Best Detroit Criminal Defense Attorneys

After an arrest, Detroit criminal defense lawyers step in before the first court date. They handle misdemeanors and felonies, including OWI, drug possession, assault, and federal charges. A defense attorney can review police reports, challenge evidence from an illegal search, and push for dismissal or a lighter sentence. Many will talk through a case at no cost before you hire them.

Listed Detroit Criminal Defense Lawyers are ranked by one score, applied the same way to every firm. It draws on public signals, including:

  • Client satisfaction and overall online reputation
  • The volume and consistency of client feedback
  • How established the firm is
  • Peer recognition within the legal community and across the web

Rankings are calculated independently from public data. Paid placements don't change a listing's score.

Top-Rated Detroit Criminal Lawyers for Wayne County & Federal Court

Screenshot of the Davis Law Group PLLC Website
615 Griswold St Ste 719, Detroit, MI 48226, USA

Davis Law Group is a Detroit criminal defense firm led by attorney Maurice Davis. The main office is downtown, with branches in Southfield, Flint, and Port Huron.

Attorney Davis has defended Detroit residents for more than two decades. He enjoys the challenge of trial and stays reachable by phone and email. The firm takes OWI, drug trafficking, white-collar, and theft charges.

Past results include a Wayne County assault charge dismissed and a felony firearm charge reduced. Consultations are free and confidential.

Screenshot of the Grabel & Associates Website
202 E Washington St Ste 407, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA

Grabel & Associates handles criminal cases only, for clients across Michigan. Scott Grabel founded the firm in 1999. It now has offices in Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, and its attorneys appear in Detroit-area courts.

Post-conviction work sets the firm apart. The team has won reversals in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. It also files 6.500 motions, habeas petitions, and clemency requests.

Other services include:

  • Driver's license restoration, backed by a written guarantee
  • Sex crime defense
  • Title IX hearings for college students
  • Parole consulting
Screenshot of the The David J. Kramer Law Firm, PLLC Website
42400 Grand River Ave, Suite 109, Novi, MI 48375, USA

David J. Kramer is a Novi criminal defense attorney who has served Southeast Michigan since 1992. He keeps a second office in downtown Detroit.

Attorney Kramer defends felony and misdemeanor charges, including criminal sexual conduct, assault, and retail fraud. His federal practice covers tax, securities, and Medicare fraud. He also handles family law matters, including divorce and custody.

Most clients come from Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties.

Screenshot of the George Law Website
444 S Washington Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067, USA

George Law represents clients in Michigan and South Florida from offices in Royal Oak and Birmingham. Derrick George and Maggie George lead the team.

The firm pairs criminal defense with business and civil litigation. Its Michigan caseload includes gun charges, probation violations, juvenile offenses, and expungements. The attorneys move to suppress evidence taken in illegal searches.

George Law also helps with presidential pardon applications and has hundreds of 5-star Google reviews.

Screenshot of the Boria Law - Criminal Defense Attorney Website

Aaron J. Boria is a Plymouth criminal defense lawyer who serves clients in Wayne and Oakland counties. He appears often in district courts in Livonia, Westland, Redford, and Novi.

Attorney Boria has trained well beyond standard DUI defense and takes drunk driving cases to trial. He also restores licenses revoked after repeat OWI convictions or breath test refusals. His honors include DBusiness Top Lawyers and Super Lawyers.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Julian J. Poota, PLLC Website
26555 Evergreen Rd #1220, Southfield, MI 48076, USA

Julian J. Poota defends misdemeanors and felonies across Metro Detroit from his Southfield office. The Michigan-born attorney has practiced for more than 20 years.

His results include a jury acquittal in a domestic violence case and felony theft charges dismissed after diversion. He also takes pre-warrant investigations and computer crimes. Virtual meetings are available.

Screenshot of the Kirsch Daskas Law Group PLLC Website
3883 Telegraph Rd Suite 105, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, USA

Kirsch Daskas Law Group is a Bloomfield Hills practice for people accused of child abuse and sex crimes. Former prosecutor Lisa Kirsch Satawa leads the team. She has earned national recognition for defending these allegations.

The firm takes cases in juvenile, adult state, and federal court. It also handles CPS investigations, school discipline hearings, and family law. A second office serves clients in Detroit.

Screenshot of the Jonathan Jones, Attorney at Law, PLLC Website

Jonathan Jones has practiced criminal defense exclusively since 1995. He works from offices in Royal Oak and Romulus and spends most of his day in court.

Clients work directly with him and can even reach him by text. His caseload includes homicide, fraud, and cybercrimes. He also fights to keep juvenile cases out of adult court.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates, PLLC Website

Kevin Bessant is a Detroit criminal lawyer with more than 20 years of trial experience. He has been a Michigan Super Lawyers honoree since 2015.

Beyond his downtown office, Attorney Bessant meets clients in Eastpointe and Southfield. He takes bond hearings, traffic tickets, and record expungements. Payment plans are available.

Screenshot of the Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan Website

Lead attorney Sanford A. Schulman has had two cases granted review by the U.S. Supreme Court. His Detroit firm, Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan, defends drug conspiracy, RICO, child pornography, and weapons charges.

Schulman has more than 35 years in practice. He appears in both Michigan federal districts and the 6th Circuit. His record includes not guilty verdicts at trial, presidential commutations, and compassionate releases.

Screenshot of the Ellen K. Michaels and Associates, PLLC Website

Ellen K. Michaels is a Metro Detroit defense attorney based in Birmingham, with a second office in West Bloomfield. She takes serious violent charges, including murder, carjacking, and attempted murder.

Her results include a first-degree murder charge dismissed at exam and a jury acquittal for assault with intent to murder.

Screenshot of the Bajoka Law Group PLLC Website
500 Griswold St Suite 1630, Detroit, MI 48226, USA

Edward Bajoka is a federal criminal defense lawyer in Detroit's Guardian Building. He wrote the LexisNexis Practice Guide: Michigan Criminal Law. His firm handles health care fraud, public corruption, immigration crimes, and deportation defense.

Screenshot of the Michael A. Rataj, PC Website
500 Griswold St #2450, Detroit, MI 48226, USA

Michael A. Rataj, a Marine Corps veteran, has defended federal cases in Detroit since 1989. He has tried more than 100 criminal cases. He also served as co-counsel for Bobby Ferguson in the Kilpatrick corruption trial.

Screenshot of the William W. Swor, PC Website
Guardian Building, 500 Griswold St #2450, Detroit, MI 48226, USA

William W. Swor is a Detroit criminal defense attorney who has practiced since 1972. He tried the first post-9/11 terrorism case and the Hutaree militia trial. He is a past president of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.

Screenshot of the Jeffrey G Schwartz Offices Website
400 Monroe St # 490, Detroit, MI 48226, USA

Jeffrey G. Schwartz spent his early career as a special assignment prosecutor in Wayne County. He opened his own firm in 1986 and takes felony, federal, and police misconduct cases from Detroit and Southfield.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a criminal defense lawyer in Detroit cost?

It depends on the charge. Most defense attorneys charge a flat fee per case or per stage, while some bill hourly. Felony and federal cases cost more than a misdemeanor. Many firms accept payment plans.

What happens after an arrest in Detroit?

Arraignment comes first. Most Detroit cases start at the 36th District Court. Felony cases then move to Wayne County's Third Circuit Court at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

How soon is the preliminary exam in a Michigan felony case?

Usually within a few weeks. Michigan law sets a probable cause conference 7 to 14 days after arraignment. The preliminary exam follows 5 to 7 days later, unless the parties agree otherwise. At the exam, the prosecutor must show enough evidence to send the case to circuit court.

Is a public defender enough?

Sometimes, but caseloads run heavy. Many court-appointed lawyers are skilled. They may still have less time for each case. A retained attorney can also start work before charges are filed.

Can a criminal record be cleared in Michigan?

Often, yes. Michigan's Clean Slate law lets many people set aside old convictions. Eligible misdemeanors can clear automatically after 7 years, and some non-assaultive felonies after 10. Drunk driving, assaultive, and weapon offenses do not clear automatically.

What is HYTA, and who qualifies?

A second chance for young adults. The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act covers many offenses committed between ages 18 and 26. If the person completes the terms, the case is dismissed without a conviction. Life offenses and major drug crimes are excluded, and prosecutors must consent after age 21.

Types of Criminal Cases in Detroit

OWI and Drunk Driving. First and second offenses are usually misdemeanors. A third OWI is a felony in Michigan. Penalties can include jail time and license sanctions.

Drug Crimes. Charges cover possession, delivery, and manufacturing. Penalties depend on the drug and the amount. Many cases turn on whether the search was legal.

Assault and Domestic Violence. Police often arrest after hearing one side. A no-contact order may follow at arraignment. Self-defense and witness credibility are common issues.

Weapons Charges. Carrying a concealed pistol without a license is a felony. A felony firearm count adds a mandatory prison term on top of the main charge.

Federal and White-Collar Crimes. Fraud, health care billing, and drug conspiracy cases often go federal in Detroit. These cases follow federal sentencing guidelines and move on a different schedule.

Retail Fraud and Theft. Michigan calls shoplifting retail fraud. The degree depends on the value of what was taken. A first offense may qualify for a diversion program.

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney in Detroit

Match the court. A lawyer who works daily at the 36th District Court and Frank Murphy Hall knows the local judges and prosecutors. Federal charges call for federal courtroom experience.

Ask about trials. Some lawyers rarely take a case to a jury. Ask how many trials they have handled.

Check their focus. Ask how much of the practice is criminal defense. A firm that also handles divorces may have less time for your case.

Confirm who appears in court. Ask whether the attorney you meet will handle hearings or pass them to an associate.

Get the fee in writing. Find out whether the fee covers the preliminary exam, motions, and trial.

How Detroit Criminal Cases Usually Resolve

Most criminal cases end in a plea agreement, not a trial. Some are dismissed after the preliminary exam or a motion to suppress evidence. First-time defendants may qualify for diversion, HYTA, or a deferred sentence. The charge, prior record, and strength of the evidence all shape the result.

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