The search term "criminal attorney" is typically used by people who are in trouble with the law and do, in fact, need a criminal defense attorney to help them deal with that trouble. As a general rule, the practice of criminal law is limited to the particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions where an attorney is licensed to practice. However, certification of criminal law specialization is not a requirement to practice criminal law, and there is seldom any inquiry into the relevant qualifications of an attorney before he or she is allowed to represent people who have been contacted by law enforcement authorities and/or represent people who stand accused of a crime. Even so, when a court assigns counsel to an indigent criminal defendant, there may actually be an inquiry into the relevant qualifications of the attorneys who are considered by the court. Moreover, many jurisdictions do certify attorneys as specialists in criminal defense, and there are many well-respected organizations that engage in the painstaking evaluation of the credentials of criminal defense attorneys.

Are you looking for a "criminal [defense] attorney" or law firm?

• Google Directory - Criminal Defense Lawyers and Law Firms
  An open content directory of annotated links.

• AttorneyPages.com - Criminal Defense - Federal Lawyers, Attorneys and Law Firms
  A directory of federal criminal defense attorneys, organized geographically.

• AttorneyPages.com - Criminal Defense - State Lawyers, Attorneys, and Law Firms
  A directory of state criminal defense attorneys, organized geographically.

• Law Office of Gerry Morris
  Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, past president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and current member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Are you looking for news articles about high-profile "criminal [defense] attorneys"?

• Webb, Keker, Weingarten, Sullivan, Bennett, Green Are Top White Collar Criminal Defense Attorneys, Survey Shows
  May 27, 2003 - Press Release - Corporate Crime Reporter.

• Lawyers Cite Wright As Top Defense Attorney
  By Peter O. - Best of Las Vegas 1999 - Publishers Picks.

• Bill Allison, '71, to lead Criminal Defense Clinic
  January 15, 2004 - Press Release - The University of Texas at Austin.

• Avignone named criminal defense attorney of the year
  March 23, 2004 - By Kellyn Brown, Chronicle Staff Writer - The Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

• UNM Professor Barbara Bergman Earns National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Most Prestigious Award
  September 5, 2001 - Press Release - The University of New Mexico.

Are you looking for information about criminal law and the role of the "criminal [defense] attorney" in the criminal justice system?

• Criminal Law - Legal Encyclopedia - Nolo
  A collection of encyclopedia articles written in plain english that provide an overview of criminal law and the role of criminal defense lawyers in the criminal justice system.

• How To Choose A Drug Lawyer (Criminal Defense Attorney)
  Information and advice from the law office of Shalley & Murray in Queens, New York City.

• Ethics, Zealous Advocacy, and the Criminal Defense Attorney
  An edited version of the Jacob Burns Ethics Center lecture delivered by noted criminal defense attorney Robert S. Bennett on February 8, 2000.

• A Criminal Defense Attorney's View of the Family Violence Industry
  April 17, 2004 - by Paul G. Stuckle - ReliableAnswers.com.

• DEE-Fense: Ethical Obligations of Criminal Defense Counsel
  The second part of a two-part series by the Massachussets Bar Overseer covering changes in the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct effective January 1999 and dealing with consequential ethical issues confronting criminal defense lawyers.

Are you looking for "criminal [defense] attorney" associations?

• Google Directory - Criminal Defense Organizations
  An open content directory of annotated links.

• International Criminal Defence Attorneys Association (ICDAA)
  Working for a full, fair and well-organized defence in the proceedings of the ad hoc tribunals and the future International Criminal Court.

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
  The preeminent organization serving criminal defense lawyers in the United States. Members include private attorneys and public defenders committed to preserving fairness within America's criminal justice system.

• National Association of Federal Defenders
  Formed to improve the quality of justice for those persons entitled to counsel in federal criminal or habeas corpus cases who are unable to afford counsel.

• Association of Federal Defense Attorneys
  Devoted exclusively to the federal criminal defense bar.

• Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (ACDLA)
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
  A non-profit organization founded in 1986, working to improve the quality and administration of criminal justice in Arizona. Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers working to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crimes or other misconduct.

• California Attorneys for Criminal Justice(CACJ)
  The country's largest statewide organization of criminal defense lawyers and allied professionals with over 2,000 members.

• Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  An organization affiliated with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers founded in 1979, now with 10 chapters statewide and a membership of over 650 attorneys as well as many criminal case investigators and paralegals devoted solely to the representation of persons accused of having committed crimes.

• District of Columbia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  An organization formed by criminal defense lawyers in the District of Columbia that, among other things, promotes constant improvement in all aspects of the administration of criminal justice and the protection of the rights of individuals.

• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL)
  An affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers formed in 1988 in recognition of the very specific needs of the Criminal Defense Bar, now representing over 1,500 member attorneys and speaking as the unified voice of an inclusive criminal defense community.

• Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL)
  Founded in 1971 by three former officers of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association after their petition to form a criminal law section was turned down.

• Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  The only statewide criminal defense lawyer's organization in Illinois, representing both the public and private sectors of the criminal defense bar.

• Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Established in 1992 in Des Moines.

• Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL)
  A 200 member, non-profit organization of criminal defense lawyers and related professionals founded in 1988.

• Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Founded in 1985 by criminal defense lawyers, for criminal defense lawyers, now an organization with almost 400 members.

• Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL)
  An organization of almost 700 lawyers devoted to protecting the rights of the accused and to providing support and encouragement to the defense bar. An affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
  Formed by criminal defense attorneys from around the state in 1976 for the purpose of providing an educational and resource sharing forum for criminal defense practitioners in Michigan.

• Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  The only organization in Missouri dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of criminal defense attorneys and their clients. An affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Founded in 1997 as an affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• New York Criminal Bar Association
  An affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL)
  An affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• New York State Defenders Association
  Criminal defense and public defender Web site in support of social justice for the indigent poor.

• Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL)
  Founded in 1986, a professional organization with over 525 members.

• Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (OCDLA)
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL)
  A group comprised of law students and attorneys admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and who are actively engaged in the defense of criminal cases.

• Tennessee Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers (TACDL)
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA)
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Are you looking for online "criminal [defense] attorney" resources?