Criminal defense lawyers in US cities
Pick a city to see the law firms that defend people charged with crimes, from misdemeanors to felonies, in state and sometimes federal court. DUI cases have city pages of their own, for firms that take drunk and impaired driving charges as regular work. Each firm page says which charges it handles and where its offices are.
- No firm pays to be listed
- Pro and Top are always labeled
Criminal defense lawyers from coast to coast
Narrow it to the type of case
Questions before you hire
How do criminal defense lawyers charge?
Many charge a flat fee for the case or for each stage of it, for example one fee up to a plea or a dismissal and another if it goes to trial. Others bill by the hour against a retainer paid in advance. Ask what the fee covers and whether a trial, an appeal, expert witnesses or a driver's license hearing cost extra, and get the agreement in writing. Contingency fees are not allowed in criminal cases.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
If you are charged with a crime that could lead to jail, you have the right to a lawyer, and the court will appoint a public defender or another lawyer if you cannot afford one. Ask about it at your first court appearance, often called the arraignment. The rules on who qualifies, and on whether you may have to repay part of the cost, vary by state and county.
Is there a deadline after a DUI arrest?
Often, and it can be very short. In many states the arrest starts two separate cases: the criminal charge in court and an administrative case about your driver's license. To challenge the license suspension, many states give you only a matter of days to request a hearing, and missing it can mean the suspension starts on its own. The papers you were given at the arrest usually say how long you have.
Is DUI the same as DWI or OWI?
The names differ by state. DUI, DWI, OWI and OVI all describe driving or operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and some states use two terms for offenses of different weight. The DUI pages cover all of them.
What should I ask in a first meeting about a criminal case?
Ask how often the lawyer handles cases like yours in that county's courts, who will appear for you at each hearing, what the fee includes and what would cost extra, and how you can reach them between court dates. Bring the charging papers, any bail or release conditions and the next court date. Keep the facts of the case for a private conversation with the lawyer, not for messages to a firm you have not hired.