Criminal Defense Lawyers in New York City, NY

Lawyer Legion connects people with attorneys who are best-suited to solve their legal problems. We have curated a list of over 600 Criminal Defense lawyers currently practicing in New York County, New York. We scored each lawyer based on purely objective criteria such as: specialty certifications, distinguished fellowships, professional involvement, community leadership, speaking engagements, and other merit-based criteria.

If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime, consider using Lawyer Legion to discover and connect with criminal defense lawyers in Manhattan, New York who are ready to help.

Law Firms Practicing Criminal Defense in New York County, NY

The Cochran Firm

Holon Law Partners

Directory of Criminal Defense Lawyers in New York County, NY

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Manhattan
Search Directory for Criminal Defense Lawyers
Criminal Defense Lawyers by Cities in New York County, NY
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Counties Near New York County
Criminal Defense Lawyers by Practice Area
Criminal Defense Lawyers by Specialty
New York County, NY Legal Resources
Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations
Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense
New York County Government and Court Resources

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Manhattan

Lawyer Legion Top Picks for 2026

Lawyer Legion created this list of the top picks in 2026 for the best criminal defense attorneys in Manhattan, New York County, New York. To rank the top Criminal Defense attorneys, and other lawyers in New York County we used both objective and subjective criteria.

The top criminal defense attorneys were selected based on their career accomplishments, professional involvement, community leadership, and board certification.

This list represents some of the most highly accomplished Criminal Defense lawyers currently practicing in Manhattan, New York County, New York. When reviewing this list, please be aware of each of the following:

Lawyers cannot pay to be included in this list.
Only lawyers who are active on Lawyer Legion were selected.
No online directory can accurately determine a countywide list of attorneys who are actually “the best" at practicing criminal law (but our list comes close).

Showing attorneys 1–12 out of 250

Compare Favorites

Compare Lawyers

Search Directory for Criminal Defense Lawyers in New York County, NY

Change your query below to search for lawyers in other areas. *results are limited to 250 per query

Criminal Defense Lawyers by Cities in New York County, NY

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Counties Near New York County

New York County Lawyers by Practice Area

More Practice Areas

Criminal Defense Lawyers by Specialty

New York County, NY Criminal Defense Legal Resources

Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations
Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense
New York County Government and Court Resources

Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations

New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL) - The New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL) was formed in 1986 by a group of New York defense attorneys. NYSACDL is dedicated to creating a strong, well-trained set of criminal defense lawyers to protect the rights of those accused of crimes in New York. The NYSACDL offers a criminal defense membership program involving Continuing Legal Education (CLEs), networking events, and more.

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) - Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges.

Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense

Criminal Trial Law - The specialty area of Criminal Trial Law is offered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) to lawyers. To earn NBTA board certification, the criminal defense attorney must show substantial involvement in at least 45 days of trial, must have served as lead counsel in jury cases through verdict; conducted direct examinations and cross-examinations, and conducted a specified number of voir dire, opening statements and closing arguments.

DUI Defense Law - The National College for DUI Defense, Inc. (NCDD) is an organization that grants specialty or board certification for DUI Defense Law. The ABA has recognized the NCDD as an organization that is accredited to award certification in this specialty area of the law. The purpose of granting board certification in DUI Defense Law is to recognize DUI and DWI lawyers who focus their practice on representing men and women accused of drunk and impaired driving offenses. In order to qualify for board certification in "DUI Defense Law," the attorney must meet specific qualifications and apply for board certification with NCDD.

New York County Government and Court Resources

New York County Defender Services
New York County District Attorney's Office
New York County Supreme Court
New York County Agencies
New York Office of the Appellate Defender
Office of Indigent Legal Services of New York
Federal Courts in New York County, NY

New York County Defender Services

New York County Defender Services - New York County Defender Services in Manhattan, New York, provides legal representation to those unable to afford private counsel. The office handles criminal defense, immigration cases, and appeals. It is committed to ensuring fair legal processes and protecting the rights of the indigent. With a team of skilled attorneys and support staff, the office manages a significant number of cases annually. Their goal is to deliver effective legal defense and advocate for justice and fairness.

New York County Defender Services
100 William Street, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212-803-5100

New York County District Attorney's Office

New York County District Attorney's Office - The New York County District Attorney's Office in Manhattan, New York, prosecutes criminal cases and supports crime victims. It includes specialized bureaus to address various types of crimes. The office is dedicated to maintaining public safety and justice through diligent legal efforts. With a team of experienced attorneys and support staff, it handles a high volume of cases each year, striving to protect the community and uphold the rule of law.

New York County District Attorney's Office
1 Hogan Pl
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-335-9000

New York County Supreme Court

New York County Supreme Court - The New York County Supreme Court in Manhattan, New York, handles major criminal cases, civil matters, and family law issues. The court is dedicated to delivering fair and impartial justice, ensuring the protection of legal rights, and maintaining public trust. With a team of experienced judges and support staff, the court manages a significant number of cases annually. It aims to uphold justice and provide accessible judicial services to the community.

New York County Supreme Court
60 Centre St
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 646-386-3600

New York County Agencies

New York County Agencies - New York County departments manage services in health, education, and law enforcement. Operating under the oversight of the New York City Council, these agencies aim to enhance community quality of life through effective service delivery. They focus on addressing urban challenges and supporting the dynamic and diverse population of Manhattan.

New York Office of the Appellate Defender

New York Office of the Appellate Defender - The Office of the Appellate Defender in New York is a crucial legal resource. It specializes in providing expert representation for indigent individuals appealing criminal convictions. By meticulously reviewing trial records, identifying errors, and constructing compelling arguments, the office ensures a fair appeals process. Its dedication to justice, expertise in appellate advocacy, and commitment to equitable outcomes make it an invaluable asset in New York's legal system.

Office of Indigent Legal Services of New York

Office of Indigent Legal Services of New York - The Office of Indigent Legal Services of New York was created to enhance the quality of services, providing effective counsel to entitled individuals who can't afford representation. The Office and Indigent Legal Services Board were established in 2010 in response to deficiencies in indigent legal services.t. They distribute State funds from the Indigent Legal Services Fund (ILSF) to improve legal services quality, and operate based on policies set by the Board.

Federal Courts in New York County, NY

U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York - The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, formed in 1814, is one of the most prominent federal courts in the country, with courthouses located in Manhattan and White Plains. It handles a high volume of nationally significant cases involving securities, terrorism, organized crime, public corruption, civil rights, and high-profile civil disputes. Located in the heart of the nation's financial and media capital, the court plays a critical role in shaping federal jurisprudence.

explore THIS PAGE

Featured Law Firms Lawyer Directory Legal Resources

Criminal Defense Lawyers in New York City

Law Firms Practicing Criminal Defense in New York County, NY

The Cochran Firm

Holon Law Partners

Directory of Criminal Defense Lawyers in New York County, NY

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Manhattan

Peter E Brill

Julie Rendelman

Arkady Bukh

Harleigh Tensen

Kristen N. Epifania

Jeffery Louis Greco

David J Cohen

Mahir S. Nisar

Scott E Feifer

Martin Kron

Nick Hentoff

Hector Benjamin Perez