Best Lawyers in Oklahoma, United States for Criminal Defense: General Practice

Whether you’re navigating a family law matter in Akron or managing a real estate transaction in Cincinnati, Ohioans need legal help that’s local, trustworthy and experienced. The Ohio Lawyer Directory from Best Lawyers connects individuals and businesses to some of the most highly regarded attorneys in the state.

Ohio’s legal landscape is as diverse as its people. From the manufacturing cities of the north to the commercial hubs in the center and south, legal needs vary widely. Best Lawyers makes it easier to find attorneys who not only specialize in your issue but who are also known and respected by their peers.

Our Ohio Lawyer Directory offers a focused, reliable starting point for your attorney search. Every lawyer listed has been vetted through a rigorous peer-review process—ensuring you’re not just hiring any lawyer, but one who has earned the respect of fellow legal professionals.

What Sets This Directory Apart

There’s no shortage of attorney directories online. But not all are created equal. Some rely on sponsored listings, others on basic license status. Best Lawyers is different. Lawyers cannot pay to be listed. Inclusion is based solely on peer feedback and professional evaluation.

That matters when your case—and potentially your future—is on the line.

The attorneys in our Ohio directory are nominated by colleagues, reviewed through confidential surveys and verified through independent research. This merit-based process helps identify lawyers who demonstrate legal skill, professional integrity and consistent client results.

The result is a directory you can trust. You can search by name, practice area or location, making it easy to find legal professionals who focus on what you need, where you need it. Whether it’s business litigation in Cleveland or estate planning in Dayton, the directory helps narrow the field to top-tier attorneys recognized for excellence.

Explore Ohio Legal Hubs

Ohio’s legal services vary significantly by region. Cities across the state have developed reputations for specific practice areas, shaped by economic trends, government presence and historical industries.

Cleveland is one of Ohio’s largest legal markets. It is known for its deep bench of litigators, especially in commercial and medical malpractice matters. Cleveland law firms often handle complex disputes, including multi-party cases, federal litigation and class actions. The city is also a center for appellate practice, drawing experienced counsel for high-stakes legal challenges.

In Columbus, the legal focus tilts toward business and government law. As the state capital and home to major corporations, Columbus supports a robust legal community focused on corporate transactions, regulatory compliance and public sector matters. Attorneys here regularly advise on mergers, acquisitions, licensing, employment policies and administrative appeals.

Cincinnati has long been a hub for criminal defense, healthcare law and employment litigation. The city’s location near both Kentucky and Indiana gives it a cross-border legal dimension that many firms leverage to serve regional clients. Cincinnati attorneys also work on product liability, labor negotiations and insurance defense.

Smaller cities and regions bring their own strengths. In Dayton, personal injury and workers’ compensation cases make up a substantial share of legal work. Toledo has built a reputation in estate planning, elder law and probate litigation. Akron law firms often handle union matters, real estate transactions and education law.

The Ohio Lawyer Directory reflects this geographic and practice diversity. Users can explore lawyers across all corners of the state, including metro areas, mid-sized cities and rural communities. With tailored filters and detailed profiles, the directory supports smarter, faster attorney searches.

Peer Review Recognition

Each year, attorneys participate in confidential surveys, rating their peers on legal skill, responsiveness, ethical standards and case outcomes. Those receiving consistently high marks are selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers directory. Lawyers cannot buy their way into the list or advertise for votes. This structure ensures integrity and promotes genuine recognition.

Peer review isn’t just about prestige—it’s about accuracy and trust. When lawyers nominate and evaluate each other, they provide insights that go beyond public marketing. They understand which colleagues truly excel and who consistently earns strong client results.

Best Lawyers also re-evaluates every listed attorney annually. If a lawyer changes firms, focuses on a new area or no longer meets selection criteria, their listing is updated or removed. This commitment to quality control makes the directory a dependable tool year after year.

The Ohio Lawyer Directory draws directly from these rankings. It reflects not only where attorneys are located but how they are perceived by the legal community. For clients, this means peace of mind. You’re not relying on online reviews or flashy websites—you’re benefiting from the insights of seasoned legal professionals across the state.

Take the Next Step

Legal issues rarely come with easy answers. Whether you’re a business owner protecting your company, a parent facing a custody dispute or a retiree preparing an estate plan, having the right attorney makes a difference.

Start your Ohio attorney search today. Use the directory to browse by city, explore legal specialties or locate a specific attorney by name. With more than four decades of experience and a methodology grounded in professional review, Best Lawyers offers one of the most trusted legal directories available.

You deserve more than a search engine result when you’re looking for a lawyer. You deserve a lawyer trusted by other lawyers. Let Best Lawyers’ Ohio Lawyer Directory guide your next step.

Practice Area Overview

Criminal defense is a branch of law that focuses on defending individuals and organizations who have been accused of committing a crime. The goal of a criminal defense attorney is to protect the rights of their clients and to ensure that they receive a fair trial.

Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Roles

Criminal defense lawyers encompass a wide range of legal issues, including investigations, arrest, pretrial proceedings, plea bargaining, trials, appeals, and post-conviction proceedings. It also involves a variety of different types of crimes, including felonies, misdemeanors, and federal offenses.

Some of the subspecialties of criminal defense lawyers are related to the following types of criminal prosecutions:

  • Violent and Nonviolent Crimes
  • Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense
  • Drug Offenses
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Vehicular Manslaughter
  • DWI Defense
  • Criminal Appeals
  • Death Penalty
  • Juvenile Criminal Defense
  • Murder
  • Arson
  • Traffic Court
  • Capital Murder
  • And so on…

Right to Representation by a Defense Criminal Lawyer

When an individual is accused of a crime, they have the right to legal representation. A criminal defense attorney is responsible for representing the interests of their client throughout the criminal justice process. This includes advising them of their rights, investigating the charges against them, and advocating for them in court.

Investigation of a Criminal Case

One of the key responsibilities of a criminal defense attorney is to conduct a thorough investigation of the case. This includes reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and examining physical evidence. The attorney will use this information to build a strong defense for their client and to challenge the prosecution's evidence.

Pretrial Hearings

Pretrial proceedings are another important aspect of criminal defense law. During these proceedings, the defense attorney will work to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution. A plea bargain is an agreement between the defense and the prosecution in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence or a dismissal of other charges.

Trials

If a plea bargain cannot be reached, the case will go to trial. During a trial, the defense attorney will present evidence and call witnesses to support their client's innocence. They will also cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses and challenge the evidence presented against their client.

Appeals

If a client is convicted, the defense attorney may file an appeal on their behalf. An appeal is a request for a higher court to review the case and determine if there were any errors made during the trial that may have affected the outcome.

Additionally, criminal defense attorneys can also assist their client during post-conviction proceedings, such as parole hearings, clemency petitions, and expungements, among others.

Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer

  • Specialization: When it comes to hiring a criminal defense lawyer, it's important to choose someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in the specific type of crime you have been charged with. For example, if you are accused of drug charges, you'll want to find a lawyer who has experience handling drug cases. Additionally, you'll want to find a lawyer who is familiar with the local court system and the specific judges and prosecutors involved in your case.
  • Cost: It's also important to consider the attorney's fees when hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Some lawyers charge a flat fee, while others charge an hourly rate. It's important to understand the fees and to make sure that you can afford to pay them.
  • Communication: It's also important to find a lawyer who you feel comfortable communicating with and who you trust. You should feel confident that your lawyer has your best interests in mind and that they are working hard to defend you.

Meeting With a Lawyer for Criminal Defense

When you first meet with a criminal defense lawyer, they will likely ask you to provide them with all the details of your case. This includes information about the charges against you, any evidence that the prosecution may have against you, and any previous criminal history you may have. It's important to be honest and upfront with your lawyer so that they can provide you with the best possible defense.

Keep in mind that a good criminal defense lawyer will not only defend you in court, but also advise you about your rights and options. They will explain the possible outcomes of your case and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

A federal criminal defense lawyer is an attorney who specializes in representing individuals and organizations who have been accused of committing a federal crime. Federal criminal cases are criminal offenses that are defined and prosecuted under federal law, rather than state law. This all happens under a different part of the judicial system than state court: federal judges, federal courts, federal agents and federal investigations. Examples of federal crimes include drug trafficking, bank robbery, and white-collar crimes such as embezzlement and fraud.

For federal criminal charges, the best federal criminal defense lawyers will have experience working with federal prosecutors and the federal government.

State Criminal Defense Lawyers

State criminal defense lawyers are attorneys who specialize in defending people and organizations charged with state crimes. State crimes can include assault, burglary, fraud, drug possession and trafficking, murder, and more. These lawyers represent clients in state court to exonerate them and protect their constitutional rights.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory

To find the best criminal defense lawyers in America, and the best federal criminal defense attorneys, Best Lawyers has compiled a database of peer reviewed, experienced lawyers.

Criminal Law Legal Guide 2025

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Our Methodology


Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

The Process

Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.