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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in West Raleigh, NC (2026)

Top 35 of 158 criminal defense lawyers, in emergency orderUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank

20 of the 35 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 West Raleigh: Cotten Law Firm, PLLC, 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 West Raleigh 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 West Raleigh at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1Cotten Law Firm, PLLC735.0★ (3,962)Raleigh, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2Cotten Law Firm, PLLC694.9★ (2,664)Fuquay-Varina, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, LLP684.8★ (187)Raleigh, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Raleigh DWI Lawyer685.0★ (117)Raleigh, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
5The Law Office of Christopher R. Detwiler, PLLC685.0★ (120)Raleigh, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
6Marcilliat & Mills PLLC684.9★ (83)Raleigh, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
7Law Office of Frank Chen674.9★ (37)Raleigh, 2 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
8Sparrow Law Firm664.4★ (35)Raleigh, 1 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
9J. Alex Marshall, Criminal Defense Attorney665.0★ (154)Wake Forest, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
10Gabriel Diaz Criminal Defense Law Firm655.0★ (28)Cary, 6 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in West Raleigh 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 35 emergency criminal defense lawyers in West Raleigh, 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 158 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 West Raleigh

    Based in Raleigh, 2 mi away

    73/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3,962 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 3,962 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    421 Fayetteville St #1101, Raleigh, NC 27601
  2. Based in Fuquay-Varina, 16 mi away

    69/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 2,664 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 2,664 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    105 Raleigh St, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
  3. 68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 117 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 117 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    19 W Hargett St Ste 508, Raleigh, NC 27601
  4. 68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 120 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 120 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    434 Fayetteville St Ste 1840, Raleigh, NC 27601
  5. Based in Raleigh, 2 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 83 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 83 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    19 W Hargett St #700, Raleigh, NC 27601
  6. Based in Raleigh, 2 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 37 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 37 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    421 Fayetteville St #1100, Raleigh, NC 27601
  7. Based in Raleigh, 1 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 35 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 35 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    317 W Morgan St APT 111, Raleigh, NC 27601
  8. Based in Raleigh, 4 mi away

    64/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 7 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 7 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    4030 Wake Forest Rd #300, Raleigh, NC 27609
  9. Based in Raleigh, 2 mi away

    64/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 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 4 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    150 Fayetteville St Suit 300, Raleigh, NC 27601
  10. 62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 32 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 32 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    605 W Main St #206E, Carrboro, NC 27510
  11. Based in Raleigh, 2 mi away

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Trial attorney”.

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

    • 4.6★ from 19 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    205 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601
  12. Based in Raleigh, 3 mi away

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 49 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

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

    • 4.2★ from 49 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    3737 Glenwood Ave #100, Raleigh, NC 27612
  13. Based in Raleigh, 1 mi away

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 33 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.1★ from 33 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    127 W Hargett St Unit 604, Raleigh, NC 27601
  14. Based in Raleigh, 1 mi away

    55/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1951 Clark Ave, Raleigh, NC 27605
  15. Based in Chapel Hill, 23 mi away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 63 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

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

    • 4.8★ from 63 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    2 Couch Rd Ste 101, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  16. Based in Durham, 20 mi away

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 175 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 175 Google reviews
    Address
    100 E Parrish St Ste 350, Durham, NC 27701
  17. Based in Morrisville, 9 mi away

    55/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.5★ from 17 Google reviews
  18. Based in Durham, 20 mi away

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.7★ from 12 Google reviews
    Address
    123 W Main St #225, Durham, NC 27701
  19. Based in Raleigh, 5 mi away

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 794 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 794 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    5660 Six Forks Rd Ste 202, Raleigh, NC 27609
  20. Based in Raleigh, 4 mi away

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 340 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 340 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    5540 Centerview Dr Ste 200, Raleigh, NC 27606

Top 35 of 158 criminal defense lawyers by emergency score

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #35, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in West Raleigh, ranks 26 to 35
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Fay Grafton Nunez, PLLC504.9★ (328)4 mi
27Saad Law504.9★ (229)2 mi
28Coolidge Law Firm504.8★ (264)2 mi
29Frickey Law Firm PLLC505.0★ (157)2 mi
30Floyd Law Offices PLLC504.9★ (188)2 mi
31Law Offices of J. M. Kotzker, P.C. (NCLAWTALK)504.8★ (296)4 mi
32Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley504.9★ (158)1 mi
33Fanney Law Office, PLLC494.8★ (144)1 mi
34Roberts Law Office, PA494.9★ (103)2 mi
35The Chetson Firm484.7★ (82)2 mi

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in West Raleigh

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 West Raleigh: questions

Which criminal defense lawyers in West Raleigh are open 24/7?

20 on this list post 24/7 hours, including Cotten Law Firm, PLLC, Cotten Law Firm, PLLC, DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, LLP, Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC | Raleigh DWI Lawyer and The Law Office of Christopher R. Detwiler, PLLC.

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

Cotten Law Firm, PLLC is #1, with an LFR Score of 73 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in West Raleigh 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 West Raleigh

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 158 criminal defense lawyers serving West Raleigh.