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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in Morganton, NC (2026)

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

3 of the 25 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 Morganton: King Law, 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 Morganton 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 Morganton at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1King Law634.8★ (144)MorgantonOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2King Law594.4★ (329)Hickory, 19 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3Burts Law, PLLC584.8★ (216)Newton, 27 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4Law Office of Anthony R. Morrow564.0★ (4)Morganton—
5Law Offices of John W. Alexander524.9★ (77)Morganton—
6Wayne O Clontz513.9★ (100)Morganton—
7Cayll Law, PLLC505.0★ (283)Newton, 27 mi away—
8Minick Law, P.C.475.0★ (50)Hickory, 20 mi away—
9Matthews Law Firm464.4★ (47)Hickory, 19 mi away—
10Webster & Back Law454.9★ (155)Morganton—

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in Morganton 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 25 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Morganton, 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 Morganton

    #1 King Law

    Based in Morganton

    63/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 144 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.8★ from 144 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    305 S Green St Suite 200, Morganton, NC 28655
    View profile for King Law(828) 229-5828

  2. #2 King Law

    Based in Hickory, 19 mi away

    59/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 329 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.4★ from 329 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1351 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601
    View profile for King Law(828) 229-5814

  3. #3 Burts Law, PLLC

    Based in Newton, 27 mi away

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 216 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.8★ from 216 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    24 N Brady Ave, Newton, NC 28658
    View profile for Burts Law, PLLC(704) 751-0455

  6. #6 Wayne O Clontz

    Based in Morganton

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.9★ from 100 Google reviews.

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

    • 3.9★ from 100 Google reviews
    Address
    400 E Meeting St, Morganton, NC 28655
    View profile for Wayne O Clontz(828) 437-3346

  7. #7 Cayll Law, PLLC

    Based in Newton, 27 mi away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 283 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 283 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–1 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    28 W A St, Newton, NC 28658
    View profile for Cayll Law, PLLC(828) 469-5159

  8. #8 Minick Law, P.C.

    Based in Hickory, 20 mi away

    47/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 50 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 50 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    520 8th St NE, Hickory, NC 28601
    View profile for Minick Law, P.C.(828) 237-4242

  9. #9 Matthews Law Firm

    Based in Hickory, 19 mi away

    46/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 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.

    • 4.4★ from 47 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    321 4th St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
    View profile for Matthews Law Firm(828) 322-1688

  10. #10 Webster & Back Law

    Based in Morganton

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 155 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.9★ from 155 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    204 S Green St, Morganton, NC 28655
    View profile for Webster & Back Law(828) 677-2175

  11. #11 Martine Law, PLLC

    Based in Hickory, 22 mi away

    43/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 12 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 12 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 7 AM–7 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1985 Tate Blvd SE 5th Floor, Hickory, NC 28602
    View profile for Martine Law, PLLC(704) 812-7191

  12. #12 Law Office of Victor N Yamouti

    Based in Morganton

    42/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 58 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 58 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    216 E Concord St, Morganton, NC 28655
    View profile for Law Office of Victor N Yamouti(828) 438-1166

  14. #14 Beyer & Bostian

    Based in Morganton

    41/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.9★ from 115 Google reviews.

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

    • 3.9★ from 115 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    208 E Concord St, Morganton, NC 28655
    View profile for Beyer & Bostian(828) 433-4800

  15. #15 LeCroy Law Firm, PLLC

    Based in Morganton

    41/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 44 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

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

    • 4.5★ from 44 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    207 E Union St, Morganton, NC 28655
    View profile for LeCroy Law Firm, PLLC(828) 438-9327

  18. #18 Cody Law Firm PLLC

    Based in Hickory, 19 mi away

    40/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 110 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.8★ from 110 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    219 1st Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602
    View profile for Cody Law Firm PLLC(828) 323-1234

  19. #19 Ralph D. Yount, Attorney At Law

    Based in Hickory, 18 mi away

    38/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 68 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.6★ from 68 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–12:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1930 1st Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602
    View profile for Ralph D. Yount, Attorney At Law(828) 322-4003

  22. #22 Ed Hedrick Attorney - Hickory

    Based in Hickory, 20 mi away

    36/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 26 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    18 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
    View profile for Ed Hedrick Attorney - Hickory(828) 322-1105

  24. #24 Latorre Law Firm

    Based in Hickory, 19 mi away

    35/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.

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

    • 4.5★ from 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    803 U.S. Hwy 70 SW, Hickory, NC 28602
    View profile for Latorre Law Firm(800) 966-6769

  25. #25 Grant Richman PLLC

    Based in Newton, 27 mi away

    31/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 4 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri–Sat closed · Sun 9 AM–5 PM
    Address
    217 N Main Ave, Newton, NC 28658
    View profile for Grant Richman PLLC(828) 464-2391

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in Morganton

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 Morganton: questions

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

3 on this list post 24/7 hours: King Law, King Law and Burts Law, PLLC.

Who is ranked #1 for emergency criminal defense in Morganton, NC?

King Law is #1, with an LFR Score of 63 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in Morganton 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 Morganton

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 25 criminal defense lawyers serving Morganton.

More emergency and criminal defense pages