Best Austin DUI Attorneys

DUI lawyers in Austin work against a clock most people never see. Texas gives you 15 days after a DWI arrest to request a license hearing. Miss that window and the suspension lands on the 40th day. The attorneys below file these requests routinely.

We research each listing using public records, verified reviews, and direct evaluation. Our rankings reflect reputation, reliability, and results.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Overall online reputation and verified user feedback

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

Leading Austin DWI Lawyers for Travis County Courts & License Hearings

Screenshot of the Trey Porter Law Website
901 S MoPac Expy Bldg 1, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78746, USA

Trey Porter Law defends drivers charged with Driving While Intoxicated in the Travis County criminal courts. Austin DWI lawyer Trey Porter has more than 15 years of experience and serves as lead counsel on every case the firm takes here.

The team has won acquittals at trial and secured dismissals in cases built on breath tests, blood draws, refusals, and crashes. Porter is an NHTSA-certified practitioner in standardized field sobriety testing and has studied gas chromatography and the Intoxilyzer 9000.

The firm also handles ALR license hearings and occupational driver's license petitions alongside the criminal charge. More than 900 five-star reviews back that record.

Screenshot of the Dunham & Jones Website
512 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Practicing since 1989, Dunham & Jones is one of the largest criminal defense firms in Texas. It keeps full-time offices in downtown Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Its attorneys hold over 200 years of combined experience, and many came from prosecutors' offices.

The firm was voted Best Law Firm by the Daily Texan. Payment plans are available, often with no money down.

Screenshot of the The Law Offices of Jason Trumpler Website
505 W 12th St Suite 200 S, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Former prosecutor Jason Trumpler has served as counsel in over 100 DWI jury trials across nearly 20 years in practice. He worked in the Orange County and Ventura district attorney's offices before moving into criminal defense in Texas.

The office takes intoxication, drug, assault, and burglary charges in Travis and Williamson counties, with locations in Austin and Round Rock. Fees are flat and quoted upfront, and most cases resolve before trial. Trumpler belongs to the National College for DUI Defense.

Screenshot of the Deandra Grant Law Website
609 W 9th St #2b, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Few Texas defense firms carry forensic science credentials this deep. Managing partner Deandra Grant holds a master's in pharmaceutical science, a graduate certificate in forensic toxicology, and the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation.

She wrote the Texas DWI Manual, a reference other defense attorneys rely on, and has authored 17 legal books. Partner Douglas Huff carries the same ACS-CHAL credential plus digital forensics training.

Since 1994, the firm has tried more than 500 cases to verdict, challenging blood alcohol results at the chemistry level rather than on paperwork alone. Six offices cover North and Central Texas.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Case J. Darwin Website
604 W Hopkins St Suite A, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

Based in San Marcos, this criminal defense practice covers Hays, Travis, and Comal counties along with federal charges. Intoxication and drug cases sit at the center of the work, alongside assault charges and expunctions.

Case Darwin takes calls around the clock and reviews new matters at no charge. A fit for drivers arrested south of Austin who want counsel already familiar with the Hays County courthouse.

Screenshot of the Mykal J. Fox, Attorney at Law Website
820 W 10th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Mykal Fox is an Austin DWI attorney working from a downtown office minutes from the Travis County courts. He has tried cases from both sides, prosecuting and defending charges that run from intoxication offenses to murder.

Fox answers his phone 24 hours a day and gives every new client a full hour of advice before any fee comes up. His stated priority is keeping a conviction off the client's permanent record.

Screenshot of the ATX Legal Website
505 W 12th St #200, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Cost drives the pitch here: flat criminal defense fees with monthly payment plans, and no fee on injury cases unless the client recovers. Founder Rob Chesnutt has represented Austin clients for more than five years from a downtown office.

DUI defense runs from first offenses through felony DWI and intoxication assault. Case evaluations happen by phone, by Zoom, or in person.

Screenshot of the Adamo & Adamo Law Firm Website
524 N Lamar Blvd #204, Austin, TX 78703, USA

Adamo & Adamo Law Firm is a father-son practice with offices in Austin and Houston, established in the late 1970s. Sam Adamo Sr. is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and Sam Adamo Jr. joined him in the practice.

Both have been named to Texas Super Lawyers, and the firm reports a dismissal or not-guilty rate above 40% on the cases it has handled.

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Sue Berkel Website
7000 MoPac Expy #200, Austin, TX 78731, USA

Sue Berkel prosecuted cases at the Travis County Attorney's Office, then sat as a municipal judge and senior administrative law judge in Austin. That background matters in intoxication cases, where the license fight is heard at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Attorney Berkel has practiced in the area for over 30 years and also handles family and administrative law. Consultations are free and confidential.

Screenshot of the Jason English Website
505 West 12th Street, Suite 201, Austin, TX 78701

Recognition includes National Trial Lawyers Top 100, plus Best DUI Lawyers in Austin honors in 2022 and 2024. Jason S. English prosecuted cases from 2002 to 2017 before switching sides, and colleague Beth Payán spent 25 years as a prosecutor.

Jason S. English Law, PLLC works in Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties, covering intoxication charges, ALR hearings, and pretrial diversion.

Screenshot of the Marc Chavez Law Firm Website
505 W. 12 St.Ste 200-M Austin, TX 78701

Marc Chavez spent more than 12 years as an assistant district attorney in Lubbock and Travis counties. He tried everything there from Class C tickets to capital murder. He opened his own practice in 2018.

Attorney Chavez now handles criminal defense, Title IX matters, family law, and injury claims from Austin and Round Rock. The firm serves Spanish-speaking clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a DUI lawyer in Austin cost?

Usually a flat fee. Most Austin defense attorneys quote one price for the case up to trial. A second fee applies if the case is tried. Payment plans are common. Ask what the quote covers before you sign.

How long does an Austin DWI case take?

Often close to a year. Blood test cases move slowest because lab results can take several months to come back. Breath and refusal cases usually resolve faster. Your first court setting is typically about a month after arrest.

What is the difference between DWI and DUI in Texas?

Age is the dividing line. DWI under the Texas Penal Code applies to any driver who is intoxicated or at 0.08 BAC or higher. DUI under the Alcoholic Beverage Code applies to drivers under 21 with any detectable alcohol. They are separate offenses.

Can a first DWI charge be dismissed in Travis County?

Yes, through several routes. A granted motion to suppress can end the case when the stop or arrest was unlawful. Travis County also runs a pretrial diversion program for some eligible first-time offenders. Completion can lead to dismissal and expunction eligibility.

Will I lose my license after a DWI arrest?

Not automatically, if you act fast. Requesting the license hearing within 15 days puts the suspension on hold while the case is pending. That hearing runs through the State Office of Administrative Hearings, not the criminal court. Drivers who lose can often petition for an occupational license.

What are the penalties for a first DWI in Texas?

Class B misdemeanor, at minimum. A first offense carries up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. A BAC of 0.15 or higher raises it to a Class A misdemeanor. Judges here often order an ignition interlock even on first offenses.

Types of DWI and DUI Cases Austin Lawyers Handle

First-offense DWI. The most common charge filed in the Travis County criminal courts. Many of these cases turn on the legality of the traffic stop itself.

High BAC and repeat offenses. A 0.15 or higher reading, or a second charge, raises both the offense level and the bond conditions. Prior convictions from other states can count.

Felony DWI. A third offense or a charge involving a child passenger moves the case to felony court. Prison exposure and firearm rights both come into play.

Intoxication assault and manslaughter. These follow crashes that seriously injure or kill someone. They combine a criminal defense with an accident investigation.

Underage DUI. Drivers under 21 face charges for any detectable alcohol. School discipline and scholarship problems often start before the court case ends.

Blood and breath test challenges. Defense work here targets the calibration of the device, the blood draw, and the chain of custody. Lab error is a live issue in many Austin cases.

CDL and professional license exposure. A commercial driver faces disqualification separate from the criminal case. Nurses, teachers, and engineers may owe their licensing board a report.

Record clearing. Expunction erases an arrest record when the case ends favorably. An order of nondisclosure seals it from public view instead.

How to Choose a DWI Attorney in Austin

Ask how often they appear at Blackwell-Thurman. The Travis County criminal courts have their own prosecutors, judges, and habits. Regular appearances there are worth more than a statewide ad budget.

Check their forensic training. Field sobriety certification and coursework in breath and blood testing separate real test challenges from paperwork objections.

Confirm the license hearing is included. Some quotes cover only the criminal case. Ask directly whether the administrative hearing is part of the fee.

Look at trial experience, not just settlements. Prosecutors track which attorneys actually pick juries. That reputation shapes what gets offered before trial.

Get the fee terms in writing. Flat fees, trial fees, and expert costs should all be spelled out. So should what happens if the case runs long.

What Affects the Outcome of an Austin DWI Case

Results vary widely, and no attorney can promise one. The strength of the stop, the reliability of the chemical test, and any prior record all weigh heavily. So does whether a crash or a passenger was involved. Diversion and deferred adjudication are open to some first-time defendants and closed to others. An Austin attorney can review the offense report and give you a realistic picture.

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