68/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 160 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 Newark, OH: 2026 rankings
38 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Newark: The Meranda Law Firm, LTD, LFR Score 68/100; 4.7★ from 160 Google reviews.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): The Meade Law Group, LLC, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 38.
- 16
Most-reviewed: Conrad/Wood Law, 180 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 38 ranked; ranked #16.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
38 Newark criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 4 are open 24/7, 4 open Saturdays and 4 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 38 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Newark 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 Meranda Law Firm, LTD | 68 | 4.7★ (160) | Newark | — | Top score |
| 2 | The Meade Law Group, LLC | 67 | 4.6★ (110) | Pickerington, 22 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Tabler Law Criminal Defense | 65 | 4.8★ (48) | Zanesville, 22 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | The Law Office of Seth R. Smith LLC | 64 | 4.9★ (175) | Newark | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | Calesaric Law | 62 | 4.5★ (26) | Newark | — | — |
| 6 | Attorney David E. Mortimer, Partner, Micheli, Baldwin, Mortimer, McLendon & Whitacre LLP | 60 | 4.7★ (52) | Zanesville, 20 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Andrew H. Stevenson Attorney at Law, LLC | 60 | 5.0★ (49) | Lancaster, 26 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Dawson Law Office, LLC | 60 | 3.3★ (20) | Newark | — | — |
| 9 | Sharlene Ann Ramsey Criminal Defense Attorney | 59 | 5.0★ (5) | Medina, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 10 | Aimar & Moyer LLC | 58 | 4.4★ (49) | Gahanna, 26 mi away | — | — |
All 38 criminal defense lawyers in Newark, 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.
Based in Pickerington, 22 mi away
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 110 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Zanesville, 22 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 48 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Newark
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 175 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Newark
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Zanesville, 20 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 52 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Lancaster, 26 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 49 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Newark
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.3★ 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 Medina, 25 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Gahanna, 26 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 49 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Lancaster, 26 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ 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 Zanesville, 23 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ 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 Mount Vernon, 24 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Mount Vernon, 24 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 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 Pickerington, 22 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.3★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#16 Conrad/Wood Law
Based in Lancaster, 26 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 180 Google reviews, the most in Newark.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Zanesville, 20 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#18 Greg Mathews
Based in Westerville, 29 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Zanesville, 22 mi away
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 2.7★ 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 Zanesville, 22 mi away
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 78 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Newark
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce lawyer”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Lancaster, 26 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 75 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Reynoldsburg, 24 mi away
49/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#24 Stebelton Snider
Based in Lancaster, 26 mi away
48/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.1★ from 60 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Reynoldsburg, 24 mi away
48/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
All 38 criminal defense lawyers
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #38, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Weaver Law Office | 48 | 3.8★ (96) | 26 mi |
| 27 | Weaver Law Offices, LLC | 47 | 4.7★ (23) | 27 mi |
| 28 | John I. Peters Co., LPA, Attorney At Law | 47 | 4.0★ (4) | 15 mi |
| 29 | Scott Wright, Attorney, LLC | 47 | 4.6★ (17) | 22 mi |
| 30 | Dankovich Law LLC | 47 | 5.0★ (7) | 25 mi |
| 31 | M. L. Ranney Law, LLC | 46 | 4.3★ (11) | 24 mi |
| 32 | Jack Moser Law | 46 | 3.7★ (19) | 24 mi |
| 33 | Mathews & Gill, LLP | 46 | 5.0★ (12) | 29 mi |
| 34 | D Derk Demaree Law Office: Demaree D Derk | 45 | 3.3★ (18) | 24 mi |
| 35 | Thomas C Lonn | 45 | 3.4★ (29) | 27 mi |
| 36 | Jack Moser Law - Gahanna Attorney | 44 | 5.0★ (5) | 26 mi |
| 37 | The Law Offices of James M. Linehan, L.P.A. | 44 | 4.0★ (8) | 26 mi |
| 38 | Ohio Expungement Law | 41 | 2.3★ (3) | 29 mi |
Also serving Newark
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 Newark criminal defense lawyers
We scored 38 Newark 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 Newark 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 Newark: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Newark?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Newark, OH is The Meranda Law Firm, LTD with an LFR Score of 68/100. It has 4.7★ from 160 Google reviews. The Meade Law Group, LLC (#2) and Tabler Law Criminal Defense (#3) follow. We ranked 38 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Newark?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 38 criminal defense lawyers serving Newark, OH. 5 of them are based in Newark; 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 Newark are open 24/7?
4 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Newark post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are The Meade Law Group, LLC (#2), Tabler Law Criminal Defense (#3) and The Law Office of Seth R. Smith LLC (#4). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Newark work on weekends?
4 of 38 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 4 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are The Meade Law Group, LLC (#2), Tabler Law Criminal Defense (#3) and The Law Office of Seth R. Smith LLC (#4). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Newark criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 38 rated criminal defense lawyers in Newark is 4.7★, with a median of 21 reviews. Conrad/Wood Law has the most, 180 reviews, and ranks #16. 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 Newark count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Newark 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 Newark, OH 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 Newark, OH 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 Newark?
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 Newark
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 38 criminal defense lawyers serving Newark.
More criminal defense lawyers and Newark pages
Criminal defense lawyers near Newark
- Criminal defense lawyers in Heath, OH99 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Pataskala, OH133 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Zanesville, OH16 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Pickerington, OH122 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Reynoldsburg, OH132 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Mount Vernon, OH24 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Gahanna, OH136 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Lancaster, OH84 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Whitehall, OH132 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Westerville, OH131 ranked
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