Criminal Defense

Defense against criminal charges including felonies, misdemeanors, and federal crimes.

Counsel

12+

Avg. experience

14 yrs

Free consultations

68%

Sub-practices

§ Editorial

What to look for in a criminal defense attorney.

— The Counsel editors

Defense against criminal charges including felonies, misdemeanors, and federal crimes.

Finding the right criminal defense attorney requires careful consideration of experience, communication style, and fee structure. The attorneys listed here represent a broad cross-section of practitioners serving clients in this area of law.

“The constitutional presumption of innocence is not a formality — it is the foundation of your defense. A skilled criminal defense attorney's first job is to force the government to prove every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Before you discuss strategy, ask every attorney you interview how many cases they have taken to verdict, and what those verdicts were.”
— The Counsel editors

§ What to look for

01Genuine trial experience — not just attorneys who plead every case
02Specialization in the specific charge type (violent crimes, financial fraud, etc.)
03Responsiveness and accessibility — you need someone who returns calls
04Transparent fee arrangements with no surprise add-ons
05Experience in the specific courthouse where your case will be heard
06A record of acquittals or favorable verdicts, not just settlements

§ Questions to ask at your consultation

›How many cases like mine have you taken to trial?
›What is your honest assessment of the evidence against me?
›Which constitutional defenses might apply to my situation?
›How does your office handle communication between court dates?
›Do you foresee any conflicts of interest in representing me?
›If we go to trial and lose, what is the sentencing exposure compared to a plea?