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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in Traverse City, MI (2026)

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

4 of the 17 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 Traverse City: Patrick S. Fragel, Attorney at Law, 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 Traverse City 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 Traverse City at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1Patrick S. Fragel, Attorney at Law, P.C.744.8★ (127)Traverse CityOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2Neumann Law Group734.7★ (77)Traverse CityOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3Mas Stig-Nielsen Criminal Defense Attorneys725.0★ (59)Traverse CityOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4Alward Fisher624.5★ (57)Traverse CityOpen 24 hrs (Google)
5Williams & Associates534.9★ (55)Traverse City—
6Whims Legal Group, PLC495.0★ (9)Traverse City—
7Attorney Edward Lauermann PLLC484.6★ (10)Traverse City—
8Gerald F. Chefalo444.6★ (62)Traverse City—
9Smith & Johnson, P.C.424.7★ (29)Traverse CitySat · Sun
10Elhart Law Office413.7★ (51)Traverse City—

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in Traverse City 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 17 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Traverse City, 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 Traverse City

    #1 Patrick S. Fragel, Attorney at Law, P.C.

    Based in Traverse City

    74/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 127 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 127 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    733 E Eighth St Ste 210, Traverse City, MI 49686
    View profile for Patrick S. Fragel, Attorney at Law, P.C.(231) 933-7030

  2. #2 Neumann Law Group

    Based in Traverse City

    73/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 77 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 77 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    300 E Front St #445, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Neumann Law Group(231) 221-0050

  4. #4 Alward Fisher

    Based in Traverse City

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.5★ from 57 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.5★ from 57 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    412 S Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Alward Fisher(231) 261-2665

  5. #5 Williams & Associates

    Based in Traverse City

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.9★ from 55 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    125 Park St Suite 290, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Williams & Associates(231) 735-8575

  6. Based in Traverse City

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 9 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 9 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    12935 S W Bay Shore Dr Ste 300, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Whims Legal Group, PLC(231) 938-6099

  8. #8 Gerald F. Chefalo

    Based in Traverse City

    44/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.6★ from 62 Google reviews.

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

    • 4.6★ from 62 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    3250 Racquet Club Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Gerald F. Chefalo(231) 929-7744

  9. #9 Smith & Johnson, P.C.

    Based in Traverse City

    42/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “General practice attorney”.

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

    • 4.7★ from 29 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8 AM–5:30 PM
    Address
    534 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686
    View profile for Smith & Johnson, P.C.(231) 946-0700

  10. #10 Elhart Law Office

    Based in Traverse City

    41/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.7★ from 51 Google reviews.

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

    • 3.7★ from 51 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    329 S Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Elhart Law Office(231) 946-2420

  11. #11 Jarboe & Pfeil

    Based in Traverse City

    41/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 19 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    160 E State St Suite 100, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Jarboe & Pfeil(231) 922-3452

  12. #12 Razavi Law Offices

    Based in Traverse City

    40/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.5★ from 13 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1004 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686
    View profile for Razavi Law Offices(231) 486-6366

  14. #14 Graff, Graff, & Helveston

    Based in Traverse City

    39/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Insurance attorney”.

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

    • 4.2★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    804 S Garfield Ave Ste A, Traverse City, MI 49686
    View profile for Graff, Graff, & Helveston(231) 947-2540

  15. #15 NachtLaw, P.C.

    Based in Traverse City

    39/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.6★ from 9 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    Loft, 120 E Front St 2nd Floor, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for NachtLaw, P.C.(866) 965-2488

  16. Based in Traverse City

    39/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

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

    • 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sat 8 AM–5 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    800 Cottageview Dr #1088, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for North Coast Legal, PLC(231) 421-7076

  17. Based in Traverse City

    37/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

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

    • 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    800 Cottageview Dr #1082, Traverse City, MI 49684
    View profile for Michigan Legal Group(231) 421-3030

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in Traverse City

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 Traverse City: questions

Which criminal defense lawyers in Traverse City are open 24/7?

4 on this list post 24/7 hours: Patrick S. Fragel, Attorney at Law, P.C., Neumann Law Group, Mas Stig-Nielsen Criminal Defense Attorneys and Alward Fisher.

Who is ranked #1 for emergency criminal defense in Traverse City, MI?

Patrick S. Fragel, Attorney at Law, P.C. is #1, with an LFR Score of 74 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in Traverse City 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?

16 of the 17 law firms ranked in full list a phone number. Tap Call to dial it.

Update log for Traverse City

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 17 criminal defense lawyers serving Traverse City.

More emergency and criminal defense pages