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Criminal Defence Lawyers in Toronto, Ontario

LawDB lists 17 criminal defence law firms in Toronto, Ontario, with an average Google rating of 4.9 across 2,930 reviews. 17 of them have a rating of 4.5 or higher. The highest-rated is Citadel Law (5.0 stars from 214 reviews). Toronto is where the Court of Appeal for Ontario sits, at Osgoode Hall in the downtown core, and many of the larger firms are clustered around Bay Street.

17firms listed
4.9average rating
2,930Google reviews
17rated 4.5+

Criminal Defence law firms in Toronto

FirmRatingReviewsAddressPhone
Citadel Law5.02141235 Bay St. Office 501, Toronto, ON M5R 3K4(647) 632-0083
Daniel Brown Law LLP5.0156103 Church St #400, Toronto, ON M5C 2G3(416) 297-7200
Gray Criminal Defence5.010365 Front St E 3rd floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1B5(416) 826-8610
Kevin Mehar5.034181 University Ave #2200, Toronto, ON M5H 2X7(416) 624-8484
Motevalli Law Group4.9253151 Church St, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3(647) 692-2805
Shaffie Law4.920365 Front St E Ste 300, Toronto, ON M5E 1B5(647) 500-5186
Michael Juskey4.9200130 Spadina Ave. #606, Toronto, ON M5V 2L4(416) 428-2760
Angeles & De Jesus Law LLP4.9168160 Eglinton Ave E Ste 406, Toronto, ON M4P 3B5(416) 409-5991
Posner Craig Stein LLP4.9118603 1/2 Parliament St, Toronto, ON M4X 1P9(416) 391-2118
Karapancev Law4.9105133 Richmond St W Ste 200, Toronto, ON M5H 3M8(437) 747-9102
Traffic Tickets Toronto4.9103Eaton Centre, Traffic Tickets Toronto 1, 2500 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3(888) 787-0260
Robb MacDonald4.987130 Spadina Ave. #606, Toronto, ON M5V 2L4(416) 315-1505
Zamani Law4.977121 Richmond St W Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M5H 2K1(647) 578-8054
X-Copper4.8583143 Laird Dr, East York, ON M4G 3V5(289) 802-7134
Sutharsan Law Professional Corporation4.8361305 Milner Ave Ste 908, Scarborough, ON M1B 3V4(416) 444-2929
Lex Magnus Law Professional Corporation4.7941585 Markham Rd Suite 212, Scarborough, ON M1B 0B3(416) 850-3673
Steven Tress, Barrister & Solicitor4.771425 University Ave #601, Toronto, ON M5G 1T6(416) 977-3657

What criminal defence lawyers in Toronto 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 Toronto

  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

Citadel Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 5.0 stars, based on 214 Google reviews. The office is at 1235 Bay St. Office 501, Toronto, ON M5R 3K4. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Family Law.

Daniel Brown Law LLP is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 5.0 stars, based on 156 Google reviews. The office is at 103 Church St #400, Toronto, ON M5C 2G3. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Appeals.

Gray Criminal Defence is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 5.0 stars, based on 103 Google reviews. The office is at 65 Front St E 3rd floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1B5. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

Kevin Mehar is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 5.0 stars, based on 34 Google reviews. The office is at 181 University Ave #2200, Toronto, ON M5H 2X7. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.

Motevalli Law Group is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 253 Google reviews. The office is at 151 Church St, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Family Law, Civil Litigation.

Shaffie Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 203 Google reviews. The office is at 65 Front St E Ste 300, Toronto, ON M5E 1B5. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation.

Michael Juskey is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 200 Google reviews. The office is at 130 Spadina Ave. #606, Toronto, ON M5V 2L4. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation.

Angeles & De Jesus Law LLP is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 168 Google reviews. The office is at 160 Eglinton Ave E Ste 406, Toronto, ON M4P 3B5. Listed focus areas: Family Law, Immigration, Criminal Defence.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a criminal defence lawyer in Toronto?

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 Toronto?

LawDB currently lists 17 criminal defence firms in Toronto, Ontario, out of 150 law firms in the city across all practice areas. The average Google rating of these firms is 4.9.

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 Toronto 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto?

Yes. Each firm above shows its address and phone number, and the map on the Toronto 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 Toronto

Real Estate 39Wills & Estates 29Family 29Litigation 28Immigration 25Employment 18Business 17Personal Injury 15Traffic Tickets 1

Nearby cities

North York ~10 kmEtobicoke ~15 kmMarkham ~25 kmToronto ~25 kmRichmond Hill ~25 kmBrampton ~30 km
All law firms in Ontario

Related guides

Not sure which firm fits your situation? Search by case type and location.

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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.