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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Vaughan, ON: 2026 rankings

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Vaughan: Charitsis Law, LFR Score 71/100; 5.0★ from 358 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Kazandji Law Criminal and Family Lawyers, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 501.

  3. 6

    Most-reviewed: NextLaw, 907 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 501 ranked; ranked #6.

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

501 Vaughan criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 188 are open 24/7, 253 open Saturdays and 235 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 501 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Vaughan 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 Vaughan at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Charitsis Law715.0★ (358)East York, 8 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Kazandji Law Criminal and Family Lawyers714.9★ (423)North York, 7 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3What The Law714.7★ (881)Richmond Hill, 8 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Sadro Law Group704.9★ (453)East York, 14 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5JAKE SHEN705.0★ (242)Markham, 13 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6NextLaw705.0★ (907)Toronto, 23 km awaySat · SunMost reviews
7A. Dhillon Law- Criminal Lawyer695.0★ (201)Brampton, 18 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Sondhi Defence Professional Corporation694.9★ (288)Aurora, 19 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Arif Hussain, Barrister & Solicitor694.9★ (419)Scarborough, 25 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Citadel Law695.0★ (216)Toronto, 20 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 501 criminal defense lawyers in Vaughan, 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 Vaughan

    Based in East York, 8 km away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 358 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 358 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1000 Finch Ave W Ste 705, North York, ON M3J 2V5
  2. Based in Richmond Hill, 8 km away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 881 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.7★ from 881 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    330 Hwy 7 Unit#305, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P8
  3. Based in East York, 14 km away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 453 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 453 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    220 Duncan Mill Rd #419, North York, ON M3B 2V1
  4. Based in Markham, 13 km away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 242 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 242 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    3601 Hwy 7 Ste 515, Markham, ON L3R 0M3
  5. Based in Toronto, 23 km away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 907 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 907 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM · Sat–Sun 9 AM–4 PM
    Address
    250 University Ave Suite 215, Toronto, ON M5H 3E5
  6. Based in Toronto, 20 km away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 216 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 216 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1235 Bay St. Office 501, Toronto, ON M5R 3K4
  7. Based in Vaughan

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 56 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 56 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    6175 Hwy 7 #18B, Vaughan, ON L4H 0P6
  8. #13 Pyzer

    Based in East York, 16 km away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 175 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 175 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1396 Eglinton Ave W #100, York, ON M6C 2E4
  9. Based in Toronto, 23 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 207 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 207 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    120 Adelaide St W #2500, Toronto, ON M5H 1T1
  10. Based in Brampton, 21 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 192 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 192 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    6201 Mayfield Rd Unit #60, Brampton, ON L6P 4R9
  11. Based in Toronto, 23 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 259 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 259 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    151 Church St, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3
  12. Based in Brampton, 20 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 188 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 188 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    7956 Torbram Rd Unit 20, Brampton, ON L6T 5A2
  13. Based in Mississauga, 23 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 186 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 186 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    6200 Dixie Rd #223, Mississauga, ON L5T 2E1
  14. Based in Aurora, 19 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 165 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 165 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    15393 Yonge St, Aurora, ON L4G 1P1
  15. Based in Toronto, 23 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 159 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 159 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    103 Church St #400, Toronto, ON M5C 2G3
  16. Based in East York, 15 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 116 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 116 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    220 Duncan Mill Rd #419, North York, ON M3B 3J5
  17. Based in Toronto, 23 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 200 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 200 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    130 Spadina Ave. #606, Toronto, ON M5V 2L4
  18. Based in Toronto, 23 km away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 203 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 203 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    65 Front St E Ste 300, Toronto, ON M5E 1B5

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 501 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Vaughan, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Song Criminal Defence685.0★ (64)10 km
27Aswani K. Datt, Criminal Defense Lawyer685.0★ (275)33 km
28Amedeo DiCarlo of DiCarlo & Wong Associates684.9★ (236)27 km
29Vilkhov Law Professional Corporation674.8★ (202)23 km
30Andrew Edgar Criminal Defence Counsel675.0★ (96)20 km
31Costa Law675.0★ (25)In Vaughan
32Norton Law PC674.8★ (69)10 km
33Gold Law675.0★ (42)9 km
34Norton Law PC675.0★ (106)23 km
35Strategic Criminal Defence674.9★ (140)23 km
36LawStop Criminal Lawyers674.9★ (226)30 km
37Posner Craig Stein LLP674.9★ (117)21 km
38Badesha Law Criminal Lawyer Brampton675.0★ (76)19 km
39Michael Kachkar - Criminal Lawyer675.0★ (94)23 km
40Vadim Paskarou675.0★ (160)15 km
41Karapancev Law - Criminal Lawyers Toronto674.9★ (105)23 km
42Pazuki Law Group674.9★ (117)24 km
43David Genis674.8★ (39)9 km
44Rana U. Hameed Criminal Law675.0★ (107)28 km
45Shikhman Barristers674.8★ (46)10 km
46Legal Action Paralegal Services: Traffic Tickets Toronto665.0★ (501)10 km
47Branden J. Miller Law664.9★ (84)23 km
48Saggi Law Firm664.8★ (96)22 km
49Zamani Law - Toronto Criminal Lawyer664.9★ (80)23 km
50Nirwal Law665.0★ (70)24 km

Also serving Vaughan

20 more criminal defense lawyers within 48 km 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 Vaughan
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Absolute Law Professional Corporation | Vaughan Lawyers4.9★ (177)In Vaughan
Campisi Law Injury Lawyers4.9★ (370)In Vaughan
Chand & Co. | Civil and Commercial Litigation Lawyers5.0★ (72)In Vaughan
Dankanych Law Group4.5★ (42)In Vaughan
GB LAW PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION5.0★ (636)In Vaughan
Hummingbird Lawyers LLP4.7★ (189)In Vaughan
Kruse Law4.7★ (30)8 km
Lailna Dhaliwal4.9★ (59)In Vaughan
Lawyers and Lattes Legal Cafe4.8★ (353)In Vaughan
Mazzeo Law Barristers & Solicitors4.8★ (123)In Vaughan
Pappas Law4.4★ (72)In Vaughan
Pranzitelli Law Firm4.9★ (148)In Vaughan
Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers4.9★ (183)In Vaughan
Sabharwal Law Professional Corporation5.0★ (41)In Vaughan
Spartak Law5.0★ (160)In Vaughan
Sutherland Law4.5★ (60)In Vaughan
The Criminal Law Team4.8★ (35)10 km
The Law Squad5.0★ (175)In Vaughan
Truscello Nair LLP4.9★ (82)24 km
Truscello Nair LLP Criminal Lawyers4.9★ (14)In Vaughan

How we ranked Vaughan criminal defense lawyers

We scored 501 Vaughan 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 Vaughan 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 Vaughan: frequently asked questions

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

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Vaughan, ON is Charitsis Law with an LFR Score of 71/100. It has 5.0★ from 358 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Kazandji Law Criminal and Family Lawyers (#2) and What The Law (#3) follow. We ranked 501 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Vaughan?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 501 criminal defense lawyers serving Vaughan, ON. 2 of them are based in Vaughan; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 48 km are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

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

188 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Vaughan post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Charitsis Law (#1), Kazandji Law Criminal and Family Lawyers (#2) and What The Law (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Vaughan work on weekends?

253 of 501 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 235 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Charitsis Law (#1), Kazandji Law Criminal and Family Lawyers (#2) and What The Law (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Vaughan criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 501 rated criminal defense lawyers in Vaughan is 4.9★, with a median of 28 reviews. NextLaw has the most, 907 reviews, and ranks #6. 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 Vaughan count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 48 km of the Vaughan city centre, 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 Vaughan, ON charge?

Criminal defence lawyers usually charge a block or flat fee per stage, or an hourly rate. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask your provincial legal aid plan whether you qualify. Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.

What if I can’t afford a criminal defence lawyer?

Apply to your provincial legal aid plan, which issues certificates to private lawyers or provides staff lawyers if you qualify. Duty counsel can also help at your first court appearance. This is general information, not legal advice.

How is this list of criminal defense lawyers in Vaughan, ON 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 Vaughan?

No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your province (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some province). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.

Update log for Vaughan

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 501 criminal defense lawyers serving Vaughan.