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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Scottdale, GA: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Scottdale: Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers, LFR Score 72/100; 4.9★ from 1,151 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Schnipper Law, P.C., posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 460.

  3. 2

    Most-reviewed: Schnipper Law, P.C., 417 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 460 ranked after Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers; ranked #2.

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

460 Scottdale criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 110 are open 24/7, 140 open Saturdays and 130 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 460 rated law firms.

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

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Scottdale 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 Scottdale at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers724.9★ (1,151)Atlanta, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Schnipper Law, P.C.724.9★ (417)Atlanta, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours, Most reviews
3George C Creal Jr., PC, Trial Lawyers714.9★ (359)Atlanta, 7 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4The Spizman Firm - Atlanta DUI Lawyers705.0★ (312)Atlanta, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5Attorney Scott Fortas705.0★ (294)Atlanta, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Willis Law Firm, Atlanta DUI Lawyer704.9★ (360)Atlanta, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7Ryan Walsh Legal705.0★ (136)Atlanta, 6 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Yeargan & Kert, LLC695.0★ (204)Atlanta, 11 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Bixon Law694.9★ (172)Atlanta, 7 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Sessions & Fleischman, LLC694.9★ (169)Atlanta, 8 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 460 criminal defense lawyers in Scottdale, 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 Scottdale

    #1 Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers

    Based in Atlanta, 14 mi away

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 1,151 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 1,151 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1100 Cir 75 Pkwy SE #1200, Atlanta, GA 30339
    View profile for Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers(678) 846-3161

  2. #2 Schnipper Law, P.C.

    Based in Atlanta, 4 mi away

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 417 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 417 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2300 Henderson Mill Rd Ste 300, Atlanta, GA 30345
    View profile for Schnipper Law, P.C.(404) 545-5845

  5. #5 Attorney Scott Fortas

    Based in Atlanta, 11 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 294 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 294 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    200 Ashford Center N #200, Atlanta, GA 30338
    View profile for Attorney Scott Fortas(404) 315-9936

  7. Based in Atlanta, 6 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 136 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 136 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    View profile for Ryan Walsh Legal(678) 753-6431

  8. #8 Yeargan & Kert, LLC

    Based in Atlanta, 11 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 204 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 204 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    3715 Northside Pkwy NW Bldg 100 Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30327
    View profile for Yeargan & Kert, LLC(404) 467-1747

  9. #9 Bixon Law

    Based in Atlanta, 7 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 172 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 172 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    260 Peachtree St NW Ste 2200, Atlanta, GA 30303
    View profile for Bixon Law(404) 551-5684

  16. #16 Arora Law

    Based in Atlanta, 9 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 145 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 145 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    75 W Wieuca Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
    View profile for Arora Law(404) 609-4664

  22. #22 W. Scott Smith

    Based in Atlanta, 8 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 200 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 200 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    100 Peachtree St NW #2060, Atlanta, GA 30303
    View profile for W. Scott Smith(404) 581-0999

  24. #24 Elbaz & Elbaz, LLC

    Based in Lawrenceville, 19 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 221 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 221 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    368 S Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
    View profile for Elbaz & Elbaz, LLC(678) 573-4444

Criminal defense lawyers ranked #27 to #35

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #27 to #35, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 35 of 460 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Scottdale, ranks 27 to 35
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
27The Law Offices of Shequel Ross, LLC / SHElaw firm®674.5★ (89)2 mi
28Weintraub & Alper Legal674.6★ (116)7 mi
35Lowther | Walker674.6★ (105)8 mi

How we ranked Scottdale criminal defense lawyers

We scored 460 Scottdale 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 Scottdale 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 Scottdale: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Scottdale, GA is Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers with an LFR Score of 72/100. It has 4.9★ from 1,151 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Schnipper Law, P.C. (#2) and George C Creal Jr., PC, Trial Lawyers (#3) follow. We ranked 460 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Scottdale?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 460 criminal defense lawyers serving Scottdale, GA. Counts are as of November 2026.

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

110 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Scottdale post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers (#1), Schnipper Law, P.C. (#2) and George C Creal Jr., PC, Trial Lawyers (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Scottdale work on weekends?

140 of 460 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 130 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers (#1), Schnipper Law, P.C. (#2) and George C Creal Jr., PC, Trial Lawyers (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Scottdale criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 460 rated criminal defense lawyers in Scottdale is 4.8★, with a median of 33 reviews. Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines - Injury Accident & Criminal Defense Lawyers has the most, 1,151 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 Scottdale count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Scottdale 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 Scottdale, GA 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 Scottdale, GA 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 Scottdale?

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 Scottdale

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 460 criminal defense lawyers serving Scottdale.
  2. November 2026: 2 duplicate listings merged.

More criminal defense lawyers and Scottdale pages

Other practice areas in Scottdale