69/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 170 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Sioux Falls, SD: 2026 rankings
27 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Sioux Falls: Ryan Duffy Law, LFR Score 69/100; 4.9★ from 170 Google reviews.
- 2
Most-reviewed: Griese Law Firm, P.C., 94 Google reviews at 4.6★, the most of 27 ranked after Ryan Duffy Law; ranked #2.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
27 Sioux Falls criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 1 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.6★ across 27 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Sioux Falls 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 | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Duffy Law | 69 | 4.9★ (170) | Sioux Falls | Top score |
| 2 | Griese Law Firm, P.C. | 66 | 4.6★ (94) | Sioux Falls | Most reviews |
| 3 | Kolbeck Law Office | 65 | 4.7★ (65) | Sioux Falls | — |
| 4 | Angel Law, Prof. L.L.C. | 64 | 4.8★ (36) | Sioux Falls | — |
| 5 | Strange Farrell Johnson & Brewer, P.C. | 61 | 4.0★ (17) | Sioux Falls | — |
| 6 | Ash Law Office PLLC | 61 | 3.7★ (19) | Sioux Falls | — |
| 7 | Beck Law, Prof., LLC | 59 | 4.0★ (5) | Sioux Falls | — |
| 8 | Binger Law Office LLC | 58 | 4.7★ (3) | Sioux Falls | — |
| 9 | Peterson Law Office, P.C. | 58 | 5.0★ (3) | Sioux Falls | — |
| 10 | Myers Billion, LLP | 58 | 5.0★ (77) | Sioux Falls | — |
All 27 criminal defense lawyers in Sioux Falls, 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.
Based in Sioux Falls
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 94 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 65 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 36 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.7★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 77 Google reviews.
Based in Sioux Falls
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 88 Google reviews.
Based in Sioux Falls
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 78 Google reviews.
#13 HPS Law Firm
Based in Sioux Falls
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 52 Google reviews.
Based in Sioux Falls
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 84 Google reviews.
Based in Sioux Falls
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 38 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 22 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
#18 Laughlin Law
Based in Sioux Falls
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 22 Google reviews, listed on Google as “General practice attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.1★ from 52 Google reviews.
#20 Taylor Law Firm
Based in Sioux Falls
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based in Sioux Falls
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 18 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
#22 Hope Matchan Law
Based in Sioux Falls
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.8★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based in Sioux Falls
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Trial attorney”.
Based in Sioux Falls
50/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.2★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.
All 27 criminal defense lawyers
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #27, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Nichols & Rabuck P.C. | 49 | 3.3★ (6) | In Sioux Falls |
| 27 | Halbach|Szwarc Law Firm | 49 | 2.7★ (14) | In Sioux Falls |
Also serving Sioux Falls
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boyce Law Firm, LLP | 4.0★ (24) | In Sioux Falls |
| Breit & Boomsma, P.C. | 2.6★ (36) | In Sioux Falls |
| Burd, Landeen & Carper, Attorneys at Law | 4.1★ (42) | In Sioux Falls |
| Christensen Law Office PC | 4.6★ (62) | In Sioux Falls |
| Cutler Law Firm, LLP | 4.0★ (28) | In Sioux Falls |
| Evans Law, P.C., immigration lawyer | 4.4★ (36) | In Sioux Falls |
| Goosmann Law Firm, PLC | 4.1★ (42) | In Sioux Falls |
| Hughes Law Office | 4.8★ (21) | In Sioux Falls |
| Janklow Abdallah Law Firm | 4.9★ (164) | In Sioux Falls |
| Johnson Janklow Abdallah | 4.9★ (29) | In Sioux Falls |
| Kaufhold & Dix Patent Law - South Dakota Patent Attorneys | 4.3★ (21) | In Sioux Falls |
| Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun, P.C. | 4.6★ (34) | In Sioux Falls |
| Morgan & Morgan | 4.8★ (155) | In Sioux Falls |
| Northern Plains Justice, LLP | 4.7★ (23) | In Sioux Falls |
| Paulsen & Raterman Law, Prof. LLC | 5.0★ (50) | In Sioux Falls |
| Ronke Law, PLLC | 4.9★ (228) | In Sioux Falls |
| Swier Law Firm, Prof. LLC | 3.9★ (35) | In Sioux Falls |
| The Duncan Law Firm, LLP | 5.0★ (17) | In Sioux Falls |
| Tschetter & Adams Law Office, PC | 4.3★ (30) | In Sioux Falls |
| Walter Law Office | 5.0★ (190) | In Sioux Falls |
How we ranked Sioux Falls criminal defense lawyers
We scored 27 Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Sioux Falls?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Sioux Falls, SD is Ryan Duffy Law with an LFR Score of 69/100. It has 4.9★ from 170 Google reviews. Griese Law Firm, P.C. (#2) and Kolbeck Law Office (#3) follow. We ranked 27 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Sioux Falls?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 27 criminal defense lawyers serving Sioux Falls, SD. 27 of them are based in Sioux Falls; 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 Sioux Falls work on weekends?
1 of 27 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays is Johnson Richard L (#14). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Sioux Falls criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 27 rated criminal defense lawyers in Sioux Falls is 4.6★, with a median of 22 reviews. Ryan Duffy Law has the most, 170 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 Sioux Falls count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls?
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 Sioux Falls
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 27 criminal defense lawyers serving Sioux Falls.
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