📍 Home   > Arizona   >> Criminal Defense   >>> Phoenix

Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Phoenix | 303 available

303 Criminal Defense lawyers are available in Phoenix, Arizona. These lawyers are rated between 4.5/5 to 4.9/5 and 56% provide free consultation.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Nearby Phoenix (by distance)

Within 5 miles near you

Within 10 miles near you

Within 25 miles near you

Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Yelp Rating: Rated 1.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 4.3 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Caroline Aeed

Firm: Aeed Law
2314 E Osborn Rd , Phoenix , Arizona 85016
Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Criminal Defense
Caroline Aeed is a Criminal Defense Attorney in Phoenix dedicating her practice to aggressively defending  DUI related offenses and other criminal matters.  Ms. Aeed is a third generation native Arizonan and the second DUI lawyer in her family.  Prior to starting her own law firm, the Law Office of Caroline Aeed in 2004, Ms. Aeed was a trial lawyer with the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office.  Ms. Aeed is a 1996 graduate from Arizona State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a law degree from the University of Wyoming in 2000.  Ms. Aeed contributes her firm’s success to remaining a small practice based primarily on referrals.  By keeping it small she is able to connect with each client individually.  Her expertise stems from studying patterns of errors in the various crime labs, focus on the individual criminalist’s pattern of lab errors and errors in officer phlebotomy.  The art of simplifying forensic alcohol evidence to the jury continues to contribute Ms. Aeed’s successful practice.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Clark L Derrick

Firm: Kimerer & Derrick PC
1313 E Osborn Rd Ste 100 , Phoenix , Arizona 85014
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense , Environmental , Health Care & Hospitalization, White Collar Crime, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense, Health Care, Constitutional, DUI & DWI, Environmental and Natural Resources, Appeals, Gun Law
Clark L. Derrick began his legal career in Phoenix in 1972 after having graduated, with distinction, from the University of Arizona, College of Law and entering into the practice with John J. Flynn and the firm of Flynn, Kimerer, Thinnes & Derrick. While a student at the University of Arizona, College of Law, Mr. Derrick was Symposium Editor of the Arizona Law Review and was elected a member of the Order of the Coif. He received his undergraduate, Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968 from the University of Arizona; graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.Mr. Derrick is a certified criminal law specialist; devoting his entire practice to criminal defense work with a particular emphasis on white collar offenses at both the federal and state levels. He is licensed to practice in Arizona and in various federal courts throughout the United States including the United States Supreme Court.Mr. Derrick was appointed a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and served in that capacity from 1988 until 1991. He was a member of the Executive Council of the Criminal Justice Section of the Arizona State Bar and served on the Arizona State Bar Criminal law Advisory Commission from 1993 through 2005. He is one of the founding members of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and served as President of that organization for two (2) terms from 1988 to 1990.Mr. Derrick is a Fellow and Past President of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, an invitation only national organization of the preeminent criminal defense lawyers in the country. He is currently listed in the white collar criminal defense and non-white collar criminal defense sections of the Best Lawyers in America, Southwest Super Lawyers, is listed in Best Lawyers in Phoenix, Top Attorneys in Arizona, Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, and has an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
Yelp Rating: Rated 4.3 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Coughlon Law Firm

Firm: Coughlon Law Firm
531 E Thomas Rd , Phoenix , Arizona 85012
Practice Areas: Immigration, Personal Injury, Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 4.5 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Cory Keith

Firm: Desert Legal Group
3800 N. Central Ave Suite 570, , Phoenix , Arizona 85012
Practice Areas: Family, Juvenile, Criminal Defense
For assistance with navigating complex family law matters, turn to Cory Keith, the Founder and Managing Attorney at Desert Legal Group, one of Arizona's quickest growing family law firms. While acting in his capacity as the Managing Attorney, Cory also holds a limited number of cases further sharpening his trial expertise including handling complex custody disputes, high-net-worth cases, and high-profile legal matters. He is an active member of the family law legal community with a legal portfolio featuring successful representation of athletes, public figures, and high net worth individuals.. Cory's legal practice encompasses a wide spectrum of family and juvenile law matters, including DCS (Department of Child Safety) cases, dependency proceedings, termination of parental rights, adoption, divorce and legal separation, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child support, parenting time, legal decision-making, spousal maintenance, enforcement or modification of existing orders, relocation issues, orders of protection, injunctions against harassment, and third party/grandparent rights.. Cory began his studies at Arizona State University, earning his bachelor’s in criminal justice and criminology. After graduating cum laude, he received a full ride academic scholarship to attend law school. While being fully submersed in his studies, Cory also served as a legal clerk at multiple law firms.. Cory is actively involved in the legal community, participating in several non-profit organizations including volunteering with the Arizona Stealing Hearts Rescue–a large breed dog rescue.

Colin Francis Campbell

2929 N Central Ave Ste 2000 , Phoenix , Arizona 85012
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Ethics, Litigation
Yelp Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Clifford Levenson

Firm: Clifford Levenson
5119 N 19th Ave , Phoenix , Arizona 85015
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Immigration, Personal Injury
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.1 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Claudia Mendoza

Firm: Belen Law Firm
1 North 1st St , Phoenix , Arizona 85004
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Our mission is to provide the best criminal defense possible to each and every one of our clients. Together, we offer something unique – big-firm representation in a small-firm atmosphere. Get a free case evaluation.
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.9 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Claudia Horan

Firm: Long & Simmons PLLC
4455 E. Camelback Road , Phoenix , Arizona 85018
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
As a personal injury and criminal defense attorney, Claudia Horan is committed to achieving just outcomes for all of her clients. Whether advocating for those who have been injured or defending the rights of persons who are accused of a crime, Ms. Horan has devoted her career to serving those in need of aggressive legal representation.. In addition to her personal injury litigation experience with Phoenix-based firms, Ms. Horan worked with a national plaintiff-based class action law firm representing consumers who have been injured by large corporations and their products. She also participated in high-profile cases, such as In Re NCAA Image and Likeness Licensing Litigation in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.. Prior to becoming a licensed attorney, Claudia was a legal assistant and paralegal at a personal injury and criminal defense law firm for several years. During law school, Claudia worked at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in the felony trial group as a Rule 38 Certified Prosecutor.
Avvo Rating: Rated 3.3 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.3 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Clark Porter

Firm: Osborn Maledon Pa
2929 N Central Ave Ste 2000 , Phoenix , Arizona 85012
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense , Business, Business
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.9 out of 5
Yelp Rating: Rated 4.7 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Cindy Castillo

Firm: Castillo Law, PLLC
2025 N. 3rd Street, Suite B150 , Phoenix , Arizona 85004
Practice Areas: Government Agencies, Health Care & Hospitalization, Social Security Benefits & Disability, Workers Compensation, Criminal Defense
Cindy Castillo is a board certified criminal law specialist by the State Bar of Arizona. She has litigated criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to felonies including first degree murder, manslaughter and complex designated cases, throughout Arizona.  She has represented clients in juvenile court, misdemeanor and superior courts, federal court, forfeiture proceedings, administrative board hearings, MVD hearings, Rule 11 competency hearings, Simpson hearings and appellate courts.  She has successfully represented numerous professionals governed by licensing authorities that include board members of publicly traded entities, doctors, dentists, psychologists, chiropractors, nurses, realtors, appraisers, airline pilots, commercial truck drivers, actors as well as professional athletes in criminal matters.   She has handled well over 1000 criminal cases, of which over 100 were tried to a jury.  Of those cases, she has had numerous trial victories including driving under the influence (DUI); extreme DUI; DUI Drugs, minor driving under the influence; reckless driving; assaults; aggravated assaults; resisting arrest, shoplifting; trespass; false reporting to law enforcement; possession, sale, and transportation of dangerous drugs, marijuana, and narcotics; drive by shooting; assisting a criminal syndicate; misconduct involving weaons; and vehicular manslaughter.  She has successfully negotiated hundreds of lesser included offenses on behalf of her clients and obtained mitigated sentences through the use of mitigation experts, mitigation videos, and psychological and medical experts.  She has also argued motions and obtained dismissals on behalf of her clients for a wide range of constitutional violations that include the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments.  Finally, she has had a wide range of appellate success including dismissals of lower court rulings and a remand for a new hearing in a Special Action with the Court of Appeals.
Yelp Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Castillo Law

Firm: Castillo Law
2025 N 3rd St , Phoenix , Arizona 85004
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI
Yelp Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

CIMA Law Group

Firm: CIMA Law Group
350 E Virginia Ave , Phoenix , Arizona 85004
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Immigration, Personal Injury
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.4 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Christopher R Trautman

Firm: Trautman Dupont Plc
1726 N 7th St , Phoenix , Arizona 85006
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Personal Injury
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.8 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Christopher Doran

Firm: Doran Justice, PLLC
3550 North Central Avenue , Phoenix , Arizona 85012
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
“True success can only be accomplished by succeeding at something you are passionate about.”. Chris Doran’s passion is in the courtroom and speaking up for those who need a voice. To date, every one of his jury trials have resulted in directed verdict dismissals, full acquittals, hung juries, or guilty verdicts with the same or lesser sentence than the plea that was offered. The one case that resulted in a guilty conviction for his client was later overturned and completely dismissed for egregious discovery violations by the police and the prosecution. In addition to success at trial, Mr. Doran has also achieved many victories in the pre-trial phase of cases, including: negotiating hundreds of deviated plea offers, helping to significantly reduce people’s bonds to allow them to be out of custody while they fight their case, receiving numerous case dismissals, obtaining significantly mitigated sentences from judges, handling various kinds of evidentiary hearings that have resulted in the suppression of crucial evidence, fighting injunctions harassment and orders of protections on both sides, reuniting parents with their children in contentious child custody matters, and assisting injured clients with receiving large monetary settlements. While Mr. Doran is still early in his career, he has already represented professional athletes, lawyers, doctors, police officers, and various high-profile cases that have gained national media attention. He has appeared on local news stations multiple times, and he was featured on CNBC’s show “American Greed”. In just two short years, he rose from an associate attorney at DuMond Law to a named partnering attorney of the DuMond & Doran Law Firm. Before he was 30-years-old, Mr. Doran started his own law firm in 2019: Doran Justice.. Mr. Doran’s primary experience is with criminal defense (over 800 cases) and personal injury civil litigation. He has also represented clients on contract disputes, landlord tenant issues, bond forfeiture hearings, juvenile delinquency matters, and family law cases. He represents people all over the State of Arizona in city courts, justice courts, municipal courts, superior courts, federal courts, and at the Court of Appeals. He has defended clients on small traffic offenses, DUIs, drug offenses, domestic violence offenses, violent offenses, sex offenses, white collar crimes, and even on charges of manslaughter and first degree murder.. Mr. Doran traces the groundwork of his many successes back to his participation in collegiate undergraduate mock trial with Sun Devil Mock Trial at his alma mater, Arizona State University. Mr. Doran was a captain and a leader in the program, earning individual lawyer awards, witness awards, team awards, and awards for professionalism and integrity (SPAMTA). More importantly, undergraduate mock trial taught him effective trial advocacy techniques; it took his public speaking to new levels; and it gave him a strong grasp of the Rules of Evidence used at trial. These skills serve as some of his greatest advantages over his opponents in the courtroom. Anyone that faces Mr. Doran in the courtroom can attest to his trial advocacy skills and his public speaking abilities.. After he graduated with two bachelor’s degrees and a 4.0 grade point average from ASU, he continued straight to law school with the Sun Devils at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. During his time in law school, Mr. Doran continued to compete in internal and external moot court, mediation, and mock trial competitions. Mr. Doran graduated from law school in 2015 with various 1st place victories, as a member of the exclusive Order of the Barristers, as a top moot court / mock trial law student of his graduating class by receiving the Janet S. Mueller Oral Advocacy Award, and with many other accolades. He was also President of the Executive Moot Court Board during his final year.Despite his busy schedule and his successes, Chris has always found time to improve the community and the world. During his undergraduate years, he jointly started the first collegiate chapter of New Global Citizens, a non-profit, grassroots organization that helped indigenous, third-world countries to meet Millennium Development Goals. In law school, he was a homeless shelter director for the Homeless Legal Assistance Project (HLAP) at the East Valley Men’s Center, and he served as President of the Pro Bono Board for two consecutive years. Chris set, and still holds, the record for the most pro bono hours ever recorded by an ASU law student during law school with more than 2,000 logged pro bono volunteer hours. Chris still regularly attends the East Valley Men’s Center to provide free legal advice to the homeless. Additionally, Chris currently serves as co-head coach for ASU’s undergraduate mock trial team. This is his 12th year coaching the Sun Devils. During these twelve years, he has been coaching undergraduate students to guide and train future lawyers, and to give back to them what he was given in college. In these twelve years, the program has advanced beyond Regionals all but once, has consistently sent two teams to the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS), has competed at Nationals, and in 2023 advanced all 5 of ASU’s teams out of Regionals – making it only the second time in history that a program has done that.. As previously mentioned, Mr. Doran’s success is rooted in his participation in undergraduate mock trial, but what he, his clients, his friends, his family, and his colleagues attribute most of his success to is his passion for his clients. Mr. Doran is hard-working, dedicated, and passionate about each and every one of his clients. He does not stop in his pursuit for fairness, rehabilitation, second chances, and justice. By all accounts, Chris Doran truly cares about all clients that he represents in a unique and individual capacity. To him, this is more than just a career, it is his purpose.
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.5 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 4.8 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Christine Whalin

Firm: DM Cantor
40 N. Central , Phoenix , Arizona 85004
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Knowledge of the law and confidence in Court is what you need in a criminal defense attorney. This knowledge and confidence is what Christine Whalin projects during every client meeting, settlement negotiation, pretrial hearing, and jury trial. Christine became an attorney in 2006 and joined DM Cantor in 2010, becoming partner in 2018. She is one of only 12 female criminal defense attorneys in the state of Arizona who are Board Certified Specialists in Criminal Law per the State Bar of Arizona, Board of Legal Specialization.. Christine is a trial lawyer practicing for over 15 years in the area of criminal defense. She focuses on representing individuals in all types of criminal cases ranging from state and federal felony and misdemeanor matters, along with school discipline and Title IX litigation. Throughout her career, Christine has represented countless clients on their criminal cases, achieving successful results in the form of dismissals, reduced sentences and complete acquittals after jury trial. Christine represents people in any type of criminal matter, and is particularly skilled in handling major felony cases involving sexual misconduct, sexual assault and other serious “life-in-prison” allegations. In addition, she is extremely successful in handling pre-charge matters and having those investigations closed and not filed.Christine has been listed in the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2023.. Representative Cases
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.5 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Christian Lueders

Firm: Guardian Law Group
3101 N Central Ave , Phoenix , Arizona 85012
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family
Christian Lueders, the founder of Guardian Law Group, is a highly skilled criminal defense attorney with a reputation for unwavering dedication to his clients and an unrelenting pursuit of justice. A former felony prosecutor for Maricopa County, Christian has spent years on both sides of the courtroom, giving him a strategic edge when defending individuals facing criminal charges across Arizona. His firm, Guardian Law Group, is built on the principles of aggressive advocacy, thorough legal preparation, and a deep commitment to protecting the rights of every client.. From Prosecutor to Defense Attorney: A Wealth of Experience in Arizona LawChristian’s legal journey began in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled litigator and powerful courtroom presence. Handling cases that ranged from traffic violations and DUIs to serious and violent felonies, he became known for his ability to command the attention of juries and negotiate with opposing attorneys.. During his time as a prosecutor, Christian developed strong relationships with legal professionals across city, county, state, and federal agencies. He worked closely with law enforcement officers, forensic experts, and legal analysts, gaining valuable insights into the strategies used by prosecutors to secure convictions. This experience now allows him to anticipate the prosecution’s moves and craft strong, proactive defenses for his clients.. Since leaving the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Christian has dedicated himself entirely to criminal defense, using his prosecutorial knowledge to level the playing field for those facing criminal charges. His ability to analyze evidence, challenge procedural missteps, and fight for the best possible outcome makes him a fierce advocate for his clients.. A Business Background That Strengthens His Legal StrategyBefore attending law school, Christian spent eight years in sales and marketing, earning Sales Representative of the Year honors for a Fortune 500 company. He credits this experience with honing his ability to connect with people, build rapport, and persuade audiences—critical skills that now serve him well in jury trials and negotiations.. Christian is a proud Arizona State University graduate, earning his undergraduate degree cum laude from the W.P. Carey School of Business before attending ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where he graduated cum laude with high pro bono distinction. His clerkships at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office gave him firsthand exposure to the complexities of both state and federal law, solidifying his foundation as a formidable criminal defense attorney.. Guardian Law Group: Fierce Defense for Arizona’s AccusedAt Guardian Law Group, Christian and his team provide aggressive, results-driven defense strategies for individuals facing criminal charges throughout Arizona. His extensive knowledge of the Arizona Revised Statutes and the inner workings of the criminal justice system allows him to craft defenses that challenge every aspect of the prosecution’s case.. The firm handles a wide range of criminal cases, including:. Christian’s relentless commitment to protecting his clients' rights is evident in his personalized approach to every case. Whether through tough plea negotiations, pre-trial motions, or taking a case to trial, he fights for the best possible outcome for his clients.. An Attorney Who Fights for YouFacing criminal charges can be overwhelming, but with Christian Lueders and Guardian Law Group on your side, you have a powerful advocate who understands the stakes. Christian’s combination of legal expertise, courtroom presence, and deep knowledge of the prosecution’s tactics gives his clients the defense they need to move forward with confidence.. For those who need an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney, Guardian Law Group is ready to fight for justice.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 4.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Charles E McTheny

Firm: BAM LAW, PLLC
8910 north central avenue , Phoenix , Arizona 85020
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Criminal Defense, Family
2024 UPDATE. NOW TWO LOCATIONS. Phoenix and Tempe. On Central Avenue in Phoenix. On Baseline Road in Tempe. BAM LAW and ATM LAW are motor vehicle and personal injury law firms that aggressively represents their clients.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Chad Eric Pajerski

Firm: Pajerski Law
645 N 4th Ave , Phoenix , Arizona 85003
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Violent Crime, Sex Crime, Drug Crime
Chad Pajerski is a highly qualified and experienced attorney who specializes in criminal defense cases.  He has been licensed by the State Bar of Arizona since 1999.  In private practice since April 2004, Mr. Pajerski delivers excellent service to his clients by taking a personal, vested interest in each individual case.  Pajerski Law does not employ junior attorneys or associates, thereby ensuring that all aspects of each case are handled exclusively by Mr. Pajerski himself.  Unlike large firms that handle a high volume of cases, Pajerski Law limits the number of active cases to fewer than 20.  By doing this, Mr. Pajerski can ensure that each case receives the same individual attention and that all the needs of his clients are met.. Mr. Pajerski has been designated a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the State Bar of Arizona. In order to qualify for such distinction, an attorney must demonstrate the highest of standards in experience, judgment, effectiveness, professionalism and ethics. As a Specialist, Mr. Pajerski has exhibited to his peers the highest degree of competence in the practice of criminal law. There are currently less than 70 Criminal Law Specialists practicing in Maricopa County.
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.6 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Catherine Michelle Ferguson-Gilbert

Po Box 93324 , Phoenix , Arizona 85070
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 3.9 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.9 out of 5
Google Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5

Craig A Logsdon

Firm: Snell & Wilmer LLP
1 E Washington St Ste 2700 , Phoenix , Arizona 85004
Practice Areas: Products Liability, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, Litigation

Disclaimer: This content is based on aggregated public information and estimated market trends. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.