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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

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

5 of the 33 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 Fort Wayne: Arnold Terrill Ridenour, P.C., 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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1Arnold Terrill Ridenour, P.C.724.6★ (141)Fort WayneOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2Kutsenok Law Office, LLC694.8★ (39)Fort WayneOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3Cranston Law594.6★ (103)Auburn, 17 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4Mendoza Personal Injury Lawyers Fort Wayne585.0★ (16)Fort WayneOpen 24 hrs (Google)
5Tandra S. Johnson, LLC574.7★ (14)Fort WayneOpen 24 hrs (Google)
6The Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey684.7★ (232)Fort Wayne—
7Myers & Wallace, LLP514.0★ (103)Fort Wayne—
8Matthew W. Chapel514.3★ (66)Fort Wayne—
9The Bellinger Law Office Fort Wayne Criminal Attorney & Divorce Lawyer504.3★ (55)Fort Wayne—
10Quinton L. Ellis P.C.504.1★ (56)Fort Wayne—

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in Fort Wayne 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 33 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne

    #1 Arnold Terrill Ridenour, P.C.

    Based in Fort Wayne

    72/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 141 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 141 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    127 W Berry St #1000, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Arnold Terrill Ridenour, P.C.(888) 912-7220

  2. #2 Kutsenok Law Office, LLC

    Based in Fort Wayne

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 39 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 39 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    116 E Berry St Ste 500, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Kutsenok Law Office, LLC(260) 443-1676

  3. #3 Cranston Law

    Based in Auburn, 17 mi away

    59/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.6★ from 103 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.6★ from 103 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    128 W Seventh St, Auburn, IN 46706
    View profile for Cranston Law(260) 704-8422

  5. #5 Tandra S. Johnson, LLC

    Based in Fort Wayne

    57/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

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

    • 4.7★ from 14 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    529 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Tandra S. Johnson, LLC(260) 424-3050

  7. #7 Myers & Wallace, LLP

    Based in Fort Wayne

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 103 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.0★ from 103 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    809 S Calhoun St #400, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Myers & Wallace, LLP(260) 286-7488

  8. #8 Matthew W. Chapel

    Based in Fort Wayne

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 66 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.3★ from 66 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–4 PM · Fri 8 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    110 W Berry St Suite 1904, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Matthew W. Chapel(260) 387-6236

  9. #9 The Bellinger Law Office Fort Wayne Criminal Attorney & Divorce Lawyer

    Based in Fort Wayne

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.3★ from 55 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    116 E Berry St Ste 500, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for The Bellinger Law Office Fort Wayne Criminal Attorney & Divorce Lawyer(260) 428-2214

  10. #10 Quinton L. Ellis P.C.

    Based in Fort Wayne

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 56 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.1★ from 56 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    116 E Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Quinton L. Ellis P.C.(260) 420-2006

  12. #12 Gregory A. Miller

    Based in Fort Wayne

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 27 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.1★ from 27 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    116 E Berry St Ste 500, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Gregory A. Miller(260) 833-7249

  14. #14 Watkins Law Firm

    Based in Auburn, 17 mi away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 15 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 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    117 E 9th St, Auburn, IN 46706
    View profile for Watkins Law Firm(260) 755-5008

  15. Based in Huntington, 26 mi away

    43/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.8★ from 34 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 3.8★ from 34 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    309 N Jefferson St, Huntington, IN 46750
    View profile for Wall Legal Services(260) 504-2714

  18. #18 Tourkow, Crell, Rosenblatt & Johnston, LLP Attorneys at Law

    Based in Fort Wayne

    41/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 56 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.0★ from 56 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    Suite 1200, 127 W Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Tourkow, Crell, Rosenblatt & Johnston, LLP Attorneys at Law(260) 426-0545

  20. #20 Stucky, Lauer & Young, LLP

    Based in Fort Wayne

    40/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.6★ from 65 Google reviews.

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

    • 3.6★ from 65 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    127 W Berry St #900, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    View profile for Stucky, Lauer & Young, LLP(260) 423-3525

  21. #21 Scott & Aplin LLC

    Based in Fort Wayne

    40/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 37 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

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

    • 3.9★ from 37 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1018 E Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46803
    View profile for Scott & Aplin LLC(260) 200-5321

  22. #22 Thonert Richard J

    Based in Fort Wayne

    39/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

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

    • 4.0★ from 26 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 7 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    810 Mill Lake Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46845
    View profile for Thonert Richard J(260) 637-4040

All 33 criminal defense lawyers by emergency score

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #33, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in Fort Wayne, ranks 26 to 33
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Thomas Essex Attorney At Law383.0★ (29)In Fort Wayne
27Law Offices of John G. Clifton383.6★ (14)In Fort Wayne
28Allen Thomas C383.7★ (14)In Fort Wayne
29Hamilton Law, LLC374.1★ (62)17 mi
30Law Office of Michael D. Ghilardi375.0★ (6)In Fort Wayne
31Toole Law Offices P.C.373.5★ (8)In Fort Wayne
32Urberg Law Office LLC363.4★ (5)In Fort Wayne
33Matheny Hahn & Denman Law354.3★ (31)26 mi

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in Fort Wayne

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 Fort Wayne: questions

Which criminal defense lawyers in Fort Wayne are open 24/7?

5 on this list post 24/7 hours: Arnold Terrill Ridenour, P.C., Kutsenok Law Office, LLC, Cranston Law, Mendoza Personal Injury Lawyers Fort Wayne and Tandra S. Johnson, LLC.

Who is ranked #1 for emergency criminal defense in Fort Wayne, IN?

Arnold Terrill Ridenour, P.C. is #1, with an LFR Score of 72 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 33 criminal defense lawyers serving Fort Wayne.

More emergency and criminal defense pages

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