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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Chattanooga, TN

Our Recommended Best Chattanooga Criminal Defense Lawyers

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

132Reviewed

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9Top Picks

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Providers

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
510 East 5th Street, Suite 4, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (60)
Avvo
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

For over a decade, Zak Newman, Attorney at Law, has been working with those facing charges in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It provides compassionate criminal defense to people accused of various offenses. The practice protects defendants’ rights and helps them develop strategies to reduce or prevent mandatory penalties like fines and imprisonment. It handles cases involving domestic violence, murder, theft, DUI, and drug offenses. The firm also helps clients who have been arrested for aggravated assault.

Zachary Newman received his J.D. from the Appalachian School of Law. He is a member of the Chattanooga Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and served as vice president of the Hamilton County Sight Service through Lions Club in 2015.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
412 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (178)
Avvo
5.0 (97)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Yates & Wheland provides criminal defense solutions to those in Chattanooga, Tennessee, who have been charged with a crime. It protects the rights of individuals accused of criminal activity involving property, sex crimes, and driving-related offenses. Its legal team checks whether its clients’ civil rights were violated during the arrest, verifies the validity of evidence to formulate a defense, and explores alternative sentencing options. The law firm gives back to the community by sponsoring scholarships like the Family Adversity Scholarship and the Rump Run Sponsorship.

Allen Yates has been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star since 2015. He is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of Tennessee and Georgia and has served as the lead counsel in hundreds of cases throughout his career.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
4143 Ringgold Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (141)
Google
5.0 (93)

Why choose this provider?

The Hanzelik Firm has been delivering criminal defense solutions to those in Chattanooga and the rest of Tennessee for over 17 years. It handles cases involving burglary, theft, assault, probation violations, and other misdemeanors and felonies. It negotiates plea bargains with prosecutors to help defendants accept guilt in exchange for reduced sentences. Additionally, it advocates for its clients' legal interests in court to help them get their charges dropped or their acquittal at trial.

Ryan Hanzelik's legal career began in 2006. His areas of expertise are personal injury, business, family, and criminal law. He successfully negotiated the dismissal of multiple major criminal charges and spared several people from life sentences. From 2013 to 2023, he received the Avvo Clients' Choice Award.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
1502 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (100)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Advice Law Firm offers criminal defense to those facing charges for different violations. Serving Chattanooga and the rest of Tennessee, the firm defends those who have been pulled over for a traffic or speeding ticket or had their driving license suspended, canceled, or revoked. It develops legal strategies to help defendants get their charges dismissed or reduced and prevent potential jail time and increased insurance rates. Advice Law Firm also works with clients in Georgia.

J. Micah Guster III has been named McCallie Alumnus of the Year. He obtained his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Guster has been featured on a local CBS affiliate station.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
801 Broad St #428, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (124)
Avvo
5.0 (49)
Facebook
5.0 (21)

Why choose this provider?

Cavett, Abbott & Weiss, PLLC, has been handling criminal defense cases in Chattanooga and the rest of Southern Tennessee since 1996. It represents those accused of committing crimes, such as drug and sex offenses, domestic assault, theft, and DUI. It also works on probation violation cases. John C. Cavett, a former president of the Chattanooga Trial Lawyers Association, has obtained an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Cavett and his partners, Barry L. Abbott and Joshua P. Weiss, have over eight decades of combined legal experience.

Joshua Weiss obtained his J.D. from the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law and has been admitted to practice law in Georgia and Tennessee since 2011. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
1253 Market St 100, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (154)
Avvo
5.0 (29)
Facebook
4.6 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Stevie Phillips Law, PLLC, provides the Chattanooga neighborhood access to criminal defense representation. The firm handles cases at every stage of the legal process, from investigation and trial to sentencing and appeal. Its practice includes defending clients against white-collar crimes in state and federal courts, as well as charges like bank robbery, large-scale drug conspiracies, and firearms offenses. It also advocates for students facing violations of the university code of conduct. The firm collaborates with top experts nationwide, including private investigators, forensic analysts, doctors, scientists, and economists, to build a strong defense.

Stevie Phillips Persinger earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2008 and holds a B.A. in History and Spanish, summa cum laude. She began her career clerking for state judges and has actively contributed to organizations promoting social justice, including the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association. She is also licensed to practice law in California.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
1257 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (579)
Avvo
5.0 (155)
Facebook
5.0 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Best & Brock is a Chattanooga criminal defense firm, offering comprehensive legal representation for individuals facing charges in Tennessee. The firm handles cases related to DUI, drug abuse, violent crimes, theft, and sex crimes. With a focus on safeguarding clients' rights, the team employs strategies such as challenging evidence validity, questioning witness credibility, and negotiating favorable plea agreements when appropriate. Best & Brock's attorneys hold recognitions from different organizations, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers.

Matt Brock is an attorney primarily focused on criminal defense, including DUI and drug-related cases. The American Chemical Society has awarded him the prestigious ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation. This certification enables him to scrutinize scientific evidence used in criminal cases. Brock is affiliated with the DUI Defense Lawyers Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
501 South Germantown Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (83)
Avvo
4.8 (68)
Facebook
4.8 (8)

Why choose this provider?

With more than 36 years of experience serving the community, Alan Beard & Associates provides criminal defense solutions to people in Chattanooga and the neighboring communities in Tennessee. It aims to protect the rights of those facing charges for drug offenses, DUI, assault, and juvenile crimes. It also accommodates those who need help with revoked licenses. The law firm’s principal attorney has experience in defending clients dealing with various federal criminal charges.

Alan Beard is known for his aggressive representation in criminal jury trials. He served as an attorney in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps at the 101st Airborne Division for three years and received his legal education from Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Chattanooga
3828 Dayton Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37415

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (150)
Avvo
4.8 (60)
Facebook
5.0 (27)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Sam Byrd provides personalized legal services to people in Chattanooga and the rest of Tennessee. It takes on various criminal defense cases and pursues evidence and arguments that resolve charges for those entangled in the legal system. It defends clients facing charges of domestic disturbance, drug possession, DUI, and sex crimes. It also handles juvenile and white-collar cases. The practice has been featured in Forbes, NBC News, Fox, and CBS.

Sam Byrd received his J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He previously worked for his father, Mitchell Byrd, a certified family law specialist. Byrd also handles divorce and property division cases.

Sam Byrd received his J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He previously worked for his father, Mitchell Byrd, a certified family law specialist. Byrd also handles divorce and property division cases.

Compare Best Chattanooga Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Zak Newman Attorney at Law
510 East 5th Street, Suite 4, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Yates & Wheland
412 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403
The Hanzelik Firm
4143 Ringgold Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412
Advice Law Firm
1502 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Cavett, Abbott & Weiss, PLLC
801 Broad St #428, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Stevie Phillips Law, PLLC
1253 Market St 100, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Best & Brock, PLLC
1257 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Alan Beard & Associates
501 South Germantown Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Law Office of Sam Byrd
3828 Dayton Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37415

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.

Chattanooga, TN Criminal Defense FAQs

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

    Call the Chattanooga Police Department at (423) 698-2525 to report non-emergencies.

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

    Obtain copies of incident reports on the request portal of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) website. You may also get in touch with the HCSO Records Division by phone at (423) 209-7111 or by fax at (423) 209-7112 and visit their office at the HCSO located at 601 Walnut Street.

  • Where is the criminal court for Chattanooga cases located?

    Criminal cases in Chattanooga are tried in the Hamilton County Criminal Court located at 102 Courts Building along 600 Market St. The court can be reached by phone at (423) 209-7500 and by fax at (423) 209-7501. You can also contact the court clerk for information on case dispositions, balance payments, and future court dates.

  • How can a plea bargain affect a first-time offender in Chattanooga?

    A plea bargain from a first-time offender in Chattanooga could result in a sentence reduction. It is possible to negotiate for probation or community service. Additionally, a person charged with offenses for the first time could be eligible for a judicial diversion program that could allow offenders to have a clean record after successfully completing the probationary period.

  • What kinds of violations should a parolee in Chattanooga be aware of?

    Failure to pay fines, traveling without permission, and failure to report to the parole officer are some types of violations. A parolee in Chattanooga should also be aware of violations such as unauthorized contact with the victim, failure to pass a drug test, and arrest for an unrelated crime.

  • What are some prescription fraud charges that a person in Chattanooga can face?

    Some of the medication-related fraud charges a person in Chattanooga may face are overprescribing, prescription forgery, and drug diversion. Additionally, a medical professional may be charged with Medicare billing fraud if they bill the government for services that were not needed. An offender of prescription fraud could face a fine of up to $100,000 and 12 years of imprisonment.

  • What are some self-defense principles that can be applied to a criminal case in Chattanooga?

    “Stand Your Ground” and "Castle" are some of the self-defense principles applicable to a criminal case in Chattanooga and anywhere in the state. “Stand Your Ground” means that a defendant has no legal responsibility to retreat prior to using force as self-defense. The "Castle" principle states that the burden of proof is no longer on the hands of defendants forced to defend themselves from the person unlawfully invading their property and using force against them.