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.

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    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."

  • Law Offices Of Lee Ofman

     339 Main St Suite 230
    Franklin, Tennessee 37064
    United States

    Lee Ofman holds the AV rating* under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review system. This is the highest rating of excellence given to any attorney by his peers and members of the Judiciary. Lee has been practicing law for 30 years and is dedicated to his clients. His office hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, but he has no hours when it comes to working his cases. Lee is always accessible to his clients and does what it takes to attain the best results. WEBSITE: https://www.leeofman.com/

  • Duffy Law Firm, LLC

     5110 N Rhett Ave
    North Charleston, South Carolina 29405
    United States

    The Duffy Law Firm is committed to being accessible to our clients and resolving cases fairly and quickly. We have substantial trial experience in a variety of areas and have spent extensive time in South Carolina courts. This experience as a General Practice Attorney allows the Duffy Law Firm to help a wide range of legal issues you may be faced with.

  • The Law Offices of James J. Pasquali

     510 E Memorial Rd Suite C4
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114
    United States

    At the Law Office of James Jay Pasquali, we realize your case is of paramount importance to you and us, whether it be large or small. We strive to assist clients with legal issues with excellence. A hallmark of the representation of the Law offices of James Jay Pasquali is accessible. Mr. Pasquali and his highly trained staff are always available to communicate with active clients. Mr. Pasquali states “When people need an attorney, they don’t need him next week, they need him now.” This “Ser

  • Olowu Law

     150 S Pine Island Rd #330
    Plantation, Florida 33324
    United States

    Get the legal representation you deserve with Olowu Law. Our team of experienced attorneys specialize in both criminal defense and personal injury cases. Trust us to defend your rights and fight for the best outcome for your case. Visit site:- https://www.olowulaw.com/

  • Kevin Lemley Law Partners

     206 Plaza Blvd Suite F
    Cabot, Arkansas 72023
    United States

    Kevin Lemley Law Partners is prepared to work hard for you to overcome fear and frustration with legal solutions to move you forward and provide peace of mind. As a committed Arkansas law firm, we work closely to serve clients to get the outcome they want and deserve. WEBSITE: http://www.lemley-law.com

  • San Diego Criminal Attorney

     Symphony Tower Llc 750 B St. #2510
    San Diego, California 92101
    United States

    Website: https://www.sandiego-criminalattorney.com/ Here at SDCA, we understand the tremendous stress, confusion, and helplessness our clients feel. Indeed, facing criminal charges can be one of the most terrifying and unnerving experiences in your life. That is why we offer a free of charge, in-person consultation, 7 days a week. We will take the time to meet our clients, answer any questions, and make sure that your questions are answered.

  • Michael White

     208 SE 6th St
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
    United States

    Fort Lauderdale-based criminal defense attorney, and former prosecutor, serves all of South Florida including Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Whether charged with a felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic, domestic violence, DUI, felony DUI, theft, weapons charges, drug crimes, violent crimes, or any criminal offense, call Michael White for free consultation.

  • The Nieves Law Firm

     160 Franklin St ste. 210
    Oakland, California 94607
    United States

    The Nieves Law Firm // Criminal Defense Law Firm in Oakland, CA, with a team of experienced attorneys dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation to our clients. Our team has a deep understanding of California criminal law and the local court system. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges, don’t wait to get the legal representation you need. Contact Nieves Law Firm today for a free consultation.

  • Edwards Law, PLLC

     22 S Pack Square
    Asheville, North Carolina 28801
    United States

    Doug has vast experience in the local criminal justice system having served as an Assistant District Attorney for over 10 years. Doug worked his way through the ranks of the District Attorney’s office ultimately holding the position of First Assistant District Attorney. He has handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to murder. WEBSITE: https://dougedwardslaw.com/

  • Carl Chapman P.C.

     106 Colony Park Dr Ste 1000B
    Cumming, Georgia 30040
    United States

    Phone: 4707281725

    Lawyers at Carl Chapman hold expertise in resolving complex cases with ease and efficiency.The team comprises Criminal Defense Lawyers, DUI Defense Lawyers, Drug Crime Lawyers, Sexual Crime Lawyers, and Assault Lawyer. Carl Chapman P.C. 106 Colony Park Dr Ste 1000B, Cumming, GA 30040 470-728-1725 Home

  • The Law Center P.C.

     300 Plaza Dr # 310
    Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129
    United States

    At The Law Center P.C., our diverse team of attorneys and professionals are uniquely qualified to help people solve their real-world problems by providing a comprehensive approach tailored to provide effective results within a single law firm. WEBSITE: https://www.thelawcenterpc.com/

  • Cayll Law, PLLC

     28 W A St
    Newton, North Carolina 28658
    United States

    Cayll Law, PLLC, is a full-service criminal defense firm. Robert Cayll and his team have extensive experience defending clients against criminal charges. If you are arrested and charged with a crime, time is not on your side. It is critical that you hire a criminal defense attorney to advise you, protect your rights, and fight for you. WEBSITE: https://www.caylllaw.com/

  • Peakstone Law Group, LLC

     5475 Tech Center Drive Suite 210
    Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919
    United States

    Peakstone Law Group, LLC (formerly known as Patterson Weaver Law, LLC) is a criminal defense, probate law, and estate planning Law Firm. Our skilled Colorado Springs attorneys are ready to provide effective, knowledgeable, and affordable representation. Contact us today for a free case review. Peakstone Law Group, LLC 5475 Tech Center Drive Suite 210, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, United States 719-264-9858 Home https://goo.gl/maps/aoXhZ9MbSwQPciBJ6

  • Law Office of Kevin Cahill

     1385 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite A-720
    Denver, Colorado 80222
    United States

    Denver Criminal defense Attorney, Kevin Cahill, does not take his job lightly. He understands the weight of a criminal charge and the seriousness of a conviction. Kevin Cahill’s primary area of practice is misdemeanors, but he also defends a wide range of matters in Denver, from traffic tickets to DUIs and assault to serious felonies. Reach out to him today to discuss the details of your criminal defense case during a FREE CONSULTATION.

Showing Criminal Defense Attorneys 1-20 of 669

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.