CityVettedCityvetted
Independent. Never pay-to-play.
Criminal Defense Lawyer · Miami, FL/Updated June 13, 2026

The Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Miami, FL

Finding the right criminal defense lawyer is crucial in Miami's complex legal landscape. Here are the best options available.

Editorially independent9 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceStroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 9 Miami-metro criminal defense lawyer businesses evaluated, top 9 ranked by Vetted Score.

In a city like Miami, where legal challenges can arise unexpectedly, having a skilled criminal defense lawyer is essential. These professionals not only navigate the complexities of the law but also advocate fiercely for their clients' rights. Whether facing minor charges or serious allegations, the right attorney can make all the difference.

To create this list, we evaluated nine criminal defense lawyers based on their Vetted Scores, client reviews, and overall reputation in the community. Each option has been thoroughly analyzed to ensure you have access to the best legal representation in Miami.

9criminal defense lawyers evaluated in Miami
4.94average rating across the field
3.0Kcustomer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does criminal defense lawyer cost in Miami? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
Editor's Choice
96Score

Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney

★★★★★5.0(335 reviews)

With a perfect rating of 5 and 335 reviews, Stroleny Law stands out for its commitment to client advocacy and personalized service.

Read full review
Best Value
95Score

Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A.

★★★★★5.0(280 reviews)

Also rated 5 with 280 reviews, the Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
94Score

With a rating of 4.9 from 1,415 reviews, Albert Quirantes, Esq.

Read full review

All 9, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
5.0★★★★★
335High-stakes criminal cases
2
95Score
5.0★★★★★
280Affordable criminal defense
3
94Score
4.9★★★★★
1,415DUI and traffic offenses
4
93Score
5.0★★★★★
189DUI defense
5
91Score
4.9★★★★★
304Strategic legal defense
6
90Score
4.9★★★★★
261Personalized legal services
7
89Score
4.9★★★★★
114Detailed case preparation
8
84Score
4.9★★★★★
49Client-focused representation
9
78Score
5.0★★★★★
21Sensitive case handling
Methodology

How we evaluated all 9 criminal defense lawyers.

We assessed each criminal defense lawyer using a transparent scoring system based on client ratings, review counts, and overall service quality. Our goal is to present an unbiased selection of the top professionals in the field. No business pays for placement in our rankings, ensuring integrity and trust in our recommendations.

The rankings are updated monthly to reflect the latest reviews and performance metrics. This commitment to accuracy allows us to provide the most current information to those seeking legal assistance in Miami.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney

★★★★★5.0(335 reviews)
96Score

With a perfect rating of 5 and 335 reviews, Stroleny Law stands out for its commitment to client advocacy and personalized service. Clients praise their attentive approach and successful outcomes in various cases. While they excel in communication, their higher fees may be a consideration for some. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is high-stakes criminal cases. It serves Miami and surrounding areas, with $2,500 to $10,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are higher fees may deter some clients and limited office hours.

Pros

  • Outstanding client reviews
  • Strong advocacy
  • Personalized service

Cons

  • Higher fees may deter some clients
  • Limited office hours
Best forHigh-stakes criminal cases
Service areaMiami and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$2,500 to $10,000
2
Best Value

Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A.

★★★★★5.0(280 reviews)
95Score

Also rated 5 with 280 reviews, the Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A. is known for providing excellent legal representation at competitive prices. Clients appreciate their thoroughness and accessibility. However, some reviews mention a high caseload, which might affect personal attention. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is affordable criminal defense. It serves Miami-Dade County, with $1,500 to $5,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are high caseload may lead to delays and limited specialties.

Pros

  • Great value for quality service
  • Accessible communication
  • Thorough case preparation

Cons

  • High caseload may lead to delays
  • Limited specialties
Best forAffordable criminal defense
Service areaMiami-Dade County
Typical pricing$1,500 to $5,000
3
Most Reviewed

Albert Quirantes, Esq. Criminal DUI & Ticket Lawyers

★★★★★4.9(1,415 reviews)
94Score

With a rating of 4.9 from 1,415 reviews, Albert Quirantes, Esq. is a popular choice for DUI and ticket-related cases. Reviewers commend their aggressive defense strategies and successful results. The only downside is that their popularity can sometimes lead to longer wait times for appointments. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is dUI and traffic offenses. It serves Miami and surrounding areas, with $1,000 to $7,500 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are longer wait times for appointments and busy office.

Pros

  • Highly experienced in DUI cases
  • Strong client results
  • Excellent communication

Cons

  • Longer wait times for appointments
  • Busy office
Best forDUI and traffic offenses
Service areaMiami and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$1,000 to $7,500
4

Florida DUI Lawyer

★★★★★5.0(189 reviews)
93Score

Florida DUI Lawyer boasts a perfect rating of 5 based on 189 reviews. Clients appreciate their expertise in DUI cases and their supportive approach. However, their limited focus on other criminal matters might not suit everyone. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is dUI defense. It serves Miami area, with $2,000 to $8,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited practice areas and fewer client reviews.

Pros

  • Expertise in DUI cases
  • Supportive staff
  • Strong client relationships

Cons

  • Limited practice areas
  • Fewer client reviews
Best forDUI defense
Service areaMiami area
Typical pricing$2,000 to $8,000
5

Hager & Schwartz, P.A.

★★★★★4.9(304 reviews)
91Score

Hager & Schwartz, P.A. holds a rating of 4.9 with 304 reviews. Clients commend their strategic approach and thorough case evaluations. While they are well-regarded, some clients noted that their fees can be on the higher side. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is strategic legal defense. It serves Miami and nearby areas, with $3,000 to $10,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are higher fees than average and limited availability.

Pros

  • Strategic case approach
  • Thorough evaluations
  • Good client communication

Cons

  • Higher fees than average
  • Limited availability
Best forStrategic legal defense
Service areaMiami and nearby areas
Typical pricing$3,000 to $10,000
6

Beckham Law Firm

★★★★★4.9(261 reviews)
90Score

With a rating of 4.9 from 261 reviews, Beckham Law Firm is noted for its client-centric approach and successful outcomes. Clients appreciate their dedication but mention that the firm could improve on response times during busy periods. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is personalized legal services. It serves Miami and surrounding areas, with $2,500 to $9,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are response times can lag and higher fees.

Pros

  • Client-centric approach
  • Successful outcomes
  • Strong communication

Cons

  • Response times can lag
  • Higher fees
Best forPersonalized legal services
Service areaMiami and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$2,500 to $9,000
7

David M. Edelstein, PA

★★★★★4.9(114 reviews)
89Score

David M. Edelstein, PA has a rating of 4.9 and 114 reviews. Clients highlight their attention to detail and thorough case preparation. However, their limited number of reviews may indicate a less established presence in the community. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is detailed case preparation. It serves Miami area, with $2,000 to $7,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited review base and fewer specialties.

Pros

  • Attention to detail
  • Thorough preparation
  • Strong client relationships

Cons

  • Limited review base
  • Fewer specialties
Best forDetailed case preparation
Service areaMiami area
Typical pricing$2,000 to $7,000
8
84Score

Ratzan & Faccidomo LLC has a solid rating of 4.9 from 49 reviews. Clients appreciate their approachable style and commitment to client needs. However, their thin review base means they're promising but unproven in more complex cases. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is client-focused representation. It serves Miami area, with $2,500 to $6,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are thin review base and limited case history.

Pros

  • Approachable style
  • Client-focused
  • Good communication

Cons

  • Thin review base
  • Limited case history
Best forClient-focused representation
Service areaMiami area
Typical pricing$2,500 to $6,000
9

Sex Crimes Lawyer Miami

★★★★★5.0(21 reviews)
78Score

Sex Crimes Lawyer Miami has a perfect rating of 5 but only 21 reviews. Clients appreciate their sensitivity and understanding in difficult cases. However, the limited number of reviews raises concerns about their experience in handling a variety of cases. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is sensitive case handling. It serves Miami area, with $3,000 to $10,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited review count and less experience.

Pros

  • Sensitive approach
  • Good client rapport
  • High rating

Cons

  • Limited review count
  • Less experience
Best forSensitive case handling
Service areaMiami area
Typical pricing$3,000 to $10,000
Before you book

How to choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Miami

Choosing a criminal defense lawyer can be daunting, but understanding your needs and the lawyer's expertise will guide your decision. Here are some essential factors to consider:

Experience and Specialization

Look for a lawyer with a proven track record in criminal defense, particularly in cases similar to yours.

Client Reviews

Check online reviews and testimonials to gauge the lawyer's reputation and client satisfaction.

Communication Style

Choose a lawyer who communicates clearly and is responsive to your questions and concerns.

Fee Structure

Understand the lawyer's fee structure, including retainer fees and payment plans, to avoid surprises.

What it costs

What Criminal Defense Lawyers cost in Miami

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Miami can vary widely based on experience, case complexity, and the lawyer's reputation. Here's a general breakdown of what you might expect:

Basic Consultation$100 to $300 for an initial consultation, which may be credited toward future services.
Retainer Fees$2,500 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of your case and the lawyer's experience.
Hourly Rates$150 to $500 per hour, with more experienced attorneys typically charging higher rates.
Flat Fees$1,500 to $15,000 for specific cases, such as DUI or drug offenses, depending on the circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Miami?

Costs vary widely, typically ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 based on case complexity and lawyer experience.

What should I look for in a criminal defense lawyer?

Focus on experience, client reviews, communication style, and fee structure.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Miami homes: Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney

For those seeking the best criminal defense representation in Miami, Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney leads the pack with outstanding reviews and client satisfaction. Close behind are Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A. for its value and Albert Quirantes, Esq. for its extensive experience in DUI cases, making them excellent choices as well.