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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Hartford, CT

Our Recommended Best Hartford Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Hartford criminal defense lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

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10Top Picks

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Providers

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
36 Russ Street, Hartford, CT 06016

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Sexton & Sexton Attorneys at Law has a criminal defense practitioner who advocates for clients across Hartford and the rest of Connecticut. Its legal team offers counsel and representation to clients accused of or charged with various types of crimes, from first-time DUI offenses to complex white-collar crimes such as bribery, computer and internet fraud, and antitrust violations. When necessary, they also offer home and hospital visits to meet clients' needs. Terence P. Sexton's experience handling personal injury cases involving assaults provides him with valuable insight in defending his clients.

Terence P. Sexton has over two decades of legal experience. He is a member of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association and an alumnus of the University of Connecticut School of Law. His other areas of practice include workers' compensation and family law.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Arraignment

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
93 Oak St., Hartford, CT 06106

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (13)
Yelp
4.2 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Budlong & Budlong LLC Attorneys at Law provides legal representation to criminal defendants in Hartford and adjacent counties in Connecticut. It evaluates the evidence to determine each case's advantages and disadvantages and create defense plans. It advocates for its clients' interests in court proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, and trials, to help them win favorable judgments in their criminal defense cases. Additionally, it bargains with prosecutors to look for alternatives to jail time or a plea deal. The firm has operated in the legal sector since 1975.

C. Michael Budlong is a criminal defense attorney who holds licenses to practice law in the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. He formerly worked as an assistant attorney at the Attorney General's Office of the State of Connecticut.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Domestic Violence

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
255 Main Street, Suite 400, Hartford, CT 06106

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (30)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Dorman Law Firm, LLC, facilitates criminal defense proceedings for clients in Hartford, Connecticut. It aggressively fights for the rights of accused citizens, working closely with the clients to achieve the best possible outcome for their case. The firm deals with allegations involving drug offenses, property crimes, driving under the influence, and property crimes. Its approach involves looking for relevant evidence that would strengthen the defense and ultimately prevent a trial. The law firm has been serving the community for nearly two decades.

Jamaica native Tanya T. Dorman finished law school in 2002 and eventually established The Dorman Law Firm in 2007. She is active in various legal organizations, such as the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Jewish Family Services Board in West Hartford.

  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
2071 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

For more than a decade, the Law Office of Kevin R. Joiner, LLC has been standing up for individuals accused or arrested for criminal offenses in Hartford and the adjoining regions of Connecticut. It gathers evidence to help criminal defense clients bolster their assertions. It also defends them in court so they can seek acquittal, sentence reduction, and other fair judgments. The firm provides diversionary programs to first-time offenders, such as the Alternative Incarceration Program, Pre-trial Alcohol Education Program, and Community Service Labor Program.

Kevin Joiner has been practicing law since 2005. He does a lot of pro bono work for several kinds of organizations. He created the 15-week program Joiner's Justice, whose primary goal is to support the growth of stable families, communities, and residents.

  • Federal Crime

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
645 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (26)

Why choose this provider?

Sills Law Firm handles criminal defense cases in Hartford and the rest of Connecticut. It aggressively fights for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges, such as sex and drug crimes, DUI, and white-collar offenses. It also works on appeals and expungements. Its team assists clients throughout the process, from initial consultation to plea negotiation to trial. The firm has been featured by various media entities, including The Bulletin, Hartford Courant, The Today Show, and Connecticut Law Tribune. Its attorneys have over two decades of combined legal experience.

Criminal defense attorney Jonathan Sills obtained his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is a member of the Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations. In 2018. Sills received the Client's Choice Award from Avvo.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
45 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT 6066

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (55)
Avvo
4.9 (40)
Facebook
4.6 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Since its inception in 1964, KKC Law has been providing legal support and representation to families and individuals in Hartford and the rest of Connecticut. Its attorneys handle criminal defense cases, helping clients understand their rights by explaining available defenses and any possibilities for a plea bargain. They create comprehensive strategies to prevent arrest and prosecution. They take on matters involving domestic violence, harassment, assault, internet and computer crimes, and probation violations. The firm also caters to those facing negligent homicide and drug abuse charges.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
84 Connecticut Blvd., East Hartford, CT 06108

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (40)
Yelp
4.2 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

With more than 40 years of legal experience, David A Zipfel & Associates, LLC, handles criminal defense law in the Hartford metro. Its legal team represents defendants accused of various charges in Connecticut, helping them avoid penalties, fines, and other future repercussions. The firm deals with a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors like traffic offenses, retail theft, and marijuana possession to serious felonies such as drug trafficking, manslaughter, white-collar crimes, and murder. The team also conducts home and hospital visits for those who cannot personally come to the office.

David A. Zipfel has successfully handled over 3,000 cases in his legal career. He obtained his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1977. David also practices personal injury law and has offices in East Hartford and Enfield.

  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
250 Main St., Hartford, CT 06106

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (12)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Bayer, Odlum & Hyde extends legal assistance to Spanish-speaking people in Hartford and the rest of Connecticut in need of criminal defense. Its team aggressively represents those dealing with criminal-related cases, helping them protect their rights and reputation. The firm works with clients facing charges for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. It guides defendants during DMV hearings and assists them in developing strategies to prevent penalties like fines, license suspension, and imprisonment. It also takes on personal injury, probate, and real estate law.

Peter Odlum received his J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law. He has been providing legal solutions in the community for more than 50 years. He is a member of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.

  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
90 Brainard Rd, Hartford, CT 06114

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Slatt Legal, Attorney at Law, upholds the rights of defendants in Hartford. It provides legal counsel and representation to clients charged or convicted of cases ranging from motor vehicle violations and white-collar crimes to severe charges such as sexual assault and murder. With extensive experience in Connecticut's criminal justice system, Slatt Legal has successfully handled complex cases, including obtaining a not guilty charge after a trial for murder, manslaughter in the first degree, and manslaughter in the second degree.

Steven R. Slattery is Slatt Legal's primary attorney, who focuses on criminal defense and personal injury. He graduated magna cum laude from Iona College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and completed his Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in criminal law at New England University School of Law in 2009.

  • Probation Violation

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Hartford
2 Congress St, Hartford, CT 06114

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (256)
Facebook
4.8 (19)
Yelp
2.3 (4)

Why choose this provider?

For over 20 years, the Law Office of Michael L. Chambers Jr. has been upholding the rights of people in Hartford, Connecticut who need criminal defense assistance. Its team has years of experience working with clients of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. It represents those facing criminal charges for domestic violence, DUI or DWI, sex crimes, and drug possession. The practice guides defendants during pre-trial conferences, hearings, trials, arraignments, and appeals, helping them navigate federal processes of prosecution.

Michael Chambers Jr. obtained his J.D. from Quinnipiac School of Law. After law school, he took and passed the Connecticut and New York Bars. While waiting for the bar results, he taught at Capital Community College. In 2024, he was named one of the American Institute of Legal Counsel's 10 Best Attorneys.

Compare Best Hartford Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Sexton & Sexton Attorneys at Law
36 Russ Street, Hartford, CT 06016
Budlong & Budlong LLC Attorneys at Law
93 Oak St., Hartford, CT 06106
The Dorman Law Firm, LLC
255 Main Street, Suite 400, Hartford, CT 06106
The Law Office of Kevin R. Joiner, LLC
2071 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106
Sills Law Firm
645 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
Kahan Kerensky Capossela, LLP
45 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT 6066
David A Zipfel & Associates, LLC
84 Connecticut Blvd., East Hartford, CT 06108
Bayer, Odlum & Hyde
250 Main St., Hartford, CT 06106
Slatt Legal Attorney at Law
90 Brainard Rd, Hartford, CT 06114
Law Office of Michael L. Chambers, Jr.
2 Congress St, Hartford, CT 06114

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Hartford, CT Criminal Defense FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Hartford, Connecticut?

    860-757-4000 is the non-emergency line of the Hartford Police Department.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Hartford, Connecticut?

    To obtain police reports, you can contact the Records Division at (860) 757-4150 and provide the relevant Incident Report Number. The Records Division will inform you of the number of pages required for your report.

  • Can your conviction record be erased in Hartford?

    Yes, it is possible to have a conviction erased in Hartford by obtaining a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Requesting an absolute pardon can result in the individual's criminal record being expunged and not appearing on background checks. Certain licenses and jobs may also be eligible for a certificate of employability. On the other hand, a commutation can only reduce a sentence and does not restore any rights.

  • Can one avoid a trial or jail through a diversionary program in Hartford?

    Yes. In Connecticut, there are diversionary programs that are accessible to certain individuals charged with criminal offenses, depending on factors such as their prior records and the nature of the charges. Successful completion of the program's terms can lead to the dismissal of the charges. In Hartford, these terms often involve attending substance abuse or educational programs and avoiding further legal trouble. The emphasis of these programs is on treatment rather than punishment.

  • Are grand jury proceedings secret in Hartford?

    Connecticut, including Hartford, does not have a regular grand jury system for the most part. However, in rare instances where grand jury proceedings do occur, rules are usually in place to prevent government attorneys, grand jury members, and court personnel from disclosing the proceedings. If these rules are violated, the offender may be held in contempt of court if proven guilty. Nonetheless, identifying the person who made the prohibited disclosure can often be challenging.

  • How does a state or district attorney decide which criminals to charge in Hartford?

    Typically, after the police have investigated a crime, they send a report to the district attorney or prosecutor, who evaluates the case to ensure it is legally sound and doesn't have obvious flaws that could lead to its dismissal. The prosecutor then decides whether there is sufficient and trustworthy evidence to prove the person's guilt and if offering a plea bargain is appropriate. Other considerations that impact the prosecutor's decision include the defendant's level of responsibility, the availability of resources in the prosecutor's office, and the importance of the case.

  • What are the potential consequences of a misdemeanor conviction in Hartford?

    If someone is convicted of a misdemeanor offense in Hartford, they may face fines, jail time, and restitution. Although misdemeanors are less severe than felonies, certain high-level misdemeanors can result in penalties similar to those of felony convictions. Examples of misdemeanor cases are shoplifting or theft, minor drug charges, and some serious traffic violations.