74/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 950 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Clearwater, FL: 2026 rankings
299 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Clearwater: Carlson | Hayslett PA, LFR Score 74/100; 4.9★ from 950 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Pearlman Trial Group, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 299.
- 2
Most-reviewed: Pearlman Trial Group, 598 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 299 ranked after Carlson | Hayslett PA; ranked #2.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
299 Clearwater criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 131 are open 24/7, 146 open Saturdays and 141 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 299 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Clearwater 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 | Carlson | Hayslett PA | 74 | 4.9★ (950) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Pearlman Trial Group | 73 | 4.9★ (598) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours, Most reviews |
| 3 | J. Kevin Hayslett | DUI Attorney and Criminal Defense Lawyer | 72 | 4.9★ (342) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Timothy Sullivan - Pinellas County DUI Defense Attorney, PLLC | 72 | 5.0★ (240) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | Roger Futerman & Associates | 71 | 4.9★ (212) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | Reep Law Firm | 71 | 5.0★ (132) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 7 | Blake & Dorsten, P.A. | 70 | 4.9★ (115) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | Finkelstein Firm, P.A. | 70 | 4.9★ (95) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 9 | Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Law, PLLC | 70 | 4.7★ (428) | Palm Harbor, 9 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 10 | Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | 69 | 5.0★ (66) | Clearwater | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 299 criminal defense lawyers in Clearwater, 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.
Scores below: based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
Based in Clearwater
73/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 598 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
72/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 342 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
72/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 240 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
71/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 212 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
71/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 132 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 115 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 95 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Palm Harbor, 9 mi away
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 428 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 66 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 133 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
#12 King Law Group
Based in Clearwater
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Tampa, 21 mi away
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 571 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Tampa, 19 mi away
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 434 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Largo, 4 mi away
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 121 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in St. Petersburg, 15 mi away
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 189 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in St. Petersburg, 15 mi away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 182 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in St. Petersburg, 17 mi away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 295 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in St. Petersburg, 15 mi away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 213 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
#20 Hersem Law
Based in Tampa, 20 mi away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 245 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
#21 Haworth Legal
Based in Clearwater
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in New Port Richey, 21 mi away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 329 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 27 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Tampa, 21 mi away
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 270 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Clearwater
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
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 299 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Clearwater
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.
How we ranked Clearwater criminal defense lawyers
We scored 299 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Clearwater?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Clearwater, FL is Carlson | Hayslett PA with an LFR Score of 74/100. It has 4.9★ from 950 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Pearlman Trial Group (#2) and J. Kevin Hayslett | DUI Attorney and Criminal Defense Lawyer (#3) follow. We ranked 299 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Clearwater?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 299 criminal defense lawyers serving Clearwater, FL. 20 of them are based in Clearwater; 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 Clearwater are open 24/7?
131 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Clearwater post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Carlson | Hayslett PA (#1), Pearlman Trial Group (#2) and J. Kevin Hayslett | DUI Attorney and Criminal Defense Lawyer (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Clearwater work on weekends?
146 of 299 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 141 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Carlson | Hayslett PA (#1), Pearlman Trial Group (#2) and J. Kevin Hayslett | DUI Attorney and Criminal Defense Lawyer (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Clearwater criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 299 rated criminal defense lawyers in Clearwater is 4.8★, with a median of 42 reviews. Carlson | Hayslett PA has the most, 950 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 Clearwater count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Clearwater 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 Clearwater, FL 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 Clearwater, FL 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 Clearwater?
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 Clearwater
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 299 criminal defense lawyers serving Clearwater.
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