72/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 594 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 Salt Lake City, UT: 2026 rankings
149 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Salt Lake City: Wasatch Defense Lawyers, LFR Score 72/100; 4.9★ from 594 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Conyers & Nix, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 149.
- 16
Most-reviewed: Greg Smith and Associates, 689 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 149 ranked; ranked #16.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
149 Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 22 are open 24/7, 36 open Saturdays and 26 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 149 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Salt Lake City 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 | Wasatch Defense Lawyers | 72 | 4.9★ (594) | Salt Lake City | Sat · Sun · Evenings | Top score |
| 2 | Conyers & Nix | 72 | 5.0★ (144) | Salt Lake City | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Utah DUI Attorney-Melton Law | 71 | 4.9★ (381) | Taylorsville, 9 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 4 | Levitt Legal | 70 | 4.9★ (75) | Salt Lake City | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 5 | Weber Law | 70 | 4.7★ (537) | Draper, 15 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law | 69 | 4.7★ (197) | Salt Lake City | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 7 | Nix Law | 69 | 5.0★ (92) | Salt Lake City | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 8 | Smoland Law | 68 | 5.0★ (72) | Salt Lake City | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 9 | Overson & Bugden PLLC | 68 | 4.4★ (82) | Salt Lake City | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 10 | Bangerter Law Firm, PLLC | 68 | 4.9★ (28) | Salt Lake City | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 149 criminal defense lawyers in Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City
72/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 144 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Taylorsville, 9 mi away
71/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 381 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#4 Levitt Legal
Based in Salt Lake City
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 75 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#5 Weber Law
Based in Draper, 15 mi away
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 537 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Salt Lake City
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 197 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#7 Nix Law
Based in Salt Lake City
69/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 92 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#8 Smoland Law
Based in Salt Lake City
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 72 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Salt Lake City
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 82 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Salt Lake City
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Salt Lake City
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 177 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Salt Lake City
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 262 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#13 Dave Clark Law
Based in Midvale, 10 mi away
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 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.
Based in Salt Lake City
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 91 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Murray, 7 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 38 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Midvale, 10 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 689 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#17 Liberty Law
Based in Salt Lake City
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 155 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Salt Lake City
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 189 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Holladay, 10 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 417 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Salt Lake City
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 146 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#21 Ryan Hansen Law
Based in Salt Lake City
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#22 Tily Law LLC
Based in Salt Lake City
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 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.
#23 Salcido Law Firm
Based in Sandy, 12 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 446 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#24 Branson West Law
Based in South Jordan, 14 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 81 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#25 Kate Conyers Law
Based in Salt Lake City
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability 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 149 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Caldwell Filler & Grayson, PLLC | 65 | 4.9★ (76) | In Salt Lake City |
| 27 | Mountain State Attorneys | 65 | 4.9★ (78) | In Salt Lake City |
| 28 | Salt City Defense | 64 | 4.9★ (69) | In Salt Lake City |
| 29 | Utah Freedom Fighters | 64 | 4.3★ (60) | 7 mi |
| 30 | Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat, LLP | 64 | 5.0★ (51) | In Salt Lake City |
| 31 | Utah Freedom Fighters | 64 | 3.4★ (7) | In Salt Lake City |
| 32 | Zabriskie Law Firm | 64 | 3.9★ (55) | 10 mi |
| 33 | Mark Brown Criminal Defense PLLC | 63 | 5.0★ (3) | In Salt Lake City |
| 34 | Attorney Clayton Simms | 63 | 5.0★ (40) | In Salt Lake City |
| 35 | Collins Rupp, P.C. | 63 | 4.8★ (124) | 9 mi |
| 36 | Blackley & Wingad, Attorneys at Law | 63 | 4.9★ (36) | In Salt Lake City |
| 37 | Tangaro Law | 63 | 4.9★ (28) | In Salt Lake City |
| 38 | Catherine Cleveland, Esq. | 62 | 4.8★ (24) | In Salt Lake City |
| 39 | Anita Dickinson, PLLC Attorney at Law | 62 | 5.0★ (18) | In Salt Lake City |
| 40 | Frazier Law Firm | 62 | 4.4★ (20) | 14 mi |
| 41 | Rudy Bautista | 62 | 4.2★ (52) | In Salt Lake City |
| 42 | Jardine Law Offices P.C. | 61 | 4.6★ (138) | 15 mi |
| 43 | Bangerter Law Firm, PLLC | 61 | 4.7★ (58) | 29 mi |
| 44 | Larsen Larsen Nash & Larsen | 61 | 4.2★ (77) | 6 mi |
| 45 | Prospera Legal | 61 | 4.1★ (32) | In Salt Lake City |
| 46 | Skye Lazaro, Esq | 61 | 4.2★ (25) | In Salt Lake City |
| 47 | Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys | 61 | 4.3★ (18) | In Salt Lake City |
| 48 | Legal Boys | 61 | 4.3★ (63) | 7 mi |
| 49 | Barton J. Warren, Attorney at Law | 61 | 3.7★ (3) | In Salt Lake City |
| 50 | Avault Law, PLLC | 60 | 5.0★ (9) | In Salt Lake City |
Also serving Salt Lake City
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.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Alta Legal | 4.7★ (160) | In Salt Lake City |
| Christensen Criminal Defense Law Firm | 1.0★ (3) | 12 mi |
| Christensen Law | 4.3★ (97) | In Salt Lake City |
| Fair Price Lawyers | 4.9★ (139) | In Salt Lake City |
| G Eric Nielson & Associates | 4.5★ (109) | In Salt Lake City |
| Gosdis Law | 4.7★ (134) | In Salt Lake City |
| Law Office of David Pedrazas, PLLC | 4.9★ (237) | In Salt Lake City |
| Law Office of Vinh K. Ly, PLLC | 4.9★ (190) | In Salt Lake City |
| Law Office of Wiser & Wiser | 4.7★ (98) | In Salt Lake City |
| Law Offices of David B. Shapiro, llc | 4.5★ (8) | 8 mi |
| Lowe Law Group | 5.0★ (151) | In Salt Lake City |
| Matthew L. Nebeker, Attorney At Law | 4.3★ (32) | 23 mi |
| Nelson, Taylor & Associates PLLC | 4.6★ (142) | In Salt Lake City |
| RamRock Injury Law | 4.9★ (137) | In Salt Lake City |
| Rasmussen & Miner | 4.6★ (63) | In Salt Lake City |
| Robert J. DeBry & Associates | 4.8★ (724) | In Salt Lake City |
| Scalley Reading Bates Hansen & Rasmussen, P.C. | 4.8★ (148) | In Salt Lake City |
| Steele Adams Hosman Trial Attorneys | 4.9★ (382) | In Salt Lake City |
| Utah Legal Services | 3.4★ (110) | In Salt Lake City |
| Valley Law | 4.7★ (118) | In Salt Lake City |
How we ranked Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyers
We scored 149 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Salt Lake City?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT is Wasatch Defense Lawyers with an LFR Score of 72/100. It has 4.9★ from 594 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Conyers & Nix (#2) and Utah DUI Attorney-Melton Law (#3) follow. We ranked 149 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Salt Lake City?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 149 criminal defense lawyers serving Salt Lake City, UT. 34 of them are based in Salt Lake City; 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 Salt Lake City are open 24/7?
22 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Salt Lake City post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Conyers & Nix (#2), Utah DUI Attorney-Melton Law (#3) and Levitt Legal (#4). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Salt Lake City work on weekends?
36 of 149 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 26 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Wasatch Defense Lawyers (#1), Conyers & Nix (#2) and Utah DUI Attorney-Melton Law (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 149 rated criminal defense lawyers in Salt Lake City is 4.7★, with a median of 33 reviews. Greg Smith and Associates has the most, 689 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 Salt Lake City count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City?
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 Salt Lake City
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 149 criminal defense lawyers serving Salt Lake City.
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