70/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 91 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 Oshawa, ON: 2026 rankings
119 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Oshawa: Norton Law PC, LFR Score 70/100; 5.0★ from 91 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): AR Law, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 119.
- 6
Most-reviewed: What The Law, 881 Google reviews at 4.7★, the most of 119 ranked; ranked #6.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
119 Oshawa criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 36 are open 24/7, 58 open Saturdays and 52 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 119 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Oshawa 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 | Norton Law PC | 70 | 5.0★ (91) | Oshawa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | AR Law | 70 | 5.0★ (80) | Oshawa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Jacula Law | 68 | 4.7★ (47) | Oshawa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Arif Hussain, Barrister & Solicitor | 68 | 4.9★ (419) | Scarborough, 39 km away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | Sadro Law Group | 68 | 4.9★ (453) | East York, 43 km away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | What The Law | 67 | 4.7★ (881) | Richmond Hill, 45 km away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Most reviews |
| 7 | JAKE SHEN | 67 | 5.0★ (242) | Markham, 40 km away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | Kazandji Law Criminal and Family Lawyers | 67 | 4.9★ (423) | North York, 47 km away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 9 | AveryLaw | 66 | 4.9★ (20) | Ajax, 7 km away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 10 | Michael Kachkar - Criminal Lawyer | 65 | 5.0★ (7) | Oshawa | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 119 criminal defense lawyers in Oshawa, 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 AR Law
Based in Oshawa
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 80 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#3 Jacula Law
Based in Oshawa
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 47 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Scarborough, 39 km away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 419 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in East York, 43 km away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 453 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#6 What The Law
Based in Richmond Hill, 45 km away
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 881 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#7 JAKE SHEN
Based in Markham, 40 km away
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 242 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in North York, 47 km away
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 423 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#9 AveryLaw
Based in Ajax, 7 km away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ 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 Oshawa
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in East York, 43 km away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 116 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Oshawa
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 147 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#13 Aitken Robertson
Based in Oshawa
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 186 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#14 X-Copper
Based in Markham, 36 km away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 830 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Markham, 48 km away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 75 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#16 Jassi Vamadevan
Based in Markham, 33 km away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 32 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#17 Kevin Henry Law
Based in Oshawa
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 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.
#18 Vadim Paskarou
Based in East York, 43 km away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 160 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
#19 Norton Law PC
Based in Richmond Hill, 43 km away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 69 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Willowdale, 47 km away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 64 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#21 Daley Byers
Based in Scarborough, 35 km away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 36 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Scarborough, 37 km away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 109 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#23 Charitsis Law
Based in Ajax, 9 km away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#24 Gold Law
Based in Willowdale, 48 km away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 42 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in North York, 47 km away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 501 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 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 119 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Oshawa
20 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.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| AIMMS Law Professional Corporation | 5.0★ (35) | 41 km |
| Androu Gerges Law - Criminal Lawyer | 4.9★ (42) | 47 km |
| Beyond Doubt Law - Criminal Defence Lawyers | In Oshawa | |
| Boychyn Boychyn | 5.0★ (2) | In Oshawa |
| Devry Smith Frank LLP | 4.2★ (37) | In Oshawa |
| Jeffrey I. Reisman Law | 5.0★ (2) | 37 km |
| Keystone Law Offices | 5.0★ (89) | In Oshawa |
| Kush Law PC and Notary Public | 4.8★ (75) | 47 km |
| Lawyer UP Canada | 4.8★ (166) | 45 km |
| Mack Lawyers | 4.8★ (209) | In Oshawa |
| Martínez Law - Criminal Defence | 5.0★ (2) | In Oshawa |
| Mass Tsang | 5.0★ (5) | 47 km |
| Mattis Law Professional Corporation | 1.8★ (5) | 41 km |
| McMahon Raine | 5.0★ (2) | 47 km |
| Nolan Persaud | 4.5★ (83) | In Oshawa |
| Robb MacDonald - Oshawa Criminal Lawyer | 5.0★ (2) | In Oshawa |
| ROY LAW | DEFENCE LAWYER | 5.0★ (2) | 20 km |
| Thomas Richards, Lawyer | 4.2★ (9) | 42 km |
| Toronto DUI Lawyers | 3.7★ (3) | 48 km |
| Yaroslav Obouhov LL.B Barrister & Solicitor, Notary Public | 4.0★ (30) | 48 km |
How we ranked Oshawa criminal defense lawyers
We scored 119 Oshawa 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 Oshawa 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 Oshawa: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Oshawa?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Oshawa, ON is Norton Law PC with an LFR Score of 70/100. It has 5.0★ from 91 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. AR Law (#2) and Jacula Law (#3) follow. We ranked 119 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Oshawa?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 119 criminal defense lawyers serving Oshawa, ON. 11 of them are based in Oshawa; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 48 km are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Oshawa are open 24/7?
36 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Oshawa post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Norton Law PC (#1), AR Law (#2) and Jacula Law (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Oshawa work on weekends?
58 of 119 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 52 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Norton Law PC (#1), AR Law (#2) and Jacula Law (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Oshawa criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 119 rated criminal defense lawyers in Oshawa is 4.8★, with a median of 35 reviews. What The Law has the most, 881 reviews, and ranks #6. 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 Oshawa count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 48 km of the Oshawa 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 Oshawa, 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 Oshawa, 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 Oshawa?
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 Oshawa
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 119 criminal defense lawyers serving Oshawa.
More criminal defense lawyers and Oshawa pages
Criminal defense lawyers near Oshawa
- Criminal defense lawyers in Ajax, ON353 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Pickering, ON373 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Uxbridge, ON167 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Markham, ON491 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Scarborough, ON501 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Port Hope, ON35 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in East York, ON515 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Willowdale, ON516 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Richmond Hill, ON503 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in North York, ON516 ranked
Other practice areas in Oshawa
- Personal injury lawyers in Oshawa265 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Oshawa9 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Oshawa109 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Oshawa60 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Oshawa23 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Oshawa399 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Oshawa203 ranked
- Business lawyers in Oshawa10 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Oshawa66 ranked
- Tax lawyers in Oshawa52 ranked
- Intellectual property lawyers in Oshawa33 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Oshawa93 ranked
- Mediators in Oshawa71 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Oshawa296 ranked
- All lawyers in Oshawa