69/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 785 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 Winston-Salem, NC: 2026 rankings
90 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Winston-Salem: McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan, LFR Score 69/100; 4.9★ from 785 Google reviews.
- 3
Open 24 hours (per Google): Grace, Tisdale & Clifton P.A., posts 24/7 hours; ranked #3 of 90.
- 5
Most-reviewed: Law Office of Tony Huynh, PLLC, 765 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 90 ranked after McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan; ranked #5.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
90 Winston-Salem criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 6 are open 24/7, 12 open Saturdays and 6 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 90 rated law firms.
Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Winston-Salem 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 | McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan | 69 | 4.9★ (785) | Winston-Salem | — | Top score |
| 2 | McElwee Law Firm | 67 | 4.9★ (308) | Winston-Salem | — | — |
| 3 | Grace, Tisdale & Clifton P.A. | 67 | 4.4★ (47) | Winston-Salem | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 4 | Harkey Law Firm, PLLC. | 66 | 4.9★ (140) | Winston-Salem | — | — |
| 5 | Law Office of Tony Huynh, PLLC | 66 | 4.9★ (765) | Greensboro, 24 mi away | Sat | Most reviews |
| 6 | Clint Dorman | 66 | 5.0★ (58) | Clemmons, 11 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 7 | Eustache Law | 65 | 4.7★ (170) | Winston-Salem | — | — |
| 8 | Greenwood Law | 65 | 4.7★ (152) | Winston-Salem | — | — |
| 9 | Law Office of Stephen M. Ball | 65 | 4.8★ (123) | Winston-Salem | — | — |
| 10 | Attorney Jason Aycoth | 65 | 5.0★ (82) | Greensboro, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 90 criminal defense lawyers in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 308 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Winston-Salem
67/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 47 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Winston-Salem
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 140 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Greensboro, 24 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 765 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#6 Clint Dorman
Based in Clemmons, 11 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 58 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#7 Eustache Law
Based in Winston-Salem
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 170 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Winston-Salem
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 152 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Winston-Salem
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 123 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Greensboro, 25 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ 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 Winston-Salem
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 70 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Winston-Salem
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 89 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Greensboro, 25 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 587 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Greensboro, 25 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 364 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Greensboro, 26 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 474 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Winston-Salem
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 65 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in High Point, 16 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 138 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Kernersville, 10 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 54 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in High Point, 15 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 22 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Winston-Salem
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 64 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Greensboro, 25 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 193 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Thomasville, 19 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ 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 Greensboro, 21 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 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.
#24 Gates Bryan
Based in Winston-Salem
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Greensboro, 25 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 18 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 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 90 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Teeter Law Firm | 60 | 4.7★ (14) | In Winston-Salem |
| 27 | Winston Law Group | 60 | 4.3★ (16) | In Winston-Salem |
| 28 | Morgan E. Bennett | 60 | 5.0★ (7) | In Winston-Salem |
| 29 | Nixon, Doermann, and Edwards, PLLC | 60 | 5.0★ (77) | 25 mi |
| 30 | Teresa Stewart Law Office | 60 | 3.7★ (42) | In Winston-Salem |
| 31 | Clifford and Harris Trial Lawyers | 59 | 5.0★ (73) | 25 mi |
| 32 | Clifford Andrew C | 59 | 4.8★ (25) | 25 mi |
| 33 | Combs Law Firm PLLC | 59 | 3.6★ (14) | In Winston-Salem |
| 34 | Gerber, Green & Principe, PLLC | 59 | 4.7★ (61) | In Winston-Salem |
| 35 | Law Firm of Schlosser & Pritchett | 59 | 4.8★ (74) | 25 mi |
| 36 | King Law | 59 | 4.7★ (45) | In Winston-Salem |
| 37 | Minick Law, P.C. | 59 | 5.0★ (37) | 24 mi |
| 38 | Attorney Jan Pritchett | 58 | 4.8★ (58) | 25 mi |
| 39 | Law Office of H A (Alec) Carpenter IV | 58 | 4.8★ (63) | 25 mi |
| 40 | NxtGen Law Group | 58 | 4.7★ (76) | 25 mi |
| 41 | David B. Smith | 58 | 4.7★ (14) | 25 mi |
| 42 | Jon Welborn - Attorney - Welborn Law - Lexington NC | 58 | 5.0★ (5) | 19 mi |
| 43 | Edward H Galloway, Attorney at Law | 58 | 4.9★ (34) | 25 mi |
| 44 | Ronald P. Butler, Attorney and Counselor at Law | 58 | 4.3★ (21) | 15 mi |
| 45 | Metcalf & Beal | 57 | 2.3★ (3) | In Winston-Salem |
| 46 | Rodrick A. Rouse, Attorney at Law | 57 | 4.6★ (16) | 18 mi |
| 47 | Faison Law Firm, PLLC | 57 | 5.0★ (23) | 24 mi |
| 48 | Jason L. Keith | 57 | 4.4★ (74) | 25 mi |
| 49 | Coalter Law, PLLC | 57 | 4.8★ (33) | 25 mi |
| 50 | Law Office of Michael D. Nash, PLLC | 57 | 4.5★ (15) | 25 mi |
Also serving Winston-Salem
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Doorasamy Law Office | 4.1★ (62) | In Winston-Salem |
| Bailey & Thomas, P.A. | 5.0★ (48) | In Winston-Salem |
| Daggett Shuler Attorneys at Law | 4.8★ (753) | In Winston-Salem |
| Deuterman Law Group | 4.5★ (240) | In Winston-Salem |
| G Scott Jones Attorney At Law | 4.9★ (73) | In Winston-Salem |
| Jackson Legal | 4.8★ (41) | In Winston-Salem |
| Julie Boyer, Attorney At Law | 2.8★ (9) | In Winston-Salem |
| Kline Law Firm | 4.6★ (88) | In Winston-Salem |
| Law Offices of James Scott Farrin | 4.9★ (442) | In Winston-Salem |
| Legal Aid of North Carolina - Winston-Salem Office | 3.1★ (112) | In Winston-Salem |
| Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers | 4.4★ (178) | In Winston-Salem |
| McGuire & McGuire PA | 4.4★ (50) | 18 mi |
| McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan | 4.9★ (890) | In Winston-Salem |
| Nagle & Associates PA Accident Lawyers | 4.8★ (74) | In Winston-Salem |
| Schollander Law Offices | 4.8★ (37) | In Winston-Salem |
| Sean Lew, PLLC | 4.9★ (119) | In Winston-Salem |
| The Atkinson Law Firm | 4.8★ (105) | In Winston-Salem |
| The Law Office of Amro Elsayed, PLLC | 4.7★ (53) | In Winston-Salem |
| The Vrsecky Law Firm | 4.7★ (60) | In Winston-Salem |
| Thompson Personal Injury Law Firm | 4.8★ (325) | In Winston-Salem |
How we ranked Winston-Salem criminal defense lawyers
We scored 90 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem: frequently asked questions
Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Winston-Salem?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Winston-Salem, NC is McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan with an LFR Score of 69/100. It has 4.9★ from 785 Google reviews. McElwee Law Firm (#2) and Grace, Tisdale & Clifton P.A. (#3) follow. We ranked 90 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Winston-Salem?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 90 criminal defense lawyers serving Winston-Salem, NC. 20 of them are based in Winston-Salem; 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 Winston-Salem are open 24/7?
6 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Winston-Salem post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Grace, Tisdale & Clifton P.A. (#3), Clint Dorman (#6) and Attorney Jason Aycoth (#10). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which criminal defense lawyers in Winston-Salem work on weekends?
12 of 90 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 6 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Grace, Tisdale & Clifton P.A. (#3), Law Office of Tony Huynh, PLLC (#5) and Clint Dorman (#6). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Winston-Salem criminal defense lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 90 rated criminal defense lawyers in Winston-Salem is 4.7★, with a median of 58 reviews. McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan has the most, 785 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 Winston-Salem count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem?
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 Winston-Salem
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 90 criminal defense lawyers serving Winston-Salem.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
More criminal defense lawyers and Winston-Salem pages
Criminal defense lawyers near Winston-Salem
- Criminal defense lawyers in Clemmons, NC62 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Kernersville, NC92 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Lewisville, NC63 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in High Point, NC101 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Thomasville, NC104 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Lexington, NC69 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Archdale, NC100 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Summerfield, NC105 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Greensboro, NC112 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Salisbury, NC70 ranked
Other practice areas in Winston-Salem
- Personal injury lawyers in Winston-Salem132 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Winston-Salem37 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Winston-Salem60 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Winston-Salem51 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Winston-Salem33 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Winston-Salem18 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Winston-Salem26 ranked
- Business lawyers in Winston-Salem7 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Winston-Salem36 ranked
- Tax lawyers in Winston-Salem11 ranked
- Intellectual property lawyers in Winston-Salem5 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Winston-Salem25 ranked
- Mediators in Winston-Salem14 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Winston-Salem189 ranked
- All lawyers in Winston-Salem