75/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 248 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 Gainesville, FL: 2026 rankings
29 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Gainesville: The Law Office of Juan C. Calama, LFR Score 75/100; 5.0★ from 248 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Landsman Law, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 29.
- 26
Most-reviewed: Rush & Frisco Law, 212 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 29 ranked after The Law Office of Juan C. Calama; ranked #26.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
29 Gainesville criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 16 are open 24/7, 16 open Saturdays and 16 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 29 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Gainesville 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 Law Office of Juan C. Calama | 75 | 5.0★ (248) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Landsman Law | 71 | 5.0★ (51) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Galigani Law Firm | 70 | 4.8★ (60) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Musca Law | 70 | 4.8★ (57) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | Smith & Eulo Law Firm: Criminal Defense Lawyers | 69 | 4.7★ (43) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | Stout Defense, P.A. | 69 | 5.0★ (191) | Gainesville | — | — |
| 7 | The Law Offices of Robert David Malove | 68 | 5.0★ (20) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit | 68 | 4.8★ (20) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 9 | Law Office of Edwards, Jones & Doll | 67 | 4.8★ (136) | Gainesville | — | — |
| 10 | Thomas L. Edwards | 67 | 5.0★ (12) | Gainesville | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 29 criminal defense lawyers in Gainesville, 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.
#2 Landsman Law
Based in Gainesville
71/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 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 Gainesville
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 60 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#4 Musca Law
Based in Gainesville
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 57 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 43 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 191 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 136 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 21 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 Gainesville
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#13 Kinsell Law Firm
Based in Gainesville
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 60 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 53 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#15 D Perez Law
Based in Gainesville
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 34 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 182 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 176 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ 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 Gainesville
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 18 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 37 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#23 Full Focus Law
Based in Gainesville
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.1★ from 75 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gainesville
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 23 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bail bonds service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
All 29 criminal defense lawyers
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #29, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Rush & Frisco Law | 59 | 4.8★ (212) | In Gainesville |
| 27 | DeCarlis & Sawyer | 58 | 4.5★ (17) | In Gainesville |
| 28 | Hutson Law Firm, P.A. | 56 | 5.0★ (50) | In Gainesville |
| 29 | Silverman & Mack LLC | 55 | 4.4★ (78) | In Gainesville |
Also serving Gainesville
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Downtown Gainesville | 4.9★ (215) | In Gainesville |
| Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Gainesville | 4.9★ (1,216) | In Gainesville |
| Barbara Cusumano, Attorney at Law | 4.9★ (80) | In Gainesville |
| Beacon Legal PLLC | 4.9★ (47) | In Gainesville |
| Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A. | 4.9★ (261) | In Gainesville |
| Florida DUI Lawyer - The Ticket Clinic | 5.0★ (141) | In Gainesville |
| Friedel Law Group LLC | 5.0★ (83) | In Gainesville |
| Harrison Estate Law, P.A. | 4.9★ (189) | In Gainesville |
| Hesser & Kipke | 5.0★ (76) | In Gainesville |
| LD Legal, LLC | 5.0★ (76) | In Gainesville |
| Maldonado & Vallejo Immigration Law | 4.9★ (144) | In Gainesville |
| Meldon Law | 4.9★ (410) | In Gainesville |
| Morgan & Morgan | 4.7★ (2,023) | In Gainesville |
| Ochsenius & Dunlap Law, PLLC | 5.0★ (66) | In Gainesville |
| Schackow & Mercadante, P.A. | 4.9★ (263) | In Gainesville |
| State Attorney | 3.5★ (93) | In Gainesville |
| The Law Office of Robert J. Warren, P.A. | 4.9★ (113) | In Gainesville |
| The Ticket Clinic - A Law Firm | 4.3★ (257) | In Gainesville |
| Three Rivers Legal Services Inc | 3.8★ (142) | In Gainesville |
| Torres Law Firm, PA | 4.7★ (58) | In Gainesville |
How we ranked Gainesville criminal defense lawyers
We scored 29 Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Gainesville?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Gainesville, FL is The Law Office of Juan C. Calama with an LFR Score of 75/100. It has 5.0★ from 248 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Landsman Law (#2) and Galigani Law Firm (#3) follow. We ranked 29 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Gainesville?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 29 criminal defense lawyers serving Gainesville, FL. 29 of them are based in Gainesville; 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 Gainesville are open 24/7?
16 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Gainesville post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are The Law Office of Juan C. Calama (#1), Landsman Law (#2) and Galigani Law Firm (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Gainesville work on weekends?
16 of 29 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 16 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are The Law Office of Juan C. Calama (#1), Landsman Law (#2) and Galigani Law Firm (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Gainesville criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 29 rated criminal defense lawyers in Gainesville is 4.9★, with a median of 43 reviews. The Law Office of Juan C. Calama has the most, 248 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 Gainesville count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Gainesville 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 Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
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 Gainesville
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 29 criminal defense lawyers serving Gainesville.
More criminal defense lawyers and Gainesville pages
Criminal defense lawyers near Gainesville
- Criminal defense lawyers in Ocala, FL32 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Silver Springs, FL28 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Middleburg, FL103 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Palatka, FL28 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Lake City, FL6 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Oakleaf Plantation, FL111 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Lakeside, FL113 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Fleming Island, FL124 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, FL113 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Fruit Cove, FL124 ranked
Other practice areas in Gainesville
- Personal injury lawyers in Gainesville86 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Gainesville14 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Gainesville31 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Gainesville45 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Gainesville18 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Gainesville16 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Gainesville14 ranked
- Business lawyers in Gainesville7 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Gainesville24 ranked
- Tax lawyers in Gainesville7 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Gainesville22 ranked
- Mediators in Gainesville13 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Gainesville68 ranked
- All lawyers in Gainesville