64/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 107 Google reviews, the most in Ames.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Ames, IA: 2026 rankings
13 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Ames: The Smith Law Firm, PLLC, LFR Score 64/100; 4.9★ from 107 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 7
Most-reviewed: Patrick H Payton & Associates P.C., 51 Google reviews at 4.5★, the most of 13 ranked after The Smith Law Firm, PLLC; ranked #7.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
13 Ames criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 1 is open 24/7, 1 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.5★ across 13 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Ames at a glance
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Smith Law Firm, PLLC | 64 | 4.9★ (107) | Ames | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Olberding Law Office | 58 | 3.2★ (11) | Ames | — | — |
| 3 | Feuerhelm Law Office PC | 57 | 4.6★ (13) | Des Moines, 26 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | Balduchi Law Office, PC | 56 | 4.5★ (30) | Des Moines, 29 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | Eric R. Eshelman - Attorney at Law | 56 | 4.6★ (11) | Ankeny, 21 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Jordan & Mahoney Law Firm PC | 49 | 4.5★ (22) | Boone, 14 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Patrick H Payton & Associates P.C. | 49 | 4.5★ (51) | Des Moines, 27 mi away | — | Most reviews |
| 8 | Hostetter Nathan | 47 | 3.7★ (3) | Ames | — | — |
| 9 | Thornton & Coy, PLLC | 47 | 4.4★ (14) | Ankeny, 21 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Marberry Law Firm, P.C. | 47 | 4.0★ (43) | Urbandale, 29 mi away | — | — |
All 13 criminal defense lawyers in Ames, in rank order
Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
Based in Ames
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.2★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 26 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 29 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ankeny, 21 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Boone, 14 mi away
49/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 22 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 27 mi away
49/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.5★ from 51 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ames
47/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ankeny, 21 mi away
47/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Urbandale, 29 mi away
47/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.0★ from 43 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Clive, 30 mi away
46/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Urbandale, 30 mi away
45/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Altoona, 28 mi away
44/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.1★ from 18 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Also serving Ames
20 more criminal defense lawyers within 30 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Arch Wilson Law | 4.8★ (4) | In Ames |
| Barten Law P.C. | 4.5★ (71) | In Ames |
| Bernard Firm | 4.6★ (13) | In Ames |
| Causey & Ye Law | 5.0★ (2) | In Ames |
| Dentons Davis Brown | 4.6★ (12) | In Ames |
| Facio Nicole S. | 2.5★ (6) | In Ames |
| Gartin, Timothy L | 4.6★ (9) | In Ames |
| Hastings & Gartin Law Group, LLP | 3.7★ (30) | In Ames |
| Heartland Legacy Law | 5.0★ (29) | In Ames |
| Huss Law Office, P.L.C. | 3.1★ (8) | In Ames |
| Kelleher Law Office, PLLC | 1.0★ (2) | In Ames |
| Legal Aid Society of Story County | 3.9★ (30) | In Ames |
| New Point Law Firm, plc | 3.6★ (30) | In Ames |
| Nyemaster Goode, P.C. | 4.7★ (3) | In Ames |
| Payer, Hunziker, Rhodes & Peters LLP | 4.3★ (6) | In Ames |
| Reisinger Rebecca A. | 4.2★ (5) | In Ames |
| Stephen M Terrill Attorney at Law | In Ames | |
| Story County Attorneys Office | 3.0★ (17) | In Ames |
| The Fossey Law Firm | Iowa Lemon Law Attorney | 5.0★ (4) | In Ames |
| White & Zaffarano | 5.0★ (2) | In Ames |
How we ranked Ames criminal defense lawyers
We scored 13 Ames criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Ames data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose a criminal defense lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many criminal defense matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the court where your case is filed.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer
- How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
- How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
- Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
- What does the flat fee cover, and what costs extra if the case goes to trial?
- Who will appear with me at each hearing?
- Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?
Terms explained
- Contingency fee
- A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
- Retainer
- Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
- Flat fee
- One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
- Limited-scope representation
- Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
- Good standing
- A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
- Law society
- The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
- Board certification
- Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
- Attorney–client privilege
- The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
- Conflict check
- The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
- Pro bono
- Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Legal aid
- Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.
Criminal defense lawyers in Ames: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Ames?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Ames, IA is The Smith Law Firm, PLLC with an LFR Score of 64/100. It has 4.9★ from 107 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Olberding Law Office (#2) and Feuerhelm Law Office PC (#3) follow. We ranked 13 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Ames?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 13 criminal defense lawyers serving Ames, IA. 3 of them are based in Ames; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Ames are open 24/7?
1 ranked criminal defense lawyer in Ames posts 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked is The Smith Law Firm, PLLC (#1). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Ames work on weekends?
1 of 13 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays is The Smith Law Firm, PLLC (#1). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Ames criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 13 rated criminal defense lawyers in Ames is 4.5★, with a median of 19 reviews. The Smith Law Firm, PLLC has the most, 107 reviews, and ranks #1. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank criminal defense lawyers?
Each criminal defense lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do criminal defense lawyers outside Ames count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Ames city center, our service radius for criminal defense lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.
Can criminal defense lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?
No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.
How do criminal defense lawyers in Ames, IA charge?
Criminal defense lawyers usually charge a flat fee per stage (for example, through a plea or through trial) or an hourly rate. Contingency fees are not allowed in criminal cases under ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $219 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?
If a charge can lead to jail, the court must appoint a lawyer for you if you cannot afford one (Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963; Argersinger v. Hamlin, 1972). Ask about a public defender at your first court appearance. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of criminal defense lawyers in Ames, IA ranked?
By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.
Does a lawyer need an office in Ames?
No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.
Update log for Ames
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 13 criminal defense lawyers serving Ames.
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