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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys - June 2025

0 reviews

William Clay Budigan

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

2601 42nd Ave W, Washington, 98199-3011
  • Appeals and Appellate, Collections, Real Estate, Criminal Defense, Lawsuits and Disputes, Family, Government, Guardianship, Insurance, ...
  • Seattle, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 42 years of experience
Free Consultation (206)284-5305

William Clay.Budigan

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Seattle - Washington

2601 42nd Ave W, Washington, 98199-3011
Free Consultation (206)284-5305

0 reviews

Natalie Lynn Durflinger

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

711 St Helens Ave Ste 209, Washington, 98402-3753
  • Criminal Defense, Juvenile, Personal Injury and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Tacoma, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 18 years of experience
Free Consultation (253)  683-4180

Natalie Lynn.Durflinger

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Tacoma - Washington

711 St Helens Ave Ste 209, Washington, 98402-3753
Free Consultation (253)  683-4180

0 reviews

Donna Lynn Person-Smith

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Puyallup - Washington

3708 14th Street Pl SW, Washington, 98373-6008
  • Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Living Wills and Family
  • Puyallup, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 31 years of experience
Free Consultation (253) 840-0288

Donna Lynn.Person-Smith

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Puyallup - Washington

3708 14th Street Pl SW, Washington, 98373-6008
Free Consultation (253) 840-0288

0 reviews

Karen L. Unger

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Port Angeles - Washington

332 E 5th St, Washington, 98362-3207
  • Criminal Defense, Family and Juvenile
  • Port Angeles, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 44 years of experience
Free Consultation (360) 452-7688

Karen L..Unger

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Port Angeles - Washington

332 E 5th St, Washington, 98362-3207
Free Consultation (360) 452-7688

0 reviews

Jessica J Fleming

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 14 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 212-2675

Jessica J.Fleming

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
Free Consultation (425) 212-2675

0 reviews

Gabriel Rothstein

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
  • Criminal Defense
  • Everett, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer
Free Consultation (425) 339-6318

Gabriel Rothstein

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Everett - Washington

2722 Colby Ave Ste 200, Washington, 98201-3527
Free Consultation (425) 339-6318

0 reviews

Iva Lim Clark

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Renton - Washington

1055 S Grady Way, Washington, 98057-3232
  • Criminal Defense
  • Renton, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 18 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 430-6480

Iva Lim.Clark

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Renton - Washington

1055 S Grady Way, Washington, 98057-3232
Free Consultation (425) 430-6480

0 reviews

Pavel R Kleyner

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

330 112th Ave NE Ste 306, Washington, 98004-5800
  • Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Bellevue, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free Consultation (425) 590-7750

Pavel R.Kleyner

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Bellevue - Washington

330 112th Ave NE Ste 306, Washington, 98004-5800
Free Consultation (425) 590-7750

0 reviews

Mark D Hodgson

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1321 W Broadway Ave, Washington, 99201-2053
  • Criminal Defense and Family
  • Spokane, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyer with 22 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 327-1415

Mark D.Hodgson

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Spokane - Washington

1321 W Broadway Ave, Washington, 99201-2053
Free Consultation (509) 327-1415

0 reviews

Loreva Marie Preuss

Appeals and Appellate Lawyer Serving at Newport - Washington

PO Box 5070, Washington, 99156-5070
  • Appeals and Appellate, Criminal Defense, Litigation and Speeding and Traffic Ticket
  • Newport, Washington Appeals and Appellate Lawyer with 23 years of experience
Free Consultation (509) 447-4414 EXT 1946

Loreva Marie.Preuss

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Newport - Washington

PO Box 5070, Washington, 99156-5070
Free Consultation (509) 447-4414 EXT 1946

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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