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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - June 2025

0 reviews

Frederick Stud Jones

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Stockbridge - Georgia

218 Flat Shoals Church Road, Georgia, 30281
  • Criminal Defense
  • Stockbridge, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free Consultation (678) 583-8551

Frederick Stud.Jones

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Stockbridge - Georgia

218 Flat Shoals Church Road, Georgia, 30281
Free Consultation (678) 583-8551

0 reviews

Bethany Lavigno

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Conyers - Georgia

PO Box 118, Georgia, 30012
  • Criminal Defense, Family and General Practice
  • Conyers, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 483-0500

Bethany Lavigno

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Conyers - Georgia

PO Box 118, Georgia, 30012
Free Consultation (770) 483-0500

0 reviews

Sean Patrick Bartholick

Divorce and Separation Lawyer Serving at Rexburg - Idaho

PO Box 250, Idaho, 83440
  • Divorce and Separation, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury
  • Rexburg, Idaho Divorce and Separation Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation (208) 356-3633
View Website

Sean Patrick.Bartholick

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Rexburg - Idaho

PO Box 250, Idaho, 83440
Free Consultation (208) 356-3633
View Website

0 reviews

Carolyn S. Carmody

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Ridgeland - South Carolina

262 Third Avenue 14Th Circuit Public Defenders Office, South Carolina, 29936
  • Charleston School of Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Ridgeland, South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer with 7 years of experience
Free Consultation (843) 592-7256

Carolyn S..Carmody

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ridgeland - South Carolina

262 Third Avenue 14Th Circuit Public Defenders Office, South Carolina, 29936
Free Consultation (843) 592-7256

0 reviews

Tammy Tarasa Tarasa Fisher

Lawsuits and Disputes Lawyer Serving at Sonora - Texas

302 S Water Ave, Texas, 76950-6402
  • Lawsuits and Disputes, Business, Criminal Defense, Environmental and Natural Resources, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, Wills and Living Wills and Juvenile
  • Sonora, Texas Lawsuits and Disputes Lawyer with 13 years of experience
Free Consultation 202-468-5262

Tammy Tarasa Tarasa.Fisher

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Sonora - Texas

302 S Water Ave, Texas, 76950-6402
Free Consultation 202-468-5262

0 reviews

Geoffrey Ira Barr

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Austin - Texas

300 W. 15th Street, Texas, 78701
  • Criminal Defense and Appeals and Appellate
  • Austin, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 25 years of experience
Free Consultation 512-936-0890

Geoffrey Ira.Barr

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Austin - Texas

300 W. 15th Street, Texas, 78701
Free Consultation 512-936-0890

0 reviews

Bruce A. Hoffer

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Kountze - Texas

COURTHOUSE, 2nd floor PO BOX 1409, Texas, 77625
  • Criminal Defense
  • Kountze, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 41 years of experience
Free Consultation 409-246-5160

Bruce A..Hoffer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Kountze - Texas

COURTHOUSE, 2nd floor PO BOX 1409, Texas, 77625
Free Consultation 409-246-5160

0 reviews

Kriste Burnett

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Palo Pinto - Texas

PO Box 340, Texas, 76484-0340
  • Criminal Defense
  • Palo Pinto, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 33 years of experience
Free Consultation 940-659-1251

Kriste Burnett

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Palo Pinto - Texas

PO Box 340, Texas, 76484-0340
Free Consultation 940-659-1251

0 reviews

Mariko Lisa Mulligan

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

600 First Avenue Suite 102-2198, Washington, 98104
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 26 years of experience
Free Consultation (206)  707-9361

Mariko Lisa.Mulligan

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

600 First Avenue Suite 102-2198, Washington, 98104
Free Consultation (206)  707-9361

0 reviews

Sharon Ann Dear

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

516 Third Ave, Washington, 98104-2362
  • Criminal Defense
  • Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 30 years of experience
Free Consultation (206) 263-1774

Sharon Ann.Dear

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

516 Third Ave, Washington, 98104-2362
Free Consultation (206) 263-1774

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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