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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Detroit, MI

Our Recommended Top 19

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

676Reviewed

413Curated

19Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

500 Griswold, Suite 2320, Detroit, MI 48226

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (23)
Avvo
5.0 (13)
FindLaw
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Bajoka Law Group focuses on handling federal criminal cases in and around Detroit. It provides legal representation and counsel to individuals facing charges for white-collar crimes, including tax evasion, embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, bribery, and insider trading. The firm works closely with defendants to help them develop strategies on how they can address possible punishments, such as fines, imprisonment, restitution, and probation. Founder Edward Bajoka is a member of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Health Care Fraud
  • Public Corruption
  • White Collar Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Edward Bajoka - FounderActive17 yrs

Detroit, MI

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Criminal Defense Attorney in Detroit? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

25600 Woodward Ave Ste 214, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (113)
Facebook
5.0 (15)
Google
4.6 (10)

Why choose this provider?

The Bennett Law Firm, PLC helps clients who are facing criminal charges in the Detroit metropolitan area and across the State of Michigan. The firm focuses on providing legal counsel and criminal defense for those accused of, and charged with, drug crimes, sex crimes, and driving under the influence, as well as all other criminal charges. It also provides its services in cases involving juvenile defenders and expungements. Even before your cases goes to Court, The Bennett Law Firm, PLC will analyze your case with a fine-toothed comb. Once in Court, the Firm will fight for the best possible resolution to your case.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Samuel Bennett - PrincipalActive10 yrs

422 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (130)
Facebook
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Kelly & Kelly PC is a family-owned and operated general litigation law firm that has been serving the people of Detroit since 1988. One of the firm's primary areas of practice is criminal law, and its team represents those accused of drunk driving, drug possession and distribution, assault and battery, and domestic violence. It also handles expungements for qualified clients. Additional practice areas include family and business law, as well as estate planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michele Kelly - Senior Partner & AttorneyActive37 yrs
John Kelly - Senior Partner & AttorneyActive38 yrs
Ryan Kelly - Partner & AttorneyActive16 yrs

400 Bagley St. #1150, Detroit, MI 48226

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Matthews S. Erard represents individuals arrested for criminal cases in Detroit and the nearby cities. It handles criminal defense matters, including traffic citations, probation violations, and habeas corpus petitions. The law firm is available to fight for the rights of workers suffering from sexual harassment, employer retaliation, overtime violations, discrimination, and family medical leave violations. Founding attorney Matthew Erard served as a former law clerk at the ACLU of Michigan. His other legal services include family law and personal injury.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Expungement

21 E Long Lake Rd Ste 250, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (117)
Facebook
4.8 (56)

Why choose this provider?

Cronin Law Firm has been helping clients in the Detroit area since 2011. It provides criminal defense in a range of cases, including domestic violence, assault, and juvenile crimes. Attorney Sabrina Cronin has been practicing law for more than two decades and is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Michigan, New York, and Illinois. The firm's other areas of practice include family law, personal injury law, and business law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sabrina Cronin - Founder and Managing PartnerActive31 yrs
Dani Jajou - PartnerActive8 yrs
Bryan Cermak - PartnerActive44 yrs

16931 19 Mile Rd Ste 100, Clinton Township, MI 48038

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Iafrate Salassa PC offers criminal defense services to clients in Detroit and its surrounding areas. The firm takes on cases involving felonies and misdemeanors, including assault, burglary, disorderly conduct, fraud, theft, and sex and crimes. Additionally, it provides defense in cases where the defendant is accused of reckless driving or operating while intoxicated. The firm has won several prestigious awards and accolades, including an Avvo Clients' Choice Award and a 10 Best Attorney award in 2018.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeffrey Salassa - PartnerActive18 yrs
Felice Iafrate - PartnerActive53 yrs

1441 W Long Lake Rd Ste 310, Troy, MI 48098

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (116)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Chapman Law Group is located in Troy and serves clients throughout the Detroit metropolitan area. It focuses on providing legal services, including criminal defense, in all areas of healthcare. The firm often defends those charged with crimes such as healthcare fraud or drug possession. Other areas of practice include corporate transactions and health care license defense. Chapman Law Group has received several honorable mentions, including Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers and USA Today.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ronald Chapman - Founding ShareholderActive21 yrs
Aaron Kemp - Senior AttorneyActive27 yrs
Jonathan Meltz - Senior AttorneyActive28 yrs

104 West 4th Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (23)
Avvo
5.0 (11)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Rudoi Law is a team of criminal justice attorneys near Detroit that has been serving the community for over five years. The team has experience defending clients from a variety of criminal charges, including drunk driving, drug possession and distribution, sexual and domestic violence, and theft. It also handles white collar cases involving extortion and administrative law violations. Founding attorney David Rudoi has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Rudoi - PrincipalActive13 yrs

17199 N Laurel Park Dr Ste 200, Livonia, MI 48152

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Prain Law, PLLC, is a Livonia, Michigan, criminal defense firm focused on defending clients accused of criminal sexual conduct and other assaultive crimes. Attorney Brian Prain handles cases involving a range of capital CSC felony and misdemeanor assault charges, and his clients are repeatedly found not guilty. Mr. Prain was named one of D Business Top Lawyers 2019, Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers in Michigan by The National Trial Lawyers, was selected one of Michigan’s top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and received many more awards and acknowledgments.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Brian Prain - Founding AttorneyActive14 yrs

Southfield, MI 48076

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (3)
Google
5.0 (1)
Justia
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Neumann Law Group is a legal practice in Detroit that focuses on criminal defense. The founder and firm namesake, Ms. Kelly M. Neumann earned her J.D. from the New England School of Law, and she earlier received a dual major in criminal justice and political science from Adrian College. Ms. Neumann has worked with the Boston City Council’s legislation department and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and she is a recipient of various honors, including a place in top practitioner lists of the National Trial Lawyers and the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. The firm handles misdemeanor and felony cases, and it also represents individuals and families with personal injury claims. Neumann Law Group has other offices in New York, Massachusetts, and California, and it offers a free consultation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kelly Neumann - Principal OwnerActive11 yrs

5885 N Wayne Rd, Westland, MI 48185

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

The Smith Law Offices PC provide criminal defense for individuals facing misdemeanor charges in the Detroit area. It handles cases of minor in possession, theft, shoplifting, low-level drug charges, and traffic offenses. The firm's attorneys conduct a thorough investigation of each case it handles, including reviewing police reports and questioning witnesses. In addition to criminal defense, the Smith Law Offices PC practice in several other areas of law, including bankruptcy, family law, and personal injury.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Samantha Dickinson - OwnerActive16 yrs

150 W. Second Street, Suite 250, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.8 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Fried Saperstein Sakwa, P.C., is a Royal Oak-based law firm that offers its services within the Detroit area. With more than two centuries of combined experience, including at least 80 years of courtroom litigation, its team represents clients who are facing criminal charges like homicide, larceny, cybercrime, and drug-related offenses. One of the firm's attorneys, Melvyn Saperstein, is a former executive board member of the Michigan Association for Justice. His partner, Layne A. Sakwa, is affiliated with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence

105 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Salvatore Prescott Porter & Porter, PLLC is a law firm offering a wide array of legal services to clients in the Northville and Detroit areas. Its main areas of practice include business litigation, employment disputes, education, civil rights litigation, and investigations. The law firm also handles criminal defense cases, including financial crimes, fraud, violent crimes, and cybercrime. Its founding partners have more than five decades of combined experience in providing legal advice and litigating cases for its clients.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sarah Prescott - Founding PartnerActive17 yrs
Jennifer Salvatore - Founding PartnerActive27 yrs
Andrew Porter - PartnerActive32 yrs

2107 E. 14 Mile Rd. Suite: 140, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (1316)
Facebook
4.9 (96)

Why choose this provider?

The Goldman & Associates Law Firm caters to clients in Detroit and the nearby metros. Its managing attorney, Akiva Goldman, has been in the legal field for over 25 years. He represents individuals in legal matters, including family law, personal injury, and criminal cases. Goldman aims to protect the rights of people facing criminal charges for drug crimes, domestic violence, theft, robbery, and drunk driving cases. He examines his clients' cases to prevent serious legal consequences for the accused.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

24901 Northwestern Hwy #612, Southfield, MI 48075

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (14)
Facebook
5.0 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Allison Folmar, Attorney at Law, provides criminal defense representation services for clients in Detroit and nearby communities. It offers legal counsel for individuals accused of committing state and federal crimes, child abuse or neglect, pornography, and domestic abuse. It also handles various family law issues, such as divorce, parenting time, child custody and support, and property division. Allison Folmar, the firm's founding attorney, educates parents, attorneys, and legislators about the constitutional aspects of parental rights. She has been in the private practice for 20 years.

  • Domestic Violence
  • Expungement
  • Federal Crime

24400 Ford Road, Suite C, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Dearborn Heights, The Law Offices of Christopher R. Shemke caters to clients within the Detroit area. Shemke utilizes his experience as a former Wayne County prosecuting attorney to provide criminal defense to individuals who are involved with felonies and misdemeanors. His approach involves the investigation of case details, the formulation of defense strategies, and the pursuit of negotiations for reduced charges in line with relevant cases and local laws. Shemke is also a member of the Downriver and Wayne County Defense Bar Associations.

  • DWI/DUI

24725 W 12 Mile Rd Ste 110, Southfield, MI 48034

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

FindLaw
5.0 (13960)
Avvo
5.0 (64)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Julian J. Poota PLLC offers criminal defense and legal counsel to individuals in the Detroit metropolitan area and throughout the state of Michigan. Attorney Julian J. Poota represents those who've been charged with crimes such as domestic violence, theft, retail fraud, and traffic violations. The firm has received several awards and accolades, including the Avvo Clients' Choice Award in 2018 and an America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys award in 2019.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Julian Poota - FounderActive20 yrs

444 South Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (220)
Avvo
5.0 (40)
Facebook
5.0 (15)

Why choose this provider?

George Law is a general litigation law firm providing the residents of Detroit with legal representation. The firm's primary areas of practice include criminal defense, and its team defends clients from allegations of drunk driving, sexual assault, domestic violence, and white-collar crimes. The team also handles appeals and expungements of its clients' arrest and conviction histories. Founding attorney Derrick George is a member of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan.

  • Federal Crimes
  • Sex Crimes
  • Theft Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Derrick George - PrincipalActive18 yrs

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Bajoka Law Group
500 Griswold, Suite 2320, Detroit, MI 48226Free Confidential consultation
The Bennett Law Firm, PLC
25600 Woodward Ave Ste 214, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Kelly & Kelly P.C.
422 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167
The Law Office of Matthew S. Erard
400 Bagley St. #1150, Detroit, MI 48226
Cronin Law Firm
21 E Long Lake Rd Ste 250, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Iafrate & Salassa PC
16931 19 Mile Rd Ste 100, Clinton Township, MI 48038
Chapman Law Group
1441 W Long Lake Rd Ste 310, Troy, MI 48098
Rudoi Law
104 West 4th Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Prain Law, PLLC
17199 N Laurel Park Dr Ste 200, Livonia, MI 48152
Neumann Law Group
Southfield, MI 48076
The Smith Law Offices, P.C.
5885 N Wayne Rd, Westland, MI 48185
Fried Saperstein Sakwa PC
150 W. Second Street, Suite 250, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Salvatore Prescott Porter & Porter, PLLC
105 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167
Michigan Criminal Attorney
2107 E. 14 Mile Rd. Suite: 140, Sterling Heights, MI 48310
Allison Folmar Attorney at Law
24901 Northwestern Hwy #612, Southfield, MI 48075
Law Offices of Christopher R. Shemke
24400 Ford Road, Suite C, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
Law Office of Julian J. Poota, PLLC
24725 W 12 Mile Rd Ste 110, Southfield, MI 48034
George Law
444 South Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48067

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.

FAQs

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

    The non-emergency phone number of the Detroit Police Department is (313) 267-4600

  • What are your chances of going to jail for a first-time offense in Detroit?

    As Michigan is making an effort to reduce its prison population, the state has implemented new programs and improved existing services to decrease the number of people being incarcerated. This might work in the favor of first-time offenders, especially for misdemeanor convictions, in Detroit. Even if the offender has been sentenced to serve time, their lawyer might be able to get probation terms, for which the offender serves little or no time in prison.

  • Should you retain a criminal defense lawyer in Detroit even if you know you are innocent?

    Hiring and retaining a criminal defense attorney in Detroit does not necessarily imply guilt. Instead, it demonstrates that you are serious about protecting your constitutional rights. There are many instances in which innocent individuals are accused and convicted of offenses they have not committed. This is why you need an attorney by your side to help you develop an effective strategy for combating such charges.

  • What should you do if authorities conduct a warrantless search in your Detroit home or vehicle?

    Do not allow anyone to search your Detroit home or vehicle without a search warrant or “probable cause.” This is because when searches are carried out, they are looking for any piece of evidence to use against you. In the event that you refused a warrantless search and seizure of your property, but one was conducted anyway, it could be a violation of your constitutional rights and you may be able to block the supposed evidence from being used against you in court.

  • Can you replace your existing Detroit criminal defense attorney?

    Yes, it is possible for you to replace your Detroit criminal defense attorney. If you are not pleased with the services of your lawyer because they fail to keep you updated about your case, refuse to return your phone calls, or just seems generally disinterested in fighting for your innocence, seeking substitute counsel may be an option for you. After all, your attorney should be working for you and not vice versa.

  • Can you remove a criminal record under your name in Detroit?

    No, you cannot remove a criminal record under your name in Detroit, but you can remove a conviction from your public criminal record. This wouldn’t be an easy task, though, and it is only available to you if you haven’t been convicted of more than one crime in your lifetime. In order to have a conviction removed from public record, you must file an application to set aside conviction with the court in which you received the conviction.