You or someone you love has been arrested or charged in Memphis, and the next few days matter. Misdemeanors and the first stage of felony cases run through Shelby County General Sessions Court, while felonies move to the Shelby County Criminal Court for the 30th Judicial District. Tennessee charges range from DUI to serious felonies graded Class A through E, and the right lawyer can mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, diversion, or reduced plea. Below are vetted Memphis criminal defense firms, most offering a confidential consultation.
Updated March 15, 2026
Never talk to police about a criminal charge without a lawyer. In Tennessee, what you say at the scene or in an interview is often the strongest evidence used against you, and you have the right to stay silent and ask for an attorney. A Memphis criminal defense lawyer steps in early, deals with the prosecutor in the Shelby County DA's office, and protects you from decisions that follow you for years on a background check.
Whether this is a first DUI or a felony in Shelby County, an experienced lawyer reviews the police work, looks for constitutional problems with the stop or search, and pushes for the best outcome the facts allow, including diversion or expungement where you qualify.
Talk to a Memphis criminal defense lawyer if any of the following describes your situation.
Step 1: arrest and an initial appearance, usually in Shelby County General Sessions Court, where the charge is read and bond is set. Step 2: for a felony, a preliminary hearing decides whether there is enough evidence to send the case to the grand jury and on to Shelby County Criminal Court. Step 3: arraignment and pretrial conferences, where your lawyer and the prosecutor exchange evidence and discuss a plea, diversion, or dismissal. Step 4: motions to suppress evidence from a bad stop or search. Step 5: trial before a Shelby County jury if the case does not resolve, or a negotiated plea if it does. Most cases end in a plea or dismissal, but a trial-ready lawyer usually gets a better deal.
Many Memphis criminal lawyers charge a flat fee for a defined case: roughly $1,500 to $5,000 for a misdemeanor, $2,500 to $10,000 for a DUI, and $5,000 to $25,000 or more for a felony depending on the charge and whether it goes to trial. Some bill hourly at about $150 to $400 an hour. Ask whether the fee covers trial or stops at a plea, what is included, and whether a payment plan is available. Get the fee agreement in writing before you hire anyone.
Updated March 15, 2026. Verified across Avvo, Super Lawyers, Justia, and firm records. We do not accept payment for placement. Where a firm's aggregate client rating is not yet compiled, we say so rather than invent one.
A long-established Memphis criminal defense firm with a deep bench handling state and federal charges, from DUI and drug cases to serious felonies. A strong fit when you want experienced, trial-tested counsel well known in the Shelby County courts.
A Memphis criminal defense practice led by Claiborne Ferguson, recognized for criminal trial work and consistently listed among the city's top defense lawyers. A good fit if you want a credentialed trial attorney handling your case personally.
A Memphis defense firm led by Michael R. Campbell, with more than a decade of criminal experience and a client-focused reputation across local directories. A solid fit for misdemeanor and felony cases where you want close attention.
A Shelby County criminal defense firm that handles a large volume of cases across the county each year, focused on negotiated resolutions and trial when needed. A good fit for clients who want an aggressive, experienced team.
A Memphis criminal defense office listed across local attorney directories for misdemeanor and felony work. We have not yet compiled an aggregate client rating for this firm, so confirm reviews and fit during your consultation.
Tell us briefly what is going on. We route a confidential request to a best-fit Memphis firm in this directory. No obligation, and nothing is filed without you.