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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - June 2025

0 reviews

Alesha Malee Malee Walker

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Plainview - Texas

601 W 7th St, Texas, 79072-6219
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Insurance, Litigation and Mediation
  • Plainview, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation 806-553-1962

Alesha Malee Malee.Walker

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Plainview - Texas

601 W 7th St, Texas, 79072-6219
Free Consultation 806-553-1962

0 reviews

Lucas Daniel McWethy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lynnwood - Washington

3500 188th St SW Ste 205, Washington, 98037-4757
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Lynnwood, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 427-4901

Lucas Daniel.McWethy

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lynnwood - Washington

3500 188th St SW Ste 205, Washington, 98037-4757
Free Consultation (206) 427-4901

0 reviews

Michael P Sheehy

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Lynnwood - Washington

19000 33rd Ave W Ste 100, Washington, 98036-4750
  • Criminal Defense
  • Lynnwood, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 25 years of experience
Free Consultation (425)  778-6900

Michael P.Sheehy

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lynnwood - Washington

19000 33rd Ave W Ste 100, Washington, 98036-4750
Free Consultation (425)  778-6900

0 reviews

Briteney Ann Mercer

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

720 3rd Ave Ste 2015, Washington, 98104-1814
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 531-1612

Briteney Ann.Mercer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

720 3rd Ave Ste 2015, Washington, 98104-1814
Free Consultation (425) 531-1612

0 reviews

Collette C Leland

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

601 W Riverside Ave Ste 1900, Washington, 99201-0695
  • Criminal Defense and Litigation
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 17 years of experience
Free Consultation (509)  838-6131

Collette C.Leland

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

601 W Riverside Ave Ste 1900, Washington, 99201-0695
Free Consultation (509)  838-6131

0 reviews

Jeremy D Wallace

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Wenatchee - Washington

115 S Chelan Ave, Washington, 98801-2901
  • Criminal Defense
  • Wenatchee, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 15 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 663-2444

Jeremy D.Wallace

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Wenatchee - Washington

115 S Chelan Ave, Washington, 98801-2901
Free Consultation (509) 663-2444

0 reviews

Brent Adrian De Young

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Moses Lake - Washington

PO Box 1664, Washington, 98837-0258
  • Criminal Defense and Immigration
  • Moses Lake, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 27 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 764-4333

Brent Adrian De.Young

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Moses Lake - Washington

PO Box 1664, Washington, 98837-0258
Free Consultation (509) 764-4333

0 reviews

Vonnie Clay Dones Iii

Drug Crime Lawyer Serving at New York - New York

43 W 43rd St #47 , New York, 10036
  • Drug Crime, Expungement, White Collar Crime, Criminal Defense, Sex Crime, Violent Crime, DUI and DWI, Entertainment, Lemon Law, ...
  • New York, New York Drug Crime Lawyer
Free Consultation (646) 758-0023
View Website

Vonnie Clay Dones.Iii

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at New York - New York

43 W 43rd St #47 , New York, 10036
Free Consultation (646) 758-0023
View Website

0 reviews

Nicole Blank Becker

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Troy - Michigan

3150 Livernois Rd Ste 126, Michigan, 48083-5000
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • Criminal Defense and Federal Regulation
  • Troy, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (248) 515-6583
View Website

Nicole Blank.Becker

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Troy - Michigan

3150 Livernois Rd Ste 126, Michigan, 48083-5000
Free Consultation (248) 515-6583
View Website

0 reviews

Robert Charles Fleming

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Cavalier - North Dakota

208 W. Second Ave. S. P.O. Box 633, North Dakota, 58220-0633
  • Criminal Defense, Family, Personal Injury, Government and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Cavalier, North Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation (701) 265-8446

Robert Charles.Fleming

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Cavalier - North Dakota

208 W. Second Ave. S. P.O. Box 633, North Dakota, 58220-0633
Free Consultation (701) 265-8446

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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