Best Washington, D.C. Criminal Defense Lawyers Of 2024

A criminal defense attorney specializes in misdemeanor and felony cases, working to protect clients’ rights and ensure a fair trial. As you search for lawyers, pay attention to the difference between criminal and civil cases—in civil cases, disputes are between private parties. In criminal cases, your attorney builds a defense to counter charges from a state prosecutor.

However, criminal defense in D.C. is a little different. Because it’s the nation’s capital, local D.C. law is often entwined with federal law in court. Attorneys in D.C. are uniquely skilled in balancing these complex cases and can represent you in both federal court and the D.C. Superior Court, which handles local crimes.

Public Defenders vs. Private Criminal Attorneys

If you need a lawyer, you can hire a private attorney or ask for a public defender.

Washington, D.C. offers a service comprising lawyers from the D.C. Defender Services Office and Criminal Justice Act (CJA) attorneys. The court will assign a public defender only if you’re facing felony charges. Otherwise, you’ll be assigned a CJA attorney.

CJA lawyers represent a large number of clients and are experienced in handling criminal cases, but they may not be able to give your case individual attention. A private attorney, though more expensive, usually has a smaller caseload, so they can dedicate time to developing a more personalized defense strategy for your situation.

Representing Yourself In a Criminal Case

While you can represent yourself in court, doing so is generally very risky due to the complexities of D.C. criminal law. One minor mistake can have life-changing repercussions, so working with a skilled defense attorney is in your best interest, as these legal professionals have the networks and resources to adequately build your defense.

Before representing yourself, consider the complexity of your case, the time you have to dedicate to litigation and the worst-case scenario if you lose. If you decide to represent yourself, the D.C. courts provide resources to file and understand your case.