Best Austin DUI Attorneys

DUI lawyers in Austin defend people arrested for drunk or drugged driving. Their cases include first offenses, high-BAC charges, repeat arrests, and crashes with injuries. A defense attorney can challenge the traffic stop, question field sobriety and blood test results, and fight to keep your license. The attorneys below defend DWI charges across Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties.

Listed Austin DUI Attorneys 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 Austin DWI Lawyers for ALR Hearings & Travis County Courts

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

Trey Porter Law is an Austin DWI defense firm handling cases in the Travis County criminal courts. Founder Trey Porter serves as lead counsel on every Travis County DWI case. He has resolved more than 1,000 criminal and DWI cases across Texas.

The firm covers each stage of a DWI case:

  • ALR driver's license hearings
  • First-offense, high-BAC, and felony DWI charges
  • Occupational driver's license petitions
  • Expunctions and orders of nondisclosure

Porter is also an NHTSA-certified practitioner in standardized field sobriety testing.

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

Dunham & Jones is a criminal defense and DWI law firm with offices across Texas, including downtown Austin. The firm has defended clients since 1989. Many of its attorneys are former prosecutors. Together, they bring over 200 years of combined experience.

Austin-area lawyers handle DWI, drug, family violence, and felony charges in Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties. The Daily Texan voted the firm Best Law Firm. Payment plans are available, and many cases need no money down.

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

The Law Offices of Jason Trumpler is a DWI and criminal defense practice in Austin and Round Rock. Attorney Jason Trumpler is a former California prosecutor. He has tried more than 100 DWI cases before a jury.

The firm also defends drug, assault, and burglary charges in Travis and Williamson counties. It works on a flat-fee basis, with a separate flat fee if a case goes to trial. Offices take calls 24 hours a day.

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

Deandra Grant Law is a Texas DWI and criminal defense firm built on forensic science. Founder Deandra Grant wrote The Texas DWI Manual, a reference used by other defense lawyers. She and partner Douglas Huff both hold the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist credential.

The firm has defended Texans since 1994 and has tried more than 500 cases to verdict. Its attorneys challenge blood and breath test results at the lab level. The team also takes drug, assault, and federal cases.

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

The Law Office of Case J. Darwin is a San Marcos criminal defense practice serving Hays, Travis, and Comal counties. The firm defends DWI, drug, and assault charges in state court. It also represents clients facing federal charges.

For eligible clients, the office files expunctions to clear arrest records. Free consultations are available, and calls are taken 24/7.

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

Mykal J. Fox is a criminal defense and DWI lawyer in downtown Austin. He handles misdemeanor and felony charges, including drug possession, theft, and assault. He has worked trials on both the prosecution and defense side.

Fox also helps with jail release, occupational driver's licenses, and expunctions. New clients get a free one-hour consultation, and payment plans are available.

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

ATX Legal is an Austin criminal defense and personal injury firm founded by attorney Rob Chesnutt. It defends DWI, drug, assault, and felony charges for flat fees with monthly payment plans. Injury clients pay no fee unless they recover.

The firm also defends physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists in professional license matters. Consultations happen in person, by phone, or over Zoom.

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 criminal defense practice with offices in Austin and Houston. Sam Adamo Sr. is a former prosecutor. He is board-certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

His son, Sam Adamo Jr., practices alongside him in a firm dating back to the late 1970s. They handle DWI, drug, assault, domestic violence, white-collar, and federal cases. Both attorneys have been selected for Texas Super Lawyers.

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

The Law Offices of Sue Berkel is an Austin practice handling criminal, family, and administrative law. Sue Berkel has practiced in Austin for more than 30 years. She is a former Travis County prosecutor and served as an Austin municipal judge.

Her criminal cases include DWI, drug charges, and suspended licenses. She also handles divorce, protective orders, and professional license defense. Free consultations are available, and many matters can be handled remotely.

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

Jason S. English Law is an Austin criminal defense and DWI firm led by a former prosecutor. Jason English prosecuted cases from 2002 to 2017. Attorney Beth Payán, a prosecutor for 25 years, also works with the firm.

The firm was named among the Best DUI Lawyers in Austin in 2022 and 2024. It serves Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties. Personal injury and estate planning are also part of the practice.

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

Marc Chavez Law Firm is an Austin criminal defense practice founded in 2018 by a former prosecutor. Marc Chavez spent more than 12 years as an assistant district attorney in Lubbock and Travis counties. His trial work included the SXSW capital murder case.

The firm handles criminal defense, Title IX defense, family law, and personal injury. With offices in Austin and Round Rock, it serves clients across Central Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between DUI and DWI in Texas?

DWI is the main adult charge. Texas charges drivers 21 and older with DWI when they are impaired or have a BAC of 0.08 or higher. DUI is a separate offense for drivers under 21 with any detectable alcohol. The same Austin DWI lawyers usually handle both.

How long do I have to save my license after an arrest?

Fifteen days from the notice. You must request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing within 15 days of being served. In some blood test cases, the deadline is 20 days from when DPS mails the notice. Miss it, and a first-time suspension of 90 days (failed test) or 180 days (refusal) usually starts automatically.

What are the penalties for a first DWI in Austin?

Up to 180 days in jail. A first DWI is usually a Class B misdemeanor, with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. A BAC of 0.15 or higher makes it a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction also triggers a state fine of $3,000, which rises for repeat or high-BAC cases.

Can a first DWI be dismissed or kept off my record?

Sometimes. A charge may be dismissed when the stop, the arrest, or the test evidence does not hold up. Travis County offers pretrial diversion in select first-offense cases. Judges can also grant deferred adjudication in many first-offense DWI cases. It isn't available with a BAC of 0.16 or higher or if you have a commercial license.

How much does a DWI attorney in Austin cost?

Many charge flat fees. The price depends on the charge, the county, and whether the case goes to trial. Some lawyers set one fee for pretrial work and a second fee for trial. Ask whether the ALR hearing and expert witnesses are included.

How long does an Austin DWI case take?

Often several months to a year. Blood test results alone can take months to come back from the lab. Cases with suppression motions or a jury trial run longer.

Types of DWI Cases in Austin

First-Offense DWI. Stops on I-35, MoPac, and downtown near Sixth Street lead to many of these charges. A first offense often gives the best chance at diversion or a reduced charge.

High-BAC DWI. A BAC of 0.15 or higher turns a first DWI into a Class A misdemeanor. Judges often order an ignition interlock device, even on a first arrest.

DWI with a Child Passenger. Driving while intoxicated with a passenger under 15 is a state jail felony. It can also lead to a separate CPS investigation.

Felony DWI. A third DWI is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison. In Travis County, the District Attorney handles felony DWIs, not the County Attorney.

Intoxication Assault and Manslaughter. These felonies apply when a crash causes serious injury or death. They carry prison time and often involve accident reconstruction experts.

Drug and Prescription DWI. Texas law covers impairment by marijuana, prescription pills, and other drugs. These cases often turn on blood test timing and lab methods.

How to Choose a DUI Defense Attorney in Austin

Ask about local court experience. Travis County misdemeanor DWIs are heard at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center downtown. A lawyer who knows the local prosecutors and judges can set realistic goals.

Look for forensic training. Breath tests, blood draws, and field sobriety tests all follow strict procedures. Training in these methods helps a lawyer spot errors in the State's evidence.

Confirm who handles your case. At some firms, an associate does most of the work. Ask who will appear at the ALR hearing and at trial.

Get the fee terms in writing. Check what the fee covers, from license hearings to expert costs. A clear agreement prevents surprise bills later.

What Affects the Outcome of an Austin DWI Case?

Results depend on the facts. BAC level, video from the stop, and how the blood or breath test was handled all matter. A crash, a child passenger, or a prior record makes the case harder. A legal problem with the stop or arrest can lead to suppressed evidence and a dismissal.

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