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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - April 2025

0 reviews

Bryan Franklin Franklin Russ

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Franklin - Texas

PO Box 1288, Texas, 77856-1288
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Litigation, Oil and Gas and Wills and Living Wills
  • Franklin, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation 979-828-3663

Bryan Franklin Franklin.Russ

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Franklin - Texas

PO Box 1288, Texas, 77856-1288
Free Consultation 979-828-3663

0 reviews

Marissa Elizabeth Goodrum Neff

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

401 4th Ave N, Washington, 98032-4429
  • Criminal Defense, Government and Litigation
  • Kent, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 3 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 477-2267

Marissa Elizabeth Goodrum.Neff

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kent - Washington

401 4th Ave N, Washington, 98032-4429
Free Consultation (206) 477-2267

0 reviews

Jennifer L Dobson

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

2200 6th Ave Ste 1250, Washington, 98121-1820
  • Appeals and Appellate, Constitutional and Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 25 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 623-2373

Jennifer L.Dobson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

2200 6th Ave Ste 1250, Washington, 98121-1820
Free Consultation (206) 623-2373

0 reviews

James Mitchell Kennedy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Port Townsend - Washington

PO Box 1220, Washington, 98368-0920
  • Criminal Defense
  • Port Townsend, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 385-9180

James Mitchell.Kennedy

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Townsend - Washington

PO Box 1220, Washington, 98368-0920
Free Consultation (360) 385-9180

0 reviews

Billie Renee Morelli

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Concrete - Washington

9805 Sauk Connection Rd, Washington, 98237-8922
  • Appeals and Appellate, Constitutional, Criminal Defense and Forfeiture
  • Concrete, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 20 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 853-8368

Billie Renee.Morelli

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Concrete - Washington

9805 Sauk Connection Rd, Washington, 98237-8922
Free Consultation (360) 853-8368

0 reviews

Mark Andrzej Sternik

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

6619 132nd Ave NE, Washington, 98033-8627
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Kirkland, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 14 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 442-8486

Mark Andrzej.Sternik

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kirkland - Washington

6619 132nd Ave NE, Washington, 98033-8627
Free Consultation (425) 442-8486

0 reviews

Joseph A. Sicilia

Administrative Law Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

4019 S Cheney Spokane Rd #110, Washington, 99224-7433
  • Administrative Law, Government, Business, Commercial, Contracts and Agreements, Corporate and Incorporation, Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Spokane, Washington Administrative Law Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 496-9352

Joseph A..Sicilia

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

4019 S Cheney Spokane Rd #110, Washington, 99224-7433
Free Consultation (509) 496-9352

0 reviews

Julie Rendelman

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at New York - New York

The Law Offices of Julie Rendelman, LLC, New York, 10017
  • Criminal Defense, Appeals and Appellate, Drug Crime, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Law, Internet, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, ...
  • New York, New York Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (212) 951-1232
View Website

Julie Rendelman

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at New York - New York

The Law Offices of Julie Rendelman, LLC, New York, 10017
Free Consultation (212) 951-1232
View Website

0 reviews

Jeff Trevillion Trevillion

Tax Lawyer Serving at Oklahoma City - Oklahoma

Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C., Oklahoma, 73102
  • Tax, International Law, Public Finance and Tax Exempt Finance, White Collar Crime, Business, Franchising, Mergers and Acquisitions, Lawsuits and Disputes, Health Care, ...
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tax Lawyer
Free Consultation (405) 778-8000
View Website

Jeff Trevillion.Trevillion

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Oklahoma City - Oklahoma

Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C., Oklahoma, 73102
Free Consultation (405) 778-8000
View Website

0 reviews

Adrian Karimi

Medical Malpractice Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

517 S 3rd St, Las Vegas, Nevada,
  • Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Criminal Defense
  • Las Vegas, Nevada Medical Malpractice Lawyer with 10 years of experience
Free Consultation  (702) 553-1774
View Website

Adrian Karimi

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Las Vegas - Nevada

517 S 3rd St, Las Vegas, Nevada,
Free Consultation  (702) 553-1774
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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