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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Covington, KY: 2026 rankings

166 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Covington: Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Cincinnati Office, LFR Score 74/100; 4.9★ from 462 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Josh McIntosh Law, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 166.

  3. 50

    Most-reviewed: Kruger & Hodges Hometown Injury Lawyers, 450 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 166 ranked after Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Cincinnati Office; ranked #50.

Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

166 Covington criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 40 are open 24/7, 60 open Saturdays and 52 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 166 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Covington 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.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Covington at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Cincinnati Office744.9★ (462)Cincinnati, 1 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Josh McIntosh Law745.0★ (263)CovingtonOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3Luftman, Heck & Associates: Cincinnati Criminal Defense745.0★ (305)Cincinnati, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Taliaferro Law, PLLC745.0★ (268)CovingtonOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5The Law Offices of Steven R. Adams734.9★ (372)Cincinnati, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Ernst & Associates724.8★ (296)Cincinnati, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7Levinson Law LLC724.9★ (158)Newport, 1 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Moermond & Mulligan, LLC714.8★ (190)Cincinnati, 1 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Shark Law714.9★ (143)Cincinnati, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Bleile & Dawson714.9★ (119)Cincinnati, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 166 criminal defense lawyers in Covington, 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.

  2. #2 Josh McIntosh Law

    Based in Covington

    74/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 263 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 263 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    713 Scott St, Covington, KY 41011
    View profile for Josh McIntosh Law(859) 217-4467

  4. #4 Taliaferro Law, PLLC

    Based in Covington

    74/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 268 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 268 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    603 Greenup St Ste 100, Covington, KY 41011
    View profile for Taliaferro Law, PLLC(859) 655-5212

  6. #6 Ernst & Associates

    Based in Cincinnati, 2 mi away

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 296 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 296 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    212 W 8th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
    View profile for Ernst & Associates(513) 643-0541

  7. #7 Levinson Law LLC

    Based in Newport, 1 mi away

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 158 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 158 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    530 York St, Newport, KY 41071
    View profile for Levinson Law LLC(859) 250-4550

  9. #9 Shark Law

    Based in Cincinnati, 2 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 143 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 143 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1136 St Gregory St Unit 110, Cincinnati, OH 45202
    View profile for Shark Law(513) 854-1374

  10. #10 Bleile & Dawson

    Based in Cincinnati, 2 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 119 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 119 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    810 Sycamore St Fl 5, Cincinnati, OH 45202
    View profile for Bleile & Dawson(513) 399-5945

  11. #11 Joslyn Law Firm

    Based in Cincinnati, 2 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 148 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 148 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1117 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
    View profile for Joslyn Law Firm(513) 399-6289

  13. #13 Bouchard Law Office

    Based in Cincinnati, 2 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 79 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 79 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1019 Main St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
    View profile for Bouchard Law Office(513) 926-4655

  14. #14 Janes Law PLLC

    Based in Covington

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 35 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 35 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    809 Wright's Summit Pkwy Ste 320, Fort Wright, KY 41011
    View profile for Janes Law PLLC(502) 797-0648

  17. #17 Arenstein & Gallagher

    Based in Cincinnati, 3 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 59 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.4★ from 59 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2115 Luray Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206
    View profile for Arenstein & Gallagher(513) 651-5666

  20. #20 Pharr Law Group

    Based in Independence, 2 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 140 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 140 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    809 Wright's Summit Pkwy Ste 320, Fort Wright, KY 41011
    View profile for Pharr Law Group(859) 359-1562

  24. #24 Dean Pisacano

    Based in Covington

    65/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 14 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 9 AM–5 PM
    Address
    214 E 4th St, Covington, KY 41011
    View profile for Dean Pisacano(859) 431-7202

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 166 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Covington, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima645.0★ (446)4 mi
27The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A.644.9★ (64)2 mi
28The Law Office of David S. Albrecht644.9★ (135)22 mi
29Rosenhoffer Gary644.7★ (25)18 mi
30Jeremiah Denslow, DUI Attorney645.0★ (35)17 mi
31James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law644.7★ (62)2 mi
32Dickman Law Office, PSC634.6★ (54)In Covington
33Schiavone Law Office634.4★ (45)22 mi
34Meadows Law Firm634.8★ (187)18 mi
35Cohen Greg635.0★ (6)3 mi
36Ganote Law, LLC634.6★ (44)2 mi
37The Law Firm of Anna Korneeva634.8★ (38)2 mi
38Douglas A. Ball Attorney at Law633.9★ (58)18 mi
39Law Office of Anthony Putman, PLLC625.0★ (21)1 mi
40The Law Office of Marvin Knorr & Associates624.8★ (166)In Covington
41Kip Guinan624.4★ (5)2 mi
42Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC624.6★ (206)In Covington
43David Steele Law614.6★ (19)1 mi
44James R. Hartke613.3★ (10)2 mi
45The Brunk Law Firm, PLLC614.6★ (56)10 mi
46Paul J. Hill, Attorney At Law615.0★ (7)4 mi
47Mc Intosh & Mc Intosh LLC614.0★ (4)2 mi
48Grubbs & Landry, PLLC614.3★ (35)4 mi
49The Risk Firm, PLLC604.0★ (36)3 mi
50Kruger & Hodges Hometown Injury Lawyers604.9★ (450)22 mi

Also serving Covington

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.

Unranked criminal defense lawyers serving Covington
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Arnzen, Storm & Turner P.S.C.4.6★ (22)In Covington
Attorneys Rafizadeh, Fortner & Holbrook on Greenup4.8★ (16)In Covington
Bridges Gailen W4.2★ (26)In Covington
Busald Funk Zevely PSC4.6★ (166)8 mi
Darrell A. Cox, PSC4.2★ (37)In Covington
DeSantis Family Law4.9★ (36)In Covington
Fortner John5.0★ (11)In Covington
Gounaris Abboud, LPA5.0★ (4)21 mi
Kidd & Urling Law5.0★ (49)19 mi
Law Office of Kim Coleman5.0★ (15)In Covington
Marcus Carey4.6★ (5)7 mi
Morgan & Smith4.9★ (16)In Covington
Morgan Smith Porter, P.L.L.C.5.0★ (45)In Covington
Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima4.9★ (502)29 mi
Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima4.5★ (21)17 mi
Robert Poole Law3.0★ (7)9 mi
Shannon D. Sexton, Attorney at Law, PLLC4.9★ (36)In Covington
Steiden Law Offices4.8★ (178)In Covington
Thomas R. Kerr, Attorney At Law4.9★ (11)In Covington
Treleven & Klingensmith4.7★ (66)6 mi

How we ranked Covington criminal defense lawyers

We scored 166 Covington 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.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

LFR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Covington data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Bar status10%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 volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability5%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7Measured
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)Measured
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there areMeasured

How to choose a criminal defense lawyer

  1. Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
  2. Ask how many criminal defense matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
  3. Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
  4. Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
  5. Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
  6. Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the court where your case is filed.
  7. 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 Covington: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Covington?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Covington, KY is Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Cincinnati Office with an LFR Score of 74/100. It has 4.9★ from 462 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Josh McIntosh Law (#2) and Luftman, Heck & Associates: Cincinnati Criminal Defense (#3) follow. We ranked 166 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Covington?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 166 criminal defense lawyers serving Covington, KY. 8 of them are based in Covington; 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 Covington are open 24/7?

40 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Covington post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Cincinnati Office (#1), Josh McIntosh Law (#2) and Luftman, Heck & Associates: Cincinnati Criminal Defense (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Covington work on weekends?

60 of 166 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 52 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Cincinnati Office (#1), Josh McIntosh Law (#2) and Luftman, Heck & Associates: Cincinnati Criminal Defense (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Covington criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 166 rated criminal defense lawyers in Covington is 4.7★, with a median of 33 reviews. Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Cincinnati Office has the most, 462 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 Covington count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Covington 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 Covington, KY 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 Covington, KY 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 Covington?

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 Covington

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 166 criminal defense lawyers serving Covington.

More criminal defense lawyers and Covington pages