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30 Nov, 2016 by Ben
Good lawyer got my dwli,dismissed!
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02 Apr, 2018 by Eric
Court appointed criminal defense attorney, Andria Hill has been a huge help in moving my case back and preparing time to fight for my rights. Thank you so much for your work. Never expected these results from the court appointed systems of Austin.
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15 Jun, 2015 by Roberta
Had a very professional experience with this law firm. She answered all of my questions and I didn't have any surprises. She kept me well informed such that I was able to make intelligent decisions in my case.
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30 Dec, 2014 by Best
Alberto Garcia conducted a difficult task in getting felony accusations dismissed and expunged from my record. I was innocent of the accusations, and the truth only won because of Alberto Garcia's expertise and fighting spirit. Thank you Alberto.
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09 Jul, 2015 by J. r. casparis
David has always achieved the best possible outcome for me in my numerous felony cases I have been charged with in Travis county. He is an expert in criminal law and sticks to the price that is agreed upon in the initial consultation. And worth every penny spent. I also consider David an actual friend, one who always has MY best interests at heart.
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30 Aug, 2016 by Will
I chose Gary Prust as council on a DWI charge, and was very pleased with the outcome. Gary was available at every step with the information and guidance necessary to get through the process. His confidence in his abilities and my case gave me the peace of mind that is of utmost importance when dealing in such a situation. As a result of his professionalism and expertise, my record was kept clean with minimal cost in fees or personal grievances. In short, I would (and have) recommend Mr. Prust to anyone in need of legal services.
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16 Apr, 2015 by Daniel
Excellent Service: Erik Goodman has been my go to attorney for routine legal counseling in Austin for the past twelve years. He is extremely knowledgeable, attentive and has always had my best interest in mind. He's upfront regarding each case and has demonstrated a true interest and full investment of his time and effort when we have worked together. I highly recommend his service for all of your defense needs.
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24 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
She will get the job done. She stayed in contact with me, answered every phone call. Stayed on top of everything and got the job done.
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30 Jul, 2012 by Anonymous
He arrived at the jail at 2AM after being called after 1AM. It was apparent that he was a well known and respected attorney. I was released on bail in a speedy fashion. Which became the theme of the entire process. Charges were dismissed in a speedy fashion decreasing the potential for large unnecessary legal fees. This confident man gets the job done!
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08 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Trustworthy, tactile and honest. My experience with this lawyer has improved my custody situation beyond expectation the first time around, and he has provided professional and responsive support on going. Best of all he is trustworthy which is rare to find. He clearly has a strong presence in the Williamson county courts and is well respected. A genuine, nice guy.
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21 Oct, 2019 by Melissa moncada
Worked 2 felony cases in Hays county Texas One Fraud Charge One Drug Charge Both TDCJ Charges She told me what her honest opinion on each offer then let me decide what I wanted to do and regardless of how rediculous you may sound with what ur willing to settle for she will do everything in her power to accomplish it by any means necessary.
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12 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
This attorney, Jamie Decker was totally awesome. Her knowledge, expertise, and professionalism is beyond reproach. Because of her tenacity, she helped me to win my case, hands down. I would gladly refer her to anyone needing great attorney representation.
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09 Oct, 2021 by Obi
My life was shattered, couldn't focus with school, couldn't rent apartment, car from Turo, Airbnb and even couldn't get a warehouse job to pack boxes because I failed background checks. This is no joke, he beat the case straight 4x. A case where I was wrongfully convicted. I had appealed the conviction from 2017 case until September 2021 when the case was dismissed. It took long, but God came through and used attorney Richard E. Wetzel who is knowledgeable, confident, soft spoken while he kept me encouraged and informed in each of the step for this long years of legal battle from appeal, conviction overturned to dismissal. CASE APPEALED AND CONVICTION WAS OVERTURNED!! I highly recommend this attorney
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15 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. William Swaim did a great job with my case! I think I would definitely recommend this lawyer. He is very smart and very experienced. Thanks Bill!
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03 Jan, 2024 by Patrick
My friend was being framed and I don't even today want to go into the details of what happened to my friend because it was so f***** up but the main thing is that Michael stuck with him looked at all the evidence and got the justice that my friend deserves from his boss and girlfriend who were trying to railroad his career. Jason Nelson my friend's careers restored and justice has been served I would hire him right away if you have a problem
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18 Oct, 2023 by Juan
El abogado Victor Arana y Daniel Garcia colaboraron en mi juicio y gracias a su arduo trabajo y experiencia me guiaron para hacer lo correcto y hacer de mi caso un exito, fue un caso de defensa donde injustamente fui acusado y ellos supieron decir las palabras correctas para hacer de mi caso un exito. Abogado Victor Arana. Se los agradezco de corazon.
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11 May, 2013 by Kathy
Mr. Toomey is an excellent attorney and has helped me out several times out of hot spots. I would like to thank him again. Mr. Toomey Please check me out at facebook. Its Kathy from St. Eds.
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30 Jul, 2015 by Matthew
Cesar helped get dismissed a charge that would otherwise have been a permanent embarrassment to me. He was on top of everything every step of the way during a (to me) lengthy legal process. I found him kind, professional, personable, sympathetic, and with a good sense of humor.
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07 Oct, 2009 by Reese
I had a strange case and George handled it very, very well. On September 16, 2001 I was driving between my old apartment and my new one and was subsequently pulled over, supposedly for speeding (which was dropped). It was a case of profiling because of the anti-authoritarian stickers on my vehicle. An officer asked to search my car and I agreed to it. During the search he found old bottles of my psychiatric medications (Xanax, Effexor, Paxil, and Valium). As Xanax and Valium are controlled substances and the bottles were more than thirty days old (one was more than six months old), the officer had me arrested for two counts each of felony possession, intent to distribute, trafficking, and manufacturing. The officer was counting all of the pills in each of the bottles as one sum in order to try and get it to stick. George argued with the District Attorney that this was all very absurd, for one. We went several rounds with the D. A.'s office and the State Prosecutor and eventually all that simply could not be argued out of was a Class B Misdemeanor Possession of Dangerous Drugs charge because the Valium was well over six months old. State law says that one cannot possess medically controlled substances for more than thirty days and if you do and get caught with them, it's a misdemeanor. We argued the sentencing down to where I only served probation (no community service, no classes, no probation fees, nothing) and then had the charge expunged off my record six months after probation was completed. I've also worked with George on business matters and with some other minor legal issues (traffic tickets, et cetra) and he's always been amazing to work with.
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06 Aug, 2014 by Tiffany
Maggie helped me when I was first starting the divorce process from my now ex-husband. She was flexible and helped work around my schedule, and she was able to give me immediate attention to get temporary orders in place quick since I had an abusive husband with substance abuse issues, too. I greatly appreciate the work she did for me to make sure that my son and I were safe during this scary time. I definitely recommend her.
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13 Dec, 2012 by Melissa
I was referred to Charles Medearis by a friend of mine. He knows what he is doing and does what he says he will do. He will let you know if he cannot help you with your case. I was satisfied with his service.
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16 Dec, 2014 by Walter
Robert graciously volunteered his time and experience on a recent case I tried. His commitment to the client and securing justice was remarkable. I learned more about the psychology of jury selection in a few months than I have in the past 30 years of trying cases. A definite asset to have on your side.
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23 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Ms. Harding was awesome! Unlike many other lawyers i met with prior, she made me at ease with my case. Anytime i called or needed to speak with her she was always available. i was never passed off to any other lawyers in her firm. I always dealt with her directly which was very different from other people told me of their lawyers. Most importantly, she got my case dismissed! I recommend everyone go with Ms. Hardings law firm.
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08 Jul, 2011 by Chad
Linda helped me out so much! I came to her a court appointed client, but did not recieve the cold shoulder that most other lawyers gave to me,especially once they knew my situation. She got 7 class A misdemeanors dropped from my Case in Williamson county! That is no easy task! And I have since used her for all of my legal advice needs!
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14 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
All I can say is this man works tirelessly to win your case. Very low key. Works for you even during court recess. Show me anyone who does that. Former Trial Chief for Travis County. I was impressed and I am hard to please. A so called utility worker filed a criminal charge on me and Mr. Roark exposed him as just a tree cutter tresspassing on my property. The jury was out 15 minutes and found me not guilty. If you pass this guy up for an attorney you are making a mistake. I had a lot to lose. He stopped the prosecution in their tracks.
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12 Jun, 2020 by Susannah
Attorney Ray E. Dunn has an incredible DISMISSAL/SUCCESS rate of 94+%!! Stop and read that once more. I've never seen other attorneys release their stats but can easily see why they don't. This is easily proven by court records across Central Texas and far beyond. Mr. Dunn is extremely well-respected by judges and prosecutors all over. This is so important when one understands the way things work as well as the people (all of whom have egos and attitudes running amuck more often than not) who run them. He has an uncanny and highly skilled ability to speak with them in a subtle but highly persuasive manner about your case. His 22+ years experience and profound knowledge of the law (especially the finer points), his unwavering persistence and attention to detail and his dedication to each client are just a few of the reasons I find him to be far beyond comparison to any other attorney. I am writing this out of much gratitude and sincere appreciation for what he accomplished for me. He simply does not stop until he achieves the absolute best possible results for each client. He is so easy to talk to and his down-to-earth attitude will set you at ease. His compassion and caring are plain to see in the way he listens and searches out the smallest of details (which can prove to be huge) and pertinent facts to best serve those he represents. He treated me so very respectfully and gave me the support I so desperately needed. He personally returns all calls as promptly as possible and made sure I was kept very well informed. I also must say he is truly one of the nicest, kindest, most genuinely good individuals I have ever met and I have so much respect for him. When you or a loved one find yourself in an unfortunate situation where your future is in jeopardy, I promise you his 94+% dismissal rate will mean more than anything. I clung to it so many times when fear and doubt set in. When you really get down to it, a proven success rate of 94+% makes it totally idiotic to search any further. With all my heart, I promise you that you will be so very thankful you found Ray Dunn.
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22 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I was referred to Sherri by Randy Leavitt, the other lawyer in her firm. I cannot express enough how satisfied I was with her service. Although fighting a legal battle is hardly what one would call a positive experience, my experience with Sherri was beyond positive. Immediately upon meeting with her it was clear she knows what she's talking about (her past experience as a prosecutor was clearly an advantage). She also took the time to really understand my expectations, and was honest about whether or not those expectations were realistic. She very quickly (less than a month) got me the deal I wanted. In my opinion, she went above and beyond the call of duty. I was so satisfied with her representation that I ended up retaining her services for my boyfriend's current case. She was able to get him released from jail on a PR bond despite his previous record. Her expertise has been an invaluable advantage for my boyfriend's current case, and I know he feels the same way. He says, and I quote, "she makes me feel like she genuinely cares about us and what happens to me... I've always hated lawyers and car salesmen, but I really like her". That's basically an A+++ coming from him. I have the utmost respect for her for never sugar-coating anything- she's "no bullsh*t", down to earth and straight forward. She's knowledgeable, compassionate and genuine. I know I sound like a preachy infomercial, but greatness of her kind deserves to be recognized. If you're seeking an attorney for yourself or a loved one, you can't do any better than Sherri.
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26 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Ben is not only a super attorney, he is a wonderful stand up guy who I have hired on several occasions. He really looks out for his clients and truly cares about them, not just the money. In the 10 yrs I have known him I have not had a single negative thing to say about him. He is a good person and you feel that immediately upon meeting him. Came highly recommended (by my drug dealer). That was the best deal of all! Ben stepped in after I fired my horrible attorney and tried to salvage my defense as best he could. I was facing 3 felonies, 2nd and 3rd degree, looking at possibly 20 years tdc, and he got me probation instead. Then helped me through a motion to revoke a few years ago and got that straightened out as well for me. He is worth the money, and that means alot because I am a cheapskate!
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07 Jun, 2014 by Perry
AT first I wondered about him but then he hit the ball out of the park. He knows the courts as well as the law. if you need a straight headon person to stand by your side he is the one no bull no whinning just a full frontal attack for you. I never thought I would tell a lawyer this but I would have him on my "6" any time in any fight. You would only do worst if you pass him by, He will take your side even if you are hard outside of his elements, My case was the frist case fought in the courts in Austin and I will never feel anything was missing except for a fair court, they railroaded my case shutting down all defence and miss using an law not the way it was ment to be used. If you need a great lawyer grab this one.
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06 Feb, 2013 by Alyssa goetz
Understanding, Helpful, Always keeps me updated............
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You

A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.

Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:

  • Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
  • Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
  • Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
  • Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
  • Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
  • Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:

  • Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
  • Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
  • Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
  • Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
  • Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
  • Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
  • Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.

How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?

Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:

  • Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
  • Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
  • Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.

The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:

  • Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
  • Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
  • Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
  • Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.

Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.

Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:

  1. What is your experience with cases like mine?
    Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs.
  3. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction.
  4. How many cases have you taken to trial?
    While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial.
  5. Who will handle my case?
    Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work.
  6. How do you communicate with your clients?
    Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.

How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer

To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:

  • Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
  • Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
  • Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
  • Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:

  • Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
  • Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
  • List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
  • Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.

By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.

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