Best Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers

The best Dallas criminal defense lawyers know Texas law and local courthouse politics matter equally. A conviction follows you forever, affecting jobs, housing, and even custody rights. Our list connects you with Dallas attorneys who've beaten tough charges in county courts.

List of the Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorneys in Dallas, Texas

Screenshot of the Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. Website
2777 N Stemmons Fwy Suite #1300, Dallas, TX 75207, USA

Kraft & Associates is a Dallas personal injury and disability law firm that has served North Texas since 1971. The team handles car accidents, truck collisions, wrongful death, and Social Security disability claims. They also take on DWI defense cases.

Staff members average 25 years with the firm. Attorneys William Stacy Webb, R. Matthew Stewart, and Robert A. Kraft provide Spanish-speaking services and operate on a contingency fee basis.

Screenshot of the The Goolsby Law Firm Website
2650 Valley View Ln, building 2 suite 100, Dallas, TX 75234, USA

The Goolsby Law Firm is a Dallas criminal defense practice led by Mike Goolsby, a former Dallas County prosecutor who served as chief of the family violence court. The firm handles DWI, drug possession, assault, federal crimes, and sex offenses throughout Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, and Collin counties.

Recognized by the American Bar Association and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Goolsby has secured dismissals on felony charges and DWI cases. D Magazine named him among Dallas's best lawyers. Initial case reviews are free.

Screenshot of the Warren Abrams, P.C. Website
10300 N Central Expy #283, Dallas, TX 75231, USA

Warren Abrams, P.C., provides criminal defense in Dallas with over 30 years of trial experience. Warren Abrams is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and holds certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He served as Chief Prosecutor for the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

Texas Super Lawyers has recognized him for 17 consecutive years. Son Joshua Abrams, also a former Dallas County prosecutor, joins the practice. Together, they handle DWI, drug offenses, assault, murder, federal crimes, and white collar cases. The firm accepts payment plans and offers complimentary consultations.

Screenshot of the Palmer Perlstein Website
15455 Dallas Pkwy Suite 540, Addison, TX 75001, USA

Palmer Perlstein brings over 140 years of combined legal experience to criminal defense, personal injury, civil rights, and appeals cases in Dallas and Fort Worth. The team includes two former assistant district attorneys.

Their attorneys have obtained not guilty verdicts in murder trials and dismissals in sexual assault cases. D Magazine has listed multiple team members among Dallas's best lawyers. The firm also pursues police brutality and excessive force claims. Case evaluations are available at no charge.

Screenshot of the Gallian Firm Website
3500 Maple Ave, Suite 1150, Dallas, TX 75219, USA

Gallian Firm handles state and federal criminal defense along with civil litigation from its Dallas office. The firm has completed over 60 jury trials and resolved more than 500 cases. Partners Gregg and Jaclyn Gallian lead a team that defends DWI, assault, drug charges, fraud, and sex crimes.

Notable results include a not guilty verdict for a physician charged with health care fraud conspiracy and multiple felony dismissals. They maintain 178 five-star reviews online. The firm also represents businesses in commercial disputes and employment defense.

Screenshot of the Law Offices Of Robert S. Gregg Website
2024 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA

The Law Offices of Robert S. Gregg focuses on case dismissals for clients charged with criminal offenses in Dallas and Fort Worth. Attorney Robert Gregg brings over 30 years of experience and has handled thousands of criminal matters. The firm maintains a 10.0 Avvo rating and was named a Top 10 Criminal Defense Law Firm by Attorney and Practice Magazine.

Practice areas include DWI, drug crimes, assault, domestic violence, theft, sex crimes, and weapons offenses. The team also handles personal injury claims.

Screenshot of the Asante Legal PLLC Website
705 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75202, USA

Asante Legal PLLC is a criminal defense firm in Dallas serving clients throughout Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties. Principal attorney Adwoa Asante has handled over 1,000 cases and secured hundreds of dismissals.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ohio State University and With Honors from Emory Law School. The firm defends DWI charges, drug offenses, assault, family violence, felonies, and misdemeanors. Avvo recognized her with a Clients' Choice Award. Payment plans are available.

Screenshot of the The Shapiro Law Firm Website
701 E 15th St #204, Plano, TX 75074, USA

The Shapiro Law Firm has represented criminal defendants in Collin County and Dallas-Fort Worth for over 40 years. Howard Shapiro served as a Collin County prosecutor and municipal judge. Todd Shapiro, a former Dallas County assistant district attorney, tried more than 130 cases as a prosecutor. Peter Ganyard spent seven years as a Collin County prosecutor.

D Magazine named Todd among Dallas's best lawyers in 2023 and 2024. Texas Super Lawyers has selected him multiple years. The firm handles DWI, drug crimes, sex offenses, family violence, and white collar cases.

Screenshot of the Haddad Law Firm Website
13601 Preston Rd Suite 765W, Dallas, TX 75240, USA

Haddad Law Firm provides criminal defense and personal injury representation in Dallas. Attorney Manny Haddad handles drug charges, assault, family violence, felonies, and misdemeanors. The firm also takes car accident and truck collision cases.

Clients receive direct access to their attorney throughout their case. The team serves Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, and Denton counties. Initial consultations are complimentary.

Screenshot of the The Beltz Law Firm Website
3200 Broadway Blvd #170, Garland, TX 75043, USA

The Beltz Law Firm handles criminal defense, traffic tickets, and personal injury cases throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Attorney Jeffrey Beltz founded the firm in 2003. The team processes thousands of cases annually and has earned top Google ratings in the region.

Practice areas include DWI defense, felonies, misdemeanors, license suspensions, and occupational driver licenses. The firm also pursues compensation for car and 18-wheeler accidents. Phone consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Winocour Law Website
1511 E Levee St Suite B, Dallas, TX 75207, USA

Winocour Law represents injury victims in Dallas with a 135-year tradition of legal service. The firm handles car accidents, truck collisions, and wrongful death claims. Attorneys are available 24/7 and work on contingency, meaning clients pay nothing unless they recover compensation.

Screenshot of the Pelley Law Office Website
1312 14th St, Plano, TX 75074, USA

Pelley Law Office serves North Texas clients from Plano with bankruptcy, criminal defense, and family law services. The firm handles DWI, drug charges, and other criminal matters, as well as divorce and custody disputes. Consultations are offered at no cost.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Brian Corrigan Website
1008 Ridge Rd St. 101, Rockwall, TX 75087, USA

The Law Office of Brian Corrigan provides Board Certified criminal defense from Rockwall. Brian Corrigan has tried over 150 jury trials and handled thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases. He spent a decade as a prosecutor, including roles as a Dallas County felony chief and First Assistant District Attorney in Kaufman County.

He never lost a murder or capital murder trial during his prosecution career, winning 11 murder and 7 capital murder cases. Texas Super Lawyers recognized him from 2023 through 2025. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The firm handles DWI, drug crimes, assault, family violence, sex crimes, and federal charges.

Screenshot of the Mark A. Perez, Attorney at Law Website
3300 Oak Lawn Ave UNIT 700, Dallas, TX 75219, USA

Mark A. Perez is a Dallas criminal lawyer with 35 years of experience in federal and state courts. His firm defends clients charged with drug offenses, DWI, assault, theft, and other criminal matters throughout North Texas. Initial case evaluations are available.

Screenshot of the Peter Barrett Website
3500 Maple Ave Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75219, USA

Peter Barrett is a Dallas criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of experience and more than 100 jury trials. He defends clients in DWI, drug crimes, assault, theft, and federal cases. Attorney ratings rank him among top practitioners in the region.

Screenshot of the The Farmer Law Group, PLLC Website
Bank of America Plaza, Main St, Dallas, TX 75202, USA

The Farmer Law Group, PLLC handles criminal defense and personal injury cases from downtown Dallas. The bilingual team has served clients since 2007. They are available around the clock and defend DWI, drug charges, assault, and other criminal matters while also pursuing injury compensation.

Screenshot of the The Lugo Law Firm, PLLC Website
3300 Oak Lawn Ave UNIT 700, Dallas, TX 75219, USA

The Lugo Law Firm, PLLC provides criminal defense in Dallas with 20 years of legal experience. The firm handles federal crimes, juvenile offenses, DWI, drug charges, and other criminal matters. Attorneys serve clients throughout North Texas and provide complimentary case evaluations.

Screenshot of the James N. Vasilas & Associates Website
13747 Montfort Dr # 250, Dallas, TX 75240, USA

James N. Vasilas & Associates handles both criminal defense and immigration matters from its Dallas office. The firm defends DWI, drug charges, and cases ranging to capital murder. Immigration services include removal defense. This combined practice helps clients facing criminal charges with potential immigration consequences.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Walker Fults Website
3500 Maple Ave, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75219, USA

The Law Office of Walker Fults defends criminal cases in Dallas with an aggressive, trial-ready approach. Walker Fults earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Duke University. He completed a federal clerkship at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

He has obtained not guilty verdicts at trial and full case dismissals. The firm handles federal crimes, DWI, drug offenses, assault, probation violations, and juvenile cases. He speaks Spanish and Chinese. Walker Fults is a third-generation Dallas trial lawyer.

Screenshot of the Aulbaugh Law Firm Website
3300 Oak Lawn Ave UNIT 700, Dallas, TX 75219, USA

Aulbaugh Law Firm provides Board Certified criminal defense in Dallas. The firm handles DWI, drug crimes, felonies, and other criminal charges. Consultations are complimentary.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If arrested in Dallas, immediately exercise your right to remain silent and request a criminal defense attorney. Do not make statements to law enforcement without legal representation present. Contact a family member or friend to help arrange legal representation.

How do I choose the best criminal defense lawyer in Dallas?

Consider these key factors when selecting a criminal defense attorney:

  • Years of experience handling similar criminal cases in Dallas courts
  • Track record of successful case outcomes and settlements
  • Knowledge of local court systems and relationships with prosecutors
  • Client reviews and testimonials
  • Communication style and availability to discuss your case

What types of criminal cases do Dallas defense attorneys handle?

Dallas criminal defense lawyers typically handle:

  • DWI/DUI charges and traffic violations
  • Drug possession and trafficking charges
  • Assault and violent crime allegations
  • White collar crimes including fraud and embezzlement
  • Federal criminal charges

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Dallas?

Legal fees vary based on case complexity and attorney experience. Most Dallas criminal defense attorneys offer:

Fee Structure Typical Range
Initial Consultation Free - $500
Misdemeanor Cases $2,500 - $10,000
Felony Cases $10,000 - $50,000+

What is the timeline for criminal cases in Dallas?

Criminal case timelines vary significantly based on complexity and court schedules. Generally:

  • Misdemeanor cases typically resolve within 3-6 months
  • Felony cases often take 6-12 months or longer
  • Complex federal cases may extend beyond 12 months

Can a criminal record be cleared in Texas?

Yes, Texas law allows for expungement (expunction) or sealing of criminal records in certain circumstances. Eligibility depends on factors like case outcome, offense type, and time passed since the incident. An experienced defense attorney can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the process.

Why do I need a local Dallas criminal defense attorney?

A local Dallas attorney offers several advantages:

  • Familiarity with Dallas County courts, judges, and prosecutors
  • Knowledge of local court procedures and unwritten rules
  • Ability to appear quickly for emergency hearings
  • Understanding of local jury pools and community sentiment
  • Established relationships with local law enforcement and court staff