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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbia, TN (2026)

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

8 of the 36 criminal defense lawyers on this list post 24/7 hours. 24/7 law firms come first, then same-day, each ranked by LFR Score with availability weighted higher.

If you or someone you know is arrested: you can stay silent and ask for a lawyer before answering questions. Calls from jail are usually recorded, so do not discuss the facts of the case on them.

The short answer

  1. 1

    #1 for emergency criminal defense in Columbia: The Nesheiwat Law Firm, open 24/7.

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

Top emergency criminal defense lawyers in Columbia 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 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Columbia at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1The Nesheiwat Law Firm695.0★ (190)Franklin, 21 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2Jonathan W. Turner, Attorney684.9★ (229)Franklin, 23 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3Larsen Law PLLC685.0★ (134)Franklin, 23 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4Lonnie R. Hoover, Attorney654.8★ (68)Franklin, 23 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
5Dana McLendon Law624.7★ (13)Franklin, 23 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
6Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates584.8★ (19)ColumbiaOpen 24 hrs (Google)
7Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates585.0★ (147)Franklin, 24 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
8Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates535.0★ (19)Brentwood, 28 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
9Gates Law Office523.6★ (25)Brentwood, 28 mi away—
10Legal Powers PLLC514.9★ (509)Franklin, 24 mi away—

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in Columbia now

24-hour hours mean the firm lists itself as open around the clock on Google; that does not show its phone is answered. A lawyer may not be able to visit a jail or appear in court the same day: ask what they can do now and what it costs before you agree.

The 36 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Columbia, ranked

24/7 first, then same-day service, then the rest. Each group is in LFR Score order on emergency weights.

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

  1. Ranked #1 in Columbia

    #1 The Nesheiwat Law Firm

    Based in Franklin, 21 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 190 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 190 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    426 Century Ct Ste 102, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for The Nesheiwat Law Firm(877) 763-7452

  2. #2 Jonathan W. Turner, Attorney

    Based in Franklin, 23 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 229 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 229 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1284 W Main St Ste 104, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Jonathan W. Turner, Attorney(615) 678-0029

  3. #3 Larsen Law PLLC

    Based in Franklin, 23 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 134 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 134 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1284 W Main St Ste 101, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Larsen Law PLLC(615) 933-2454

  4. #4 Lonnie R. Hoover, Attorney

    Based in Franklin, 23 mi away

    65/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 68 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.8★ from 68 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    203 4th Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Lonnie R. Hoover, Attorney(615) 790-9400

  5. #5 Dana McLendon Law

    Based in Franklin, 23 mi away

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.7★ from 13 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    231 Public Square Ste 300, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Dana McLendon Law(615) 437-6320

  9. #9 Gates Law Office

    Based in Brentwood, 28 mi away

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.6★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 3.6★ from 25 Google reviews
    Address
    1616 Westgate Cir, Brentwood, TN 37027
    View profile for Gates Law Office(615) 517-9490

  10. Based in Franklin, 24 mi away

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 509 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 509 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–6 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    235 3rd Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Legal Powers PLLC(615) 455-2422

  11. #11 Andrew Nutt, Attorney At Law

    Based in Lawrenceburg, 29 mi away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 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.

    • 5.0★ from 364 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    207 N 1st St Ste a, Pulaski, TN 38478
    View profile for Andrew Nutt, Attorney At Law(931) 447-8300

  12. #12 Law Office of Nichole Dusche

    Based in Franklin, 23 mi away

    47/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 53 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 53 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–2 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1284 W Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Law Office of Nichole Dusche(615) 861-1191

  13. #13 John M. Ballard - Attorney at Law

    Based in Franklin, 23 mi away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 26 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    509 New Hwy 96 W Ste 201, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for John M. Ballard - Attorney at Law(615) 903-4300

  14. #14 Law Office of Cayley J. Turrin

    Based in Franklin, 24 mi away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 33 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.5★ from 33 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    219 3rd Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Law Office of Cayley J. Turrin(615) 480-3158

  15. #15 Law Office of Luke Hammond

    Based in Brentwood Estates, 15 mi away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    View profile for Law Office of Luke Hammond(615) 763-3681

  16. #16 William L. Pomeroy Law

    Based in Brentwood, 27 mi away

    44/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 30 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 9 AM–5 PM · Wed closed · Thu–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    8115 Isabella Ln Ste 9, Brentwood, TN 37027
    View profile for William L. Pomeroy Law(808) 554-1036

  19. #19 The Craig Law Group

    Based in Franklin, 24 mi away

    43/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    219 3rd Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for The Craig Law Group(615) 944-4473

  20. #20 Lee Ofman Attorney at Law

    Based in Franklin, 23 mi away

    43/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    339 Main St Ste 230, Franklin, TN 37064
    View profile for Lee Ofman Attorney at Law(615) 790-9494

  21. #21 Nick Utter Law

    Based in Lewisburg, 18 mi away

    43/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.4★ from 5 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    105 1st Ave N South, Lewisburg, TN 37091
    View profile for Nick Utter Law(931) 288-8025

  24. #24 Gene Hallworth Atty

    Based in Columbia

    39/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    809 S Main St, Columbia, TN 38401
    View profile for Gene Hallworth Atty(931) 381-9900

All 36 criminal defense lawyers by emergency score

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #36, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in Columbia, ranks 26 to 36
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26William C Barnes Jr Law Office383.9★ (14)In Columbia
27GALAHER LAW, PLLC384.9★ (135)26 mi
28Tellus Law375.0★ (4)In Columbia
29Schell & Oglesby LLC344.0★ (21)23 mi
30Story & Abernathy, PLLP Attorneys at Law344.3★ (13)23 mi
31Young Mc Dade & Hassell335.0★ (8)24 mi
32Geoffrey Coston Attorney At Law334.5★ (8)23 mi
33Judy A. Oxford, Attorney at Law334.3★ (16)28 mi
34Milazo Law, P.C.334.0★ (8)23 mi
35John D Schwalb PLLC334.7★ (6)23 mi
36The Long Firm, LLC325.0★ (3)23 mi

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in Columbia

Emergency lists move 10 points of the LFR Score from reputation to availability: 15% and 15%. Availability credits 24/7 hours, same-day service, weekend hours and weekly open hours. 24/7 criminal defense lawyers are listed first, then same-day, then the rest; ranks follow that order. Paid placement never changes a rank.

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 from
Reputation15%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it
Bar status10%An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded)
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 months
Availability15%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are

Emergency criminal defense lawyers in Columbia: questions

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

8 on this list post 24/7 hours, including The Nesheiwat Law Firm, Jonathan W. Turner, Attorney, Larsen Law PLLC, Lonnie R. Hoover, Attorney and Dana McLendon Law.

Who is ranked #1 for emergency criminal defense in Columbia, TN?

The Nesheiwat Law Firm is #1, with an LFR Score of 69 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in Columbia ranked?

Emergency lists move 10 points of the LFR Score from reputation to availability: 15% and 15%. Availability credits 24/7 hours, same-day service, weekend hours and weekly open hours. 24/7 criminal defense lawyers are listed first, then same-day, then the rest; ranks follow that order. Paid placement never changes a rank.

What should I do before the criminal defense lawyer arrives?

If you or someone you know is arrested: you can stay silent and ask for a lawyer before answering questions. Calls from jail are usually recorded, so do not discuss the facts of the case on them.

How many emergency criminal defense lawyers here list a phone number?

25 of the 25 law firms ranked in full list a phone number. Tap Call to dial it.

Update log for Columbia

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 36 criminal defense lawyers serving Columbia.

More emergency and criminal defense pages