68/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3,962 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Chapel Hill, NC: 2026 rankings
151 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Chapel Hill: Cotten Law Firm, PLLC, LFR Score 68/100; 5.0★ from 3,962 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Chapel Hill DWI Lawyer, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 151.
- 13
Most-reviewed: iTicket.law - Powered by Hatley Law Office, 18,105 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 151 ranked; ranked #13.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
151 Chapel Hill criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 18 are open 24/7, 28 open Saturdays and 19 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 151 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Chapel Hill 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 | Cotten Law Firm, PLLC | 68 | 5.0★ (3,962) | Raleigh, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Chapel Hill DWI Lawyer | 66 | 5.0★ (32) | Carrboro, 1 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Cotten Law Firm, PLLC | 66 | 4.9★ (2,664) | Fuquay-Varina, 27 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Durham DWI Lawyer | 65 | 5.0★ (51) | Durham, 10 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | The Law Office of Kevin M. Kennedy PLLC | 65 | 4.9★ (692) | Chapel Hill | — | — |
| 6 | Law Office of Matthew Charles Suczynski | 64 | 4.8★ (283) | Chapel Hill | — | — |
| 7 | Frasier & Griffin Durham | 64 | 4.8★ (175) | Durham, 10 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Raleigh DWI Lawyer | 63 | 5.0★ (117) | Raleigh, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 9 | The Law Office of Christopher R. Detwiler, PLLC | 63 | 5.0★ (120) | Raleigh, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 10 | DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, LLP | 63 | 4.8★ (187) | Raleigh, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 151 criminal defense lawyers in Chapel Hill, 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 Carrboro, 1 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 32 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Fuquay-Varina, 27 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 2,664 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Durham, 10 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 51 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Chapel Hill
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 692 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Chapel Hill
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 283 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Durham, 10 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 175 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 Raleigh, 25 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 117 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 120 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 187 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cary, 19 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 83 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Chapel Hill
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 18,105 Google reviews, the most in Chapel Hill.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Durham, 4 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 141 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#15 Saad Law
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 229 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 24 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 296 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Knightdale, 9 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 37 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Chapel Hill
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#19 Minick Law, P.C.
Based in Durham, 10 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 147 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#20 Kissling Law
Based in Raleigh, 24 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 794 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Durham, 10 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 12 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 Graham, 22 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 531 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 21 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 340 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Durham, 11 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 195 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#25 Sparrow Law Firm
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 35 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Criminal defense lawyers ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 151 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | The Chetson Firm | 60 | 4.7★ (82) | 25 mi |
| 27 | Kastrati Law, PLLC. | 60 | 4.9★ (348) | 21 mi |
| 28 | Latorre Law Firm | 60 | 4.6★ (69) | 6 mi |
| 29 | Hirsch Law Group | 60 | 5.0★ (7) | 25 mi |
| 30 | BuenRostro Abogados | 59 | 4.9★ (254) | 21 mi |
| 31 | Scharff Law Firm | 59 | 4.9★ (116) | 16 mi |
| 32 | Minick Law, P.C. | Hillsborough DWI Lawyer | 59 | 5.0★ (5) | 12 mi |
| 33 | Roberts Law Office, PA | 59 | 4.9★ (103) | 25 mi |
| 34 | Granados Law Group, PLLC | 59 | 4.8★ (257) | 18 mi |
| 35 | Rojas Legal Services | 59 | 4.5★ (17) | 16 mi |
| 36 | Martine Law, PLLC | 59 | 4.6★ (50) | 11 mi |
| 37 | The Law Offices of Edward J. Falcone and H. Wood Vann | 59 | 5.0★ (25) | 10 mi |
| 38 | Ryan Willis | 59 | 5.0★ (4) | 25 mi |
| 39 | Fay Grafton Nunez, PLLC | 59 | 4.9★ (328) | 26 mi |
| 40 | Jennifer Allen Law, PLLC | 59 | 4.5★ (76) | 12 mi |
| 41 | Provenzano Law | 58 | 5.0★ (40) | 18 mi |
| 42 | Frickey Law Firm PLLC | 58 | 5.0★ (157) | 25 mi |
| 43 | Law Office of Frank Chen | 58 | 4.9★ (37) | 25 mi |
| 44 | Coolidge Law Firm | 58 | 4.8★ (264) | 25 mi |
| 45 | Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley | 58 | 4.9★ (158) | 25 mi |
| 46 | Floyd Law Offices PLLC | 58 | 4.9★ (188) | 25 mi |
| 47 | Haddock Law Firm, PLLC | 58 | 4.7★ (14) | 19 mi |
| 48 | Fanney Law Office, PLLC | 58 | 4.8★ (144) | 24 mi |
| 49 | Cotton Law Firm | 58 | 4.8★ (24) | 14 mi |
| 50 | Sandman, Finn & Fitzhugh | 58 | 4.9★ (79) | 21 mi |
Also serving Chapel Hill
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Averett Family Law | 4.5★ (39) | In Chapel Hill |
| Bagwell Holt Smith P.A. | 4.7★ (31) | In Chapel Hill |
| Barbarin Law Group | 4.6★ (88) | In Chapel Hill |
| Blue LLP | 4.6★ (19) | 25 mi |
| Brian D Westrom Attorney at Law | 5.0★ (10) | In Chapel Hill |
| Chapel Hill Family Law | 5.0★ (47) | In Chapel Hill |
| Christopher Watkins Law Office | 3.8★ (4) | 22 mi |
| Donna Ambler Davis, PC | 4.4★ (34) | In Chapel Hill |
| Hatch, Little & Bunn, L.L.P. | 4.6★ (269) | 23 mi |
| J.C. White Law Group PLLC | 4.4★ (12) | In Chapel Hill |
| King Law | 4.8★ (63) | In Chapel Hill |
| King Law | 4.2★ (49) | 23 mi |
| Law Office of Gary Poole | 5.0★ (32) | In Chapel Hill |
| Law Office of Mack & Mack | 5.0★ (1) | In Chapel Hill |
| Law Offices of Amos Tyndall - Criminal Defense Attorney | 5.0★ (1) | In Chapel Hill |
| Owens & Kurz, LLC | 5.0★ (2) | In Chapel Hill |
| Patterson Harkavy LLP | 2.3★ (6) | In Chapel Hill |
| Polanco Law, P.C. | 4.1★ (68) | 9 mi |
| Richardson Law Firm, PLLC | 4.3★ (73) | 12 mi |
| Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC | 4.9★ (12) | In Chapel Hill |
How we ranked Chapel Hill criminal defense lawyers
We scored 151 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Chapel Hill?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Chapel Hill, NC is Cotten Law Firm, PLLC with an LFR Score of 68/100. It has 5.0★ from 3,962 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Chapel Hill DWI Lawyer (#2) and Cotten Law Firm, PLLC (#3) follow. We ranked 151 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Chapel Hill?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 151 criminal defense lawyers serving Chapel Hill, NC. 4 of them are based in Chapel Hill; 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 Chapel Hill are open 24/7?
18 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Chapel Hill post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Cotten Law Firm, PLLC (#1), Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Chapel Hill DWI Lawyer (#2) and Cotten Law Firm, PLLC (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Chapel Hill work on weekends?
28 of 151 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 19 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Cotten Law Firm, PLLC (#1), Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Chapel Hill DWI Lawyer (#2) and Cotten Law Firm, PLLC (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Chapel Hill criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 151 rated criminal defense lawyers in Chapel Hill is 4.8★, with a median of 42 reviews. iTicket.law - Powered by Hatley Law Office has the most, 18,105 reviews, and ranks #13. 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 Chapel Hill count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill, NC 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 Chapel Hill, NC 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 Chapel Hill?
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 Chapel Hill
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 151 criminal defense lawyers serving Chapel Hill.
More criminal defense lawyers and Chapel Hill pages
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