Arrested or charged in Mobile?
If you have been arrested in Mobile, the clock starts immediately and what you say next matters. Misdemeanors are handled in District Court and felonies in the Mobile County Circuit Court at 205 Government Street, and Alabama treats a DUI under Code section 32-5A-191 seriously even on a first offense. A criminal defense lawyer protects your rights from the first hearing through trial. The lawyer you pick, and how fast you call, can change the outcome.
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer matters because the prosecutor has the full weight of the state behind them and a single conviction can follow you for years. Below are Mobile firms and attorneys that appear consistently across Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and Expertise.com, with verifiable criminal defense experience. Most offer a confidential consultation, so the first conversation is private and low-risk.
How we picked these 9: We reviewed peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), trial experience, focus on criminal defense, and bar standing across Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and Expertise.com. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Capital murder defense, appeals, wrongful convictions, serious felonies
Founding attorney Christine Hernandez is recognized by Super Lawyers and has handled capital murder defenses, appeals, and wrongful-conviction cases. The firm is known for taking on serious and complex matters across Alabama.
Practice focus: DUI, drug offenses, white-collar crime, traffic and juvenile charges
With more than 39 years assisting defendants in Mobile and the surrounding area, the firm builds arguments against charges and advocates in administrative hearings and criminal proceedings. It is profiled on Super Lawyers and Justia.
Practice focus: DUI/DWI, domestic violence, fraud, federal criminal defense, juvenile charges
A long-established downtown Mobile firm that represents clients facing state and federal charges, founded on the belief that everyone deserves vigorous defense. It is listed among Mobile criminal defense attorneys on Super Lawyers.
Practice focus: State, federal and municipal criminal defense, trial work
Attorney Chase Dearman has more than 19 years of experience and extensive trial work in Alabama's federal, state, and municipal courts. The firm is profiled on Super Lawyers and Avvo.
Practice focus: White-collar crime, DUI/DWI, homicide, sex crimes, drug crimes
Founder T. Jefferson Deen III has been recognized by both Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for his criminal defense work, handling serious felony and white-collar matters in Mobile.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, felony and misdemeanor charges
A Mobile criminal defense attorney recognized on the Super Lawyers list, representing clients in state and federal matters across south Alabama.
Practice focus: DUI, drug charges, violent and property crimes
Attorney W. Donald Bolton, Jr. is listed among Mobile's top-rated criminal defense attorneys on Super Lawyers, with a practice focused on defending serious state charges.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, felony defense
A Mobile criminal defense attorney recognized on the Super Lawyers list, representing defendants in District and Circuit Court matters in Mobile County.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug offenses
A Mobile defense attorney listed among the city's criminal defense lawyers on Super Lawyers, handling state criminal matters in and around Mobile County.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted criminal defense attorneys in Mobile. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Match the lawyer to the charge. A first-offense DUI is a different problem from a felony drug or violent-crime case, and a federal indictment is different still. For serious or federal charges you want a lawyer with real trial experience in that arena, not a generalist.
Ask each lawyer how many cases like yours they have tried, who will actually appear in court for you, and what the realistic outcomes are. A lawyer prepared to take your case to trial is treated differently by prosecutors than one who only ever pleads.
Criminal defense fees in Mobile depend on the charge. Many lawyers charge a flat fee for misdemeanors and DUIs, often a few thousand dollars, and a larger flat or hourly fee for felonies, where hourly rates commonly run about $150 to $400.
A serious felony or federal case, which can involve experts, investigators, and a trial, costs substantially more than a single misdemeanor. Get the fee, what it covers, and any trial or expert costs in writing before you hire.
Where your case is heard. Misdemeanors are typically handled in Mobile County District Court and felonies in the Mobile County Circuit Court at 205 Government Street. A lawyer who appears there regularly knows the local judges and prosecutors.
DUI under Alabama law. A DUI is charged under Alabama Code section 32-5A-191, and even a first offense can mean fines, license suspension, and possible jail. The details of the stop and the testing often create defenses.
Your rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Declining to answer questions until your lawyer is present is not an admission of guilt; it protects you.
Tell us what is going on. We'll match you with vetted Mobile firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
It depends on the charge. Many Mobile defense lawyers charge a flat fee for misdemeanors and DUIs, often a few thousand dollars, and a larger flat or hourly fee for felonies, where hourly rates commonly run about $150 to $400. Get the fee, what it covers, and trial costs in writing before you hire.
You have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Politely declining to answer questions until your attorney is present is not an admission of guilt, and it protects you. Anything you say can be used against you.
Misdemeanors are typically heard in Mobile County District Court and felonies in the Mobile County Circuit Court at 205 Government Street. A lawyer who appears there regularly knows the local judges and prosecutors.
Under Alabama Code section 32-5A-191, a first DUI can mean fines, license suspension, and possible jail time, plus an ignition interlock option. The facts of the stop and the testing can create real defenses, which is why early review by a lawyer matters.
Even a misdemeanor conviction can affect your job, housing, and record. A defense lawyer can often negotiate a reduction, a diversion option, or a dismissal that you could not get on your own.
As soon as possible. Early representation lets your lawyer preserve evidence, talk to witnesses, and sometimes influence charging decisions before they are filed. Waiting can cost you options.
Many cases resolve through negotiation or pretrial motions, but you want a lawyer who is prepared to try the case if the offer is not fair. Prosecutors treat trial-ready lawyers differently.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews, and call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many cases like yours they have handled in Mobile in the last three years. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team