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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Wilmington, DE

Our Recommended Best Wilmington Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Wilmington 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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Providers

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Wilmington
4 East 8th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.6 (11)
Facebook
5.0 (5)
Yelp
2.3 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Richard Zemble provides criminal defense representation and counsel to residents of Wilmington, Delaware, who need a criminal defense lawyer. It serves individuals who have been arrested and charged with crimes such as drug possession, theft and robbery, vehicular manslaughter, domestic violence, and sex crimes. It conducts an independent investigation on behalf of its clients. The law firm also assists those who have been arrested or convicted of criminal charges in clearing their criminal records.

Richard Zemble specializes in criminal law, including all aspects of DUI charges to serious felonies. He has more than a decade of experience as a criminal defense lawyer and has been admitted to the state bars of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Zemble had prior experience as a prosecutor which he utilizes in his private practice.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Wilmington
438 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (19)
Facebook
5.0 (6)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

With criminal defense law as one of its practice areas, Hopkins & Windett, LLC uses its over 75 years of trial experience to represent clients in Wilmington. The law firm aims to protect the rights, freedom, and future of the accused in Delaware by helping them navigate through their criminal allegations. It offers tailored attention to craft unique strategies for each case and build a strong defense. Some of the cases handled by the firm include DUI, juvenile offenses, weapon violations, drug cases, and other misdemeanors and felonies.

Melissa Hopkins practices criminal law, family law, and civil law. She is licensed in New York and also earned admission to the Pennsylvania and Florida bars. Melissa got her LL.M. degree from Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law in 1997.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Wilmington
100 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (21)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of John S. Malik has been arguing for the rights and interests of criminal case defendants in Wilmington and surrounding areas in Delaware since 1985. It delivers criminal defense representation and guidance against various misdemeanor and felony charges, including fraud, theft, assault, murder, and drug crimes. Additionally, it advocates for its clients in and out of court to assist them in achieving favorable outcomes for their situations, such as sentence reduction and charge dismissal.

John Malik has been practicing law for more than four decades. He is permitted to defend his clients in several federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Court of Delaware.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Wilmington
24 Trolley Square, Wilmington, DE 19806

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (22)
Google
4.3 (6)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of John A. Barber has been providing personal criminal defense representation for Wilmington and the rest of Delaware for 18 years. It handles juvenile cases and misdemeanors. The company also takes cases of drug offenses, traffic violations, white-collar and property crimes, weapons charges, and violent felonies. It protects people’s rights to help them avoid consequences such as automatically losing their license due to a DUI arrest or suffering academic penalties for criminal charges in schools.

John A. Barber was named Top Lawyer by Delaware Today Magazine from 2017 to 2022. He is a member of the Delaware Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Barber graduated from the Beasley School of Law at Temple University.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Wilmington
1702 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (58)
Avvo
5.0 (24)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Jason R. Antoine offers its legal services to the Spanish community, providing those in need with access to representation. The Wilmington-based firm focuses on upholding the rights of the accused in criminal defense cases. It manages cases involving drug-related offenses, theft crimes, child abuse, domestic violence, and felony charges, conducting detailed preparation and thorough examination of legal issues. It also handles DUI/DWI accusations, including single and multiple offenses, underage DUI, and reckless driving.

Jason R. Antoine is admitted to practice in Delaware and federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the District of Delaware and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He holds a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law. Antoine has extensive experience as a trial attorney, including prior roles as an assistant district attorney and private counsel in criminal and personal injury cases. He is a member of the Delaware State Bar Association and the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Wilmington
8 East 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Collins Price & Warner consists of attorneys who have been listed on Delaware Today Top Lawyers consistently. It offers criminal defense representation in Wilmington. The law firm helps clients navigate through the Delaware Court System, familiarizing them with an overview of each court and what they handle. Its team assists with cases such as DUI, juvenile cases, misdemeanors, and felonies. It offers counsel in appeals, pardons, and expungements. The law firm also guides clients through traffic court, advising them on whether to accept a plea or go to trial.

Patrick J. Collins, managing partner at Collins Price & Warner, is admitted in all Delaware courts. He achieved his law degree from the Widener University School of Law, graduating cum laude. Patrick has a perfect rating from Avvo and has consistently been listed in Super Lawyers.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Wilmington
800 North King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (33)
Avvo
5.0 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

John Deckers, Criminal Defense Attorney, has been offering legal representation and counsel to residents of Delaware, including Wilmington, for over 29 years. The firm guides the accused through the complex criminal justice system by helping them make informed legal decisions. Its team aggressively fights to preserve its clients’ rights, whether they are faced with charges of DUI or first-degree capital murder or are accused of domestic violence. It handles various cases of misdemeanor, felony, and federal indictment.

John Deckers received a 2024 Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated Review for having the highest level of professional excellence. He is a member of the Delaware Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware. Deckers graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1992.

Compare Best Wilmington Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
The Law Office of Richard Zemble
4 East 8th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Hopkins & Windett, LLC
438 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901
Law Offices of John S. Malik
100 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Law Office of John A. Barber
24 Trolley Square, Wilmington, DE 19806
Jason R. Antoine, Attorney at Law
1702 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805
Collins Price & Warner
8 East 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
John Deckers, Criminal Defense Attorney
800 North King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

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.

Wilmington, DE Criminal Defense FAQs

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

    You may contact the Wilmington Police Department at 302-654-5151 for non-emergency cases.

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

    You may contact the Wilmington Police Department at 302-576-3607 to obtain a copy of the incident's police report.

  • What are the misdemeanor offenses that criminal defense attorneys in Wilmington usually handle?

    There are different types of misdemeanor cases that criminal defense attorneys in Wilmington represent in court trials. Those are, but are not limited to, the following criminal acts:

    • Driving under the influence
    • Juvenile crimes - underage drinking/alcohol possession
    • Drug offenses
    • Speeding, reckless driving, failing to yield, and other traffic violations
    • Trespassing
    • Unruly behavior
    • Assault
    • Harassment
    • Attempting to elude arrest
    • Shoplifting
    • Theft
    • Vandalism
  • What are the felony charges in Wilmington that criminal defense lawyers represent?

    In Wilmington, criminal defense attorneys handle a variety of felony charges, which are more serious than misdemeanors and can result in extended incarceration and forfeiture of civil liberties. The following is a selection of felony offenses that these lawyers typically manage:

    • Murder
    • Attempted murder
    • Reckless endangerment
    • Domestic violence
    • Drug-related offenses
    • Credit card fraud
    • Burglary and robbery
    • Charges related to weapons and firearms
    • Sexual offenses
    • White-collar crimes
  • Can expungement help you when you are charged with a crime in Wilmington?

    Yes, it can. To remove any record of your arrest and deny detention for a criminal offense, you can obtain a court order to instruct the police to delete your arrest records. You are eligible for expungement if you were charged with a crime in Wilmington but not convicted or have successfully completed the Drug Diversion Program or Probation Before Judgment. Keep in mind that how your criminal charge is handled may have an impact on your capacity to get a future expungement.

  • Who/what determines the issuance of pardons or sentence reductions to convicted criminals in Wilmington?

    The Board of Pardons and the governor of Delaware decide in granting pardons and commutations to incarcerated criminals in Wilmington. If a convicted individual's case has grounds for a pardon or commutation, his/her criminal defense attorney will assist him/her in completing an application that encompasses his/her whole criminal record. When the Board of Pardons has examined and approved the application, a hearing will be held to address the merits of the individual's case. Depending on the circumstances, the Board of Pardons may also order a psychiatric evaluation.

  • How long will you get incarcerated if you committed a crime in Wilmington?

    It depends on the classification your crime falls under. The following are the crime classifications and jail terms in In Wilmington and throughout Delaware:

    • Class A felony - 15 years to life
    • Class B felony - two to 25 years
    • Class C felony - 15 years maximum
    • Class D felony - eight years maximum
    • Class E felony - five years maximum
    • Class F felony - three years maximum
    • Class G felony - two years maximum
    • Class A misdemeanor - one year maximum
    • Class B misdemeanor - six months maximum
    • Unclassified misdemeanor - 30 days maximum
    • Violations - $345 maximum fine