Criminal Defense

Austin Criminal Defense Attorneys

A criminal charge in Texas is not a conviction. We connect Austin residents with criminal defense attorneys who know Travis County courts, the local prosecutors, and how to fight for the best possible outcome.

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Practice Areas

Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Austin

Criminal defense in Texas requires attorneys who understand the specific charge, the local court system, and the window you have to act. Find your situation below. Need help finding the right attorney? Learn how our Austin attorney referral service connects you with the right criminal defense lawyer for your specific situation.

DWI — First Offense

A first DWI in Texas carries serious consequences: license suspension, fines up to $2,000, and up to 180 days in jail. The right attorney can often reduce or eliminate those consequences.

DWI — First Offense Attorneys

DWI — Second Offense

A second DWI elevates every consequence. Enhanced penalties, mandatory ignition interlock, and a Class A misdemeanor record. You need an attorney who handles repeat DWI cases specifically.

DWI — Second Offense Attorneys

Drug Possession

Texas drug charges range from Class B misdemeanors to first-degree felonies depending on substance and quantity. The classification determines your exposure — and your strategy.

Drug Possession Attorneys

Assault

Texas assault charges cover a wide spectrum, from Class C misdemeanors for verbal threats to first-degree felonies for aggravated assault. Every distinction changes your options.

Assault Attorneys

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence charges in Texas carry mandatory arrest policies and can result in protective orders, loss of firearm rights, and consequences that follow you for life.

Domestic Violence Attorneys

Federal Charges

Federal criminal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office with substantially more resources than local prosecutors. You need a defense attorney who practices in federal court.

Federal Charges Attorneys

Expunction & Record Sealing

Texas law allows eligible individuals to have arrest records expunged or sealed through nondisclosure orders. The process is technical — eligibility depends on your specific case outcome.

Expunction & Record Sealing Attorneys

Probation Violations

Violating probation conditions in Texas can result in your suspended sentence being imposed. The burden of proof is lower than at trial — you need representation immediately.

Probation Violations Attorneys

Texas Criminal Law

What You Need to Know Before You Act

You have the right to say nothing

The Fifth Amendment applies from the moment of contact with law enforcement. Anything you say before speaking with an attorney can be used against you. Exercise your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney immediately.

Time matters — evidence fades fast

Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Witnesses' memories shift. Breathalyzer calibration records have retention limits. Criminal defense attorneys build their strongest cases when they start immediately after arrest.

Texas charges are specific — the classification matters

A Class B misdemeanor and a third-degree felony are not in the same universe. The charge classification determines your maximum exposure, your bail eligibility, and what's available as a resolution.

Not all criminal defense attorneys practice the same areas

A DWI specialist and a federal criminal defense attorney are different practices. We connect you with attorneys whose specific experience matches your charge — not a generalist who handles whatever walks in.

How We Work

We Connect. Attorneys Defend.

ATX Attorneys is not a law firm. We are a referral service — the direct line between Austin residents with urgent criminal matters and attorneys who practice criminal defense in Travis County courts.

When you submit a request, we match you with an attorney whose practice covers your specific charge. Criminal defense is not a single specialty — DWI defense, drug offense defense, federal criminal defense, and expunction law all require different experience. We route based on case type, not just practice area.

There is no fee to request a connection. Attorneys in our network offer free initial consultations. You pay nothing until — and unless — you retain one of them.

By the Numbers

8

Criminal defense sub-specialties in our network

1 day

Average attorney response time after your request

$0

Cost to request a connection through ATX Attorneys

24/7

Form availability for urgent matters

Common Questions

Criminal Defense FAQs

Yes. Misdemeanor convictions in Texas stay on your record permanently. They can affect employment, professional licensing, housing applications, and immigration status. The consequences of a conviction often exceed what most people expect from a "minor" charge.
Invoke your right to remain silent. Do not answer questions beyond providing your name. Ask for an attorney. Do not consent to searches. Do not discuss the case with anyone in custody — those conversations may be recorded. Contact an attorney as soon as you are able.
Criminal defense attorneys in Austin typically charge flat fees for misdemeanors (commonly $1,500–$5,000) and either flat fees or hourly rates for felonies ($5,000–$25,000+ depending on complexity). Many offer payment plans. Free consultations are standard — use them to understand your exposure before deciding on representation.
Yes. Many criminal cases in Travis County are resolved through charge reduction or dismissal before trial — particularly when there are procedural defects in the arrest or search, insufficient evidence, or the defendant has no prior record. An attorney can evaluate these possibilities after reviewing your specific facts.

From Our Legal Blog

Criminal Defense Guides for Austin Residents

Need help finding the right attorney? Learn how our Austin attorney referral service connects you with the right criminal defense attorney for your specific situation.

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Facing Criminal Charges in Austin? Talk to an Attorney.

Criminal cases move fast. Evidence is gathered and charges are filed on a timeline you cannot control. What you can control is how quickly you get representation. Submit your request now.

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