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.
Top Criminal Defense Attorney
Roger G. Jain & Associates, P.C.
Roger G. Jain & Associates, P.C. handles criminal defense, family law and civil matters in Houston, TX.
Keith B. French Law, PLLC
Full-service criminal defense and civil litigation law firm dedicated to making sure that all Texans are given a fair shake before the law. Founding…
Jason S. English Law, PLLC
Jason S. English Law, PLLC is an experienced Dwi and criminal defense attorney in Austin who will fight for you. The effects of an… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Betty Blackwell - Austin Criminal Defense
At Austin Texas Law Office of Betty Blackwell, anyone who has been charged with a criminal offense in Travis County can contact Betty to…
Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC
Bryan is an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer and personal injury attorney, who has handled thousands of misdemeanor and felony criminal charges and… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Russ Hunt Jr Criminal Defense
Practicing Criminal Defense in Texas since 1994, Russ has worked hard to develop his diverse and thriving practice which is centered in Georgetown, Texas…
Andrew Deegan Attorney at Law
Attorney Andrew Deegan has been honored with the ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation as recognized by the Chemistry and Law Division of the ACS. Using…
Check Criminal Record
Check Criminal Record is a popular online criminal record search platform specializing in providing detailed arrest records and background searches to users across the…
CriminalDatabase.org
National database records company provides fast and thorough criminal background checks. Includes pre-employment checks, criminal records, arrest records, and sexual offender registry checks. Unclaimed: Claim this business
F. Edward Brown Law Firm
Best Killeen, Bell County, Texas criminal defense attorney serving Copperas Cove, Fort Hood, Harker Heights and Nolanville, and Kempner and Lampasas County.
Hines Ranc & Holub
If you are facing criminal changes, the criminal defense attorneys at Hines Ranc & Holub urge you to contact us as soon as possible.… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC
Address: Mallick Tower 101 Summit Avenue, Suite 101 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 Phone Number: (866) 329-5235 Name: Bryan Hoeller Business Email: [email protected] Year of…
Institute of Computer Forensics and Criminal Investigations
ICFECI provides investigative, expert, and other services necessary for effective representation of defendants (including offering services in accordance with Title 18, United States Code,…
Jack B. Carroll, Houston Criminal Lawyer
Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Jack B. Carroll is the leader and founder of Jack B. Carroll & Associates, a criminal-justice law firm based in… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Jenny C Parks, PC
The legal system can intimidate and overwhelm anyone we're here to help find the answers and create the solutions you need. Don't let yourself… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Jones Law, PLLC - Criminal Defense
Jones Law, PLLC is a full service Houston criminal defense law firm focused on drug, sex, assault, and theft offenses. Unclaimed: Claim this business
Kubosh Law
With over 50 years of combined professional experience, our Houston traffic ticket attorneys have the skills you need to get the results you deserve.… Unclaimed: Claim this business
Law Office of Annie Scott
If you're dealing with an issue related to family law, such as a divorce, adoption, or child custody, don't hesitate to come in, and…
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.
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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.