Lawyers map
>216
experienced lawyers
Filter by
19 Dec, 2024 by Andrea turner
Bobby Ficklin Jr is top notch in my book! This young man gave me my hope back. He did an amazing job in my disability hearing and I believe he genuinely cares about his clients. He eased my fears and walked me through what to expect, asked all the right questions and even called me after to congratulate me. I started to cry and thank the Lord for sending Mr. Ficklin! He is an amazing attorney and I will definitely recommend him! Thank you Bobby and God Bless!
Read more
19 Dec, 2024 by Andrea
Mr. Ficklin represented me at my disability hearing today and he was wonderful. He talked me through the procedure beforehand and eased my fears. He asked the right questions and although I had never met him, I trusted him and believe he genuinely cares about his clients. God bless you and thank you so much! I have hope again!
Read more
17 Dec, 2024 by Roy weary
He did a good job calling a hour before court by letting me know what to aspect by asking me about different issues going on with my health.
Read more
14 Oct, 2023 by Jared austin
22 Nov, 2022 by Adam cronkite
Have used Fred several times whether it was personal or business related, he has always been highly professional and prompt, if there was anything over five stars he would receive it. A lawyer you can trust.
Read more
28 Nov, 2018 by Jodi thomas
24 Jan, 2025 by William crofts
Mr. Oakes was very thorough. And was able to get me the best option available. I greatly appreciate all of his help.
Read more
24 Jan, 2025 by Schinita greenwood
24 Jan, 2025 by Ethan torres
The staff and attorney help me accordingly and got my needs met and they did an excellent job of helping me get this out of the way so I appreciate them
Read more
09 Jan, 2025 by Steven pilcher
If you're here reading this, chances are that something is not going correctly for you in the way that you want it to. I have been under a severe amount of stress due to a legal issue that I was going through and I have to say that retaining Mr. Zeineh and his law firm was hands down the best decision that I could have made for my situation. While I would not say the price for his services was cheap, I would definitely say that it was the best bang for the buck that I could have hoped for. Top Tier Attorney who has earned my 5 star review, and my future business.
Read more
07 Jan, 2025 by Dan
Mr Zeineh went above and beyond for me in a criminal case. I was facing many years in prison with a serious crime, and a 4th habitual. Mr Zeineh communication was excellent, his knowledge of the law is impressive, and he is well known and respected in the court. If Mr Zeineh recommends you to do something, do it. He knows what he is doing. Being proactive in my case allowed me to stay free the entire time. I went from facing life in prison to a term of probation. I highly recommend contacting him for anything court related. Mr Zeineh is a true badass in court.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Andrew nichols
04 Sep, 2024 by Kameron toner
Mike is a lawyer like most of the rest. Do not waste any money using him unless it's a very simple case.
Read more
21 Aug, 2024 by Levie nedziwe
One on point Gentleman
Read more
25 Apr, 2024 by The draco
If you ever need a great lawyer get Lyonel!!!! He cares, he listens and he fights for you!! Great lawyer and a outstanding human being. Best thing I ever did was have this guy on my side!!! Thank you so much Lyonel, sincerely Eric O.
Read more
17 Dec, 2024 by Brandy fleury
I was very interested in getting my trust put together.
Mr. Williams has designed a process that leads a person like myself through the steps and avenues to complete a trust when a person such as myself doesn’t know the details on how to Navigate the process.
I was very pleased on him and his team’s guidance to completion in less than two months.
Many thanks.
Read more
25 Nov, 2024 by Ag g
Had an excellent experience with Stuart. Highly recommend. He was very helpful and patient in dealing with our situation.
Read more
08 Sep, 2024 by Amy jimenez
From beginning to end, this was a professional and thorough process. Can not recommend enough. 5 stars!
Read more
23 Feb, 2022 by Jody m
I have used Conrad’s services twice over the years and he did a great job.
He’s very understanding and easy to work with.
If I ever need a lawyer again I will definitely call Conrad Vincent.
Read more
06 Feb, 2020 by Anonymous
I have been dealing with Conrad now for 4 years with my son, who just sometimes makes horrible choices, but Conrad always has a smile and talks to my son on a level as not only a lawyer but in a parent prospective and I appreciate all his hard work and I am forever grateful.
Read more
17 Dec, 2018 by Faith
Attorney Vincent is very professional communicated very well throughout the whole process I hired him for a child custody battle and he did amazing!
Read more
11 Dec, 2024 by Carlos leon
06 Dec, 2024 by August pett
Our experience with Pamela was amazing. She is very professional and replies back to any questions you have very quickly. She will also update and advise you everytime there is an update in your case. She helped make what is a rather complicated process much easier.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Makayla o'henley
Very pleased after just receiving my sons and my greencard. The process can feel overwhelming and scary but it was made so easy and went so smoothly.
Read more
19 Dec, 2024 by Reza sheykhi
I have worked with Ghazal for two different applications. She is always available and willing to provide the most up-to-date information. On one of my applications, my case was blocked for 3 years and just two months after Ghazal accepted my application, we got some response from USCIS.
Read more
19 Dec, 2024 by Parmida momeni
She was patient and guided me through the entire process seamlessly. Thank you for your support!
Read more
04 Dec, 2024 by Omid tabatabaie
Absolutely great. We had the pleasure of working with Ms Mehrani for my wife’s case and it was as smooth as it could be. The 2-year home requirement waiver cases are really difficult to obtain especially for hardship reasons. You have to be very experienced and spend a lot of time personally to make sure everything is in order. I am from a couple of states away and still got her services. Couldn’t be happier with my choice.
Read more
04 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. Dillon was very open and clear cut, he let me know all my options and told me what the court was most likely to do. He walked me through everything as this was my first time in court. I got 6 months probation with an OWI on my record with fines but the MIP was waived. I was very satisfied with my sentencing and would 100% recommend hiring Mr. Dillon to anyone that needs legal help and would definitely consider hiring him again should the circumstance arise.
Read more
18 Mar, 2018 by Kelli
Mr. Dillon was an excellent attorney. He handled my case professionally and swiftly. I would recommend his services to anyone and if I am in need in the future I will definitely reach back out to him for help.
Read more
12 Feb, 2018 by Jmahl young
Mr. Dillon handled my case well. Definitely made sure that my case was taken seriously and he provides comfort to his client. He is a patient man, works everything out to your favor. I would recommend him. He is definitely worth the hire.
Read more
26 Jul, 2021 by Hadjy
Mr Howard did a GREAT!! I got my very first ticket for running the read lights. I didn’t wanna pay the ticket straight to get points and affect my insurance, so i tried to find a attorney, luckily one of my friends introduced me to Mr Howard i went and explained the incident to him, he told me “not to worry about it”. Finally today i had my court day and everything went absolutely great i have to pay my ticket gladly not into my record neither my insurance. Thanks to the man Steve Howard for doing a great job!
Read more
31 Mar, 2021 by Robert
I hired Mr. Steven Howard to correct an error on my ATF and FBI records. Much to my surprise, he cut through the red tape and corrected my records within 3 weeks. I highly recommend him for any firearms issues you may encounter.
Read more
23 Dec, 2020 by Patrick
I have yet to need to hire him but he has been extremely helpful in answering questions for me at a very reasonable fee! I'd definitely recommend him based upon his level of knowledge!!
Read more
16 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Josh was extremely responsive, well prepared and delivered a great result. The hearing officer even pointed out how impressed he was with the file of information Josh presented regarding my case. I highly recommend Josh for any license related issue!
Read more
05 May, 2018 by Celesta
Joshua Covert went above and beyond to get my case resolved. I can't begin to express my gratitude to him and I would recommend him and his firm to anyone.
Read more
15 Jun, 2017 by Ron
I hired Josh to expunge my felony record. He made it happen so now I can support my family and regain my gun rights. Thank you Josh Covert law firm.
Read more
07 Aug, 2024 by Jack martin
Kirby Albright was excellent to work with. I highly recommend his services
Read more
06 Aug, 2024 by Talal badra
Kirby and Cheryl really REALLY know what they're doing. I highly recommend this law firm!
Read more
06 Aug, 2024 by Leslie jordan
06 Jun, 2017 by Joseph
Cindy, A ++++++
The most professional, on point defense anyone that needs and wants their life to be changed for the better lawyer money could buy! If you're looking for excellence, she has the discipline! Be attentive and follow her lead to the "T" and be honest. She will show you the way and recover your life! She's the best at putting in the work, but you must be willing to meet her goals!
Read more
02 Aug, 2015 by Shawn
Cindy Mannon is the best. She will tell you exactly what you need to do. She will work hard to get your license back. She worked with me from South Carolina. After 15 years I finally can drive again.
Read more
11 Jul, 2015 by Jo ellen
i am from out of state and giving Cindy Mannon a standing aviation. Cindy took my case in March 2015 a drivers license restoration case and due to her expertise I was granted a full licenses back within 3.5 months. Cindy had her work cut out for her, due to my huge file that started in 2008 when I original lost my license. 2012 is when I paid all my fines and attempted to try it myself (PLEASE DONT DO THIS YOURSELF) waste of time especially I had to travel out of state by train, and then was denied , plus DMV made wait 1 MORE YEAR year to appeal. I also hired another attorney after my 1 yr was up, oh boy NO GOOD WAS HE, within a month I got rid of him and he kept my money, he did nothing but make 2 phone calls to me. (YOU MUST BE CAREFUL) IF I CAN TELL YOU ANYTHING CINDY MANNON IS THE BEST AT WHAT SHE DOES AND IS WELL WORTH ALL SHE GIVES. Cindy does do out of state work and does not charge extra for it. For your own sake TRUST CINDY MANNON !!!!!!!!
Read more
29 Apr, 2015 by Josh l
I can't say enough good things about Mr. O'Keefe. I was looking for lawyers regarding a DUI on-line and he called me within hours of requesting information! He was able to schedule an appointment to meet the same day and cover some information on me. I selected him as the lawyer for my case, and even though it was a short notice he was professional, thorough, and extremely supportive of me the entire time. He worked with me and walked me through every step of the way, including preparing me for any future steps of this ordeal. He knew each miniscule piece of information to put my mind at rest, who the judge was and her personality, and freely answered all of my questions.
Mr. O'Keefe provided me with resources and tasks to complete before my arraignment so I was prepared for court. He pushed for an earlier hearing for me so I wasn't waiting months for my sentencing after my arraignment. He also had recommendations for me on where to do my court ordered community service. While at the court house it seemed like everyone knew Mr. O'Keefe which just showed what his recognition is in the local industry.
I would recommend Mr. O'Keefe to any of my family or friends without any hesitation. He was not only confident in his abilities, but he provided me with the tools and support in the court room to alleviate the stress of my first offense, and also assisted in getting a shorter probation for me. Again, I can't put into words how happy I was with my entire experience using Mr. O'Keefe.
Read more
07 Nov, 2014 by Tom
I found Mr. O'Keefe to be confident, professional and efficient in settling the charges I faced without trial. I felt confident he would have handled the trial efficiently.
Read more
20 Aug, 2014 by Maurice
Mr. O'Keefe was an excellent resource and attorney for me throughout my battle with a legal situation that could have been avoided on my part, but Patrick was extremely professional and got to know me by spending time with me on the phone, in person, and he actually dug deep and asked questions about my own life outside of his paid duties. I think that starting his own practice was a brave move and I appreciate anyone who steps out and decides that they can be successful simply because they have faith things will always work out.
Read more
15 Jun, 2018 by Debra
I highly endorse and recommend Patrick Crowley for legal representation. Prior to hiring Patrick, I thought it would be best to hire a woman to represent me. I am grateful that I didn't limit myself with gender-only selection, and instead look for the best person for legal representation. Patrick is fair, honest, and reasonable - not only in terms of financial expectations, but overall expectations. When we were in front of the judge, I was happy he was on my side of the courtroom, and that he wasn't on the opposing side. He is polished and prepared in the courtroon, and in every step of the process. I highly recommend Patrick Crowley.
Read more
14 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
Very pleased with Patrick and his staff! My divorce ended up very messy with lots of extra questions and added headaches, and he always made me feel calm and that he would take care of everything and he did. In court he did such a phenomenal job I not only got full custody of my kids- twice, but my ex and his lawyer ended up deciding to back out of their claims and stop the proceedings. I would recommend Mr. Crowley to anyone looking for an excellent lawyer!
Read more
15 Jun, 2015 by Jason devenbaugh
Mr Crowley is a great attorney. He always kept me in the loop about everything with my case. Before going in we would talk about how he wants to approach the case. He asked for my input, but my trust in him was so good I let him do what he felt was right. I would recommend Mr Crowley to anyone needing an attorney. He is fair and honest. Thank You Mr Crowley.
Read more
16 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Jeff Landon is excellent in his field. He is professional, curtious, organized and thorough. I felt confident in the decisions made throughout my devorice based on clear, concise, frequent communications and fact based information. He is genuine in his demeanor and is completely committed.
Read more
11 Feb, 2016 by Dan wargo
Mr. Landon helped me through an extremely difficult time (of my own doing) without prejudging me. He was there by phone, email, and in person whenever needed and got me a fair sentencing. Without his expertise my fate could've gone in a much worse direction. If one is in need of legal help I would definitely recommend Mr. Landon.
Read more
10 Feb, 2016 by Corrine
Jeff was very quick with responses to questions. I felt comfortable with him and he did a great job! I had a zoning issue and even a couple of members on the zoning board were very pleased and impressed with him. If it weren't for Jeff, I don't think I would've gotten my request passed. I would highly recommend Jeff Landon for anyone who needs legal help.
Read more
08 Jun, 2018 by Dail
Tim has been very compassionate and understanding though out my entire horrible situation. Always responds to questions and concerns. He does his absolute due diligence and it's a good feeling to have him in your corner.
Read more
12 Jul, 2017 by Michael
When I worked with Tim he provided me great advice which resulted in getting me out of a bind that I was in. During our few days of working together, Tim not only provided me great advice that worked in my favor, but he did so in a manner that was comforting which made me feel at ease during the stressful situation that I was in. I will most definitely recommend Tim to anyone who is in need of criminal defense!
Read more
01 Jun, 2017 by Holly
My son got into some trouble when he was 17 and I was at a loss of what to do. I looked up experienced lawyers and contacted Grabel and associates. They put me in contact with Tim Doman and it was the best decision I ever made. He was there for our family day or night and even weekends and holidays. My son's case was very trying and I was very scared for him. Tim treated our family like he was part of our family from the very beginning. He was aggressive and was always working the case. The case was very trying but in the end my son went from 6 felonies to 2 misdemeanors and his record clean! We are so grateful for what Tim did for us and he will always be apart of our family! If you want a highly trained attorney, Tim Doman would be the one for you. Eternal thanks!
Read more
17 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
Alex Rusek gave me my son back. My son was facing multiple serious charges and needed rehab for his addiction issues. Alex Rusek argued to get a reasonable bond, pursuaded three different Judges to allow my son to go out of state for therapy and successfully got multiple felony charges dropped. Instead of going to prison my son received one and a half years probation and time served.
This outcome would not have been possible with out the efforts and arguments of Alex Rusek to get the court system to give my son another chance.
If you need a lawyer that will work hard for you, is familiar with the prosecutors and judges, will never judge you and get the outcome you want and deserve , you should contact Alec Rusek. You will not be disappointed.
Read more
24 May, 2016 by Josh
I can't express how thankful I am to have such a great attorney! Thanks for always being on time, explains my situation and options in detail, and getting results! Highly recommend White Law!
Read more
21 Aug, 2018 by Marie
Mr. Feigelson is one heck of a lawyer, He wasn’t sure what he was doing at first but I believe he did his book work because the turn out was incredible!
I had him for a very complicated Child Custody case with Domestic violence involved, Mr. Feigelson went out of his way to get the job done when I wanted it done! I was granted Sole Legal Custody & Sole Physical Custody, I never once had to face that Monster in courts! I may be hiring you again Mr.Feigelson!
Read more
23 Oct, 2013 by Sandy
Steven Feigelson is an excellent attorney whom I would gladly refer to anyone needing legal advice. He keeps his clients informed throughout the process and always promptly answers questions, emails or phone calls. This accessibility lessens the stress clients experience due to their legal issues. Mr. Feigelson maintains a professional manner at all times and is very knowledgeable in various legal matters. As a client, I can say without a doubt Mr. Feigelson is the best attorney you could choose for your legal issues because he cares for you personally and has the skills necessary to represent you to your greatest benefit.
Read more
29 Jun, 2012 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Carrier to do a land contract for me. I felt that he really took the time to explain my options and to answer my many questions. He brought up some tax issues I had not even thought about, that ended up saving me a few thousand dollars in taxes. Super happy!
Read more
29 Jun, 2012 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Carrier to do a land contract for me. I felt that he really took the time to explain my options and to answer my many questions. He brought up some tax issues I had not even thought about, that ended up saving me a few thousand dollars in taxes. Super happy!
Read more
26 Jul, 2019 by Paul
First off, I would like to make it known that I shopped around before deciding on Stu (When I say shopped around, I mean shopping around for two weeks and spend $300 on first consultations). When I stumbled upon Stu, I was completely lost among a sea of lawyers in a challenging time in my life, but Stu mitigated the stress as he rose amongst the rest. I know that he doesn’t have the strongest internet presence amongst some other lawyers within the area, but at the end of the day I was not hiring an online SEO marketer, I was hiring a lawyer. With this, Stu was always kind, fair, intelligent, and straight to the point. Unlike encounters I had prior with other firms, his kindness seemed sincere and less like a sales tactic.
Now let’s gets to the meat and potatoes… You might be wondering about the quality of his work since all lawyer reviews seem to focus solely on words like kind and professional. With this, I have to say that Stu delivered better than expected. I knew he was going to be right after researching his long line of experience and education; however, I wasn’t expecting him to outclass my ex-wife’s lawyer time and time again. He was responsive while being able to work at incredible speeds. Also, he would include me in absolutely everything, while providing sound direction and elaborating, as well as organizing my thoughts to make them 100-fold more effective than they would have been otherwise. Aside from this, I live in Massachusetts while being a resident from another state since I am Active Duty Military. My situation was unique and took a knowledgeable lawyer to work. Stu did amazing! I can’t recommend this man enough!
Thank you, Stu, I will forever be grateful for all you have done for myself, as well as for my daughter/family.
Read more
11 Jan, 2016 by Angie sipsy
Mr. Goodrich is a very good attorney, he helps the little guys, he tells you what gonna happen every step of the way when it comes to your case. He's highly recommend.
Read more
10 Dec, 2013 by Deb
I have met many people in my life and profession, but few meet the standards and expectations of pure excellence. I have known and worked with Mr. Finn for many years; he is the first person I call. He is also trustworthy. Last year, I went to see Bernie regarding three upcoming legal issues I was working on. He was honest with me and recommended two attorneys- that without a doubt he would have suggested/recommended to his own family.
I have no higher praise; I trust him for guidance…and within this I trust him with my life.
Read more
11 Dec, 2024 by Carlos leon
06 Dec, 2024 by August pett
Our experience with Pamela was amazing. She is very professional and replies back to any questions you have very quickly. She will also update and advise you everytime there is an update in your case. She helped make what is a rather complicated process much easier.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Makayla o'henley
Very pleased after just receiving my sons and my greencard. The process can feel overwhelming and scary but it was made so easy and went so smoothly.
Read more
13 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
I met with Craig and he filled me full of hopes and promises for my divorce/custody case. He promised to be aggressive and fight for what I wanted. That sounded great until it came time to actually work. Yeah he filed the paperwork and stuff but rarely ever contacted me about things, when it came down to court he pressured me to just go with the flow rather that fight for what I want becuse fighting was extra work. Then he didn’t even show up to my divorce hearing. He left for vacation and his substitute attorney didn’t show up either so I ended up looking like a fool in court with no representation having not seen the order of divorce till the day of the hearing and I had to revise it and make changes myself. Really wish I didn’t waste all that money on his family vacation. I feel completly disappointed and scammed.
Read more
22 Aug, 2017 by Greg
Craig is an excellent lawyer. He was in constant contact with me and helped with any issue that came up during my case. I would recommend Craig anytime. He far exceeded my expectations. A++++
Read more
14 Aug, 2017 by Rockie
Craig not only helped me with my divorce but also gave me great advice on another legal matter.
Craig was professional and very understanding and I was super happy with everything he did for me. Thanks so much Mr. Davis You rock!
Read more
06 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Mertens helped navigate the waters of an incredibly difficult federal case. There were tens of thousands of documents and extraordinary legal issues. I was very pleased with his hard work, knowledge, and dedication.
Read more
19 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
I had never been in trouble before, Needless to say, I was disappointed in myself and felt I let my family down. Mr. Mertens helped me turn a very negative situation into a positive. I am very grateful to him and his lawfirm.
Read more
05 Nov, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr. Mertens is an outstanding attorney who helped me through a very difficult time. I appreciate the honsety and hard work he brought to my case.
Read more
19 Dec, 2024 by Reza sheykhi
I have worked with Ghazal for two different applications. She is always available and willing to provide the most up-to-date information. On one of my applications, my case was blocked for 3 years and just two months after Ghazal accepted my application, we got some response from USCIS.
Read more
19 Dec, 2024 by Parmida momeni
She was patient and guided me through the entire process seamlessly. Thank you for your support!
Read more
04 Dec, 2024 by Omid tabatabaie
Absolutely great. We had the pleasure of working with Ms Mehrani for my wife’s case and it was as smooth as it could be. The 2-year home requirement waiver cases are really difficult to obtain especially for hardship reasons. You have to be very experienced and spend a lot of time personally to make sure everything is in order. I am from a couple of states away and still got her services. Couldn’t be happier with my choice.
Read more
28 Nov, 2012 by William
Mr. Milks is a great asset to the legal community. Very thorough and gives it too you straight. I would highly recommend him to anyone. Just an all around great attorney...
Read more
02 Aug, 2012 by Wayne
He helped me in a murder case and he was very thorough and adept to the situation. Very resourceful and a quick thinker.
Read more
19 Dec, 2024 by Andrea turner
Bobby Ficklin Jr is top notch in my book! This young man gave me my hope back. He did an amazing job in my disability hearing and I believe he genuinely cares about his clients. He eased my fears and walked me through what to expect, asked all the right questions and even called me after to congratulate me. I started to cry and thank the Lord for sending Mr. Ficklin! He is an amazing attorney and I will definitely recommend him! Thank you Bobby and God Bless!
Read more
17 Dec, 2024 by Roy weary
He did a good job calling a hour before court by letting me know what to aspect by asking me about different issues going on with my health.
Read more
05 Dec, 2024 by Skinny perry
Bobby Ficklin is very respectable and made sure everything was covered in my case. I am blessed to have him represent me. Thank you Bobby.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.
Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.
When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:
- Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
- Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
- Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
- Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
- Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
- Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:
- Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
- Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
- Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
- Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
- Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
- Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
- Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.
How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?
Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:
- Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
- Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
- Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.
The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:
- Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
- Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
- Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
- Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.
Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:
-
What is your experience with cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs. -
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction. -
How many cases have you taken to trial?
While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial. -
Who will handle my case?
Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work. -
How do you communicate with your clients?
Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
- Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
- Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:
- Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
- Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
- List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
- Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.
By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.
