Find the Best Criminal Defense Attorneys

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    Law Offices of Beles & Beles

    Superlawyers Recipient?: Yes

     Ordway Building
    Oakland, California 94612
    United States

    Practice Overview:

    CA State Bar Certified Specialists in Criminal Law, Appellate Law and Appellate Law since 1980.

    Review:

    "First I would like to thank the beles family which includes their entire law firm. They treat you with respect and you get your money's worth they are very understanding,and easy to talk to."

    Criminal Defense and Immigration Attorneys in Oakland, Pleasanton, Hayward and the San Francisco Bay Area.

  •  

    Law Offices of James Dunn

     620 Jefferson Ave
    Redwood City, California 94063
    United States

    Practice Overview:

    DUI and Criminal Defense Attorneys with offices in Redwood City, San Jose, Palo Alto and Dublin.

    Review:

    "I wanted to give James Dunn the credit he deserves. I’m a free man—no legal issues thanks to James Dunn. I’ll be forever indebted to you. Thank you for your legal service and advice your expertise and your genius. Thank you for getting me free of the entanglements I was having with the legal system."

    "If you want to WIN, this is the guy. Jim never gave up on my case and kept fighting for me even after I was ready to give up."

  • Maronick Law LLC

     21 North Hanson Street, Suite 110
    Easton, Maryland 21601
    United States

    At Maronick Law LLC, our legal professionals are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our clients, regardless of the complexity of their situation. We devote our practice to matters that can have a profound impact on individuals and their families, including criminal law, DUI defense, personal injury, family law, estate planning, wills and trusts and bankruptcy matters. The issues you are facing can be emotionally complex and financially draining. We use our awareness of

  • Maronick Law, LLC

     7418 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd
    Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061
    United States

    At Maronick Law LLC, our Glen Burnie criminal defense and car accident lawyers are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to those affected by car, truck, motorcycle, and rideshare (Uber or Lyft) accidents in Glen Burnie. We understand the challenges you face with a serious injury and are committed to helping you navigate the legal process to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.

  • Maronick Law LLC

     5000 Coastal Highway, Suite 5, Second Floor
    Ocean City, Maryland 21842
    United States

    At Maronick Law LLC, our legal professionals are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our clients, regardless of the complexity of their situation. We devote our practice to matters that can have a profound impact on individuals and their families, including criminal law, DUI defense, family law, bankruptcy and personal injury matters.

  • Ian King

     1011 Lomas Blvd NW
    Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
    United States

    When you’ve been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence or are facing state or federal criminal charges, navigating the legal system can be stressful and confusing. You need a partner you can trust. At King Law Firm, we’re in the business of helping people. We’ll be there for you every step of the way with thoughtful advice and passionate representation to secure the best result possible.

  • The Criminal Law Team

     999 San Pablo Ave
    North York, ONTARIO 94706
    United States

    Criminal Lawyers in North York and available throughout Ontario. A law firm that helps people with their criminal charges in North York and throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The Criminal Law Team Trusted Criminal Lawyers in North York and throughout Toronto – Available 24/7 Experienced criminal law firms in Toronto that brings over 60 years of expertise.

  • Cega Criminal Law Group

     770 Coronado Center Dr #100
    Henderson, Nevada 89052
    United States

    CEGA Criminal Law Group, led by seasoned attorney Carl E.G. Arnold, offers aggressive and personalized criminal defense in Las Vegas and Nevada. With over 20 years of experience, the firm handles a wide range of cases, including DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, and white-collar crimes. Committed to protecting clients’ rights, CEGA provides strategic legal representation to achieve favorable outcomes.

  • Moffitt Law, LLC

     18 9th St, #406
    Columbus, California 31901
    United States

    Whether you need a Georgia criminal defense attorney or a Georgia family law attorney, both needs are met at Moffitt Law, LLC. Tyler Moffitt and his team of Georgia attorneys help advocate for those accused of committing crimes and will be by your side for divorce, child custody and child support cases. If you are in need of a family law attorney or a criminal defense lawyer in Columbus, GA, call Moffitt Law, LLC today.

  • Kevin Stockstill

     113 W Convent St
    Lafayette, Louisiana 70501
    United States

    With over twenty-five years of experience in criminal defense, Kevin Stockstill brings an abundance of knowledge and skill to your case. Based in Lafayette, LA, Kevin focuses on using extensive litigation, in-house investigative, and trial preparation skills to help each of his clients secure the best possible outcome. Kevin understands what is at stake and will provide you with the superior defense representation you deserve.

  • Gonzalez Torres Law

     1770 Indian Trail Lilburn Rd NW #350
    Norcross, Georgia 30093
    United States

    At Gonzalez Torres Law, we provide personalized attention for injuries, immigration issues, and citations. Our team speaks English and Spanish to ensure clear communication. Whether you need legal guidance or have urgent questions, our attorney and staff are ready to assist you. Call us today! https://gonzalez-lawyer.com/

  • Lohrke Law: Oregon Expungement Lawyers

     188 W B ST Building P
    Springfield, Oregon 97477
    United States

    Lohrke Law is a group of expungement lawyers providing rights restoration services to individuals who have been charged with crimes, or have pending charges in the state of Oregon. This includes expungements, felony reductions, firearms rights restoration, driver’s license restoration, and much more!

  • Zendeh Del & Associates, PLLC

     1813 61st St, #101
    Galveston, Texas 77551
    United States

    The Galveston attorneys at Zendeh Del & Associates, PLLC have broad legal experience in a number of case types, including criminal defense, DWI, bankruptcy, immigration law, and personal injury. Our attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience, insights, and dedication to protect clients’ rights and best interests. They work diligently to devise personalized solutions and remain available to clients throughout the duration of their case.

  • Hellams Law, LLC

     330 E Coffee St Suite 4024
    Greenville, South Carolina 29601
    United States

    Attorney Will Hellams of Hellams Law, LLC is a dedicated criminal defense attorney committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of those facing serious legal challenges. Known for his sharp legal insight and relentless advocacy, Will defends clients against a wide range of criminal charges while also fighting for justice in civil rights cases involving police misconduct, unlawful arrests, and violations of constitutional rights.

  • The Farrish Law Firm L.P.A.

     810 Sycamore St
    Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
    United States

    The Farrish Law Firm L.P.A. in Cincinnati, OH, is your trusted partner in dealing with complex DUI and criminal defense cases. Led by seasoned attorneys Kelly Farrish and Doug Nicholas, the firm provides compassionate, results-driven representation tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. Conveniently located at 810 Sycamore Street, the firm’s accessible downtown office welcomes clients Monday through Friday, 9 AM–5 PM.[Visit : https://kellyfarrishlaw.com/, Email : kfarrish@kellyfarris]

  • Kenny, Burns & McGill

     1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #502
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
    United States

    At Kenny, Burns & McGill, we are more than just attorneys; we are your dedicated advocates during life’s toughest moments. Whether you are facing criminal charges, recovering from an injury due to someone else’s negligence, or dealing with a complex real estate matter, we bring the skill, experience, and determination needed to protect your interests and fight for the best possible outcome. Home

  • Gonzalez Druker Law Firm, PLLC

     1119 Houston St
    Laredo, Texas 78040
    United States

    Gonzalez Druker Law Firm in Laredo, TX, provides aggressive representation for personal injury & criminal defense cases. With 30+ years of experience and millions recovered, we tailor strategies to your needs. Clear communication, skilled advocacy. Call (956) 728-9191 for a free consultation today! https://www.gdlfirm.com/

Showing Criminal Defense Attorneys 1-20 of 1119

What does a Criminal Defense Attorney do?

So what does a criminal defense attorney actually do? Many people’s conceptions about the job of a defense attorney come from what they see in movies, TV and what they read in fiction-based novels.

How much of popular media’s depiction of criminal defense work is accurate? Well that all depends. Some media outlets do a good job of replicating some of the aspects of the profession, but what you often don’t see are the more “boring” or mundane aspects of the job. Do defense attorneys make brilliant speeches at the ends of trials during their closing arguments? Yes, some attorneys adopt a more bombastic style, but that’s a rarer occurrence than movies like to let on. The truth usually is that there is no closing statement because the case settles way before a trial comes close to occurring.

Criminal defense attorneys deal mostly with the prosecutor that will be trying a case. When a person is arrested by police, it is the area’s prosecutor that decides what charges will be filed against the criminal defendant, or whether that defendant will be charged at all in the first place.  Most cases begin with some form an investigation of an allegation against criminal defendant wherein the authorities speak to witnesses and gather evidence. There are multiple directions a case can go after this preliminary investigation. The authorities can decide they need more time and continue to search for evidence or they can seek an indictment.

The initial step in a criminal investigation is often the most crucial. Most cases are made and broken at this stage. It is imperative to have adequate representation from the beginning. That’s where a criminal defense attorney’s duties kick in. Usually, a criminal defendant won’t know that they are under investigation until they are spoken to by police or actually indicted unless there was an arrest made shortly after a crime was alleged.

At this initial stage, not much information other than basic allegations will be made available to the accused which is to say that the criminal defendant may not know how much evidence there is or what witnesses may be saying. This is not to say all criminal defendants need to worry about what a witness might say or that there would be any wrongdoing or guilt assumed, just that a criminal defendant needs to be in the position to understand what is happening as they are unlikely to be the subject of a criminal investigation for no reason.

At this initial stage and throughout the criminal justice process, a criminal defendant needs guidance to know what they should and should not do. Going back to an earlier concept, most people’s knowledge of the criminal justice system is based on what they see on TV. After all, most people are aware that they should not be very talkative at any stage of this process. You may ask yourself why that is?

The simple answer is that everything you say will be scrutinized and if you happen to slightly alter your account of events in any way it may look like you are being misleading or dishonest. It could totally not be the case, people misspeak all the time and say things they do not intend or really mean, so how are you supposed to know what should be said versus what should not be? That’s were having a good attorney comes into play. The attorney is likely to tell you not to talk about the situation and all and will help you fully understand what needs to be said and done if and when you need to speak about the matter.

When would l need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

You will almost definitely know when you need a criminal defense attorney. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime you need an attorney. If police would like to speak to you about some incident, you most likely should speak to an attorney before answering any questions they may have.

The requirement of a criminal defense attorney does not stop at simple crimes. Do you have a business that is heavily regulated by the local or national government such as waste management or chemicals? If you are in a position of authority and have run afoul of certain regulations you may need to seek out a criminal attorney. Do you own a bar or establishment that serves alcohol? Are you keeping up with licensing requirements? If you are not sure, you likely need to speak with an attorney

Even if you haven’t been accused or arrested, be vigilant and discuss borderline situations with an attorney as soon as you possibly can. Whether it be a legal services clinic, the public defender, help hotline or a private criminal defense attorney, feel free to reach out to a criminal defense attorney if the need arises.

Signs you need to speak to a Criminal Defense Attorney

  • You have been arrested
  • Police are requesting to speak with you about a criminal incident
  • You had a criminal record at an early age and what to see if the conviction record is eligible for expungement (record clearing).

How do you choose a Criminal Defense Attorney?

The first thing you need to do is understand the process and determine your means. Often people ask a very crucial question about the ability to pay large amounts for an attorney. People wonder if they need to do this in order to secure successful results. Does the money you spend matter?

This is a complicated matter and depends on many factors including the severity of the charges and your ability to pay. After all, every person’s budget is not the same and all attorneys do not charge the same amounts for their services. However, the stakes of criminal charges often warrant the expense. If you have a major felony allegation on your hands it would only make sense to find the most experienced criminal defense attorney you can find. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with a parking ticket, you may have more options available.

Determine Your Needs

As mentioned above you need to determine what the stakes are. Felony charges come with possibly significant jail time. Misdemeanor charges can also result in jail time , so keep that in mind.  Moreover, you will want to find a criminal defense attorney that has dealt with your type of situation before. You need to know what cases the attorney has taken and what the results they have obtained.

Research Online

Start researching a few local attorneys to see which ones have the most experience in criminal defense.  You should also takes steps to see what local criminal defense attorneys think about your selected attorney. Sites like martindale.com and avvo.com provide peer review resources as well as lawyer directories to help narrow your search.

Check the State Bar Association’s Website for any Disciplinary History

Every state bar association has a disciplinary board that keeps track of all disciplinary actions taken against an attorney in their jurisdiction. These disciplinary actions stem from unethical acts taken by attorney such as misappropriating client funds or unethical practices during their practice of law. While it’s true that there are some attorneys that run afoul of the rules, most do not. You should free to look up the names of any attorneys that you are considering consulting with to see if and what disciplinary actions have been taken against them.

Schedule an Appointment with a Criminal Defense Attorney

Finally, the easiest step, you need to make an appointment to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. If you have already been arrested you may need assistance in a search. You will get appointed a public defender in the meantime, which is not a problem. They will handle your case appropriately and can later be replaced by one of your choosing.

If you are free to search for an attorney or anticipate an imminent criminal issue, you need to conduct your search quickly. As was discussed earlier, the earlier you can have an attorney with you the better. The defense attorney will be able to explain the process and help you understand what can be a frightening and tense situation.