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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Antonio, TX

Our Recommended Top 20

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

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20Top Picks

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Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

342 W. Woodlawn Ave. Suite 302, San Antonio, TX 78212
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Del Prado Law protects the rights of people in San Antonio. It takes on various types of criminal law cases, representing individuals who have been charged with assault, domestic violence, and capital murder violations. The firm also handles lawsuits involving drug, DWI, aggravated sexual assault, and white-collar crimes. Its principal partner, Mario Del Prado, has been practicing law for over three decades. He is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI
  • Federal Crime

111 Soledad, Suite 401, San Antonio, TX 78205

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Thornton Criminal Defense, PLLC, represents people accused of crimes in San Antonio. The law firm assists them in navigating the legal system, from developing a legal strategy to negotiating for the dismissal of the case and representing them in court. Brad Thornton is a Texas Board of Legal Specialization-certified criminal defense attorney with over 100 court victories. When representing clients, he draws on his more than a decade of trial experience, ranging from murder to marijuana offenses.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

500 W 2nd St Suite 1900, Austin, TX 78701

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (59)
Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Michael & Associates explores various defense strategies to help defendants in San Antonio obtain dismissals or reduced charges. Its team handles felony and misdemeanor cases, including burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and assault and battery. The firm also represents people accused of engaging in domestic abuse or violating DWI laws. Principal attorney Ben Michael has over a decade of legal experience. One of his associates, Zach Redington, is a former president of the Ellis County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

  • Domestic Abuse
  • DWI/DUI
  • Family Violence
  • Assault and Battery
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance

310 S. St. Mary's Street, Suite 2100, San Antonio, TX 78205

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.2 (24)
Avvo
5.0 (2)
FindLaw
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC is a San Antonio-based firm that handles misdemeanor and felony cases. It represents first-time and repeat offenders in cases involving driving while intoxicated, sex crimes, assault, and theft. Attorney Ritchie works directly with clients to examine case evidence and discuss options. He serves as an aggressive advocate and assists with everything from motions for dismissal to plea negotiations and courtroom litigation, as well as post-trial matters including probation violations and expungements.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • Assault
  • Sex Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeanie CupitActive23 yrs
Derek Ritchie - Founder and Managing AttorneyActive5 yrs
Valerie HedlundActive5 yrs

816 Camaron St Ste 124, San Antonio, TX 78212

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (144)
Google
5.0 (138)
Facebook
5.0 (24)

Why choose this provider?

Trey Porter Law is a full-service firm representing individuals in San Antonio and across Texas. It handles criminal defense cases involving DWI, marijuana possession, and credit card fraud. The firm defends the rights of various types of clients, including teachers, nurses, and veterans, as well as business professionals across industries. Additionally, the practice brings a results-oriented and client-focused approach to solving complex legal problems by prioritizing the needs, goals, and interests of the accused. Trey Porter, the founder, is a Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association member.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Trey Porter - PrincipalActive12 yrs

315 Dwyer Ave, San Antonio, TX 78204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (22)
Avvo
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of George A Scharmen has practiced DWI defense in San Antonio for more than 40 years. The firm uses an up-to-date electronic database from the Office of Scientific Director of the Texas Department of Safety, which allows it to suppress breath tests and expose incompetence on the part of the DPS breath test. Attorney George Scharmen is the co-founder of Education Forensics LLC, an educational blood testing laboratory, and was recognized as DWI Super Lawyer.

540 S Saint Marys St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (105)
Avvo
4.8 (36)
Facebook
4.9 (26)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown PC has locations in San Antonio and Corpus Christi. It represents clients facing criminal charges, including assault and battery, drug offenses, DWI, and violent crimes such as murder cruelty to animals, and arson. It also handles litigation and appeals upon conviction. In addition, the firm provides representation in personal injury cases. Mr. Brown is a member of the Texas Bar and the Texas DWI Defense Lawyers Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Shawn Brown - OwnerActive25 yrs
Adrian Flores - Senior AttorneyActive13 yrs

823 Hoefgen Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (284)
Facebook
5.0 (23)
Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Ramos + Del Cueto Attorneys represents clients in criminal defense and personal injury cases in San Antonio. It handles crimes such as aggravated assault, domestic violence, illegal substance possession, intoxication manslaughter, and murder. It also defends clients accused of white-collar crimes such as embezzlement and fraud. Rolando Ramos, the firm's principal partner, has been a magistrate judge in Bexar County since 2003. He is also recognized as one of the top 30 criminal defense attorneys in San Antonio.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Probation Violation

625 N Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78215

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (41)
Avvo
5.0 (9)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of RC Pate protects the rights of individuals in San Antonio and nearby locations. It takes on different types of criminal cases, representing defendants in state and federal court proceedings. The legal practice serves first- to third-time DUI offenders and guides them during breath and blood alcohol tests. It also deals with cases related to assault and battery and illegal drug possession crimes. Principal lawyer RC Pate is a member of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Pate - PrincipalActive17 yrs

8620 N New Braunfels Ave Ste 605, San Antonio, TX 78217

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.5 (31)
Google
4.5 (8)

Why choose this provider?

The office of Alfonso Otero, Attorney at Law, PC is located in San Antonio. It provides legal representation for misdemeanor and felony criminal charges on the state or federal level. The firm also handles immigration, real estate, and personal injury law cases. Mr. Otero is a member of the Texas Bar Association and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has been named one of the Best Lawyers in San Antonio by San Antonio Scene Magazine for multiple years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Alfonso Otero - PrincipalActive23 yrs

325 South Flores St., San Antonio, TX 78204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (65)
Avvo
3.5 (22)
Yelp
1.5 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Ross A Rodriguez provides legal assistance to San Antonio individuals facing state and federal criminal charges. He takes cases involving aggravated assault, burglary and theft, drug crimes, DWI, and traffic violations. Rodriguez represents defendants in bond and parole hearings, criminal appeals, and motions to revoke probation. He also works to expunge their records. His other practice areas include real estate, probate, and family law. Rodriguez served as a judge for the City of San Antonio.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ross Rodriguez - PrincipalActive24 yrs

14400 Jones Maltsberger Rd Ste 100, San Antonio, TX 78247

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (54)
Avvo
5.0 (22)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Case J. Darwin assists English and Spanish-speaking people charged with state and federal crimes in Hays, Guadalupe, and Comal counties. The firm helps people defend against DWI, assault, immigration, internet-related, drug, sexual, violent, property, and probation violation charges. Attorney Darwin also helps with appeals and expungements. Mr. Darwin is a former prosecutor who once served as a briefing attorney for the Houston First District Court of Appeals.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Case Darwin - Principalactive17 yrs

310 South St. Mary's Street, Suite 965, San Antonio, TX 78205

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (126)
Facebook
5.0 (18)
Yelp
4.5 (10)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Guillermo Lara Jr. represents clients in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. It protects the constitutional rights of individuals facing criminal prosecution due to weapons charges, sexual assault, DUI, and murder. Guillermo Lara Jr., the firm's founder, works hard to resolve criminal defense cases as swiftly as possible by investigating all available records, hiring a private investigator, and immediately submitting papers to oppose the prosecutor's evidence. Lara also accommodates Spanish-speaking individuals.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Guillermo Lara jr. - PrincipalActive15 yrs

1800 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (27)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Dayna L. Jones serves clients in San Antonio. The company focuses on criminal defense matters, providing legal counsel to individuals who are being investigated or accused of a criminal offense. Jones, the firm's founder and sole practitioner, handles a wide range of criminal cases, including DWI, drug crimes, murder, assault, and sex crimes. She also represents clients in cases involving internet crimes, writ of habeas corpus, orders of non-disclosure, and motion to revoke probation. Jones has been practicing law since 2010.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

110 Broadway Street Ste. 485, San Antonio, TX 78205

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Larry Dean Bloomquist, Attorney at Law, is a criminal defense firm striving to uphold the rights of individuals in San Antonio. The firm assists defendants involved in criminal cases, ranging from capital offenses such as murder and violent crimes to DWI and fraud. Bloomquist represents clients in legal proceedings such as bail bond posting, trial and litigation, and probation violation hearings. He has been practicing law for more than 20 years and is a board-certified Criminal Law specialist.

  • DWI/DUI

110 Broadway, Suite 190, San Antonio, TX 78205

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Tim Rountree focuses on DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter cases in San Antonio. He began his career as a prosecutor, where he learned how the State of Texas prosecutes DWI charges. Tim has studied breath and blood testing procedures and has completed a certified field sobriety testing course. He has over 27 years of industry experience. He has also been recognized as a top San Antonio DWI Lawyer by his fellow lawyers for the last four years in a row.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Tim Rountree - PrincipalActive29 yrs

3817 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Albert A. Flores is a criminal defense attorney who offers his services in communities within San Antonio. He represents and advocates for clients, including Spanish-speaking individuals, who are involved in misdemeanors and felonies, including murder, robbery, kidnapping, and sexual assault. Flores is also a former Bexar County magistrate judge who has participated in numerous trials in state and federal courts. Throughout his 20 years of practice, he has collaborated with federal judges, FBI agents, assistant United States attorneys, and Secret Service members.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • DWI/DUI

40 NE Interstate 410 Loop Ste. 525, San Antonio, TX 78216

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (63)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

LaHood Norton protects the rights of people living in the San Antonio area. It represents individuals accused of DWI, domestic violence, murder, theft, and assault. Its legal team develops defense strategies to help clients with having their charges dropped, receive acquittals, or be granted reduced sentences. One of the firm's founding partners, Nicholas LaHood, is a former district attorney with more than 18 years of legal experience. He taught at several local police academies, such as the Alamo Area Council of Governments and the SAPD Academy.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes
  • Theft & Burglary

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jay Norton - Founding AttorneyActive39 yrs

1815 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Daniel & Halstead serves clients in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. It provides legal representation to individuals facing criminal charges, such as drug, sex, property, white-collar, and violent crimes. It also handles family violence, probation violation, and personal injury cases. One of its attorneys, Douglas S. Daniel, is a founding member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys. His partner, Woodrow J. Halstead, III, is board-certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes
  • Expungement

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Woodrow Halstead - PartnerActive26 yrs

120 Austin Hwy #103, San Antonio, TX 78209

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (71)

Why choose this provider?

Austin Hagee Law Firm represents the wrongfully accused and their families in San Antonio. Since 2016, founder Austin M. Hagee has been dedicating his private practice to offering legal assistance for various criminal charges, such as sexual assault, drug crimes, homicide, domestic violence, and DUIs. He is a former felony prosecutor, which gives him an advantage in understanding the complexity of criminal laws and advocating clients' rights before state and federal courts. Hagee also helps in expunging criminal records.

  • Criminal Defense
  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Austin Hagee - PrincipalActive8 yrs

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Del Prado Law
342 W. Woodlawn Ave. Suite 302, San Antonio, TX 78212Free Consultation
Thornton Criminal Defense, PLLC
111 Soledad, Suite 401, San Antonio, TX 78205Free consultation
Michael & Associates
500 W 2nd St Suite 1900, Austin, TX 78701Get A Free Case Review
The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC
310 S. St. Mary's Street, Suite 2100, San Antonio, TX 78205Free consultation
Trey Porter Law
816 Camaron St Ste 124, San Antonio, TX 78212
The Law Offices of George A. Scharmen
315 Dwyer Ave, San Antonio, TX 78204
The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PC
540 S Saint Marys St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Ramos + Del Cueto Attorneys
823 Hoefgen Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210
Law Office of RC Pate
625 N Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78215
Alfonso Otero, Attorney at Law, P.C.
8620 N New Braunfels Ave Ste 605, San Antonio, TX 78217
Ross A Rodriguez
325 South Flores St., San Antonio, TX 78204
Law Office of Case J. Darwin Inc.
14400 Jones Maltsberger Rd Ste 100, San Antonio, TX 78247
The Law Office of Guillermo Lara Jr.
310 South St. Mary's Street, Suite 965, San Antonio, TX 78205
The Law Office of Dayna L. Jones
1800 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
Larry Dean Bloomquist Attorney at Law
110 Broadway Street Ste. 485, San Antonio, TX 78205
Tim Rountree
110 Broadway, Suite 190, San Antonio, TX 78205
Albert A. Flores
3817 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
LaHood Norton
40 NE Interstate 410 Loop Ste. 525, San Antonio, TX 78216
Daniel & Halstead
1815 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
Austin Hagee Law Firm
120 Austin Hwy #103, San Antonio, TX 78209

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in San Antonio, Texas?

    The non-emergency phone number for the San Antonio police department is (210) 207-7273.

  • What are the penalties for criminal charges in San Antonio?

    Depending on the nature of the act and whether it was a misdemeanor or felony, the penalties can vary significantly. All criminal charges should be treated seriously, as a conviction for even relatively small offenses can result in a criminal record that can affect employment and other parts of your life.

  • How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense attorney in San Antonio?

    The cost of retaining a criminal defense attorney in San Antonio varies based on the nature of the case and the required services. Contact the firm directly for an accurate estimate of your case's charges. Notably, criminal defense attorneys charge an hourly rate that might range from $100 to $500 per hour. They may also require a retainer, an advance payment covering the projected cost of their services. Additionally, they may charge a flat fee for services such as plea negotiating or trial counsel.

  • Can you ask a judge in San Antonio to set a bond if you are remanded without bond?

    Yes. Your criminal defense attorney will first submit a motion to set bail in your case in San Antonio, and then they will ask the judge to do so. After that, the judge will decide the amount of the bail bond. Bonds are set so that the government does not have to detain every individual accused of a crime. It is a financial guarantee offered by a third party that the defendant will continue to appear in court while the case is ongoing.

  • How does a criminal defense attorney handle a criminal mischief accusation in San Antonio?

    The majority of individuals accused of criminal mischief have no prior criminal record. The objective of the criminal defense attorney is to maintain the status quo. They will do everything legal to have your case dismissed. It could imply that the attorneys argue that the damage was accidental or that the owner gave an agreement in some other way. They also employ other tactics, such as paying reparation upfront so that the State can drop the case.

  • How to get criminal charges dropped in San Antonio?

    In San Antonio, the prosecutor (or court) may drop or dismiss criminal charges for various reasons. With the assistance of a criminal defense attorney, a defendant has a better chance of convincing the prosecution to drop or dismiss the charges. The following are defense methods utilized to prove your innocence in a criminal case. They include illegal conduct by arresting officials, absence of reasonable doubt, mitigating circumstances, and self-defense.