Best San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorneys

Criminal defense lawyers in San Antonio face prosecutors who build cases from police reports, lab tests, and witness statements. A defense attorney looks for weak spots in that evidence, such as an illegal stop or search. Typical cases involve DWI, drug possession, assault, family violence, theft, and federal charges. Early, careful defense work may lead to a dismissal or a reduced charge. The attorneys below practice in Bexar County and nearby courts.

Listed San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers are ranked by one score, applied the same way to every firm. It draws on public signals, including:

  • Client satisfaction and overall online reputation
  • The volume and consistency of client feedback
  • How established the firm is
  • Peer recognition within the legal community and across the web

Rankings are calculated independently from public data. Paid placements don't change a listing's score.

Leading San Antonio Criminal Lawyers for DWI, Felony & Federal Charges

Screenshot of the Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda PLLC Website
909 NE Interstate 410 Loop Suite 500A, San Antonio, TX 78209, USA

Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda PLLC is a San Antonio trial firm for criminal defense and family law. Its lawyers take major cases to jury verdict in Bexar County and other Texas counties.

The firm has won not guilty verdicts in aggravated assault and sexual assault cases. It has also secured dismissals of felony DWI and murder charges. Family work includes divorce, custody, adoption, and CPS defense. Attorney Joe Hoelscher is rated by Super Lawyers.

Screenshot of the Austin Hagee Law Firm Website
120 Austin Hwy #103, San Antonio, TX 78209, USA

Austin Hagee Law Firm defends criminal charges in San Antonio and across South Texas. Austin Hagee is a former Bexar County felony and family violence prosecutor.

The firm has won more than 350 case dismissals. It handles DWI, THC vape, drug, assault, and juvenile cases. Clients get a written flat fee, payment plan options, and case updates every two weeks.

Besides Bexar County, the team takes cases in New Braunfels, Boerne, Seguin, and San Marcos.

Screenshot of the The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PC Website
540 S St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA

Shawn C. Brown has led a San Antonio criminal defense, DWI, and injury law firm since 2001. His team represents clients throughout Bexar County and South Texas.

On the criminal side, the firm defends felony and misdemeanor charges, drug cases, and ALR license hearings. Injury work covers car wrecks, 18-wheeler crashes, oil field accidents, and rideshare claims. The office takes calls 24/7, offers free consultations, and accepts payment plans.

Screenshot of the Hernández Dauphin Legal, PC Website
12500 San Pedro Ave Suite 314, San Antonio, TX 78216, USA

Hernández Dauphin Legal, PC is a bilingual criminal defense firm in San Antonio run by two former judges. Juan Carlos Hernández was a Bexar County criminal magistrate judge. Earlier, he served as a police officer in Washington, D.C.

Christine Dauphin Hernández is a former prosecutor and municipal court judge. Together, they have over 40 years of combined experience in state and federal courts. The firm defends adults and juveniles and also takes serious injury claims. It serves Bexar, Atascosa, Guadalupe, Medina, Kendall, and Wilson counties.

Screenshot of the Soyars & Morgan Law, P.C. Website
924 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, USA

Soyars & Morgan Law, P.C. handles DWI, criminal defense, and family law cases from downtown San Antonio. Jodi Soyars and Ashley Morgan lead the firm's team of trial lawyers. Together, the attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience.

DWI work covers misdemeanor and felony charges, intoxication assault, and license suspensions. The family law practice includes divorce, military divorce, spousal support, and custody. The firm serves Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, and Kendall counties.

Screenshot of the The Law Offices of Brian Powers Website
4940 Broadway St Suite 130, San Antonio, TX 78209, USA

Brian Powers has worked as a police officer, a felony prosecutor, and a magistrate judge. Since 2008, he has run his own criminal defense practice in San Antonio.

At the Bexar County District Attorney's Office, he handled hundreds of felony family violence cases. Today he defends assault, robbery, drug, DWI, and murder charges in Bexar County courts. Brian handles every case himself, and first consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Alamo Law Group Website
924 Camaron St, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA

Alamo Law Group is a bilingual San Antonio law firm, formerly known as Gireud & Hobbs, PLLC. Led by attorney Fernando D. Gireud, the team handles immigration, criminal defense, family law, and personal injury.

Clients with both a criminal charge and an immigration issue can keep one legal team. Immigration work includes deportation defense, green cards, work visas, and U visas. Consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Tim Rountree - San Antonio DWI Attorney Website
84 NE Interstate 410 Loop Suite 232, San Antonio, TX 78216, USA

Tim Rountree handles only DWI and intoxication cases in San Antonio and nearby counties. He is a former prosecutor and has practiced law for more than 25 years.

Tim works every case himself and never passes it to a junior lawyer or paralegal. He moves quickly to request ALR hearings and protect clients' driver's licenses. His trial record includes jury acquittals in cases with failed breath tests.

He also takes cases in New Braunfels, Boerne, Fredericksburg, Seguin, and San Marcos.

Screenshot of the LaHood Norton Goss Law Group, PLLC Website
16500 San Pedro Ave Ste 300, San Antonio, TX 78232, USA

LaHood Norton Goss Law Group, PLLC is a San Antonio criminal law firm led by former high-level prosecutors. Founding lawyer Nico LaHood once served as Bexar County District Attorney.

The team has nearly 100 years of combined experience. It includes a lawyer board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Cases include DWI, drug charges, federal crimes, appeals, and murder. The firm also handles car, truck, and industrial accident claims. Service is available in Spanish, and the first consultation is free.

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Patrick L. Hancock - Criminal Defense Attorney Website

Patrick L. Hancock has defended felony and misdemeanor charges in San Antonio for more than three decades. His law office practices criminal defense only, in Bexar County and across South Texas.

Hancock has won not guilty verdicts in capital murder, murder, and vehicular manslaughter trials. He also represents clients in grand jury proceedings. He has been named a Texas Super Lawyer since 2007. The National Trial Lawyers list him among its Top 100.

Screenshot of the The Law Office of Albert Flores Website

Albert A. Flores is a former magistrate judge who defends federal and state criminal cases from San Antonio. He has more than 20 years of trial experience in both court systems.

He is licensed in the Western and Southern Districts of Texas and the Fifth Circuit. He also travels to federal courts in other states. His work covers felonies, misdemeanors, white-collar crime, appeals, and bond hearings.

Screenshot of the Attorney Stephen H. Gordon Website
5820 I-10 Suite 400, San Antonio, TX 78201, USA

Stephen H. Gordon runs The Gordon Law Firm, P.C., a general law practice in San Antonio. He has more than two decades of legal experience.

The firm handles criminal charges, DWI, family law, bankruptcy, personal injury, and probate. Clients speak with the attorney in charge, not just an assistant. Every fee is spelled out in a written contract, and payment plans are available.

Screenshot of the Goldstein & Orr Website
315 E Commerce St #301, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA

Goldstein & Orr has practiced only criminal defense in San Antonio for more than four decades. The firm itself dates back over 70 years and handles cases in state and federal courts.

Gerry Goldstein and Cynthia Orr are both Board Certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law. Each has served as president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Both worked on the Michael Morton wrongful conviction case. The firm takes felony, white-collar, asset forfeiture, and appeal cases nationwide.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski Website
1017 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210, USA

Kerrisa Chelkowski is a former Bexar County prosecutor who now defends criminal cases in San Antonio. She handles her own cases rather than referring them to associates.

Her appeals work has reached the highest court in Texas and the U.S. Fifth Circuit. She was named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star for six straight years, 2009 through 2014. Free, confidential case reviews are available.

Screenshot of the The H.D. Sanchez Law Firm, PLLC Website
342 E Mitchell St, San Antonio, TX 78210, USA

The H.D. Sanchez Law Firm, PLLC takes criminal defense and personal injury cases across San Antonio and Texas. H. Dave Sanchez is a Navy veteran, a former Dallas police officer, and a former prosecutor.

He grew up on San Antonio's South Side and works directly with every client. Criminal cases include DWI, drug charges, assault, theft, and weapons offenses. On the injury side, he handles car wrecks, 18-wheeler crashes, and wrongful death claims. Service is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Screenshot of the De La Garza Criminal Defense, PLLC Website

De La Garza Criminal Defense, PLLC handles trials, appeals, and habeas corpus writs in San Antonio. Attorney Daniel De La Garza has won not guilty verdicts in capital murder and aggravated assault cases.

His practice covers murder, sex offenses, firearm charges, and federal drug trafficking. He also takes post-conviction cases involving ineffective counsel or illegal sentences. Daniel is a Super Lawyers Rising Star and offers free consultations.

Screenshot of the The Law Office of John J. Fox Website

John J. Fox is a San Antonio criminal defense attorney with more than 25 years in practice. He serves on the board of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

His main focus areas are domestic violence, DWI, and traffic offenses. He has written about DWI and ALR license hearings and has taught criminal law seminars. He also helps college students facing a first DWI, theft, or drug charge.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Dayna L Jones Website
401 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA

Dayna L. Jones represents people charged with state and federal crimes in San Antonio and Bexar County. She has tried misdemeanor DWI and assault cases as well as felony sexual assault and murder cases.

Her practice also covers internet crimes, appeals, writs of habeas corpus, and expunctions. She takes cases in Comal, Hays, Travis, Guadalupe, Kendall, and other nearby counties. She is a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and she offers free initial consultations 24/7.

Screenshot of the Del Prado Law Criminal Defense Lawyers Website
342 W Woodlawn Ave Ste 302, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA

Del Prado Law is a San Antonio criminal defense practice led by Mario Del Prado. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Mario has more than 35 years of trial experience. From 2018 to 2022, he served as chief of the Bexar County DA's Major Crimes Division. He accepts a limited number of serious felony cases, including homicide, sex crimes, and drug charges. He has been named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple times.

Screenshot of the Flanary Law Firm, PLLC Website
100 NE Interstate 410 Loop Suite 605, San Antonio, TX 78216

Flanary Law Firm, PLLC defends state and federal criminal charges across San Antonio, the Hill Country, and Laredo. Led by Don Flanary, the team has over 30 years of combined experience.

Don teaches legal seminars on search and seizure, electronic surveillance, and drug policy. The firm handles DWI, marijuana and THC charges, sex offenses, white-collar crime, and federal cases. First consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Thornton Criminal Defense, PLLC Website

Thornton Criminal Defense, PLLC is a San Antonio law firm run by Brad Thornton. He is a former Atascosa County chief prosecutor and is board-certified in Criminal Law. He has tried more than 100 jury trials.

DWI is a primary focus, including felony DWI, intoxication assault, and CDL cases. The firm has offices in San Antonio and Pleasanton. It serves Bexar, Atascosa, Wilson, and nearby counties. Fees are flat, with no hourly billing, and consultations are free.

Screenshot of the The Office of Guillermo Lara Jr. Website
110 Broadway St Suite 490, San Antonio, TX 78205

Guillermo Lara Jr. handles state and federal criminal cases in San Antonio, in English and Spanish. He brings a strong science and data background to DWI and drug defense.

His cases include DWI, domestic violence, drug crimes, and federal fraud and drug conspiracies. He charges flat fees, with written, upfront pricing, and his office is reachable 24/7. He was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2020.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Robert H. Featherston, P.C. Website
1150 N Loop 1604 W Suite 108-301, San Antonio, TX 78248, USA

Robert H. Featherston practices only criminal law, defending state and federal cases from San Antonio. His federal work reaches courts nationwide, including the Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Cases include drug conspiracy, sex crimes, internet crimes, white-collar fraud, firearms, and DWI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a criminal defense lawyer in San Antonio cost?

It depends on the charge. Most lawyers charge a flat fee or bill by the hour. A misdemeanor usually costs less than a felony or a federal case. Texas ethics rules do not allow contingency fees in criminal cases, so many firms offer payment plans instead.

How long does a criminal case take in Bexar County?

Often several months. Class A and B misdemeanors go through the Bexar County Courts at Law. District courts hear felonies and usually take longer. Cases that go to trial or require lab testing can take longer than a year.

What should I do after a DWI arrest in Texas?

Act within 15 days. You have 15 days from the day you receive the suspension notice to request an ALR hearing with DPS. If you miss it, the license suspension starts on the 40th day. This hearing is separate from the criminal DWI case.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Texas?

The possible punishment. A Class B misdemeanor carries up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. A Class A carries up to one year and $4,000. A state jail felony, the lowest felony level, carries 180 days to two years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Can a criminal record be cleared in Texas?

Sometimes. An expunction may erase an arrest if the case was dismissed or ended in acquittal. An order of nondisclosure may seal records after some deferred adjudication cases. Eligibility rules are strict, so a lawyer should review your record first.

Do I need a private lawyer if I qualify for a public defender?

Not always. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court must appoint one. However, appointed lawyers often carry heavy caseloads. A private criminal attorney may have more time to investigate, interview witnesses, and prepare for trial.

Types of Criminal Cases in San Antonio

DWI and intoxication offenses. These include first-time DWI, repeat DWI, and intoxication assault. Breath and blood test results often sit at the center of the case.

Drug charges. Possession, delivery, and trafficking charges depend on the drug type and amount. In Texas, a single THC vape cartridge can be charged as a felony.

Assault and family violence. A family violence conviction can affect gun rights and child custody. Protective orders often come with these cases.

Theft and property crimes. Theft charges are graded by the value of the property. Burglary and robbery are handled as felonies.

Sex offenses. These charges can carry prison time and sex offender registration. Early investigation matters a great deal.

Federal crimes. Federal cases in San Antonio go to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. They include drug conspiracy, fraud, and firearm cases.

White-collar crimes. Fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering cases often turn on financial records. Many begin with an investigation before any arrest.

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in San Antonio

Check for Board Certification. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies lawyers in criminal law. You can confirm a lawyer's status on its website.

Ask about Bexar County court experience. A lawyer who appears in local courts knows the judges, prosecutors, and procedures. That helps with bond hearings and plea talks.

Match the lawyer to the charge. A DWI case calls for someone who understands breath and blood testing. A federal case needs a lawyer admitted to federal court.

Find out who will handle your case. Some firms pass files to junior associates. Ask who will stand next to you in the courtroom.

Get the fee in writing. A written agreement should say what the fee covers. Ask whether a trial costs extra.

What Affects the Outcome of a Criminal Case in San Antonio

Every case turns on its own facts. The strength of the evidence matters most, along with whether police followed proper criminal procedure. A prior record, the severity of the charge, and witness credibility also matter. Some first-time defendants may qualify for a diversion program that can end in dismissal. An attorney can review the facts and explain realistic options.

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