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Criminal Defence Lawyers in Ottawa, Ontario

LawDB lists 8 criminal defence law firms in Ottawa, Ontario, with an average Google rating of 4.8 across 623 reviews. 8 of them have a rating of 4.5 or higher. The highest-rated is Shore & Johnston, Barristers-at-Law (5.0 stars from 119 reviews). As the national capital, Ottawa is home to the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court, alongside the provincial courts that hear most local cases.

8firms listed
4.8average rating
623Google reviews
8rated 4.5+

Criminal Defence law firms in Ottawa

FirmRatingReviewsAddressPhone
Shore & Johnston, Barristers-at-Law5.0119141 Laurier Ave W Ste 600, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J3(613) 233-7747
Brett McGarry Criminal Law4.936116 Lisgar St #300, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2(613) 884-8576
McElroy Law4.927185 Somerset St W #305, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9(613) 421-5058
Addelman Baum Gilbert LLP4.822675 Albert St #207, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7(613) 237-2673
Frouhar Law4.771190 O'Connor St Ste 700, Ottawa, ON K2P 1T6(613) 238-2000
The Law Offices of Nikolas J. Lust4.743331 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8(613) 233-2542
Brass Law Office4.726185 Somerset St W #204, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9(613) 238-5757
AGP LLP Ottawa Criminal Lawyers4.675116 Lisgar St Ste 200, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2(613) 235-9779

What criminal defence lawyers in Ottawa help with

Criminal defence lawyers represent people charged with offences, from impaired driving and assault to fraud and drug charges, at every stage from the first police contact to trial or appeal.

Criminal Defence law in Ontario: what to know

If cost is a concern, you may qualify for help from Legal Aid Ontario. A defence lawyer can also advise you whether it makes sense to apply.

How to choose a criminal defence lawyer in Ottawa

  1. Confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
  2. Ask how much of their practice is criminal defence, and how recent their experience is with cases like yours.
  3. Compare the Google rating together with the number of reviews, not the rating alone.
  4. Read recent reviews for comments on communication and responsiveness.
  5. Ask for the fee structure in writing before you sign, including what is billed separately.
  6. Meet with more than one firm if the matter is large, and trust the one that explains your options clearly.

Questions to ask at your first consultation

What to bring

How the process usually works

  1. The lawyer gets the charges and the disclosure from the Crown.
  2. They advise you on bail, evidence and options.
  3. Pre-trial discussions with the Crown may lead to a resolution.
  4. If there is no resolution, the case goes to trial.
  5. After a verdict there may be sentencing or an appeal.

Costs and fees

Criminal defence is often quoted as a flat fee per stage, or a retainer billed hourly. If cost is a concern, ask whether you may qualify for legal aid. Ask about disbursements (third-party costs), taxes, and what happens if your matter changes in scope. Many firms offer a first consultation, but confirm whether it is free.

Firm snapshots

Shore & Johnston, Barristers-at-Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 5.0 stars, based on 119 Google reviews. The office is at 141 Laurier Ave W Ste 600, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J3. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Family Law.

Brett McGarry Criminal Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 36 Google reviews. The office is at 116 Lisgar St #300, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation.

McElroy Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 27 Google reviews. The office is at 185 Somerset St W #305, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

Addelman Baum Gilbert LLP is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.8 stars, based on 226 Google reviews. The office is at 75 Albert St #207, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

Frouhar Law has a strong rating at 4.7 stars, based on 71 Google reviews. The office is at 190 O'Connor St Ste 700, Ottawa, ON K2P 1T6. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

The Law Offices of Nikolas J. Lust has a strong rating at 4.7 stars, based on 43 Google reviews. The office is at 331 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

Brass Law Office has a strong rating at 4.7 stars, based on 26 Google reviews. The office is at 185 Somerset St W #204, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

AGP LLP Ottawa Criminal Lawyers has a strong rating at 4.6 stars, based on 75 Google reviews. The office is at 116 Lisgar St Ste 200, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a criminal defence lawyer in Ottawa?

Check that the lawyer is licensed with the Law Society of Ontario, ask how much of their practice is criminal defence, compare Google ratings and review counts, and get the fee structure in writing. Criminal defence is often quoted as a flat fee per stage, or a retainer billed hourly. If cost is a concern, ask whether you may qualify for legal aid.

How many criminal defence firms does LawDB list in Ottawa?

LawDB currently lists 8 criminal defence firms in Ottawa, Ontario, out of 68 law firms in the city across all practice areas. The average Google rating of these firms is 4.8.

Does being a Featured firm mean a higher rating?

No. Ratings are taken from each firm's public Google listing and cannot be bought. Featured firms are partner placements shown at the top of the list, so look at the rating and reviews alongside the badge.

How can I check that a lawyer in Ottawa is licensed?

Lawyers in Ontario are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario, which keeps a public directory you can search by name.

How much does a criminal defence lawyer cost in Ottawa?

Criminal defence is often quoted as a flat fee per stage, or a retainer billed hourly. If cost is a concern, ask whether you may qualify for legal aid. Fees vary by firm and by the complexity of your matter, so ask for an estimate in writing.

What should I bring to a first meeting with a criminal defence lawyer?

Bring: Any charging documents, release papers or court dates; Details of the incident and anything the police gave you; The names of witnesses; Any messages or records relevant to the charge; Your ID and contact details.

How long do I have to act on a criminal defence matter in Ontario?

Deadlines depend on the kind of matter and sometimes on a date printed on your documents. Because these deadlines can be short, it is safest to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Can I find a criminal defence lawyer near me in Ottawa?

Yes. Each firm above shows its address and phone number, and the map on the Ottawa page shows where firms are located. You can also use the search box on LawDB to filter by case type and location.

Other practice areas in Ottawa

Real Estate 21Family 16Wills & Estates 12Immigration 12Personal Injury 9Business 8Litigation 7Employment 6

Nearby cities

Gatineau ~5 kmSaint-Jerome ~140 kmKingston ~145 km
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Last reviewed 2026-10. Ratings and review counts come from each firm's public Google business listing and are shown unedited, as a snapshot at the time the page was generated. Featured firms are LawDB partner placements shown above the other listings in their area; Featured status does not change a firm's rating. LawDB is a directory, not a law firm. The general information on this page is not legal advice, and laws and deadlines change, so speak to a licensed lawyer about your situation.