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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Hot Springs Village, AR: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Hot Springs Village: Degen D. Clow - Attorney, LFR Score 62/100; 5.0★ from 71 Google reviews.

  2. 6

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Shoptaw Law Office, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #6 of 12.

  3. 5

    Most-reviewed: Schnipper, Britton & Stobaugh, 116 Google reviews at 4.7★, the most of 12 ranked; ranked #5.

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

12 Hot Springs Village 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 4.6★ across 12 rated law firms.

Most of this list also appears on the Criminal defense lawyers in Hot Springs ranking. See Criminal defense lawyers in Hot Springs

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Hot Springs Village 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 Hot Springs Village at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Degen D. Clow - Attorney625.0★ (71)Benton, 25 mi away—Top score
2Digby Law Firm614.7★ (59)Benton, 25 mi away——
3Ethridge Law Firm583.8★ (13)Hot Springs, 12 mi away——
4Travis J. Morrissey, Attorney at Law584.1★ (14)Hot Springs, 12 mi away——
5Schnipper, Britton & Stobaugh564.7★ (116)Hot Springs, 12 mi away—Most reviews
6Shoptaw Law Office544.5★ (24)Benton, 25 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
7Hurst Law Group534.1★ (99)Hot Springs, 12 mi away——
8Miller Law Firm, Brent A. Miller, Attorney at Law534.8★ (31)Hot Springs, 13 mi away——
9BEF Law Firm, PLLC525.0★ (23)Hot Springs, 12 mi away——
10Jensen, Young & Butler, PLLC (JYB Law)514.5★ (68)Benton, 25 mi away——

All 12 criminal defense lawyers in Hot Springs Village, 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.

  1. Ranked #1 in Hot Springs Village

    #1 Degen D. Clow - Attorney

    Based in Benton, 25 mi away

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 71 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 71 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    120 N Main St, Benton, AR 72015
    View profile for Degen D. Clow - Attorney(501) 999-2569

  2. #2 Digby Law Firm

    Based in Benton, 25 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 59 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.7★ from 59 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    109 W South St, Benton, AR 72015
    View profile for Digby Law Firm(501) 443-4429

  3. #3 Ethridge Law Firm

    Based in Hot Springs, 12 mi away

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.8★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 3.8★ from 13 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    524 Ouachita Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
    View profile for Ethridge Law Firm(501) 318-1900

  6. #6 Shoptaw Law Office

    Based in Benton, 25 mi away

    54/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

    • 4.5★ from 24 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    109 W Conway St, Benton, AR 72015
    View profile for Shoptaw Law Office(501) 232-6651

  7. #7 Hurst Law Group

    Based in Hot Springs, 12 mi away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.1★ from 99 Google reviews.

    • 4.1★ from 99 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    518 Ouachita Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
    View profile for Hurst Law Group(501) 356-6875

  9. #9 BEF Law Firm, PLLC

    Based in Hot Springs, 12 mi away

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 23 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 23 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    229 Hazel St, Hot Springs, AR 71901
    View profile for BEF Law Firm, PLLC(501) 802-9379

  11. #11 Cardis Law

    Based in Benton, 25 mi away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    126 N Main St, Benton, AR 72015
    View profile for Cardis Law(501) 575-0100

How we ranked Hot Springs Village criminal defense lawyers

We scored 12 Hot Springs Village 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 Hot Springs Village 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 Hot Springs Village: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Hot Springs Village?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Hot Springs Village, AR is Degen D. Clow - Attorney with an LFR Score of 62/100. It has 5.0★ from 71 Google reviews. Digby Law Firm (#2) and Ethridge Law Firm (#3) follow. We ranked 12 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Hot Springs Village?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 12 criminal defense lawyers serving Hot Springs Village, AR. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Hot Springs Village are open 24/7?

1 ranked criminal defense lawyer in Hot Springs Village posts 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked is Shoptaw Law Office (#6). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Hot Springs Village work on weekends?

1 of 12 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays is Shoptaw Law Office (#6). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Hot Springs Village criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 12 rated criminal defense lawyers in Hot Springs Village is 4.6★, with a median of 28 reviews. Schnipper, Britton & Stobaugh has the most, 116 reviews, and ranks #5. 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 Hot Springs Village count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Hot Springs Village 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 Hot Springs Village, AR 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 Hot Springs Village, AR 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 Hot Springs Village?

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 Hot Springs Village

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 12 criminal defense lawyers serving Hot Springs Village.

More criminal defense lawyers and Hot Springs Village pages