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5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Toronto (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Lorian Hartfield
By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

A police call in Toronto usually leaves you with hours, not weeks, to find a lawyer, and the firm you pick can decide whether a serious charge ends in a conviction, a peace bond, or a full withdrawal. Criminal defense lawyers in Toronto on this page have logged more than 1,000 Google reviews between them, and most hold a perfect 5.0 rating, an unusually tight field where read-the-details matters more than the score.

Short answer: Motevalli Law Group leads on review volume with 244 reviews at 4.9 stars, handling everything from DUI to serious criminal charges. Donich Law, Citadel Law, Vilkhov Law Professional Corporation and Daniel Brown Law all hold perfect 5.0 ratings, so matching the firm to your specific charge matters as much as the score.
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Toronto Criminal Defense Lawyers, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Motevalli Law Group 4.9 ★ 244 Wide range of charges, payment plans View ›
2 Donich Law 5.0 ★ 206 Highest-confidence pick, detailed case management View ›
3 Citadel Law 5.0 ★ 198 Serious and complex criminal charges View ›
4 Vilkhov Law Professional Corporation 5.0 ★ 184 Long, multi-year cases View ›
5 Daniel Brown Law - Criminal Lawyers Toronto 5.0 ★ 150 Award-recognized, sexual offence defence View ›
5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Toronto (2026)

Who to call after being charged

Motevalli Law Group logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Motevalli Law Group

4.9244 Google reviews

Motevalli Law Group, on Church Street, is a criminal justice and family law firm led by Hossein Motevalli, handling a broad range of criminal charges including DUI cases. Reviewers describe outcomes including full charge withdrawals, conditional discharges and peace bonds, with the firm noted for offering fair pricing and payment plans and staying reachable throughout the case, not just at the start.

What people praise

  • Highest review volume of any criminal defense firm in Toronto on this page
  • Reviewers describe successful outcomes across a range of charge types, including DUI
  • Payment plans and fair pricing specifically mentioned by multiple reviewers
  • 24/7 availability listed on its site

Worth knowing

  • A small share of lower ratings exist within the review base, though the large majority is strongly positive
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume244 · 97th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown98% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed criminal defense firm in Toronto, and a strong first call given its track record across a wide range of charge types and its accessible payment structure.

Website+1416-333-2929 Directions

151 Church St, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3

Donich Law logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days

Donich Law

5.0206 Google reviews

Donich Law, on Adelaide Street West, is a criminal justice attorney firm led by Jordan Donich, with a large team handling a range of criminal matters. Reviewers consistently describe clear step-by-step explanations of the legal process, responsive communication, and successful case resolutions, with several reviewers specifically praising the calm, strategic approach during high-stress situations.

What people praise

  • Perfect 5.0 rating across the second-largest review base of the firms on this page
  • Reviewers consistently describe clear, patient explanation of the legal process
  • Multiple named lawyers within the firm praised for responsiveness
  • Strong track record of case resolutions described in detail by reviewers

Worth knowing

  • As with any high-demand firm, confirm which specific lawyer will handle your case directly
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating5 / 5
Review volume206 · 92nd
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-confidence pick here given the combination of a perfect rating and a deep review base, with reviewers repeatedly crediting clear communication during a stressful process.

Website+1416-333-3623 Directions

120 Adelaide St W #2500, Toronto, ON M5H 1T1

Citadel Law logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days

Citadel Law

5.0198 Google reviews

Citadel Law, on Dundas Street West, is a criminal justice attorney firm covering criminal defence and family law, with lawyer Aren specifically named across multiple reviews for handling complex, serious criminal matters with strong courtroom presence. Reviewers describe charges cleared entirely after Aren's representation, with clients specifically noting his calm confidence and strategic handling of difficult cases.

What people praise

  • Perfect 5.0 rating across every review on record
  • Reviewers specifically describe strong courtroom performance on complex, serious charges
  • Named lawyer consistently praised for calm, strategic handling of difficult cases
  • Also handles family law, useful if your matter overlaps with a family court issue

Worth knowing

  • Smaller review base than the top-volume firms on this page, though sentiment is uniformly strong
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating5 / 5
Review volume198 · 87th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong pick specifically for a serious or complex criminal matter, given reviewers' repeated emphasis on strong courtroom strategy and calm handling under pressure.

Website+1647-632-0083 Directions

1 Dundas St W office 2547, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3

Vilkhov Law Professional Corporation logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days

Vilkhov Law Professional Corporation

5.0184 Google reviews

Vilkhov Law Professional Corporation, on Richmond Street West, is a law firm led by Igor Vilkhov specializing in criminal defence. Reviewers repeatedly describe cases that stretched nearly four years, with the firm staying consistently engaged, communicative and supportive throughout, ultimately securing charge withdrawals or peace bonds even in cases the client describes as facing a serious uphill battle.

What people praise

  • Perfect 5.0 rating across a solid review base
  • Reviewers specifically praise consistency and support across multi-year cases
  • Named associates handle communication, paperwork and court appearances alongside the lead lawyer
  • Reviewers describe help modifying bail conditions during a case

Worth knowing

  • Long, multi-year case handling suggests the firm takes on complex matters, which may come with a higher overall cost
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating5 / 5
Review volume184 · 82nd
Confidencehigh
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The right call if you're facing a serious charge that could take years to resolve, given reviewers' repeated emphasis on sustained support through a long legal process.

Website+1647-977-5852 Directions

121 Richmond St W Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M5H 2K1

Daniel Brown Law - Criminal Lawyers Toronto logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Daniel Brown Law - Criminal Lawyers Toronto

5.0150 Google reviews

Daniel Brown Law, on Church Street, is a Toronto criminal defence firm consistently ranked among Canada's top criminal law boutiques by Best Lawyers and Canadian Lawyer Magazine, defending charges from sexual assault to impaired driving, fraud and domestic violence. Reviewers describe individual lawyers, including Robert Nanni and Samantha Bondoux, providing detailed, empathetic representation through emotionally difficult cases, with one reviewer describing a resolution via peace bond after a false accusation.

What people praise

  • Perfect 5.0 rating with independent industry recognition from Best Lawyers and Canadian Lawyer Magazine
  • Specific, detailed experience in sexual offence defence
  • Reviewers describe deep empathy alongside strong legal strategy
  • Multiple named lawyers within the firm consistently praised

Worth knowing

  • Award-recognized specialist firms often carry higher fees, ask about cost structure upfront
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating5 / 5
Review volume150 · 76th
Confidencemoderate
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown97% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong choice for a sensitive or high-stakes charge, particularly sexual offence cases, given its industry recognition and reviewers' consistent emphasis on both legal skill and genuine client care.

Website+1416-297-7200 Directions

103 Church St #400, Toronto, ON M5C 2G3

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Watch: 5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Toronto (2026)

How we score

Every number here comes from public Google data pulled on the date shown, not opinion or payment. Rating is each firm’s live Google star average. Review volume ranks how many customers have rated them against the other criminal defense firms on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a rating built on hundreds of reviews carries more weight than one built on a smaller base. Recency tracks how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Toronto?

Cost varies enormously by the seriousness of the charge and how long the case takes to resolve, from a straightforward matter to a multi-year case. None of the firms on this page publish a single fixed public rate card, so ask for a clear fee structure and whether payment plans are available before retaining any firm. A criminal charge carries serious consequences, so get advice specific to your situation as soon as possible.

Serving Toronto

The criminal defense firms above are based in downtown Toronto, along Church Street, Adelaide Street West, Dundas Street West and Richmond Street West. Searching for a criminal defense lawyer near me? Every listing shows a live phone number so you can call directly, and several offer 24/7 availability for urgent situations.

What to ask before you hire a criminal defense lawyer

  • Do you have specific experience with charges like mine?
  • Who at the firm will actually represent me in court?
  • What’s the fee structure, and are payment plans available?
  • What’s the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine?
  • How quickly can you meet, and are you available if I’m arrested outside business hours?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these criminal defense lawyers?

We started from every criminal defense lawyer in Toronto with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

What should I do immediately after being charged or arrested?

Contact a criminal defense lawyer before answering any police questions. Several firms on this page, including Motevalli Law Group, list 24/7 availability specifically for this reason.

Which firm has specific experience with sexual offence charges?

Daniel Brown Law has detailed, documented experience defending sexual assault and related charges, with independent industry recognition in this area.

The bottom line

Motevalli Law Group is a strong first call given its review volume and range of charge types handled, while Donich Law offers the deepest combination of a perfect rating and case volume. Whoever you call, do it before answering any police questions.

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