If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, your entire future is at stake - you need the best criminal defense attorney available, to ensure that your rights are protected. Find a criminal defense lawyer in your state, specializing in your type of case, here at the State Bar Attorneys Directory, powered by Best of the Web. We list thousands of the best criminal defense firms in the United States; all of our listings have been screened and verified for your peace of mind. So whatever criminal charges you are facing, you can be confident in choosing a criminal defense attorney from our listings.

Orange County Criminal Lawyer
444 W 10th St
Suite #105
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Orange County Criminal Lawyer law firm provides top-notch legal representation in Orange County and throughout Southern California in the area of criminal defense. We are committed to pursuing justice and providing tough legal representation to each of our clients. Our attorneys will do whatever it takes to protect your rights and future. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone(714) 262-4833

Orange County Criminal Lawyer
444 W 10th St
Suite #105
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Orange County Criminal Lawyer law firm provides top-notch legal representation in Orange County and throughout Southern California in the area of criminal defense. We are committed to pursuing justice and providing tough legal representation to each of our clients. Our attorneys will do whatever it takes to protect your rights and future. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Orange County Criminal Lawyer
444 W 10th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Website: http://www.oc-criminallawyers.com Description: At Orange County Criminal Lawyer, we believe that all cases have the potential to be won regardless of how hopeless they appear initially. If this is unrealistic, we'll fight to reduce charges, keep you out of jail, and get the best possible outcome for your case. We have a longstanding reputation in Orange County for providing aggressive…

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No Reviews Yet

Phone(714) 262-4833

Orange County Criminal Lawyer
444 W 10th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Website: http://www.oc-criminallawyers.com Description: At Orange County Criminal Lawyer, we believe that all cases have the potential to be won regardless of how hopeless they appear initially. If this is unrealistic, we'll fight to reduce charges, keep you out of jail, and get the best possible outcome for your case. We have a longstanding reputation in Orange County for providing aggressive…

Palm Desert Criminal Attorney
77711 Flora Rd
Suite 317
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Criminal defense is not about defending actions, it is about defending rights and everyone has rights. When you or anyone you know ever end up in the criminal justice system, you will quickly learn that NOBODY is as interested in defending your rights as you are and you cannot do it alone. That's when you call a tough, aggressive attorney… Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone(760) 610-6109

Palm Desert Criminal Attorney
77711 Flora Rd
Suite 317
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Criminal defense is not about defending actions, it is about defending rights and everyone has rights. When you or anyone you know ever end up in the criminal justice system, you will quickly learn that NOBODY is as interested in defending your rights as you are and you cannot do it alone. That's when you call a tough, aggressive attorney… Unclaimed: Claim this business

Pereira Law
5637 N. Pershing Ave.
Ste E20
Stockton, CA 95207

At Pereira Law, we treat your case as if it was our own. We understand how stressful it is when you or someone you love has been seriously hurt, or arrested and accused of committing a crime. We aggressively fight for you so that you can focus on picking up the pieces and moving forward with your life. You are… Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone(209) 425-3425

Pereira Law
5637 N. Pershing Ave.
Ste E20
Stockton, CA 95207

At Pereira Law, we treat your case as if it was our own. We understand how stressful it is when you or someone you love has been seriously hurt, or arrested and accused of committing a crime. We aggressively fight for you so that you can focus on picking up the pieces and moving forward with your life. You are… Unclaimed: Claim this business

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney Law Firm
3600 Lime St., Building 2,Ste 104
Riverside, CA 92501

Contact Us:3600 Lime St., Building 2,Ste 104, Riverside, CA 92501 Visit Us:https://www.riverside-criminalattorney.com/ Call Us:(951) 946-6366

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Phone(951) 946-6366

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney Law Firm
3600 Lime St., Building 2,Ste 104
Riverside, CA 92501

Contact Us:3600 Lime St., Building 2,Ste 104, Riverside, CA 92501 Visit Us:https://www.riverside-criminalattorney.com/ Call Us:(951) 946-6366

RJT Criminal Lawyer
2820 Camino del Rio S
#110
San Diego, CA 92108

Criminal attorney Ryan Tegnelia is the founder of RJT Criminal Lawyer, a law firm in San Diego that specializes in DUI defense. If you or someone you know have been charged with a crime in the San Diego area, you need a dedicated criminal defense lawyer on your side. The RJT Criminal Lawyer team can help. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone(619) 577-0868

RJT Criminal Lawyer
2820 Camino del Rio S
#110
San Diego, CA 92108

Criminal attorney Ryan Tegnelia is the founder of RJT Criminal Lawyer, a law firm in San Diego that specializes in DUI defense. If you or someone you know have been charged with a crime in the San Diego area, you need a dedicated criminal defense lawyer on your side. The RJT Criminal Lawyer team can help. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Robin R. Scroggie Criminal Trial Lawyer
865 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Attorney Robin R. Scroggie, located in Los Angeles, California, provides strong criminal defense representation to those facing a wide range of state and federal charges. As founding attorney at his law firm for more than 20 years, he has experience with all types of criminal law cases. No matter how complex the charges you are facing, Rob will provide you…

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Phone(213) 620-9576

Robin R. Scroggie Criminal Trial Lawyer
865 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Attorney Robin R. Scroggie, located in Los Angeles, California, provides strong criminal defense representation to those facing a wide range of state and federal charges. As founding attorney at his law firm for more than 20 years, he has experience with all types of criminal law cases. No matter how complex the charges you are facing, Rob will provide you…

Roseline D. Feral Criminal Defense Attorney
444 West C. St, Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92101

If you've been charged with a crime, you need to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Roseline D. Feral is the leading San Diego criminal defense attorney. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone1619232101

Roseline D. Feral Criminal Defense Attorney
444 West C. St, Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92101

If you've been charged with a crime, you need to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Roseline D. Feral is the leading San Diego criminal defense attorney. Unclaimed: Claim this business

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney
2729 4th Ave #1
San Diego, CA 92103

Jay S. Finnecy is an experienced criminal defense attorney who brings 16 years of experience in San Diego County to the benefit of his clients. Mr. Finnecy began his legal career in 1996 as a prosecutor with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Over a six-year period, Mr. Finnecy handled hundreds of criminal cases including over 40 jury trials.…

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Phone(619) 855-3003

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney
2729 4th Ave #1
San Diego, CA 92103

Jay S. Finnecy is an experienced criminal defense attorney who brings 16 years of experience in San Diego County to the benefit of his clients. Mr. Finnecy began his legal career in 1996 as a prosecutor with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Over a six-year period, Mr. Finnecy handled hundreds of criminal cases including over 40 jury trials.…

Sharp Criminal Lawyers
3600 Lime St
Suite 111
Riverside, CA 92501

Sharp Criminal Lawyers is a team of highly experienced and aggressive criminal attorneys based out of Riverside, CA. Leading the team is Stephen Sweigart, an expert criminal attorney with over 20 years of experience in the court room. If you've been charged with a crime in the Riverside area and need a devoted and highly trained criminal lawyer on your… Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone(951) 777-1111

Sharp Criminal Lawyers
3600 Lime St
Suite 111
Riverside, CA 92501

Sharp Criminal Lawyers is a team of highly experienced and aggressive criminal attorneys based out of Riverside, CA. Leading the team is Stephen Sweigart, an expert criminal attorney with over 20 years of experience in the court room. If you've been charged with a crime in the Riverside area and need a devoted and highly trained criminal lawyer on your… Unclaimed: Claim this business

Spaulding & Campi Criminal Attorneys
901 H St
#200
Sacramento, CA 95814

With offices in Sacramento, Woodland and Roseville, CA, Spaulding & Campi Criminal Attorneys defends people accused of all crimes throughout Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties. Whether clients are charged with domestic violence, a first time DUI, a petty theft or a serious felony such as embezzlement or a sex crime such as lewd conduct or possession of child pornography, Ms.… Unclaimed: Claim this business

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No Reviews Yet

Phone(916) 330-4505

Spaulding & Campi Criminal Attorneys
901 H St
#200
Sacramento, CA 95814

With offices in Sacramento, Woodland and Roseville, CA, Spaulding & Campi Criminal Attorneys defends people accused of all crimes throughout Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties. Whether clients are charged with domestic violence, a first time DUI, a petty theft or a serious felony such as embezzlement or a sex crime such as lewd conduct or possession of child pornography, Ms.… Unclaimed: Claim this business

Spaulding & Campi Criminal Attorneys
1380 Lead Hill Blvd
Roseville, CA 95661

With offices in Roseville and Sacramento, Sacramento's premier defense team includes a Harvard educated attorney, a senior trial lawyer and an immigration expert. The firm defends people accused of all crimes throughout Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties. Typical cases include domestic violence, DUI, petty theft, embezzlement, hit and run, lewd conduct, and child pornography. Ms. Spaulding and Ms. Campi's superb… Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone(916) 520-1733

Spaulding & Campi Criminal Attorneys
1380 Lead Hill Blvd
Roseville, CA 95661

With offices in Roseville and Sacramento, Sacramento's premier defense team includes a Harvard educated attorney, a senior trial lawyer and an immigration expert. The firm defends people accused of all crimes throughout Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties. Typical cases include domestic violence, DUI, petty theft, embezzlement, hit and run, lewd conduct, and child pornography. Ms. Spaulding and Ms. Campi's superb… Unclaimed: Claim this business

The Law Office of Bradley R Corbett, Criminal Defense Attorney
41593 Winchester Rd
#200
Temecula, CA 92590

The Law Offices of Bradley R. Corbett specializes in a wide range of criminal defense cases. Whether you're charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, your case is very important to us. We're available 24/7, nights and weekends, to consult with you. Call (760) 208-1619 to see if you can get your charges dismissed or reduced. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Phone(951) 732-8611

The Law Office of Bradley R Corbett, Criminal Defense Attorney
41593 Winchester Rd
#200
Temecula, CA 92590

The Law Offices of Bradley R. Corbett specializes in a wide range of criminal defense cases. Whether you're charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, your case is very important to us. We're available 24/7, nights and weekends, to consult with you. Call (760) 208-1619 to see if you can get your charges dismissed or reduced. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Leib Law
CA

From the Leib Law website: Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Daniel Leib has offices in downtown LA, Pasadena, Ontario & Beverly Hills-Call 844-210-1701 for a free consultation.

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Leib Law
CA

From the Leib Law website: Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Daniel Leib has offices in downtown LA, Pasadena, Ontario & Beverly Hills-Call 844-210-1701 for a free consultation.

Kenney Legal Defense
2900 Bristol St c204
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

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Phone(855) 505-5588

Kenney Legal Defense
2900 Bristol St c204
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Law Office of Mark Greany
111 C Street
Encinitas, CA 92024

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Phone(858) 531-6387

Law Office of Mark Greany
111 C Street
Encinitas, CA 92024

Robert M. Helfend
13101 Washington Blvd
#464
Los Angeles, CA 90066

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Phone(310) 456-3317

Robert M. Helfend
13101 Washington Blvd
#464
Los Angeles, CA 90066

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Why State Bar Attorneys?

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Talk To The Best Criminal Defense Attorney Now

Call Now: 1-877-771-1418

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

Criminal defense lawyers work with people who have been accused of a crime. Their role is to ensure the defendant’s rights are upheld and that any eventual trial is fair and lawful. A good criminal defense attorney will research the case against you, investigate and review procedures taken against you, examine witnesses, gather evidence, and attempt to negotiate with prosecutors. You can rely on your criminal defense lawyer to advise you on the potential consequences of your plea and to explain a likely sentence. If no plea deal can be reached, your defense counsel will ultimately represent you in your trial. 

What Types of Crime Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help With?

Criminal defense attorneys can work with any kind of criminal offense, from misdemeanors to murder.

In practice, however, many of the best criminal defense lawyers specialize in a particular area of crime. If you have been charged with DUI or DWI, for example, you will want to find the best DUI attorney near you.

Other criminal attorneys may specialize in defending those accused of violent crimes, sex crimes, or domestic violence, while still others may specialize in fraud, financial crimes, drugs charges, tax offenses, or immigration issues - whatever the charges against you, a recommended criminal attorney can handle it.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

There are two ways of getting a criminal defense attorney. If you can afford it, you can choose and hire your own, in which case you are fully responsible for paying the attorney’s fees. Alternatively, if you cannot afford or do not want to hire your own defense counsel, the court may appoint a criminal defense lawyer for you, if you meet certain conditions, and in this case, the costs will be paid by the government. Normally, if you face a potential jail or prison sentence, you will be eligible for court-appointed representation. If you are not facing incarceration, you may or may not be eligible for free defense counsel, depending on your financial situation and state law. Even if you are not eligible for free counsel, you may be eligible for partially funded representation if you can demonstrate that you cannot afford a private defense attorney. 

If you choose to hire your own defense counsel, the cost will depend heavily on the type and complexity of your criminal case. For a misdemeanor, you may be looking at around $5000 in legal fees. For a felony, it could be upwards of $25,000. Criminal defense attorneys are not allowed to operate on a contingency fee basis, and many will require all or a substantial proportion of the fee to be paid upfront.

 

Tips for Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested, you will need to find a criminal defense attorney quickly, to secure your release and prepare for what lies ahead.

Having said that, don’t panic and pick the first criminal law firm you find in an internet search. Not only are you likely to be spending a great deal of money, but your future hinges on getting effective representation that you can trust. This could be one of the most important decisions of your life, so research is essential.

There are tens of thousands of criminal defense attorneys in the United States.

Start with people you know. If you know an attorney of any kind, they may be able to recommend a criminal defense attorney. If anyone you know has ever had to use one, you could also find a recommendation there.

Beyond personal recommendations, the best way to choose a criminal defense attorney is through our directory of screened and verified criminal defense lawyers across the US. Here you can easily narrow down your search to your state and to criminal defense firms that specialize in the relevant crime.

You can also read reviews right here in the directory, to get a feel for which are the most trusted criminal defense attorneys near you. 

 

FAQ On Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney

1 - Can I represent myself in a criminal case?

You can, but a better question is whether you should.

Around 2% of defendants do choose to represent themselves, and are referred to as pro se defendants, from the Latin for ‘on behalf of themselves’.

In theory, you always have the right to represent yourself. In practice, the more serious the crime you are charged with, the riskier this strategy becomes. Not only do you risk not understanding the law involved, you may also fail to understand the procedural issues. Even if you do have a full grasp of what’s involved, you would probably suffer from a lack of experience, especially at trial, where you most likely do not have the skills to question or cross-examine witnesses or to eloquently provide your own defense.

Ultimately the decision is yours, but you are very strongly advised to use a criminal defense attorney, especially if you are facing potential incarceration. 

 

2 - Can I change my criminal defense attorney if I’m not happy?

If you have hired your own criminal defense lawyer, then yes, you can usually change lawyers if you wish. However, doing so may prove expensive, as your new criminal defense attorney will need to start from scratch.

If your defense counsel is court-appointed, you would need to demonstrate either a serious breakdown in the relationship or incompetence on the part of your lawyer in order for the court to approve your request to change attorneys.

In either case, the court can intervene to prevent a change of attorney in some cases, for example, if they feel the defendant is just playing for time and trying to delay the trial by seeking a new attorney.

 

3 - Do I need a criminal defense attorney if I’m going to plead guilty?

It’s always advisable to seek representation from an experienced defense attorney, even if you wish to plead guilty. The best criminal defense lawyers may be able to help you in several ways - perhaps by getting the charges against you reduced or by getting your sentence reduced. If the case against you is weak or flawed, your criminal defense attorney may even be able to get the charges dismissed completely. The key is to remember that prosecutors do not have your best interests in mind - that’s not their job. The only professional who will protect your interests first and foremost is your criminal defense attorney - so even if you wish to plead guilty, it is still worth relying on a defense counsel to get you through the process as unscathed as possible.

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