📞 (480) 757-9989 · Mon–Fri 8am–6pm CT
hello@texaslegal.guide
HomeAreas of Law › Criminal Defense

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Texas

DUI, misdemeanors, felonies, and federal defense in Texas. 14,344 pre-screened attorneys across 125 counties.

Free Legal Guides
Texas Criminal Defense: What Happens After Arrest →

Texas criminal procedure: classes of offenses, plea bargaining, deferred adjudication, expungement options, and timeline of a typical case.

★ Texas Board Certified

763 Criminal Law Certified Specialists →

Filter our directory to attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — an independent, exam-and-experience-based credential.

What Is Criminal Defense Law in Texas?

DUI, misdemeanors, felonies, and federal defense in Texas. 14,344 active attorneys with the State Bar of Texas list Criminal Defense as a practice area, including attorneys whose bar classification is "Criminal".

When Do You Need a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney?

You need a Texas criminal defense attorney when facing dwi / dui, drug offenses, assault, white collar crime, or federal crimes, or any other matter governed by Texas criminal defense law. Early consultation can preserve legal options and prevent costly procedural mistakes. Many Texas attorneys offer free initial consultations.

Texas Criminal Defense Sub-Specialties

Criminal Defense covers several distinct case types in Texas, each with its own legal framework. Below are the most common sub-specialties.

DWI / DUI

DWI / DUI matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in dwi / dui cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

Drug Offenses

Drug Offenses matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in drug offenses cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

Assault

Assault matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in assault cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

White Collar Crime

White Collar Crime matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in white collar crime cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

Federal Crimes

Federal Crimes matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in federal crimes cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

Juvenile Crimes

Juvenile Crimes matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in juvenile crimes cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

Sex Crimes

Sex Crimes matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in sex crimes cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

Theft

Theft matters in Texas fall within the broader Criminal Defense practice area. Texas-licensed attorneys experienced in theft cases handle the related procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions specific to this subspecialty.

Costs and Timeline

Texas criminal defense attorneys typically charge flat fees ($1,500-$15,000+ depending on offense class) or hourly ($200-$450). Misdemeanors typically resolve in 3-9 months; felonies in 6-24 months. Indigent defendants are entitled to a Public Defender at no cost.

Texas Laws and Statutes

Texas criminal defense is governed by: Tex. Penal Code (offenses); Tex. Code Crim. Proc. (procedure); Tex. Gov't Code ch. 411 (nondisclosure and expunction).

Criminal Defense Attorneys by County

Pre-screened criminal defense attorneys serving each Texas county. Counts reflect active State Bar of Texas members with offices in-county. Each county links to a full directory page for the matching practice area.

📍 Harris County 2,334 attorneys
Gene E. Putnam — LAW OFFICES OF GENE E. PUTNAM, SpringJan G. Banker — JAN G. BANKER ATTORNEY AT LAW, HoustonDaniel L. Mccairns — Houston
View all 2,334 Harris criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Dallas County 1,378 attorneys
Richard L. Collier — RICHARD L. COLLIER, ATTY. AT LAW, DallasPat Mcdowell — DallasJohn R. Nelms — Dallas
View all 1,378 Dallas criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Bexar County 992 attorneys
Robert A. Valdez — LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT A VALDEZ, San AntonioAlfonso E. Alonso — LAW OFFICE OF AL ALONSO, San AntonioAlan Brown — LAW OFFICES OF ALAN BROWN, San Antonio
View all 992 Bexar criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Travis County 960 attorneys
Philip Robert Presse — PHILIP PRESSE PC ATTORNEY AT LAW, AustinJoe F. Taylor — AustinDonald L. Wolf — DONALD, Austin
View all 960 Travis criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Tarrant County 664 attorneys
James R. Claunch — THE CLAUNCH LAW FIRM, Fort WorthAlex R. Tandy — THE LAW OFFICE OF ALEX R. TANDY, North Richland HillsWilliam Carl Meier — Hurst
View all 664 Tarrant criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Hidalgo County 366 attorneys
Lionel A. Pena — LAW OFFICES OF L ARON PENA, McallenWilliam H. Mcpherson — ATTORNEY AT LAW, McallenJose E. Chapa — Mcallen
View all 366 Hidalgo criminal defense attorneys →
📍 El Paso County 353 attorneys
Michael Roy Gibson — GIBSON LAW OFFICES, El PasoDavid Richard Rosado — RETIRED, El PasoStanley M. Serwatka — U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, El Paso
View all 353 El Paso criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Collin County 326 attorneys
Thomas S. O'Connell — PlanoJohn P. Knouse — FriscoMichael R. Gillett — Plano
View all 326 Collin criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Fort Bend County 211 attorneys
James Daniel Connelly — CITY OF SUGAR LAND MUNICIPAL COURT, Sugar LandDon A. Hecker — RichmondDennis C. Cain — Sugar Land
View all 211 Fort Bend criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Montgomery County 209 attorneys
Charles W. Wexler — CHARLES W. WEXLER, P.C., The WoodlandsJohn Foster Pettit — THE PETTIT LAW FIRM, PLLC, The WoodlandsLuther Jerald Winfree — RETIRED SERVING BY ASSIGNMENT936, Conroe
View all 209 Montgomery criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Nueces County 200 attorneys
Sam Adrian Westergren — SAM WESTERGREN ATTORNEY, Corpus ChristiCharles Wade Cromwell — CROMWELL LAW FIRM, Corpus ChristiForrest J. Dorsey — JERRY DORSEY ATTORNEY AT LAW, Corpus Christi
View all 200 Nueces criminal defense attorneys →
📍 Cameron County 187 attorneys
Eduardo Roberto Rodriguez — ATLAS HALL & RODRIGUEZ, LLP, BrownsvilleSheldon Weisfeld — SHELDON WEISFELD PC, BrownsvillePeter C. Gilman — CAMERON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFIC, Brownsville
View all 187 Cameron criminal defense attorneys →

Texas Criminal Defense Guides & Resources

Free guides covering key topics in Texas criminal defense. Plain-English, statute-cited.

📝
Texas Criminal Defense: What Happens After Arrest
Texas criminal procedure: classes of offenses, plea bargaining, deferred adjudication, expungement options, and timeline
View all Criminal Defense guides →

Common Questions About Texas Criminal Defense

Browse the 14,344 Texas criminal defense attorneys above by county or use the practice-area cards. Each attorney is verified against the State Bar of Texas records.
Texas criminal defense attorneys typically charge flat fees ($1,500-$15,000+ depending on offense class) or hourly ($200-$450). Misdemeanors typically resolve in 3-9 months; felonies in 6-24 months. Indigent defendants are entitled to a Public Defender at no cost.
Case duration depends on case type, court calendar, and complexity. Uncontested matters typically resolve in 3-6 months; contested matters with disputes can take 12-24+ months. Your attorney can give you a more specific estimate based on your facts.
Yes. Every Texas attorney must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas. We verify bar status on every attorney listing. Disciplinary actions are public record; we display them transparently on each profile per the Texas Public Information Act.
Several Texas organizations provide free or low-cost legal aid: Texas Legal Services Center, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, TexasLawHelp.org, Lone Star Legal Aid. For criminal cases, indigent defendants are entitled to a Public Defender at no cost.

Ready to Find Your Texas Attorney?

Find a pre-screened Texas lawyer who fits your case. Free, no obligation.

Get Matched with a Lawyer