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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Piney Green, NC: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Piney Green: Bryon M. Smith Attorney at Law, LFR Score 68/100; 4.9★ from 664 Google reviews.

  2. 9

    Open 24 hours (per Google): The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., posts 24/7 hours; ranked #9 of 26.

  3. 10

    Most-reviewed: The Houser Law Firm, P.C., 619 Google reviews at 4.7★, the most of 26 ranked after Bryon M. Smith Attorney at Law; ranked #10.

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

26 Piney Green criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 2 are open 24/7, 3 open Saturdays and 2 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 26 rated law firms.

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

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Piney Green 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 Piney Green at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Bryon M. Smith Attorney at Law684.9★ (664)Jacksonville, 6 mi away—Top score
2Minick Law, P.C. | Jacksonville DUI Lawyer654.9★ (157)Jacksonville, 5 mi away——
3Lloyd C. Bolton Attorney at Law, PLLC655.0★ (135)Jacksonville, 7 mi away——
4Edward G. Bailey Attorney at Law624.8★ (50)Jacksonville, 7 mi away——
5Steve Sacco Esq. of Castle & Peterson, P.C.615.0★ (25)Jacksonville, 6 mi away——
6Lanier Fountain & Ceruzzi614.2★ (107)Jacksonville, 7 mi away——
7The Wilkie Law Group604.3★ (40)Jacksonville, 6 mi away——
8The Trevor J. Avery Law Firm603.9★ (68)Jacksonville, 7 mi away——
9The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A.594.7★ (103)Jacksonville, 7 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
10The Houser Law Firm, P.C.574.7★ (619)Jacksonville, 7 mi away—Most reviews

All 26 criminal defense lawyers in Piney Green, 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 Piney Green

    #1 Bryon M. Smith Attorney at Law

    Based in Jacksonville, 6 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 664 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 664 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    814 New Bridge St, Jacksonville, NC 28540
    View profile for Bryon M. Smith Attorney at Law(910) 455-0053

  6. #6 Lanier Fountain & Ceruzzi

    Based in Jacksonville, 7 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 107 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.2★ from 107 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:15 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    114 Old Bridge St, Jacksonville, NC 28540
    View profile for Lanier Fountain & Ceruzzi(910) 939-3585

  7. #7 The Wilkie Law Group

    Based in Jacksonville, 6 mi away

    60/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.3★ from 40 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 8 AM–5 PM · Wed closed · Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    825 Gum Branch Rd Ste 126, Jacksonville, NC 28540
    View profile for The Wilkie Law Group(910) 548-7846

  14. #14 The Carolina Law Group

    Based in New Bern, 30 mi away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 556 Google reviews.

    • 4.9★ from 556 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 8 AM–5 PM · Wed closed · Thu–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1919 S Glenburnie Rd, New Bern, NC 28562
    View profile for The Carolina Law Group(252) 636-3737

  15. #15 Castle & Peterson, P.C.

    Based in Jacksonville, 6 mi away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 158 Google reviews.

    • 4.4★ from 158 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 8:30 AM–5 PM · Wed closed · Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–3:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    502 College St, Jacksonville, NC 28540
    View profile for Castle & Peterson, P.C.(910) 347-3344

  17. #17 Sullivan Law, PLLC

    Based in Jacksonville, 7 mi away

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 33 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Divorce lawyer”.

    • 4.7★ from 33 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    718 Court St, Jacksonville, NC 28540
    View profile for Sullivan Law, PLLC(910) 554-3320

  20. #20 Fristensky Law, PLLC

    Based in Jacksonville, 7 mi away

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    716 Court St, Jacksonville, NC 28540
    View profile for Fristensky Law, PLLC(910) 375-6384

  22. #22 McNeil & Jack

    Based in Jacksonville, 6 mi away

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

    • 4.6★ from 7 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    824 Gum Branch Rd Ste U Suite. U, Jacksonville, NC 28540
    View profile for McNeil & Jack(910) 455-2322

  25. #25 Leonard Law PLLC

    Based in Jacksonville, 4 mi away

    48/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.2★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

    • 3.2★ from 9 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–1 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    200 Valencia Dr #109, Jacksonville, NC 28546
    View profile for Leonard Law PLLC(910) 541-1041

How we ranked Piney Green criminal defense lawyers

We scored 26 Piney Green 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 Piney Green 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 Piney Green: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Piney Green?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Piney Green, NC is Bryon M. Smith Attorney at Law with an LFR Score of 68/100. It has 4.9★ from 664 Google reviews. Minick Law, P.C. | Jacksonville DUI Lawyer (#2) and Lloyd C. Bolton Attorney at Law, PLLC (#3) follow. We ranked 26 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Piney Green?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 26 criminal defense lawyers serving Piney Green, NC. 1 of them is based in Piney Green; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Piney Green are open 24/7?

2 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Piney Green post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. (#9) and New Bern Family Law & Divorce Attorney James Jordan - Craven County (#19). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Piney Green work on weekends?

3 of 26 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 2 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. (#9), Military Defense Litigator, LLC (#12) and New Bern Family Law & Divorce Attorney James Jordan - Craven County (#19). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Piney Green criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 26 rated criminal defense lawyers in Piney Green is 4.7★, with a median of 54 reviews. Bryon M. Smith Attorney at Law has the most, 664 reviews, and ranks #1. 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 Piney Green count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Piney Green 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 Piney Green, NC 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 Piney Green, NC 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 Piney Green?

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 Piney Green

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 26 criminal defense lawyers serving Piney Green.

More criminal defense lawyers and Piney Green pages