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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - May 2025

0 reviews

J. Tate London

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

700 Stewart St Ste 5220, Washington, 98101-4438
  • Criminal Defense and Native Peoples Law
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 37 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 553-4064

J. Tate.London

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

700 Stewart St Ste 5220, Washington, 98101-4438
Free Consultation (206) 553-4064

0 reviews

Hugh Kirk Birgenheier

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

PO Box 69, Washington, 98401-0069
  • Criminal Defense and Sports
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 41 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 355-2022

Hugh Kirk.Birgenheier

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

PO Box 69, Washington, 98401-0069
Free Consultation (253) 355-2022

0 reviews

Justin Bailey Zaug

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Port Orchard - Washington

614 Division St, Washington, 98366-4681
  • Criminal Defense
  • Port Orchard, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 29 years of experience
Free Consultation (360)  337-4922

Justin Bailey.Zaug

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Orchard - Washington

614 Division St, Washington, 98366-4681
Free Consultation (360)  337-4922

0 reviews

Eric Jason Schuler

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Montesano - Washington

102 W Broadway Ave Rm 102, Washington, 98563-3621
  • Civil Rights and Criminal Defense
  • Montesano, Washington Civil Rights Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 249-3951 EXT 1786

Eric Jason.Schuler

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Montesano - Washington

102 W Broadway Ave Rm 102, Washington, 98563-3621
Free Consultation (360) 249-3951 EXT 1786

0 reviews

Mayrie Grimm

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Longview - Washington

871 11th Ave Ste 2, Washington, 98632-2430
  • Criminal Defense
  • Longview, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (360) 501-8092

Mayrie Grimm

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Longview - Washington

871 11th Ave Ste 2, Washington, 98632-2430
Free Consultation (360) 501-8092

0 reviews

Elizabeth Lippman Mustin

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

711 Capitol Way South, Suite 106, Washington, 98504
  • Criminal Defense and Juvenile
  • Olympia, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 586-3164 EXT 152

Elizabeth Lippman.Mustin

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Olympia - Washington

711 Capitol Way South, Suite 106, Washington, 98504
Free Consultation (360) 586-3164 EXT 152

0 reviews

Adin Taylor Johnson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

300 W 39th St, Washington, 98660-1960
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Personal Injury
  • Vancouver, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 695-3309

Adin Taylor.Johnson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

300 W 39th St, Washington, 98660-1960
Free Consultation (360) 695-3309

0 reviews

Vance Patrick Odell

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

PO Box 12414, Washington, 98206-2414
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 42 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 303-0617

Vance Patrick.Odell

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

PO Box 12414, Washington, 98206-2414
Free Consultation (425) 303-0617

0 reviews

Michelle Hull

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Coupeville - Washington

153 Perry Dr, Washington, 98239-9733
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Native Peoples Law
  • Coupeville, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation

Michelle Hull

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Coupeville - Washington

153 Perry Dr, Washington, 98239-9733
Free Consultation

0 reviews

Sharon Anita Legall

Estate Planning Lawyer Serving at Washington - Washington DC

Legall Law, Washington DC, 20005
  • Estate Planning, Guardianship, Health Care, Trusts, Wills and Living Wills, Probate, Immigration, Asylum, Appeals and Appellate, ...
  • Washington, Washington DC Estate Planning Lawyer
Free Consultation (703) 829-7655
View Website

Sharon Anita.Legall

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Washington - Washington DC

Legall Law, Washington DC, 20005
Free Consultation (703) 829-7655
View Website

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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