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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Lacey, WA: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Lacey: Eloquence Law, LFR Score 71/100; 5.0★ from 249 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 76.

  3. 12

    Most-reviewed: Kertchen Law, 1,727 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 76 ranked; ranked #12.

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

76 Lacey criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 28 are open 24/7, 32 open Saturdays and 29 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 76 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Lacey 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 Lacey at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Eloquence Law715.0★ (249)Olympia, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers715.0★ (237)Olympia, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers695.0★ (825)Tacoma, 24 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Sound Law PLLC - DUI, Injury, Criminal Defense Attorney695.0★ (70)Olympia, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5Puget Law Group674.9★ (513)Tacoma, 24 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Witt Law Group PS675.0★ (40)Tumwater, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7Puget Law Group675.0★ (38)Olympia, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8South Sound Law Group674.9★ (392)Tacoma, 23 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Callahan Law, P.S., Inc.664.8★ (22)Olympia, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Pacific Point Defense664.8★ (316)Tacoma, 23 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 76 criminal defense lawyers in Lacey, 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 Lacey

    Based in Olympia, 4 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 249 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 249 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    400 Union Ave SE #252, Olympia, WA 98501
  2. Based in Tacoma, 24 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 513 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 513 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    938 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402
  3. Based in Tumwater, 4 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 40 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    204 Custer Way SW Ste 107, Tumwater, WA 98501
  4. Based in Olympia, 4 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 38 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 38 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    921 Lakeridge Way SW #104, Olympia, WA 98502
  5. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 392 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 392 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    705 S 9th St Ste 204, Tacoma, WA 98405
  6. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 316 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 316 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1117 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
  7. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 134 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 134 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1105 Tacoma Ave S Ste C, Tacoma, WA 98402
  8. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    65/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 1,727 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 1,727 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    917 S 10th St, Tacoma, WA 98405
  9. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    64/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 162 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 162 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun 9 AM–5 PM
    Address
    1107 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
  10. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    63/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 92 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 92 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8 AM–4:30 PM
    Address
    1115 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
  11. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.4★ from 19 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    705 S 9th St Ste 205, Tacoma, WA 98405
  12. Based in Tacoma, 23 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 38 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.1★ from 38 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1008 S Yakima Ave Ste 302, Tacoma, WA 98405

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

criminal defense lawyers in Lacey, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Blanford Law614.5★ (14)23 mi
27Law Office of Ephraim W. Benjamin613.8★ (13)19 mi
28Lake Tapps Legal614.7★ (15)25 mi
29Washington PLLC614.6★ (27)5 mi
30Law Office of Luke Laughlin, PLLC615.0★ (16)4 mi
31Law Offices of John Sheeran605.0★ (6)24 mi
32Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart - UCMJ Defender604.7★ (75)24 mi
33Justin Kover, Attorney at Law603.6★ (8)5 mi
34CR Taylor Law, P.S.595.0★ (6)4 mi
35Law Office of Michael Carpenter594.9★ (67)22 mi
36Defense Attorney Sebastian Miller595.0★ (46)19 mi
37Baldwin Legal Group595.0★ (5)3 mi
38The Law Office of Charles W. Lane IV, PLLC583.9★ (7)5 mi
39Washington State Attorneys, PLLC584.9★ (40)24 mi
40Dennis J. Twichel Attorney At Law585.0★ (471)26 mi
41Law Office Of Bryan G. Hershman, Esq574.5★ (52)23 mi
42NextLaw PLLC575.0★ (185)24 mi
43Law Office of Mark S. Treyz564.7★ (18)23 mi
44Leslie E. Tolzin Attorney At Law564.0★ (4)23 mi
45Scott Mills & Associates562.8★ (11)21 mi
46Vindicate Criminal Law Group564.2★ (49)24 mi
47The Law Office of Michael Ewetuga553.8★ (14)20 mi
48Law Office of Holly Stanton PLLC554.2★ (10)21 mi
49Wickes Law PLLC555.0★ (6)22 mi
50Murphy's Law Offices554.3★ (6)23 mi

Also serving Lacey

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.

How we ranked Lacey criminal defense lawyers

We scored 76 Lacey 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 Lacey 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 Lacey: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Lacey, WA is Eloquence Law with an LFR Score of 71/100. It has 5.0★ from 249 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers (#2) and Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers (#3) follow. We ranked 76 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Lacey?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 76 criminal defense lawyers serving Lacey, WA. Another 20 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

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

28 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Lacey post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Eloquence Law (#1), Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers (#2) and Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Lacey work on weekends?

32 of 76 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 29 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Eloquence Law (#1), Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers (#2) and Garguile DUI & Traffic Lawyers (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Lacey criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 76 rated criminal defense lawyers in Lacey is 4.8★, with a median of 31 reviews. Kertchen Law has the most, 1,727 reviews, and ranks #12. 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 Lacey count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Lacey 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 Lacey, WA 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 Lacey, WA 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 Lacey?

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 Lacey

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 76 criminal defense lawyers serving Lacey.