The 6 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Columbus (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 6 firms · Ohio law

The best criminal defense lawyers in Columbus in 2026 include Dominy Law Firm, a criminal-defense-only practice, Riddell Law, Steven T. Fox, Huey Defense Firm for vehicular homicide, Tyack Law Firm, and Jay Perez Law for bilingual and immigration-sensitive cases.

The list at a glance

FirmOfficeFocusBest for
1. Dominy Law FirmNorthwest Columbus & DublinCriminal defense and record sealingClients wanting a defense-only firm
2. Riddell LawGrandview & Dublin RoadCriminal defenseClients near Dublin Road
3. Steven T. FoxGrandview & Dublin RoadCriminal defenseOne-on-one representation
4. Huey Defense FirmNorthwest Columbus & DublinSerious driving chargesVehicular homicide charges
5. Tyack Law FirmBrewery District & German VillageCriminal defense and civilSouth High Street clients
6. Jay Perez LawNorthwest Columbus & DublinCriminal defense and immigrationNon-citizens facing charges

In Columbus, misdemeanors usually go through Franklin County Municipal Court and felonies through the Court of Common Pleas. If you aren't a US citizen, ask about immigration consequences before any plea.

1. Dominy Law Firm — Northwest Columbus & Dublin

Criminal defense only.

Focus Criminal defense and record sealingBest for Clients wanting a defense-only firm

Dominy Law Firm focuses only on criminal defense, including record sealing, from Farmers Drive.

2545 Farmers Dr, Suite 160, Columbus, OH 43235

Firm profile 614-717-1177 Website Google Maps

2. Riddell Law — Grandview & Dublin Road

A criminal defense practice.

Focus Criminal defenseBest for Clients near Dublin Road

Riddell Law handles criminal defense from Dublin Road.

1335 Dublin Rd, Suite 220A, Columbus, OH 43215

Firm profile 614-361-2804 Website Google Maps

3. Steven T. Fox — Grandview & Dublin Road

A named-lawyer practice.

Focus Criminal defenseBest for One-on-one representation

Steven T. Fox handles criminal defense from Dublin Road.

1335 Dublin Rd, Suite 205-A, Columbus, OH 43215

Firm profile 614-569-4919 Website Google Maps

4. Huey Defense Firm — Northwest Columbus & Dublin

Names vehicular homicide.

Focus Serious driving chargesBest for Vehicular homicide charges

Huey Defense Firm handles vehicular homicide and OVI among other charges, from West Henderson Road.

3240 W Henderson Rd, Suite B, Columbus, OH 43220

Firm profile 614-487-8667 Website Google Maps

5. Tyack Law Firm — Brewery District & German Village

Criminal work alongside civil.

Focus Criminal defense and civilBest for South High Street clients

Tyack Law Firm handles criminal defense as well as personal injury and civil cases.

536 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215

Firm profile 614-221-1342 Website Google Maps

6. Jay Perez Law — Northwest Columbus & Dublin

Bilingual, with immigration work.

Focus Criminal defense and immigrationBest for Non-citizens facing charges

Jay Perez Law handles both criminal defense and immigration, which matters when a plea could affect your status.

400 Metro Pl N, Suite 370, Dublin, OH 43017

Firm profile 614-515-4950 Website Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I'm arrested in Columbus?

Stay polite, give your identifying details, say you want a lawyer and don't answer questions without one. Don't discuss the case on a jail phone, because calls can be recorded.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost?

Many charge a flat fee by charge and stage of the case. Ask whether a trial is included. If you can't afford a lawyer and could go to jail, you can ask the court to appoint one.

Can I clear my record?

Ohio widened record sealing and expungement in recent years, but many offenses, including OVI convictions, generally can't be sealed. Ask a lawyer what applies to your record.