If you’re searching for the Criminal Defense Lawyer in Austin, you probably need help fast. You might be facing a charge yourself, or someone you love might be sitting in a Travis County holding cell right now. Either way, the attorney you hire in the next few days can shape the outcome more than almost anything else.
Austin has plenty of lawyers who list criminal defense on their websites. Far fewer have decades of courtroom wins, respect from judges and prosecutors, and the resources to take a hard case all the way to a jury. This guide narrows the field to five Austin criminal defense firms worth calling in 2026.
Quick Facts: Criminal Defense in Austin
- Who prosecutes: The Travis County Attorney’s Office handles misdemeanors, and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office handles felonies.
- DWI license deadline: You generally have just 15 days after a Texas DWI arrest to request an ALR hearing to fight your license suspension.
- Board certification: The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies lawyers in criminal law after they meet trial-experience, peer-review, and exam requirements.
- Competition: Legal directories show more than 1,000 attorneys offering criminal defense in Austin.
- Nearby counties: Most firms below also take cases in Williamson and Hays counties.
1. Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey, P.C.
Address: 1100 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 476-4873
Roy Q. Minton founded this firm in 1963, in a red brick house next to the Travis County Courthouse. Today it still operates from 1100 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701, and remains a familiar name whenever a public figure or business executive faces serious charges in Central Texas.
Why clients choose them:
- Partner Sam Bassett has been board certified in criminal law since 1994.
- Bassett is a past president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
- Published results include a not-guilty verdict in a 2013 Travis County intoxication manslaughter trial.
- They also secured a hung jury in a February 2023 Travis County murder case.
- The firm handles felonies, misdemeanors, DWI, and white-collar cases, plus family law and civil litigation.
Best for: High-stakes felony trials and cases with media attention.
2. Sumpter & González, L.L.P.
Address: 3011 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78705
Phone: (512) 381-9955
Here’s something you won’t find on most law firm websites: Sumpter & González says a large share of its clients are other lawyers. Attorneys hire the firm when they’ve been arrested themselves or when their own kids need representation. You’ll find the team at 3011 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78705.
Why clients choose them:
- Best Law Firms ranks them Tier 1 in Austin for both general criminal defense and white-collar defense.
- David Gonzalez was named Practitioner of the Year in 2018 by the Austin Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
- Nearly half of their caseload involves stepping into a dispute before any arrest happens.
- The team includes social workers alongside lawyers, which helps when mental health or addiction is part of the story.
- They handle state and federal trials, appeals, and serious juvenile cases.
Best for: Professionals, federal investigations, and juvenile matters.
3. Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys
Address: 500 W 2nd Street, Suite 1900, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 488-5775
Founded in June 2022 by Ben Michael, this firm has grown faster than any other on this list. It now has more than 45 criminal defense attorneys working from its headquarters at 500 W 2nd Street, Suite 1900, Austin, TX 78701, plus offices in other Texas cities, Tennessee, and California.
Why clients choose them:
- They were named Best Law Firm in the 2026 Best of ATX Awards, announced August 31, 2026.
- Those awards are sponsored by the Austin American-Statesman and Austin Monthly.
- The Austin office covers 14 Central Texas counties, including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Bell.
- The team mixes former prosecutors, trial lawyers, and board-certified specialists.
- They offer free initial consultations.
Best for: DWI, assault, drug, and theft charges where you want a large team behind you.
4. The Hull Firm
Address: 1004 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 599-9999
Mark Hull opened his own firm in 2003, when he was just 25. More than two decades later, it operates from 1004 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701, with a strong DWI focus and a broader criminal defense practice behind it.
There’s an interesting connection on this list, too. Ben Michael, who founded Michael & Associates, practiced at The Hull Firm from 2017 to 2022 before branching out on his own.
Why clients choose them:
- They use flat fees for most criminal cases, so you know the cost upfront.
- The phones are answered 24/7, which matters when an arrest happens at 3 a.m.
- Mark Hull is recognized on the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40 lists.
- They handle DWI, assault, family violence, drug, theft, weapons, probation violation, and expunction cases.
- They practice in Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties.
Best for: DWI arrests and clients who want predictable pricing.
5. Cofer & Connelly, PLLC
Address: 602 W 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: Directory listings show different numbers, so confirm through the firm’s official website before calling.
Rick Cofer has worked on both sides of the courtroom, first as a prosecutor and now as a defense attorney. Few things are more useful when you’re predicting how the state will build its case. His firm sits at 602 W 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701, just blocks from the downtown courthouses.
Why clients choose them:
- Rick Cofer has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for criminal defense since 2023.
- He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Texas at Austin.
- He handles serious juvenile defense cases across Texas.
- He’s a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 honoree.
- The firm also practices family law and personal injury, which helps when a criminal charge spills into a custody case.
Best for: Clients who value a former prosecutor’s perspective, plus juvenile cases.
Charges These Austin Defense Lawyers Handle Most
- DWI and intoxication manslaughter
- Assault and family violence
- Drug possession and delivery
- Theft, fraud, and white-collar offenses
- Sex crime allegations
- Federal charges and grand jury investigations
- Juvenile offenses
- Probation violations
- Expunctions and orders of nondisclosure
What to Do Right After an Arrest in Austin
The first 48 hours shape everything that follows. Keep these steps in mind:
- Stay quiet. Politely decline to answer questions until your lawyer is present, even if officers say it will “clear things up.”
- Expect a magistrate hearing. Texas law requires anyone arrested to appear before a magistrate within 48 hours, where bond is usually set.
- Watch the DWI clock. If you were arrested for DWI, your 15-day ALR window starts immediately.
- Save your evidence. Receipts, rideshare logs, phone videos, and texts can lose value once deleted or overwritten.
- Write down names. Record any witnesses while their details are still fresh.
- Avoid social media. Prosecutors read public posts, and a single comment can undercut your defense.
How to Choose the Right Criminal Lawyer in Austin
Every firm above is strong, but the right one depends on your case. Ask these questions in your first consultation:
- Who will actually handle my case day to day: the partner, or an associate?
- Are you board certified in criminal law?
- How many jury trials have you taken to verdict in Travis County recently?
- Do you charge a flat fee or bill hourly, and what does that include?
- Have you handled cases like mine in this specific court?
- If my case turns federal, can you stay on it?
Pay attention to how the lawyer listens, too. A good defense attorney asks more questions than they answer in that first meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Austin?
A: It depends on the charge, its complexity, and whether the case goes to trial. Many Austin firms quote flat fees, so ask for written fee terms before you sign anything.
Q2. Do I need a lawyer for a first-time DWI in Texas?
A: Yes, in most cases. A first DWI can bring jail time, fines, and a license suspension. A lawyer can challenge the traffic stop, the testing, and the 15-day ALR deadline.
Q3. What does “board certified in criminal law” mean in Texas?
A: It means the Texas Board of Legal Specialization has certified the lawyer. Certification requires substantial criminal trial experience, peer references, continuing education, and a passing score on a written specialty exam.
Q4. Can I get a criminal charge removed from my record in Texas?
A: Often, yes. If your case was dismissed or you were acquitted, you may qualify for an expunction. After deferred adjudication, an order of nondisclosure may seal your record instead.