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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Ithaca, NY: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Ithaca: Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law), LFR Score 65/100; 5.0★ from 189 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Most-reviewed: CYR LAW - DWI Defense, 211 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 8 ranked; ranked #2.

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

8 Ithaca criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 1 is open 24/7, 2 open Saturdays and 2 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 8 rated law firms.

Top 8 criminal defense lawyers in Ithaca 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 8 criminal defense lawyers in Ithaca at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law)655.0★ (189)IthacaOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2CYR LAW - DWI Defense645.0★ (211)IthacaSat · Sun · EveningsMost reviews
3Christopher B Colosi Attorney at Law514.9★ (7)Ithaca——
4The Walsh Law Firm P.C.504.3★ (58)Cortland, 20 mi away——
5Edward Goehler Law Offices505.0★ (10)Cortland, 20 mi away——
6Buzzetti Law Office484.7★ (39)Elmira, 29 mi away——
7Pomeroy, Armstrong & Casullo, LLP473.3★ (20)Cortland, 19 mi away——
8Chad R. Hammond, Esq. - Hammond Law454.1★ (16)Elmira, 29 mi away——

All 8 criminal defense lawyers in Ithaca, 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. #2 CYR LAW - DWI Defense

    Based in Ithaca

    64/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 211 Google reviews, the most in Ithaca.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 211 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 9 AM–8 PM
    Address
    339 Troy Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
    View profile for CYR LAW - DWI Defense(607) 229-5184

  4. #4 The Walsh Law Firm P.C.

    Based in Cortland, 20 mi away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.3★ from 58 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.3★ from 58 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    45 Church St, Cortland, NY 13045
    View profile for The Walsh Law Firm P.C.(607) 753-9641

  5. #5 Edward Goehler Law Offices

    Based in Cortland, 20 mi away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Trial attorney”.

    Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews
    Address
    11 Groton Ave, Cortland, NY 13045
    View profile for Edward Goehler Law Offices(607) 758-8080

  6. #6 Buzzetti Law Office

    Based in Elmira, 29 mi away

    48/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 39 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.7★ from 39 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    111 N Main St, Elmira, NY 14901
    View profile for Buzzetti Law Office(607) 735-2250

How we ranked Ithaca criminal defense lawyers

We scored 8 Ithaca 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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Ithaca, NY is Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) with an LFR Score of 65/100. It has 5.0★ from 189 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. CYR LAW - DWI Defense (#2) and Christopher B Colosi Attorney at Law (#3) follow. We ranked 8 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Ithaca?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 8 criminal defense lawyers serving Ithaca, NY. 3 of them are based in Ithaca; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Ithaca are open 24/7?

1 ranked criminal defense lawyer in Ithaca posts 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked is Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) (#1). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Ithaca work on weekends?

2 of 8 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 2 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) (#1) and CYR LAW - DWI Defense (#2). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Ithaca criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 8 rated criminal defense lawyers in Ithaca is 4.8★, with a median of 30 reviews. CYR LAW - DWI Defense has the most, 211 reviews, and ranks #2. 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 Ithaca count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Ithaca 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 Ithaca, NY 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 Ithaca, NY 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 Ithaca?

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 Ithaca

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 8 criminal defense lawyers serving Ithaca.

More criminal defense lawyers and Ithaca pages