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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Pelham, AL: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Pelham: Law Offices of Johnathan Williams, LFR Score 71/100; 5.0★ from 386 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Polson & Polson, P.C., posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 77.

  3. 28

    Most-reviewed: Maxwell Tillman, 522 Google reviews at 4.6★, the most of 77 ranked; ranked #28.

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

77 Pelham criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 24 are open 24/7, 25 open Saturdays and 24 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 77 rated law firms.

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

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Pelham 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 Pelham at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Law Offices of Johnathan Williams715.0★ (386)Birmingham, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Polson & Polson, P.C.694.8★ (225)Birmingham, 13 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3Jim Parkman Law695.0★ (112)Birmingham, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Revill Law Firm684.7★ (238)Birmingham, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5The Borom Law Firm LLC685.0★ (116)Birmingham, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Elizabeth Hunter & Associates, PLLC684.8★ (166)Birmingham, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7The Hazzard Law Firm, LLC684.8★ (169)Birmingham, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, P.C.684.8★ (120)Birmingham, 15 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9The Grant Law Firm, LLC.675.0★ (62)Birmingham, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10The Winslett Law Firm, LLC675.0★ (38)Bessemer, 12 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 77 criminal defense lawyers in Pelham, 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.

  2. #2 Polson & Polson, P.C.

    Based in Birmingham, 13 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 225 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 225 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2824 Central Ave #150, Birmingham, AL 35209
    View profile for Polson & Polson, P.C.(205) 871-8838

  3. #3 Jim Parkman Law

    Based in Birmingham, 11 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 112 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 112 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    850 Corporate Pkwy #100, Birmingham, AL 35242
    View profile for Jim Parkman Law(205) 573-6001

  4. #4 Revill Law Firm

    Based in Birmingham, 16 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 238 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.7★ from 238 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2027 2nd Avenue North Bradford, Building, Suite A, Birmingham, AL 35203
    View profile for Revill Law Firm(205) 928-6544

  5. #5 The Borom Law Firm LLC

    Based in Birmingham, 16 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 116 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 116 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2 20th St N #1310, Birmingham, AL 35203
    View profile for The Borom Law Firm LLC(205) 272-5999

  9. #9 The Grant Law Firm, LLC.

    Based in Birmingham, 16 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 62 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 62 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1601 5th Ave N Ste 191, Birmingham, AL 35203
    View profile for The Grant Law Firm, LLC.

  10. #10 The Winslett Law Firm, LLC

    Based in Bessemer, 12 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 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
    1920 3rd Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020
    View profile for The Winslett Law Firm, LLC

  12. #12 Kreps Law Firm, LLC

    Based in Birmingham, 16 mi away

    65/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 52 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 52 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    120 19th St N Ste 420, Birmingham, AL 35203
    View profile for Kreps Law Firm, LLC(866) 348-2889

  15. #15 Amari Law Firm LLC

    Based in Birmingham, 16 mi away

    63/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 119 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 119 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–6 PM · Fri 8 AM–1 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    2101 4th Ave S #200, Birmingham, AL 35233
    View profile for Amari Law Firm LLC(205) 880-3562

  22. #22 Tidwell Law Group, LLC

    Based in Birmingham, 16 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.5★ from 17 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–6 PM
    Address
    2001 Park Pl Ste 253, Birmingham, AL 35203
    View profile for Tidwell Law Group, LLC(205) 536-7770

  25. Based in Birmingham, 16 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.1★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 3.1★ from 10 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    120 19th St N Ste 272, Birmingham, AL 35203
    View profile for Pierce Legal Team(205) 730-0431

Criminal defense lawyers ranked #27 to #46

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #27 to #46, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 46 of 77 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Pelham, ranks 27 to 46
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
27Criminal Lawyers Birmingham Office of Thomas Johnson Moore604.9★ (44)16 mi
28Maxwell Tillman604.6★ (522)16 mi
37Sellers Law Group, LLC584.9★ (83)16 mi
46William E. Swatek, Attorney at Law554.2★ (5)1 mi

Also serving Pelham

1 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.

Unranked criminal defense lawyers serving Pelham
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Parker Trial Law, LLC5.0★ (6)16 mi

How we ranked Pelham criminal defense lawyers

We scored 77 Pelham 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 Pelham 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 Pelham: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Pelham, AL is Law Offices of Johnathan Williams with an LFR Score of 71/100. It has 5.0★ from 386 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Polson & Polson, P.C. (#2) and Jim Parkman Law (#3) follow. We ranked 77 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Pelham?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 77 criminal defense lawyers serving Pelham, AL. 3 of them are based in Pelham; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 1 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

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

24 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Pelham post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Law Offices of Johnathan Williams (#1), Polson & Polson, P.C. (#2) and Jim Parkman Law (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Pelham work on weekends?

25 of 77 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 24 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Law Offices of Johnathan Williams (#1), Polson & Polson, P.C. (#2) and Jim Parkman Law (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Pelham criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 77 rated criminal defense lawyers in Pelham is 4.8★, with a median of 26 reviews. Maxwell Tillman has the most, 522 reviews, and ranks #28. 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 Pelham count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Pelham 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 Pelham, AL 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 Pelham, AL 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 Pelham?

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 Pelham

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 77 criminal defense lawyers serving Pelham.

More criminal defense lawyers and Pelham pages