5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Nashville (2026)

Ranked by real Google ratings and review volume · How we chose

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

We compared 20 criminal defense lawyers in Nashville on Google Maps · 5 listed · How we rank

A call about an arrest rarely comes at a convenient hour, and the criminal defense lawyers in Nashville who pick up that call are judged on very different track records. Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys has 490 Google reviews at 4.9, while Ridings Law Group holds a 5.0 on 135, a gap that says as much about firm size as about quality.

Short answer: Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys leads on volume with a 4.9 across 490 Google reviews. Ridings Law Group, P.C. holds a 5.0 on 135, Raybin & Weissman a 4.9 on 138, PNC Law a 4.8 on 173 and NASH LAW a 4.7 on 170. Fees depend on the charge and court, so ask for a written quote.

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1. Beasley Law Criminal D…
2. PNC Law Criminal Defen…
3. Ridings Law Group, P.C…
4. Raybin & Weissman Pers…
5. NASH LAW
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The Defense Bench at a Glance

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys	4.9 ★	490	Dedicated defense firm, big review base	View ›
2	PNC Law Criminal Defense Attorney	4.8 ★	173	Ex-police perspective, DUI and violent charges	View ›
3	Ridings Law Group, P.C.	5.0 ★	135	Former prosecutor, direct-line access	View ›
4	Raybin & Weissman Personal Injury Lawyers	4.9 ★	138	Defense plus injury under one roof	View ›
5	NASH LAW	4.7 ★	170	DUI and surrounding counties	View ›

5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Nashville (2026)

Firm by firm

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys

4.9490 Google reviews

Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys is a Woodland Street firm that Google files as a criminal justice attorney. Its site says the team focuses exclusively on criminal defense, and it advertises jury-trial acquittals, dismissals and cases with no charges filed. The firm also says it has more than 60 combined years of experience and 2,000-plus cases defended, which is its own marketing claim.

What people praise

Clients describe clear, honest explanations of what the case would take
Reviewers say they were kept informed at every stage
One client describes a case dismissed after the attorney took it on
Firm replies thoughtfully to reviews

Reputation scorecardrank in Nashville

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume490 · 98th

Confidencehigh

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A high rating on the biggest review base here, from a firm that says it does only defense work. A sensible first call if you want a team built around criminal cases.

Website +1615-274-4009 Directions

818 Woodland St Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37206

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

PNC Law Criminal Defense Attorney

4.8173 Google reviews

PNC Law Criminal Defense Attorney works from Main Street in Nashville and represents clients in Davidson County. Its site says the firm is led by a former police officer and lists DUI, drug crimes, violent crimes, domestic violence, homicide, sex crimes, theft and probation violations. The site frames this as law enforcement insight behind the defense, which is the firm's own description.

What people praise

Reviewers praise clear communication and prompt replies
Named staff described as professional and hard working
Clients say they felt supported through a stressful case
Replies from the firm to reviews

Worth knowing

One reviewer was unhappy with how a drug-charge case was handled and billed, so ask what a fee covers in each court

Reputation scorecardrank in Nashville

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume173 · 88th

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A defense firm with a stated law-enforcement background and consistent praise for communication. Ask which attorney will appear in court for your charge.

Website +1615-785-2000 Directions

615 Main St #116, Nashville, TN 37206

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Ridings Law Group, P.C.

5.0135 Google reviews

Ridings Law Group, P.C. is a downtown Nashville criminal defense and DUI practice on Union Street. Its site says Attorney David Ridings has more than 33 years of legal experience, over a decade in law enforcement and time as a prosecutor with the District Attorney's office. Those are the firm's own statements about its background.

What people praise

Reviewers say the attorney personally answered calls, even on a weekend night
Parents describe a calm, strategic approach when their son was charged
Clients praise being kept informed about every detail
A Spanish-language recommendation appears among the reviews

Worth knowing

Smaller review base than the biggest name, so a handful of reviews moves the picture

Reputation scorecardrank in Nashville

Rating5 / 5

Review volume135 · 68th

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 5.0 backed by detailed, personal reviews. Best for someone who wants to deal with a senior attorney directly.

Website +1615-851-1888 Directions

211 Union St Ste 205, Nashville, TN 37201

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Raybin & Weissman Personal Injury Lawyers

4.9138 Google reviews

Raybin & Weissman Personal Injury Lawyers is a Union Street firm whose Google profile name points to injury work but whose primary category is criminal justice attorney. Its site says the Nashville personal injury and criminal defense lawyers have helped clients since 1976, and it also lists Social Security disability and civil rights work. The reviews shown here mostly concern injury and accident matters, so confirm that your charge is a fit before booking.

What people praise

Clients praise attorney communication and compassion
Reviewers describe being kept updated through long cases
Named attorneys recommended by multiple families
Strong 4.9 rating

Worth knowing

The name and most visible reviews are injury-focused, so ask about recent criminal defense matters

Reputation scorecardrank in Nashville

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume138 · 73rd

Confidencemoderate

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A long-established multi-practice firm with warm reviews. Included because Google files it as a criminal justice attorney; ask directly about defense experience.

Website +1615-256-6666 Directions

511 Union St #1100, Nashville, TN 37219

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

NASH LAW

4.7170 Google reviews

NASH LAW is a criminal defense practice with its office on James Robertson Parkway in Nashville, even though its website domain names Franklin. The owner says in review replies that the firm helps people with DUI and other criminal charges in Nashville, Wilson, Rutherford, Williamson and Maury counties. Its site also publishes a guide to DUI lawyer costs and mentions DUI payment plans.

What people praise

Clients describe a patient attorney who explained the options
Reviewers mention supportive staff
Owner replies personally to reviews
Payment plans for DUI cases mentioned on the firm's site

Worth knowing

One detailed critical review describes communication gaps for a client in custody; the firm replied publicly

Reputation scorecardrank in Nashville

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume170 · 83rd

Confidencemoderate

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A DUI-minded firm that covers several Middle Tennessee counties. Ask how contact works if you or a family member is in jail.

Website Book now +1615-212-2764 Directions

300 James Robertson Pkwy Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37201

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Behind the scorecards

The numbers on this page come from public Google data on the verified date. Rating is the live star average. Review volume is how many people have rated a firm, set against other Nashville criminal defense lawyers. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.7 from hundreds carries more than a 5.0 from a few. Recency tracks how lately reviews are still coming in. No business can pay to change these numbers.

What drives defense fees in Nashville

Defense fees usually depend on the charge, whether it is likely to go to trial, which court hears it and how much work the case needs. Some firms quote flat fees and others bill by stage, and payment plans exist at some. We have not listed prices because none were published in the material we reviewed, and fees vary widely. Ask for the fee agreement in writing and what is and is not covered.

Courts and neighborhoods covered

These firms have Nashville offices, with several on or near Union Street, Main Street and James Robertson Parkway, and they take Davidson County cases. Some also mention clients in Wilson, Rutherford, Williamson and Maury counties. Looking for a criminal defense lawyer near me? Each listing shows a phone number and directions so you can contact an office quickly.

Questions to ask before you retain someone

Have you handled this exact charge in this court before?
Who will appear with me, you or another attorney?
What does the fee cover, and what would cost extra?
How will you stay in touch, especially if I am in custody?
What are the realistic outcomes and what happens next?

Frequently asked questions

Should I talk to police before hiring a lawyer?

That is a decision for your attorney. Many defense firms offer an initial consultation, so call one before answering questions about a charge.

Does a firm’s website claim about experience count as proof?

Treat it as the firm’s own description. Ask for specifics about similar cases, and use the independent Google reviews as a cross-check.

Where to start

Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys is the safest starting point on volume and rating, and Ridings Law Group suits anyone who wants a senior attorney on the phone. Whoever you pick, get the fee terms in writing before any payment.

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