Denials of wrongdoing from French criminals (8)
I believe the answer is:
defences
'denials of wrongdoing' is the definition.
(legal defences)
'from french criminals' is the wordplay.
'from french' becomes 'de' ('from' in French).
'criminals' becomes 'fences' (people who handle stolen goods).
'de'+'fences'='DEFENCES'
(Other definitions for defences that I've seen before include "ramparts?" , "Means of protection" , "legal cases for those charged" , "Protections or justifications" , "barricades" .)