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Emergency Criminal Defense Lawyers in Wilmington, NC (2026)

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

5 of the 34 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 Wilmington: Collins Law Firm, 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHours
1Collins Law Firm714.8★ (107)WilmingtonOpen 24 hrs (Google)
2Marcilliat & Mills PLLC704.9★ (67)WilmingtonOpen 24 hrs (Google)
3Michelle Sparrow Criminal Defense Wilmington694.7★ (56)WilmingtonOpen 24 hrs (Google)
4Christina Rivenbark & Associates644.8★ (409)WilmingtonOpen 24 hrs (Google)
5Christina Rivenbark & Associates604.9★ (56)Leland, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)
6Burney Burney & Jones: Jones G Frank595.0★ (14)Wilmington—
7Granade Law, PLLC574.2★ (5)Wilmington—
8The Shotwell Law Group, PLLC565.0★ (747)Wilmington—
9Minick Law, P.C.565.0★ (699)Wilmington—
10Godwin Law Firm562.3★ (3)Wilmington—

Call an emergency criminal defense lawyer in Wilmington 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 34 emergency criminal defense lawyers in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington

    #1 Collins Law Firm

    Based in Wilmington

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 107 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 107 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    313 Walnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Collins Law Firm(910) 793-9000

  2. #2 Marcilliat & Mills PLLC

    Based in Wilmington

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 67 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.9★ from 67 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    272 N Front St Ste 330, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Marcilliat & Mills PLLC(910) 218-3332

  7. #7 Granade Law, PLLC

    Based in Wilmington

    57/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews
    Address
    212-B Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Granade Law, PLLC(910) 200-7205

  8. #8 The Shotwell Law Group, PLLC

    Based in Wilmington

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 747 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 747 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 8 AM–6 PM · Wed closed · Thu–Fri 8 AM–6 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    115 N 6th St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for The Shotwell Law Group, PLLC(910) 762-1672

  9. #9 Minick Law, P.C.

    Based in Wilmington

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 699 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 699 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    321 N Front St Ste. 204, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Minick Law, P.C.(910) 300-9995

  10. #10 Godwin Law Firm

    Based in Wilmington

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 2.3★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 2.3★ from 3 Google reviews
    Address
    206 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Godwin Law Firm(910) 762-0410

  11. #11 McGee Law Firm

    Based in Wilmington

    54/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 224 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 224 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    218 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for McGee Law Firm(910) 254-0400

  12. #12 Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC

    Based in Wilmington

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 188 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 188 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM · Fri 9 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    212 Walnut St Unit 100, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC(910) 262-7401

  13. #13 Burney & Jones

    Based in Wilmington

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 173 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 173 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–2 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    110 N 5th Ave, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Burney & Jones(910) 762-7771

  14. #14 James Rutherford, Attorney at Law

    Based in Wilmington

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 151 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 151 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    508 Princess St Floor 2, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for James Rutherford, Attorney at Law(910) 595-1377

  15. #15 Law Office of Daniel J. McCrorie

    Based in Wilmington

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 103 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

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

    • 5.0★ from 103 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–6:30 PM · Sat–Sun 9 AM–6:30 PM
    Address
    508 Princess St Floor 2, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Law Office of Daniel J. McCrorie(910) 212-5127

  16. #16 Whitley Coleman

    Based in Wilmington

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 75 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 75 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    703 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Whitley Coleman(910) 218-9973

  17. #17 Woody White Law Firm PLLC

    Based in Wilmington

    51/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 90 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 90 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–2 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    2004 Eastwood Rd #201, Wilmington, NC 28403
    View profile for Woody White Law Firm PLLC(910) 338-4900

  18. #18 The Wagoner Law Firm, PLLC

    Based in Wilmington

    50/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 38 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 38 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 8 AM–5 PM · Wed closed · Thu–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    401 Chestnut St Ste K, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for The Wagoner Law Firm, PLLC(910) 218-9669

  19. #19 Feinberg Law Firm

    Based in Wilmington

    47/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 10 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 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    226 N Front St Ste 131, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Feinberg Law Firm(910) 200-2916

  21. #21 Wright Criminal Defense

    Based in Wilmington

    42/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.0★ from 16 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 6 AM–8 PM
    Address
    404 N 3rd St #111, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Wright Criminal Defense(910) 599-4389

  22. #22 Mason, Mason, & Smith Attorneys at Law

    Based in Wilmington

    42/100LFR Score

    Ranked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 90 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Family law attorney”.

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

    • 4.6★ from 90 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    514 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Mason, Mason, & Smith Attorneys at Law(910) 444-3505

  24. #24 Mulligan Attorneys PLLC

    Based in Wilmington

    41/100LFR Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 67 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.7★ from 67 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1135 Military Cutoff Rd #203, Wilmington, NC 28405
    View profile for Mulligan Attorneys PLLC(910) 763-1100

  25. #25 Deaver & Deaver, Trial Attorneys

    Based in Wilmington

    41/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 79 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

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

    • 4.6★ from 79 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Wed closed · Thu 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    705 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
    View profile for Deaver & Deaver, Trial Attorneys(910) 362-1919

All 34 criminal defense lawyers by emergency score

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #34, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in Wilmington, ranks 26 to 34
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Godwin Law Firm394.1★ (38)In Wilmington
27Mason Amanda394.4★ (18)In Wilmington
28William T. Peregoy, Attorney At Law, PLLC384.6★ (27)7 mi
29Jones & Sasnett, P.A.384.6★ (10)In Wilmington
30Law Firm Carolinas383.9★ (10)In Wilmington
31Miriam Mason Thompson Attorney at Law, PLLC374.3★ (6)In Wilmington
32The Law Offices of Barry K Henline, PLLC375.0★ (5)In Wilmington
33Julia Boseman, Attorney at Law372.4★ (19)In Wilmington
34Hicks Law Firm, PLLC365.0★ (3)In Wilmington

How we ranked emergency criminal defense lawyers in Wilmington

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 Wilmington: questions

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

5 on this list post 24/7 hours: Collins Law Firm, Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, Michelle Sparrow Criminal Defense Wilmington, Christina Rivenbark & Associates and Christina Rivenbark & Associates.

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

Collins Law Firm is #1, with an LFR Score of 71 out of 100 on emergency weights.

How are emergency criminal defense lawyers in Wilmington 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 Wilmington

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 34 criminal defense lawyers serving Wilmington.

More emergency and criminal defense pages

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