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Criminal Defense Lawyer · Myrtle Beach, SC/Updated June 13, 2026

The 8 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, SC

Facing legal trouble in Myrtle Beach? These top-rated criminal defense lawyers can help you navigate your case with expertise and care.

Editorially independent8 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceSouth Carolina Criminal Law
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 8 Myrtle Beach-metro criminal defense lawyer businesses evaluated, top 8 ranked by Vetted Score.

When your freedom is at stake, finding a reliable criminal defense lawyer in Myrtle Beach is essential. The stakes are high, and you want an attorney who understands the local legal landscape and has a proven track record.

In evaluating the best criminal defense lawyers in Myrtle Beach, we assessed eight local providers based on their ratings and reviews. The leader, South Carolina Criminal Law, shines with a perfect score of 5 from 152 reviews, while the rest of the field shows a close spread, with a total of 846 reviews across all ranked firms.

8criminal defense lawyers evaluated in Myrtle Beach
4.93average rating across the field
846customer reviews analyzed

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

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

Our top picks

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

South Carolina Criminal Law

★★★★★5.0(152 reviews)

With a perfect rating of 5 stars from 152 reviews, South Carolina Criminal Law is a standout in Myrtle Beach.

Read full review
Best Value
95Score

Sutton Law Firm, PC

★★★★★5.0(128 reviews)

Sutton Law Firm, PC holds a 5-star rating with 128 reviews, praised for their approachable attorneys and transparent pricing.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
94Score

Criminal Defense Attorney Amy S.

Read full review

All 8, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
5.0★★★★★
152Complex criminal cases
2
95Score
5.0★★★★★
128Misdemeanor charges
3
94Score
5.0★★★★★
110First-time offenders
4
92Score
4.9★★★★★
134DUI cases
5
90Score
5.0★★★★★
80Family-related criminal matters
6
89Score
4.9★★★★★
116Serious criminal charges
7
88Score
4.9★★★★★
54Assertive representation
8
82Score
4.7★★★★★
72Minor criminal offenses
Methodology

How we evaluated all 8 criminal defense lawyers.

To rank the best criminal defense lawyers in Myrtle Beach, we analyzed various factors, including online ratings and client feedback. Each provider's review history was examined to ensure a fair assessment of their services.

Our rankings are updated monthly, and no business pays for placement. This transparency helps you make informed decisions when selecting legal representation.

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

South Carolina Criminal Law

★★★★★5.0(152 reviews)
96Score

With a perfect rating of 5 stars from 152 reviews, South Carolina Criminal Law is a standout in Myrtle Beach. Clients commend their thoroughness and dedication, making them ideal for complex criminal cases. However, the high demand may lead to longer waiting times for consultations. 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 complex criminal cases. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $200 to $500 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are potentially long wait for appointments.

Pros

  • Perfect rating
  • Highly recommended for complex cases
  • Strong client advocacy

Cons

  • Potentially long wait for appointments
Best forComplex criminal cases
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$200 to $500 per hour
2
Best Value

Sutton Law Firm, PC

★★★★★5.0(128 reviews)
95Score

Sutton Law Firm, PC holds a 5-star rating with 128 reviews, praised for their approachable attorneys and transparent pricing. They excel in providing value for clients facing misdemeanor charges. However, their smaller team may limit availability during peak times. 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 misdemeanor charges. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $150 to $400 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited team size may affect availability.

Pros

  • Transparent pricing
  • Approachable attorneys
  • Strong client communication

Cons

  • Limited team size may affect availability
Best forMisdemeanor charges
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$150 to $400 per hour
3
Most Reviewed

Criminal Defense Attorney Amy S. Lawrence, Esq.

★★★★★5.0(110 reviews)
94Score

Criminal Defense Attorney Amy S. Lawrence, Esq. has a 5-star rating from 110 reviews. Clients appreciate her personalized approach and in-depth knowledge of the law, making her a preferred choice for first-time offenders. One downside is that she may have limited resources for high-volume cases. 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 first-time offenders. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $250 to $450 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited resources for high-volume cases.

Pros

  • Personalized service
  • In-depth legal knowledge
  • Great for first-time offenders

Cons

  • Limited resources for high-volume cases
Best forFirst-time offenders
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$250 to $450 per hour
4

Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team

★★★★★4.9(134 reviews)
92Score

Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team has a 4.9-star rating based on 134 reviews. Clients highlight their extensive experience and comprehensive legal strategies. They are particularly effective for DUI cases, although some clients note higher fees compared to others in the area. 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 cases. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $300 to $600 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are higher fees than some competitors.

Pros

  • Extensive experience
  • Comprehensive strategies
  • Effective for DUI cases

Cons

  • Higher fees than some competitors
Best forDUI cases
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$300 to $600 per hour
5

Grooms & Thomas

★★★★★5.0(80 reviews)
90Score

Grooms & Thomas carries a 5-star rating from 80 reviews. Clients appreciate their strong communication and dedication to case outcomes. They are well-suited for family-related criminal matters, but their smaller client base means less overall feedback to gauge consistency. 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 family-related criminal matters. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $200 to $450 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are smaller client base may mean less consistent feedback.

Pros

  • Strong communication
  • Dedicated to client outcomes
  • Good for family-related issues

Cons

  • Smaller client base may mean less consistent feedback
Best forFamily-related criminal matters
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$200 to $450 per hour
6

T. Kirk Truslow, P.A.

★★★★★4.9(116 reviews)
89Score

T. Kirk Truslow, P.A. has a 4.9-star rating with 116 reviews. Clients commend his thorough preparation and strategic defense techniques. He is especially beneficial for those facing serious charges, but his busy schedule might lead to delays in communication. 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 serious criminal charges. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $250 to $500 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are busy schedule may cause communication delays.

Pros

  • Thorough preparation
  • Strategic defense techniques
  • Good for serious charges

Cons

  • Busy schedule may cause communication delays
Best forSerious criminal charges
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$250 to $500 per hour
7

Thompson & Hiller Defense Firm

★★★★★4.9(54 reviews)
88Score

Thompson & Hiller Defense Firm holds a 4.9-star rating based on 54 reviews. Clients praise their aggressive defense style and commitment to client rights. They are a solid choice for those needing assertive representation, though their limited reviews raise questions about consistency. 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 assertive representation. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $200 to $450 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited reviews raise consistency questions.

Pros

  • Aggressive defense style
  • Commitment to client rights
  • Assertive representation

Cons

  • Limited reviews raise consistency questions
Best forAssertive representation
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$200 to $450 per hour
8

Coastal Law Firm

★★★★★4.7(72 reviews)
82Score

Coastal Law Firm has a 4.7-star rating from 72 reviews. Clients appreciate their approachable staff and willingness to explain legal processes. They are suitable for minor criminal offenses, but some reviews indicate a lack of follow-up after initial consultations. 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 minor criminal offenses. It serves Myrtle Beach, SC, with $150 to $350 per hour pricing, and the honest trade-offs are lack of follow-up noted by some clients.

Pros

  • Approachable staff
  • Willingness to explain processes
  • Good for minor offenses

Cons

  • Lack of follow-up noted by some clients
Best forMinor criminal offenses
Service areaMyrtle Beach, SC
Typical pricing$150 to $350 per hour
Before you book

How to choose a criminal defense lawyer in Myrtle Beach

Selecting the right criminal defense lawyer can significantly impact your case outcome. Focus on their experience, client feedback, and specific practice areas to make an informed choice.

Check their review history

Look for lawyers with a consistent pattern of positive reviews. A higher number of reviews can indicate reliability.

Assess their experience

Consider how long they have practiced criminal law and their familiarity with local courts. Experience can lead to better strategies.

Evaluate their communication style

Choose a lawyer who communicates clearly and is responsive to your concerns. This can make a significant difference during stressful times.

What it costs

What criminal defense lawyers cost in Myrtle Beach

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Myrtle Beach can vary widely based on their experience and the complexity of your case. Here’s a breakdown of typical pricing tiers.

Basic RepresentationExpect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 for simple cases, such as misdemeanors.
Complex CasesFor more serious charges, fees can range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the case specifics.
High-Profile CasesHigh-stakes cases or those requiring extensive resources may cost $10,000 and up.
Hourly RatesSome lawyers charge hourly rates, which typically range from $150 to $500 per hour, based on their expertise.

Frequently asked questions

How much does hiring a criminal defense lawyer cost in Myrtle Beach?

Fees vary widely, but expect rates from $150 to $400 per hour depending on the complexity of your case and the lawyer's experience.

What is the average rating of criminal defense lawyers in Myrtle Beach?

The average rating among the eight evaluated providers is about 4.8 stars, with a total of 846 reviews combined.

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 Myrtle Beach residents: <strong>South Carolina Criminal Law</strong>

South Carolina Criminal Law leads with a perfect 5-star rating from 152 reviews, showcasing their proven track record in criminal defense. Close behind is Sutton Law Firm, PC, also at 5 stars but with 128 reviews, indicating a strong reputation as well. Finally, Criminal Defense Attorney Amy S. Lawrence, Esq. rounds out the top three with 5 stars from 110 reviews, reflecting her solid standing in the community. Choose based on your needs, but the top two firms clearly demonstrate the strongest evidence of client satisfaction.