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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - June 2025

0 reviews

Leon Hillary Jones

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tampa - Florida

* HEADQUARTERS/MAIN OFFICE * - Hillsborough County (Downtown Tampa)201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1610, Tampa, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense and Violent Crime
  • Tampa, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 1 years of experience
Free Consultation (844) 375-9081
View Website

Leon Hillary.Jones

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tampa - Florida

* HEADQUARTERS/MAIN OFFICE * - Hillsborough County (Downtown Tampa)201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1610, Tampa, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (844) 375-9081
View Website

0 reviews

Terry Jon Shoemaker

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Saint Augustine - Florida

Terry Shoemaker Law,3000 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Suite #1, Saint Augustine, FL , Florida,
  • Criminal Defense and Sex Crime
  • Saint Augustine, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer with 1 years of experience
Free Consultation (844) 325-4953
View Website

Terry Jon.Shoemaker

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Saint Augustine - Florida

Terry Shoemaker Law,3000 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Suite #1, Saint Augustine, FL , Florida,
Free Consultation (844) 325-4953
View Website

0 reviews

Youngha Kim

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Redwood City - California

San Mateo County District Attorney, 400 County Ctr, California, 94063-1662
  • Criminal Defense
  • Redwood City, California Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (650) 363-4677

Youngha Kim

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Redwood City - California

San Mateo County District Attorney, 400 County Ctr, California, 94063-1662
Free Consultation (650) 363-4677

0 reviews

Rhonda Breaux Kunkle

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

166 Anderson Street SE Suite 124, Georgia, 30060
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Workers Compensation Law
  • Marietta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 31 years of experience
Free Consultation (770) 424-6118

Rhonda Breaux.Kunkle

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Marietta - Georgia

166 Anderson Street SE Suite 124, Georgia, 30060
Free Consultation (770) 424-6118

0 reviews

Douglas N. Peters

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Decatur - Georgia

2786 North Decatur Road Suite 245, Georgia, 30033-5928
  • Appeals and Appellate and Criminal Defense
  • Decatur, Georgia Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 51 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 296-5300

Douglas N..Peters

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Decatur - Georgia

2786 North Decatur Road Suite 245, Georgia, 30033-5928
Free Consultation (404) 296-5300

0 reviews

Brian Thomas Rafferty

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

1575 Johnson Road NE, Georgia, 30306
  • Criminal Defense
  • Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer with 5 years of experience
Free Consultation (404) 459-5734

Brian Thomas.Rafferty

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Atlanta - Georgia

1575 Johnson Road NE, Georgia, 30306
Free Consultation (404) 459-5734

0 reviews

Portia L. Roberson

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1400 Oakman Blvd, Michigan, 48238-2848
  • Wayne State University Law School
  • Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, State, Local And Municipal Law and Public Finance and Tax Exempt Finance
  • Detroit, Michigan Civil Rights Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 494-4333
View Website

Portia L..Roberson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

1400 Oakman Blvd, Michigan, 48238-2848
Free Consultation (313) 494-4333
View Website

0 reviews

Matthew Brandon Mileto

Adoption Lawyer Serving at Wyandotte - Michigan

2218 Biddle Ave, Michigan, 48192-4649
  • Wayne State University Law School
  • Adoption, Business, Contracts and Agreements, Criminal Defense, Debt and Lending Agreements, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Family, Guardianship, ...
  • Wyandotte, Michigan Adoption Lawyer
Free Consultation (313) 688-7417

Matthew Brandon.Mileto

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Wyandotte - Michigan

2218 Biddle Ave, Michigan, 48192-4649
Free Consultation (313) 688-7417

0 reviews

Cody Michael Curry

Litigation Lawyer Serving at Oklahoma City - Oklahoma

3217 NW 63rd Street, Oklahoma, 73116
  • Litigation, Estate Planning, Business, Criminal Defense, General Practice, Personal Injury, Probate, Family, Medical Malpractice ...
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Litigation Lawyer
Free Consultation (405)726-1444

Cody Michael.Curry

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Oklahoma City - Oklahoma

3217 NW 63rd Street, Oklahoma, 73116
Free Consultation (405)726-1444

0 reviews

Zachary Boswell Boswell Brown

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Clifton - Texas

PO Box 367, Texas, 76634-0367
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Litigation
  • Clifton, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer with 9 years of experience
Free Consultation 254-235-0532

Zachary Boswell Boswell.Brown

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Clifton - Texas

PO Box 367, Texas, 76634-0367
Free Consultation 254-235-0532

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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