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.
Griffin Law Office, APC
Griffin Law Office, APC located at San Diego, CA. Our attorney Mr. Griffin has represented over 900 clients as a lawyer and successfully defended nearly every type of criminal case, from first-degree murder to driving under the influence. Our San Diego defense lawyers will provide you with a consultation that provides advice that can help minimize charges and either eliminate… Unclaimed: Claim this business
El Bufete De Defensa Criminal
En El Bufete De Defensa Criminal, nuestro excepcional equipo de abogados cuenta con amplia experiencia y el conocimiento necesario para atender sus necesidades en materia legal. El alto nivel de compromiso y profesionalismo en la representacin de cada uno de nuestros clientes; la atencin al detalle al evaluar minuciosamente las circunstancias de cada caso en concreto, y por supuesto; la… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Law Office Of Vikas Bajaj, APC
Vikas Bajaj is an established San Diego criminal attorney with a proven record of results. Our criminal defense law firm is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. We handle all criminal law matters including domestic violence, DUI, theft crimes, sex crimes, and white collar crimes. Call today for a free consultation.
Monder Criminal Lawyer Group
Vik Monder understands the criminal justice system is not perfect and things are not always as they appear. He chose this profession based on this premise alone. Before Vik Monder became the experienced criminal defense attorney he is today, he was a witness to the murder of his best friend... Unclaimed: Claim this business
San Diego Criminal Attorney
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… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers is a nationally recognized federal defense law firm that handles cases throughout the United States. Our accomplished attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience defending the rights of clients charged with drug-related offenses, white-collar crimes, fraud offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes and more, and we treat our clients with the respect and individualized attention… Unclaimed: Claim this business
RJT Criminal Lawyer
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
Roseline D. Feral Criminal Defense Attorney
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
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.…
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.
Why Choose Us
Best of the Web has verified and listed millions of businesses since 1994, adapting our model to new technologies and new digital marketing requirements as the decades have rolled by. We remain the most trusted online directory around, and the go-to choice for a quality business directory listing which drives results.
-
Improving Online Business Presence
Elevate your market presence with our targeted SEO strategies and premium listings, ensuring top-tier online visibility.
-
24/7 Customer Support
Our dedicated team is available around the clock, providing seamless support to enhance your business operations.
-
Trusted by Customers
Build customer trust with our rigorously vetted listings, boosting your credibility and attracting quality clientele.
New Criminal Defense Attorney Listings
Recent Criminal Defense Attorney Reviews
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.