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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Johnston, RI: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Johnston: The Law Office of Chad F Bank, LFR Score 74/100; 5.0★ from 1,045 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 162.

  3. 2

    Most-reviewed: Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III, 764 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 162 ranked after The Law Office of Chad F Bank; ranked #2.

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

162 Johnston criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 67 are open 24/7, 87 open Saturdays and 78 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 162 rated law firms.

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

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Johnston 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 Johnston at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1The Law Office of Chad F Bank745.0★ (1,045)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III735.0★ (764)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours, Most reviews
3S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq.735.0★ (612)Cranston, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Kilroy Law Firm734.9★ (755)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5Marin & Murphy Law Firm725.0★ (461)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Ellison Law LLC725.0★ (430)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7Criminal Defense Attorney Rory Munns725.0★ (293)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8The Law Office of Thomas C. Thomasian, Esq704.9★ (189)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Law Office of Daniel Griffin704.9★ (135)Cranston, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Payette Law705.0★ (107)Providence, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 162 criminal defense lawyers in Johnston, 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.

  3. #3 S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq.

    Based in Cranston, 5 mi away

    73/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 612 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 612 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1000 Chapel View Blvd Ste 260, Cranston, RI 02920
    View profile for S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq.(401) 861-1155

  4. #4 Kilroy Law Firm

    Based in Providence, 5 mi away

    73/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 755 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 755 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    127 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903
    View profile for Kilroy Law Firm(401) 855-9023

  6. #6 Ellison Law LLC

    Based in Providence, 5 mi away

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 430 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 430 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    225 Dyer St 2nd Floor, Providence, RI 02903
    View profile for Ellison Law LLC(401) 230-5520

  10. #10 Payette Law

    Based in Providence, 5 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 107 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 107 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    101 Dyer St Ste 2D, Providence, RI 02903
    View profile for Payette Law(401) 854-7794

  17. #17 Marin & Murphy Law Firm

    Based in East Greenwich, 12 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 186 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 186 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8 AM–8 PM
    Address
    6 Wanton Shippee Rd, East Greenwich, RI 02818
    View profile for Marin & Murphy Law Firm(401) 316-9423

  18. #18 Kilroy Law Firm

    Based in Fall River, 20 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 143 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 143 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    161 S Main St #303, Fall River, MA 02721
    View profile for Kilroy Law Firm(508) 444-0784

  21. #21 DelSignore Law

    Based in Attleboro, 14 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 75 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 75 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    120 N Main St STE 306, Attleboro, MA 02703
    View profile for DelSignore Law(508) 455-4755

  23. #23 Bank & Munns

    Based in Providence, 5 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 20 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    21 Douglas Ave, Providence, RI 02908
    View profile for Bank & Munns(401) 573-2265

  25. #25 Biafore Law

    Based in East Greenwich, 12 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 46 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 46 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    253 Main St, East Greenwich, RI 02818
    View profile for Biafore Law(401) 885-0400

Criminal defense lawyers ranked #26 to #28

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #28, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 28 of 162 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Johnston, ranks 26 to 28
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Law Office of Michael P Carroll PC664.9★ (60)14 mi
28Marin & Murphy Law Firm665.0★ (15)5 mi

How we ranked Johnston criminal defense lawyers

We scored 162 Johnston 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 Johnston 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 Johnston: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Johnston, RI is The Law Office of Chad F Bank with an LFR Score of 74/100. It has 5.0★ from 1,045 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III (#2) and S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. (#3) follow. We ranked 162 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Johnston?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 162 criminal defense lawyers serving Johnston, RI. Counts are as of November 2026.

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

67 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Johnston post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are The Law Office of Chad F Bank (#1), Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III (#2) and S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Johnston work on weekends?

87 of 162 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 78 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are The Law Office of Chad F Bank (#1), Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III (#2) and S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Johnston criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 162 rated criminal defense lawyers in Johnston is 4.9★, with a median of 20 reviews. The Law Office of Chad F Bank has the most, 1,045 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 Johnston count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Johnston 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 Johnston, RI 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 Johnston, RI 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 Johnston?

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 Johnston

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 162 criminal defense lawyers serving Johnston.

More criminal defense lawyers and Johnston pages