Free Consultation (425)259-6533

0 reviews

Andrew N Repanich

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

710 2nd Ave Ste 790, Washington, 98104-1760
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (646) 229-1998

Andrew N.Repanich

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

710 2nd Ave Ste 790, Washington, 98104-1760
Free Consultation (646) 229-1998

0 reviews

John Larochelle

Family Lawyer Serving at Providence - Rhode Island

Larochelle Law, Rhode Island, 02903
  • Family, Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Guardianship, Marriage and Prenuptials, Domestic Violence, LGBT+ Law, ...
  • Providence, Rhode Island Family Lawyer
Free Consultation (401) 421-4407
View Website

John Larochelle

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Providence - Rhode Island

Larochelle Law, Rhode Island, 02903
Free Consultation (401) 421-4407
View Website

0 reviews

Jeffrey nan Joseph

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Dallas - Texas

9696 Skillman Street Suite 255, , Texas, 75243
  • Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction and Development, Motorcycle Accident, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Criminal Defense, ...
  • Dallas, Texas Personal Injury Lawyer
Free Consultation (214) 321-4105

Jeffrey nan.Joseph

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Dallas - Texas

9696 Skillman Street Suite 255, , Texas, 75243
Free Consultation (214) 321-4105

0 reviews

Scott T. Melin

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Lakewood - Colorado

215 S Wadsworth Blvd #410 , Colorado, 80226
  • Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Premises Liability, Trucking Accident, Wrongful Death, Family, Adoption, ...
  • Lakewood, Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (720) 594-5573
View Website

Scott T..Melin

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lakewood - Colorado

215 S Wadsworth Blvd #410 , Colorado, 80226
Free Consultation (720) 594-5573
View Website

0 reviews

Lindsay M. Allen

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Portland - Maine

511 Congress Street, Maine, 04106
  • University of Maine
  • Criminal Defense, Family, General Practice and Litigation
  • Portland, Maine Criminal Defense Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation (207) 747-6301

Lindsay M..Allen

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Portland - Maine

511 Congress Street, Maine, 04106
Free Consultation (207) 747-6301

0 reviews

Michael B. Kelly

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Northville - Michigan

422 E Main St, Michigan, 48167-1626
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, Driver’s License Restoration, Juvenile, Medicaid and Medicare, Police Misconduct, School and College Law and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Northville, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 348-0496

Michael B..Kelly

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Northville - Michigan

422 E Main St, Michigan, 48167-1626
Free Consultation (248) 348-0496

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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