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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - June 2025

0 reviews

Thomas Stine Peters

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

800 Bellevue Way NE Ste 500, Washington, 98004-4289
  • Criminal Defense
  • Bellevue, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 455-0345

Thomas Stine.Peters

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

800 Bellevue Way NE Ste 500, Washington, 98004-4289
Free Consultation (425) 455-0345

0 reviews

Dennis Alan Hanson

Constitutional Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7502 W Deschutes Pl, Washington, 99336-7719
  • Constitutional, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Forfeiture, Employment and Labor, Landlord and Tenant, ...
  • Kennewick, Washington Constitutional Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (509)  783-5551

Dennis Alan.Hanson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

7502 W Deschutes Pl, Washington, 99336-7719
Free Consultation (509)  783-5551

0 reviews

Andrea Burkhart

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

1360 N. Louisiana St. #A-789, Washington, 99336-8113
  • Appeals and Appellate and Criminal Defense
  • Kennewick, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer
Free Consultation (509) 572-2409

Andrea Burkhart

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kennewick - Washington

1360 N. Louisiana St. #A-789, Washington, 99336-8113
Free Consultation (509) 572-2409

0 reviews

Ronna Washines

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Toppenish - Washington

PO Box 151, Washington, 98948-0151
  • Criminal Defense, Government, Native Peoples Law, Judicial Officer, Juvenile and Legal Writing
  • Toppenish, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (509) 865-5121 EXT 4577

Ronna Washines

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Toppenish - Washington

PO Box 151, Washington, 98948-0151
Free Consultation (509) 865-5121 EXT 4577

0 reviews

Hannah G. Justice

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

1207 Market St, Washington, 98033-5440
  • Bankruptcy and debt, Criminal Defense, Debt and Lending Agreements, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Family, Government, Juvenile, ...
  • Kirkland, Washington Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer with 9 years of experience
Free Consultation (866) 549-1148

Hannah G..Justice

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

1207 Market St, Washington, 98033-5440
Free Consultation (866) 549-1148

0 reviews

January Dedrick Allen

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Denver - Colorado

Galvanize Law Group, LLC 6145 Broadway, Suite 49, Colorado, 80216
  • Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Workers Compensation Law
  • Denver, Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer with 9 years of experience
Free Consultation (303) 704-4061

January Dedrick.Allen

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Denver - Colorado

Galvanize Law Group, LLC 6145 Broadway, Suite 49, Colorado, 80216
Free Consultation (303) 704-4061

0 reviews

Stephen Hardy Gordon

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer Serving at San Antonio - Texas

5820 IH-10 West Suite 400, , Texas, 78201
  • Bankruptcy and debt, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Settlement, Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, ...
  • San Antonio, Texas Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer
Free Consultation (210) 531-9700

Stephen Hardy.Gordon

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at San Antonio - Texas

5820 IH-10 West Suite 400, , Texas, 78201
Free Consultation (210) 531-9700

0 reviews

Penny Wymyczak-White

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Houston - Texas

2929 Allen Parkway Suite 200 , Texas, 77019
  • Criminal Defense, Drug Crime, Expungement, White Collar Crime, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, Personal Injury, Animal and Dog Bites, Brain Injury, ...
  • Houston, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 39 years of experience
Free Consultation (281) 733-0264
View Website

Penny Wymyczak-White

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Houston - Texas

2929 Allen Parkway Suite 200 , Texas, 77019
Free Consultation (281) 733-0264
View Website

0 reviews

Jason M. Melton

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving at Gainesville - Florida

2441 NW 43rd St Unit 5B, Gainesville, Florida,
  • Personal Injury, Personal Injury, Criminal Defense and Wrongful Death
  • Gainesville, Florida Personal Injury Lawyer with 22 years of experience
Free Consultation  (877) 517-2549

Jason M..Melton

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Gainesville - Florida

2441 NW 43rd St Unit 5B, Gainesville, Florida,
Free Consultation  (877) 517-2549

0 reviews

Joshua Kaizuka

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Sacramento - California

Law Office of Joshua Kaizuka, 2530 J St Ste 320, California, 95816-4849
  • Criminal Defense
  • Sacramento, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (916) 706-0678
View Website

Joshua Kaizuka

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Sacramento - California

Law Office of Joshua Kaizuka, 2530 J St Ste 320, California, 95816-4849
Free Consultation (916) 706-0678
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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