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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in Waterloo, ON (2026)

Top 50 of 53 criminal defense lawyers, in emergency orderUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank

5 of the 50 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 Waterloo: Kruse 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1Kruse Law704.5★ (67)Kitchener, 3 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2Lakin Afolabi Law - Criminal Lawyers695.0★ (33)Kitchener, 4 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3Guelph Lawyer - Joseph M. Pellizzari664.2★ (57)Guelph, 23 km awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4Daley, Byers | Waterloo Criminal Defence Lawyers654.3★ (6)WaterlooOpen 24 hrs (Google)
5Kraska Law - Kitchener Criminal Lawyers595.0★ (3)WaterlooOpen 24 hrs (Google)
6Drexler Law Criminal Defence614.8★ (23)Kitchener, 2 km away—
7John H. Kieffer Professional Corporation544.3★ (6)Guelph, 23 km away—
8Cooper Lord Law534.8★ (114)Kitchener, 3 km away—
9Thomas L. Brock Criminal Defence Lawyers524.8★ (57)Kitchener, 2 km away—
10Sean Safa Criminal Defence Lawyer513.7★ (15)Kitchener, 3 km away—

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in Waterloo 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 50 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Waterloo, ranked

24/7 first, then same-day service, then the rest. Each group is in LFR Score order on emergency weights. The full ranking of all 53 is on the criminal defense lawyers page.

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 Waterloo

    #1 Kruse Law

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 67 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 67 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    311 Frederick St, Kitchener, ON N2H 2N6
    View profile for Kruse Law(519) 744-0973

  6. #6 Drexler Law Criminal Defence

    Based in Kitchener, 2 km away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 23 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 23 Google reviews
    Address
    42 College St, Kitchener, ON N2H 5A1
    View profile for Drexler Law Criminal Defence(519) 804-1799

  8. #8 Cooper Lord Law

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 114 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 114 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    7 Duke St W Ste 306, Kitchener, ON N2H 6N7
    View profile for Cooper Lord Law(226) 336-9939

  9. #9 Thomas L. Brock Criminal Defence Lawyers

    Based in Kitchener, 2 km away

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 57 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 57 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–2 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    42 College St, Kitchener, ON N2H 5A1
    View profile for Thomas L. Brock Criminal Defence Lawyers(519) 742-1270

  11. #11 Cordaie Paralegal Services

    Based in Waterloo

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 31 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 31 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 7 AM–8 PM
    Address
    180 Northfield Dr W Unit 4, Waterloo, ON N2L 0C7
    View profile for Cordaie Paralegal Services(844) 494-6463

  12. #12 RITTER HARVEY LAW

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 40 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 40 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    17 Irvin St, Kitchener, ON N2H 1K6
    View profile for RITTER HARVEY LAW(519) 744-1169

  13. #13 Bond Andrew G

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 22 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 22 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 9 AM–6 PM · Wed 9 AM–4 PM · Thu 9 AM–6 PM · Fri–Sat 9 AM–5 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    234 Frederick St, Kitchener, ON N2H 2M8
    View profile for Bond Andrew G(226) 898-0260

  14. #14 Edwardh Ghadiyali Law

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.2★ from 26 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    130 Lancaster St E, Kitchener, ON N2H 1N1
    View profile for Edwardh Ghadiyali Law(226) 499-3118

  15. #15 Matt Milczarczyk Lawyer

    Based in Waterloo

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 15 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 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri–Sun closed
    Address
    20 Erb St. W #906, Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2
    View profile for Matt Milczarczyk Lawyer(519) 579-2333

  16. #16 Satnam Grewal Criminal Defence and Immigration Lawyer

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    48/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 104 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

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

    • 4.9★ from 104 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat 11 AM–4:30 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    53 Roy St, Kitchener, ON N2H 4B4
    View profile for Satnam Grewal Criminal Defence and Immigration Lawyer(519) 584-0769

  17. #17 David Woodbeck

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    48/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 3.9★ from 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    234 Frederick St, Kitchener, ON N2H 2M8
    View profile for David Woodbeck(519) 570-0123

  18. #18 Jonathan R Graham Barrister & Solicitor - Criminal Law

    Based in Kitchener, 3 km away

    46/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 6 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 6 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    30 Queen St N, Kitchener, ON N2H 2G8
    View profile for Jonathan R Graham Barrister & Solicitor - Criminal Law(519) 742-8800

  19. #19 Ranney Hintsa

    Based in Guelph, 26 km away

    46/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 26 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 26 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–6 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    View profile for Ranney Hintsa(519) 767-5357

  22. #22 Joseph Fera Law Office

    Based in Guelph, 23 km away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 3.9★ from 19 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    329 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3W4
    View profile for Joseph Fera Law Office(519) 822-9163

  23. #23 The Law Office of Perrin Valli

    Based in Guelph, 23 km away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 12 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    329 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3W6
    View profile for The Law Office of Perrin Valli(519) 766-1110

  24. #24 Anwar Law Office – Criminal Defence & Civil Litigation (By Appointment Only)

    Based in Guelph, 27 km away

    45/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 12 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 12 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8 AM–12 AM
    Address
    113 Starwood Dr Unit b, Guelph, ON N1E 7G7
    View profile for Anwar Law Office – Criminal Defence & Civil Litigation (By Appointment Only)(226) 706-4892

Top 50 of 53 criminal defense lawyers by emergency score

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in Waterloo, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Law Office of Sarah Cheshire454.3★ (12)23 km
27SWEET LAW454.5★ (11)23 km
28Nicholas Wansbutter, Barrister - Criminal Defence454.8★ (23)39 km
29Kainth Law Group (KLG)444.9★ (111)1 km
30Doney Law Office443.3★ (12)23 km
31X-Copper Kitchener434.6★ (114)3 km
32Dobson Law415.0★ (5)42 km
33Dhaliwal & Dhaliwal LLP | Canadian Immigration and Criminal Defence Law Firm414.3★ (6)3 km
34Matlow, Miller, Cummins, Thrasher LLP414.4★ (122)20 km
35X-Copper Cambridge414.3★ (113)17 km
36Sean Safa Criminal Lawyer403.7★ (15)14 km
37Richard Marchak394.3★ (23)3 km
38Valeria Ruoso Law Firm395.0★ (15)3 km
39Roussy Paralegal Services394.3★ (13)In Waterloo
40Christopher G. Rogers, Lawyer & Notary395.0★ (33)23 km
41Richard Law Office393.9★ (25)7 km
42Van Drunen Criminal Defence394.9★ (18)40 km
43Kelly & Co.382.9★ (35)In Waterloo
44Law Office Of Jeffrey T. Garland384.6★ (11)3 km
45Shuh Cline & Grossman382.9★ (34)3 km
46Andrade, Filomena Law384.0★ (28)16 km
47Ticket Defenders364.8★ (43)42 km
48Lefebvre & Lefebvre LLP364.0★ (66)42 km
49W. Gerald Punnett363.1★ (31)23 km
50Flaherty Terrence J364.5★ (11)23 km

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in Waterloo

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 Waterloo: questions

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

5 on this list post 24/7 hours: Kruse Law, Lakin Afolabi Law - Criminal Lawyers, Guelph Lawyer - Joseph M. Pellizzari, Daley, Byers | Waterloo Criminal Defence Lawyers and Kraska Law - Kitchener Criminal Lawyers.

Who is ranked #1 for emergency criminal defense in Waterloo, ON?

Kruse Law is #1, with an LFR Score of 70 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in Waterloo 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 Waterloo

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 53 criminal defense lawyers serving Waterloo.

More emergency and criminal defense pages