Best Criminal Defense Law Firms in Texas

If you need one name to call after an arrest in North Texas, make it the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy. It is the top criminal defense firm in Texas on this list. The firm has handled more than 6,000 criminal cases and won more than 1,000 dismissals. It has nine offices and covers more than 16 counties around Dallas-Fort Worth. Neal Davis Law Firm is a smart pick for misdemeanor charges in Houston. Varghese Summersett brings former Tarrant County prosecutors to theft cases. Goldstein & Orr is the firm San Antonio parents can trust with juvenile charges.

Texas Criminal Defense Firms Side by Side

1. Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy

Best Overall for Criminal Defense

Here is a question to ask any lawyer you meet: how often are you in the courthouse where my case is filed? For the McConathy team, the answer is just about every week.

The firm serves Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall, Ellis, Johnson, and more. That is over 16 counties, worked from nine offices across the Metroplex. Each courthouse has its own judges, its own prosecutors, and its own habits. Knowing them helps.

Richard C. McConathy has practiced since 2002. He holds a law degree from Texas Wesleyan and a criminal justice degree from the University of North Texas. He once served as treasurer of the Dallas Bar Association Criminal Law Section. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. In Texas, where DWI arrests fill the dockets, that training pays off. John-Paul Chidgey, Cynthia Gonzalez, and Jocelyn Umanzor also handle cases.

The firm defends DWI, drug, violent crime, theft, sex crime, weapons, and white collar charges. Over 6,000 cases and more than 1,000 dismissals show the results. You speak with a lawyer, not a paralegal. Consultations are free by phone or video, and the phones stay open for after-hours emergencies.

Address: 3710 Rawlins St Ste 1408, Dallas, TX 75219

Phone: 972-233-5700

Website: mcconathylaw.com

2. Neal Davis Law Firm

Best for Misdemeanor Defense

A Class B charge sounds small. It is not. You can face up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Even if you never see a cell, a conviction can follow you into job interviews for years.

Neal Davis has defended people in Houston since 1999. He trained for more than a decade under Dick DeGuerin, one of the best-known trial lawyers in Texas. He opened his own firm in 2010. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a mark few lawyers earn. He also served as president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association in 2019 and 2020.

His record covers more than 1,000 state and federal cases. He holds Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers honors and an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The firm handles DWI, assault, drug, and theft charges in Harris County courts. Calls are answered 24 hours a day.

Address: 1545 Heights Blvd., Suite 700, Houston, TX 77008

Phone: (713) 227-4444

Website: nealdavislaw.com

3. Varghese Summersett

Best for Theft Crimes

In a theft case, the price tag is the charge. Under $100 is a Class C. Between $750 and $2,500 is a Class A. Cross $2,500 and you face a felony. So the first fight is often over what the item was worth.

The theft team at Varghese Summersett used to prosecute these cases for Tarrant County. Now they defend them. The firm’s attorneys are Board Certified in criminal law and have tried more than 100 jury trials between them. Founder Benson Varghese has tried over 100 jury trials on his own and teaches at Baylor Law School.

The firm has handled hundreds of theft cases, from shoplifting to organized retail theft. It knows local options like Tarrant County’s Deferred Prosecution Program. In one case, a Class B theft charge over about $500 in merchandise was dismissed outright. The first meeting is free, and fees come as a flat rate with a written quote.

Address: 300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Phone: 817-203-2220

Website: versustexas.com

4. Goldstein & Orr

Best for Juvenile Crimes

Juvenile courts in Texas work on their own rules. There is no jury. A judge decides the case. And the state can ask to move a teen to adult court, where the stakes climb fast.

Goldstein & Orr fights those transfer requests and stands with kids from the first detention hearing through any appeal. Gerald H. Goldstein and Cynthia E. Hujar Orr are each dual Board Certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law. Orr received the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ James R. Willis Lifetime Achievement Award and belongs to the American College of Trial Lawyers.

The firm also helps families seal juvenile records once a child qualifies. Attorneys John S. Gilmore III and Ronnie Wilkins round out the team. Consultations are free.

Address: 315 E. Commerce St #301, San Antonio, TX 78205

Phone: (210) 226-1463

Website: goldsteinhilley.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Which law firm is the top choice for criminal defense in Texas?

The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy leads this list. It has handled more than 6,000 criminal cases, won over 1,000 dismissals, and serves 16+ North Texas counties from nine offices.

What does Board Certified in Criminal Law mean?

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization gives this title to lawyers who pass an exam, show years of trial work, and earn strong peer reviews. Only a small share of Texas lawyers hold it.

How much jail time comes with a Class A misdemeanor in Texas?

Up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000. A Class B carries up to 180 days and $2,000. A Class C is a fine of up to $500.

Can a theft misdemeanor turn into a felony?

Yes. Two or more past theft convictions can raise a low-value theft to a state jail felony. Theft of a gun or theft from a person is a felony no matter the value.

Can a teen be tried as an adult in Texas?

Yes. Prosecutors can ask a juvenile judge to certify a teen as an adult for serious crimes. A defense lawyer can fight that request at a hearing.

Should I talk to police before calling a lawyer?

No. You have the right to stay silent. Ask for a lawyer and stop answering questions until one is with you.