Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio

Lawyer Legion connects people with attorneys who are best-suited to solve their legal problems. We have curated a list of over 100 criminal defense lawyers currently practicing in Franklin County, Ohio. We scored each lawyer based on purely objective criteria such as: specialty certifications, distinguished fellowships, professional involvement, community leadership, speaking engagements, and other merit-based criteria. In addition, a smaller emphasis is placed on subjective criteria such as: peer endorsements, user reviews, case results, profile completion, and activity on our platform.

If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime, consider using Lawyer Legion to discover and connect with criminal defense lawyers in Columbus, Ohio who are ready to help.

Law Firms Practicing Criminal Defense in Franklin County, OH

Joslyn Law Firm

Directory of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Franklin County, OH

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbus, OH
Search Directory for Criminal Defense Lawyers
Lawyers in Cities in Franklin County, OH
Search Counties Near Franklin County
Criminal Defense Lawyers by Practice Area
Criminal Defense Lawyers by Specialty
Franklin County, OH Legal Resources
Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations
Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense
Franklin County Government and Court Resources

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbus, OH

Lawyer Legion Top Picks for 2026

Lawyer Legion created this list of the top picks in 2026 for the best criminal defense attorneys in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To rank the top criminal defense attorneys, DWl defense attorneys, and other lawyers in Travis County, we used both objective and subjective criteria.

The top criminal defense attorneys were selected based on their career accomplishments, professional involvement, community leadership, and specialty certifications.

This list represents some of the most highly accomplished criminal defense lawyers currently practicing in Franklin County, Ohio. When reviewing this list, please be aware of each of the following:

Lawyers cannot pay to be included in this list.
Only lawyers who are active on Lawyer Legion were selected.
No online directory can accurately determine a countywide list of attorneys who are actually “the best" at practicing criminal law (but our list comes close).

Showing attorneys 1–12 out of 162

Compare Favorites

Compare Lawyers

Lawyer Legion Criminal Defense Information Center

Search Directory for Criminal Defense Lawyers in Franklin County, OH

Change your query below to search for lawyers in other areas. *results are limited to 250 per query

Lawyers by Cities in Franklin County, OH

Search Counties Near Franklin County

Criminal Defense Lawyers by Practice Area

More Practice Areas

Criminal Defense Lawyers by Specialty

Criminal Trial Law

Franklin County, OH Criminal Defense Legal Resources

Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations
Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense
Franklin County Government and Court Resources

Helpful Videos

Joslyn Law Firm - Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Criminal Defense Bar Associations and Legal Organizations

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) - Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges.

Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL) - The Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL) was created to provide a more cohesive and credible voice for criminal defense attorneys practicing in the state of Ohio. Membership in the OACDL is available to all attorneys in good standing who have an interest in criminal defense. The OACDL offers members CLE courses, seminars, news, networking events, and more. Find an Ohio criminal defense lawyer through their membership directory.

Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (COACDL) - The Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (COACDL) is based in Columbus, Ohio. The organization provides support and educational resources to lawyers practicing criminal defense in Franklin County, Ohio, and throughout Central Ohio. Members are private criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, and non-lawyers such as paralegals and law students who are actively engaged in the practice of criminal law.

Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (CCDLA) - The Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (CCDLA) is a nonprofit association for the criminal defense bar in Cuyahoga County, in Cleveland, Ohio. The organization provides educational resources, networking opportunities, and events to aid criminal defense practitioners both in private practice and public defenders across Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood, and throughout Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Specialty Certifications in Criminal Defense

Appellate Law - The Ohio Bar certified lawyers as specialists in the practice of appellate law. This includes lawyers practicing both civil appeals and criminal appeals. Once an eligible lawyer meets all the requirements they become board certified by the Ohio Bar for the practice of appellate law. This provides the public with a way to determine that a lawyer has demonstrated substantial involvement and met the certification requirements for the practice of appellate law in Ohio.

Criminal Trial Law - The specialty area of Criminal Trial Law is offered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) to lawyers. To earn NBTA board certification, the criminal defense attorney must show substantial involvement in at least 45 days of trial, must have served as lead counsel in jury cases through verdict; conducted direct examinations and cross-examinations, and conducted a specified number of voir dire, opening statements and closing arguments.

DUI Defense Law - The National College for DUI Defense, Inc. (NCDD) is an organization that grants specialty or board certification for DUI Defense Law. The ABA has recognized the NCDD as an organization that is accredited to award certification in this specialty area of the law. The purpose of granting board certification in DUI Defense Law is to recognize DUI and DWI lawyers who focus their practice on representing men and women accused of drunk and impaired driving offenses. In order to qualify for board certification in "DUI Defense Law," the attorney must meet specific qualifications and apply for board certification with NCDD.

Franklin County Government and Court Resources

Office of Ohio Public Defender
Ohio Attorney General
Ohio Judicial System
Ohio Legislature
Federal Courts in Franklin County, Ohio

Office of Ohio Public Defender

Office of Ohio Public Defender - The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD), established in 1976, offers legal representation to indigent individuals charged or convicted of crimes. OPD provides representation for appeals, post-conviction actions, trials in local courts and contracted counties, and parole revocation hearings. It assists local public defenders and court-appointed counsel through technical aid, research, education, and investigation services. OPD enforces standards and promotes indigent defense systems.

Ohio Attorney General

Ohio Attorney General - The Ohio Attorney General, elected by the people, is the state's chief legal officer and oversees the Ohio Attorney General's Office. This office is responsible for providing legal counsel to state agencies and officials, representing Ohio in legal matters, and enforcing state laws. The Attorney General plays a central role in prosecuting and defending legal actions on behalf of the state, issuing legal opinions, and addressing a diverse array of legal issues, including consumer protection, public safety, and environmental concerns.

Ohio Judicial System

Ohio Judicial System - Established upon Ohio's statehood in 1803, The Ohio Judicial System's duties include interpreting and applying the law, adjudicating civil and criminal cases, safeguarding individual rights, ensuring due process, and overseeing family law matters like divorce and child custody. Ohio's judiciary has a rich historical legacy, having been a battleground for important legal issues. Today, it continues to address many legal challenges, reflecting the state's diverse population and industrial heritage

Ohio Legislature

Ohio Legislature - The Ohio Legislature, also known as the Ohio General Assembly, operates as a bicameral body, consisting of the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives. The Senate comprises 33 members serving four-year terms, while the House consists of 99 members serving two-year terms. The Legislature is responsible for proposing, debating, and passing laws that govern the state. Its duties include formulating the state budget, levying taxes, and addressing various policy issues such as education, healthcare, and public safety.

Federal Courts in Franklin County, Ohio

U.S. District Court - Southern District of Ohio - Established in 1855, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio serves the southern half of the state with federal courthouses located in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. The court handles a broad range of federal matters including civil rights, criminal prosecutions, administrative law, and intellectual property disputes. With its jurisdiction spanning major metropolitan centers, the court is a hub for high-profile litigation and constitutional cases.

explore THIS PAGE

Featured Law Firms Lawyer Directory Legal Resources

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio

Law Firms Practicing Criminal Defense in Franklin County, OH

Joslyn Law Firm

Directory of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Franklin County, OH

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbus, OH

Brian Joslyn

Tamas David Tabor

Ryan Michael Shafer

Daniel James Sabol

Donald Timothy Huey

Stephen Ernest Palmer

Jeffery Albert Linn II

Brandon Shroy

Thomas Frank Martello Jr

Benjamin Louis Luftman

George Michael Wolfe

Adam Gregory Burke