Criminal Defense Marketing
When Someone Gets Arrested, Their Family Googles First
Marketing for criminal defense attorneys built around urgency. Google Ads, SEO, and content that captures the search the moment it happens — DUI, drug charges, assault, federal cases — and converts it into a consultation before your competitors do.
Get a Criminal Defense Marketing StrategyWhat Criminal Defense Firms Face in Marketing
Your window is hours, not days.
When someone is arrested, they or their family search for a lawyer immediately. If your ads aren't running or your site doesn't load fast on mobile, they call the next firm on the list. Response time is everything.
Every charge is a different search.
Someone searching "DUI lawyer" has different needs than someone searching "federal drug charges." Generic campaigns that lump all criminal defense together waste budget on mismatched intent.
Trust has to be instant.
People hiring a criminal defense attorney are scared. Your website and ads have about 10 seconds to convey competence, experience, and availability. If they have to hunt for your phone number, they're gone.
How We Market Criminal Defense Firms
24/7 Google Ads for Every Charge Type
Campaigns segmented by charge — DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft, domestic violence, federal charges. Each campaign has its own ad copy, landing page, and keyword set matched to the specific situation your prospect is in.
Charge-Specific Landing Pages
When someone searches "DUI lawyer near me," they land on a page about DUI defense — not a generic homepage. Relevant content, clear next steps, prominent phone number. Every page built to convert that specific search into a call.
SEO Content for "What Happens If" Searches
People arrested for the first time Google their charges. "What happens if you get a DUI in Washington," "penalties for drug possession," "do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor." Your content answers those questions and positions your firm as the call they make next.
Mobile-First, Speed-First Websites
Most criminal defense searches happen on phones. Your site needs to load in under 2 seconds, display a clickable phone number above the fold, and make the path from search to call as short as possible.
80+ new appointments per month — Jordan Foster Law
Criminal defense firm capturing high-urgency searches across multiple charge types. Campaigns built around the specific charges and situations that drive people to search for a defense attorney immediately. Charge-specific landing pages and 24/7 ad scheduling ensure the firm is visible the moment the search happens.
Read the full case study →Why Criminal Defense Firms Work With Cascade
We build for urgency.
Every element — ad copy, landing pages, site speed, call tracking — is designed for the criminal defense buying cycle: hours, not weeks. Your marketing is ready when the arrest happens.
Campaigns are built per charge, not per firm.
A DUI campaign looks nothing like a federal drug charge campaign. Different keywords, different ad copy, different landing pages. The specificity is what makes the conversion rates work.
Compliance is non-negotiable.
No outcome guarantees. No "we'll get your charges dropped" promises. Every ad and page complies with bar advertising rules while still conveying competence and urgency.
Criminal defense marketing is expensive. Keywords cost $75-200+ per click in most metros. We won't pretend a $500/month budget will produce results. We'll tell you the real number for your market, and if paid ads aren't viable yet, we'll build the SEO foundation that produces free consultations in 6-12 months.
Questions About Criminal Defense Marketing
Q: How do you capture urgent criminal defense searches?
Google Ads campaigns run 24/7 targeting searches like "DUI lawyer near me," "criminal defense attorney," and charge-specific terms. When someone gets arrested at 2am and their family starts searching, your ad is there. Fast page load, click-to-call, and immediate response mechanisms are critical.
Q: What's the biggest challenge in criminal defense marketing?
Speed and competition. Criminal defense searches happen in moments of crisis — someone has hours, not weeks, to find a lawyer. The firms that show up first with a clear, trustworthy message win the consultation. That means your Google Ads, landing pages, and phone systems all need to be optimized for immediate response.
Q: Can you market specific criminal charges?
Yes. We build campaigns around specific charge types — DUI/DWI, drug possession, assault, domestic violence, theft, federal charges — each with its own keyword targeting, ad copy, and landing page. People search for their specific situation, and the more relevant your page is to that search, the more likely they are to call.
The Next Arrest in Your City Could Be Your Next Client
Let's build a marketing system that's ready when the search happens.
Get a Criminal Defense Marketing Strategy