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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - June 2025

0 reviews

Kari Ayako Viles

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Edmonds - Washington

18030 Talbot Rd, Washington, 98026-5328
  • Criminal Defense, Government, Juvenile and Personal Injury
  • Edmonds, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 718-1129

Kari Ayako.Viles

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Edmonds - Washington

18030 Talbot Rd, Washington, 98026-5328
Free Consultation (206) 718-1129

0 reviews

Pauline Ingrid Freund

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

4800 S 188th St, Washington, 98188
  • Criminal Defense and Judicial Officer
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 973-4610

Pauline Ingrid.Freund

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

4800 S 188th St, Washington, 98188
Free Consultation (206) 973-4610

0 reviews

Matthew Robert White

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

705 S 9th St Ste 204, Washington, 98405-4622
  • Criminal Defense, Legal Writing, Personal Injury and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 383-3328

Matthew Robert.White

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

705 S 9th St Ste 204, Washington, 98405-4622
Free Consultation (253) 383-3328

0 reviews

Clayton Richard Dickinson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Fircrest - Washington

6314 19th St W Ste 20, Washington, 98466-6223
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Personal Injury
  • Fircrest, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 42 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 564-6253

Clayton Richard.Dickinson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Fircrest - Washington

6314 19th St W Ste 20, Washington, 98466-6223
Free Consultation (253) 564-6253

0 reviews

Harry R Boesche Jr

Constitutional Lawyer Serving at Auburn - Washington

25 W Main St, Washington, 98001-4998
  • Constitutional, Criminal Defense, State, Local And Municipal Law and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Auburn, Washington Constitutional Lawyer with 25 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 931-3030

Harry R Boesche.Jr

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Auburn - Washington

25 W Main St, Washington, 98001-4998
Free Consultation (253) 931-3030

0 reviews

Leila Marie Arefi-Pour

Animal and Dog Bites Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

2300 Main St, Washington, 98660-2671
  • Animal and Dog Bites and Criminal Defense
  • Vancouver, Washington Animal and Dog Bites Lawyer with 6 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 906-7234

Leila Marie.Arefi-Pour

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Vancouver - Washington

2300 Main St, Washington, 98660-2671
Free Consultation (360) 906-7234

0 reviews

Adam Dennaoui

Business Lawyer Serving at Lynnwood - Washington

6628 212th St SW Ste 206, Washington, 98036-7355
  • Business, Commercial, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills, Family, Immigration, ...
  • Lynnwood, Washington Business Lawyer
Free Consultation (404) 606-6200

Adam Dennaoui

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Lynnwood - Washington

6628 212th St SW Ste 206, Washington, 98036-7355
Free Consultation (404) 606-6200

0 reviews

Lacey Noel Offutt

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2930 Wetmore Ave Ste 4E, Washington, 98201-4067
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 257-8406

Lacey Noel.Offutt

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2930 Wetmore Ave Ste 4E, Washington, 98201-4067
Free Consultation (425) 257-8406

0 reviews

Ann Zajdel Gruben

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

2700 Richards Rd Ste 202, Washington, 98005-4200
  • Criminal Defense and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Bellevue, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 20 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 657-0794

Ann Zajdel.Gruben

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

2700 Richards Rd Ste 202, Washington, 98005-4200
Free Consultation (425) 657-0794

0 reviews

Brian Jeffrey Gieszler

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Richland - Washington

PO Box 96, Washington, 99352
  • Criminal Defense and Guardianship
  • Richland, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 8 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 414-7650

Brian Jeffrey.Gieszler

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Richland - Washington

PO Box 96, Washington, 99352
Free Consultation (509) 414-7650

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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