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Criminal Defense Lawyers in North Perth, ON: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in North Perth: Cordaie Paralegal Services, LFR Score 61/100; 4.4★ from 31 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Daley, Byers | Waterloo Criminal Defence Lawyers, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 10.

  3. 5

    Most-reviewed: Kainth Law Group (KLG), 111 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 10 ranked; ranked #5.

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

10 North Perth criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 2 are open 24/7, 3 open Saturdays and 3 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 10 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in North Perth 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 North Perth at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Cordaie Paralegal Services614.4★ (31)Waterloo, 42 km awaySat · Sun · EveningsTop score
2Daley, Byers | Waterloo Criminal Defence Lawyers584.3★ (6)Waterloo, 46 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3Nicholas Wansbutter, Barrister - Criminal Defence584.8★ (23)Stratford, 39 km away——
4Matt Milczarczyk Lawyer564.7★ (15)Waterloo, 46 km away——
5Kainth Law Group (KLG)534.9★ (111)Kitchener, 47 km awayEveningsMost reviews
6Van Drunen Criminal Defence524.9★ (18)Stratford, 39 km away——
7Kraska Law - Kitchener Criminal Lawyers525.0★ (3)Waterloo, 46 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Fair Michael494.6★ (26)Stratford, 39 km away——
9Roussy Paralegal Services464.3★ (13)Waterloo, 47 km away——
10Kelly & Co.442.9★ (35)Waterloo, 46 km away——

All 10 criminal defense lawyers in North Perth, 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.

  4. #4 Matt Milczarczyk Lawyer

    Based in Waterloo, 46 km away

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri–Sun closed
    Address
    20 Erb St. W #906, Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2
    View profile for Matt Milczarczyk Lawyer(519) 579-2333

  5. #5 Kainth Law Group (KLG)

    Based in Kitchener, 47 km away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 111 Google reviews, the most in North Perth.

    • 4.9★ from 111 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Wed 9 AM–7 PM · Thu–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    690 Belmont Ave W #303, Kitchener, ON N2M 1N6
    View profile for Kainth Law Group (KLG)(226) 240-6640

  8. #8 Fair Michael

    Based in Stratford, 39 km away

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 26 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    10 Downie St, Stratford, ON N5A 7K4
    View profile for Fair Michael(519) 271-2912

  10. #10 Kelly & Co.

    Based in Waterloo, 46 km away

    44/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and review volume: 2.9★ from 35 Google reviews.

    • 2.9★ from 35 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    Marsland Centre, 20 Erb St. W Ste 803, Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2
    View profile for Kelly & Co.(519) 579-3360

Also serving North Perth

5 more criminal defense lawyers within 48 km that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked criminal defense lawyers serving North Perth
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Bennett Grant LLP5.0★ (1)In North Perth
Collett Read LLP Criminal Lawyers42 km
Nicholas G. Gehl1.0★ (2)44 km
Stephen Gehl5.0★ (1)44 km
TarBush Dickey Giller & Associates4.6★ (40)In North Perth

How we ranked North Perth criminal defense lawyers

We scored 10 North Perth 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 North Perth 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 North Perth: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in North Perth?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in North Perth, ON is Cordaie Paralegal Services with an LFR Score of 61/100. It has 4.4★ from 31 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Daley, Byers | Waterloo Criminal Defence Lawyers (#2) and Nicholas Wansbutter, Barrister - Criminal Defence (#3) follow. We ranked 10 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in North Perth?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 10 criminal defense lawyers serving North Perth, ON. Another 5 within 48 km are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in North Perth are open 24/7?

2 ranked criminal defense lawyers in North Perth post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Daley, Byers | Waterloo Criminal Defence Lawyers (#2) and Kraska Law - Kitchener Criminal Lawyers (#7). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in North Perth work on weekends?

3 of 10 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 3 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Cordaie Paralegal Services (#1), Daley, Byers | Waterloo Criminal Defence Lawyers (#2) and Kraska Law - Kitchener Criminal Lawyers (#7). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do North Perth criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 10 rated criminal defense lawyers in North Perth is 4.7★, with a median of 21 reviews. Kainth Law Group (KLG) has the most, 111 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 North Perth count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 48 km of the North Perth city centre, 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 North Perth, ON charge?

Criminal defence lawyers usually charge a block or flat fee per stage, or an hourly rate. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask your provincial legal aid plan whether you qualify. Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.

What if I can’t afford a criminal defence lawyer?

Apply to your provincial legal aid plan, which issues certificates to private lawyers or provides staff lawyers if you qualify. Duty counsel can also help at your first court appearance. This is general information, not legal advice.

How is this list of criminal defense lawyers in North Perth, ON 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 North Perth?

No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your province (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some province). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.

Update log for North Perth

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 10 criminal defense lawyers serving North Perth.

More criminal defense lawyers and North Perth pages