Austin, Texas · Updated October 2026
Three Austin criminal defense firms compared on Google ratings, case focus, consultations, payment options and what clients say. Peek Law Group is listed first.
- ✓DWI
- ✓Drug charges
- ✓Assault & family violence
- ✓Federal cases
- ✓Expunction & nondisclosure
At a glance
Austin criminal defense firms compared
| Firm | Google rating | Reviews | In practice since | Consultation | Payment plans | Spanish-speaking team | Federal cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Peek Law Group | ★★★★½ 4.7 | 597 | 1996 | Confidential (call to ask about fee) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2Dunham & Jones | ★★★★½ 4.7 | 458 | 1989 | Free | Yes, no money down in most cases | Call to ask | Call to ask |
| 3Botsford & Roark | ★★★★ 4.4 | 13 | 2007 | Free case evaluation | Call to ask | Call to ask | ✓ |
“Call to ask” means the firm does not publish this on its website. Ratings and review counts are from Google.
Ratings and review counts from Google, checked October 25, 2026. Hours can change on holidays; call to confirm.
The list
Top 3 criminal defense lawyers in Austin
Peek Law Group
Criminal matters handled
- DWI
- Drug possession & trafficking
- Assault & family violence
- Theft
- White-collar & fraud
- Firearms offenses
- Misdemeanors & felonies
- Jail release
- Expunction & nondisclosure
Peek Law Group has defended people charged with crimes in Texas since 1996 and runs its criminal defense practice from East Austin, with cases in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties. The firm handles misdemeanors and felonies in both state and federal court, from DWI, drug and theft charges to violent crime, firearms and white-collar fraud. Its bilingual team works in English and Spanish, and because the firm also has an immigration practice, it can weigh how a criminal charge might affect a client’s immigration status. After a case, Peek Law Group also pursues expunctions, nondisclosure orders and early release from probation. The firm offers payment plans and, depending on the case, flat or hourly fees.
What clients praise
- Reviewers describe dismissed charges and say the team kept families informed through every step.
- Several clients name attorney Natalia Chávez and say she was kind, attentive and got their criminal case dismissed.
- Clients value having criminal and immigration lawyers in one firm who work together on the same case.
Worth knowing
- A few reviewers say communication was slow at the start or a consultation call was missed before the firm followed up.
- Office hours are weekdays only (8:30am to 5:30pm); one reviewer also noted fees are on the higher side.
- Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm
- Sat Closed
- Sun Closed
Why it made the list: Long-running Austin defense firm with state and federal reach, a bilingual team and the largest Google review count on this list.
📍 1406 Waller St, Austin, TX 78702
Dunham & Jones
Criminal matters handled
- DWI & drug DWI
- Assault & domestic violence
- Drug possession & THC vape
- Theft
- Weapons (UCW)
- Sex crimes & solicitation
- Felonies & misdemeanors
- Warrants & jail release
Dunham & Jones has handled Texas criminal cases since 1989 and now runs offices across the state, with its Austin office at 512 E 11th St near the corner of 11th and Red River, where free parking is available. The firm says its main goal is a dismissal or reduction so the arrest can later be cleared from public records. It offers free consultations, simple payment plans with no money down in most cases, and a free warrant check for Travis County. Its Austin attorneys handle DWI, assault and family violence, drug, theft, weapons and sex-crime charges across Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties.
What clients praise
- Reviewers credit Austin attorneys such as Ryan Church and Ryan Huie with getting charges dismissed or reduced.
- Clients say their attorney returned calls and kept them updated from the first consultation onward.
- Several reviewers call the fees fair and affordable for the result they got.
Worth knowing
- As a large statewide firm, your case is handled by one of many attorneys, so ask who will be assigned to you.
- Google lists the office as open 24 hours, which reflects phone availability; the firm says consultations are by appointment only.
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: Long-established statewide defense firm with free consultations and low-barrier payment plans.
📍 512 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701
Botsford & Roark
Criminal matters handled
- DWI
- Title IX violations
- Sexual assault
- Assault & aggravated assault
- Domestic violence
- Drug possession & distribution
- White-collar crimes
Botsford & Roark is a downtown Austin criminal defense firm founded by Brian Roark and David L. Botsford, both rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. The firm handles DWI, sexual assault, assault, domestic violence, drug and white-collar cases in Texas state and federal court, and Brian Roark is known nationally for defending college and university students accused of Title IX violations. David Botsford has more than 30 years of practice, including high-profile appeals in state and federal appellate courts. The firm offers a free, confidential case evaluation and says a team member is reachable day or night, with a lawyer on the phone within 24 hours.
What clients praise
- Reviewers say Brian Roark explained their options clearly, never over-promised and delivered a favorable result.
- One DWI client says Francisco walked them through what to expect and put them at ease.
- Clients describe a well-laid-out plan from day one and an easy, low-stress process.
Worth knowing
- The firm has only 13 Google reviews, so there is less public feedback to judge it by.
- One reviewer says the office did not respond for almost two weeks after an inquiry about a restraining order.
- Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
- Sat Closed
- Sun Closed
Why it made the list: Small, senior-led firm with a niche in Title IX and serious sex-crime and DWI defense.
📍 1307 West Ave Unit A, Austin, TX 78701
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Which Austin firm fits your case?
Tick what you need. We match it against what each firm publishes on its own website.
Guide
How criminal cases work in Austin
DWI license hearing deadline
After a DWI arrest with a failed or refused breath or blood test, you generally have 15 days from the notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing with Texas DPS. Miss it and the suspension usually starts on the 40th day.
Misdemeanor levels
Texas misdemeanors run from Class C (fine only, up to $500) to Class B (up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine) and Class A (up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine).
Felony levels
Felonies range from state jail felonies (180 days to 2 years) through third, second and first degree, the last carrying 5 to 99 years or life.
Two court systems
Most Austin arrests go to Travis County courts at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center. Federal charges are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on W 5th St.
Clearing a record later
Dismissed cases may qualify for expunction, and some deferred adjudication outcomes may qualify for an order of nondisclosure. Eligibility depends on the charge and how the case ended.
Before your first meeting
What to bring to a criminal defense consultation
0 of 8 ready
Methodology
How we chose these firms
We looked at Austin firms that defend criminal cases from an office inside the city and compared their Google ratings and review counts, the charges they say they handle, whether they take federal cases, consultation terms, payment options and language support. Every service, phone number and claim on this page comes from the firm’s own website or its Google listing, and praise and complaints come from public client reviews.
Peek Law Group appears first. The order is for presentation and is not an independently measured ranking. No firm’s result in your case can be predicted from past results.
Ratings, review counts and hours were checked on October 25, 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Austin?
It depends on the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, state or federal, and whether the case goes to trial. Peek Law Group offers payment plans and flat or hourly fees depending on the case, Dunham & Jones offers payment plans with no money down in most cases, and Botsford & Roark offers a free case evaluation where you can ask about fees.
What should I do if I am under investigation but not charged?
Do not give statements to police or investigators without a lawyer, and do not consent to searches of your home, phone or computer without a warrant. A lawyer can handle communication with investigators for you.
How long do I have to save my license after a DWI arrest in Austin?
In most cases you have 15 days from the notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing with Texas DPS. If you do not, the suspension generally takes effect on the 40th day after notice.
Can a criminal charge affect my immigration status?
Yes. Some convictions, and even some plea deals, can lead to removal or block future immigration benefits. If you are not a U.S. citizen, tell your defense lawyer your status before you accept any plea. Peek Law Group has both criminal defense and immigration lawyers in-house.
Which court will my Austin case be in?
Most state cases from Austin are handled in Travis County courts at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, 509 W 11th St. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, 501 W 5th St.
Can I get my arrest record cleared in Texas?
Possibly. A dismissal or acquittal may qualify for expunction, and some deferred adjudication cases may qualify for an order of nondisclosure. Eligibility depends on the offense and how the case ended.
Do these firms offer a free consultation?
Dunham & Jones offers a free consultation and Botsford & Roark offers a free case evaluation. Peek Law Group offers a confidential consultation; call (512) 474-4445 to ask about any fee.
Local guide
Austin criminal courts local guide
Which courthouse and booking facility sit closest to each firm’s office.
What is near each firm
Peek Law Group
East Austin
NEAREST CRIMINAL COURTS
- Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center
509 W 11th St, Austin1.0 mi - U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
501 W 5th St, Austin1.2 mi
NEAREST BOOKING FACILITY
- Travis County Central Booking
509 W 11th St, Austin1.0 mi
Dunham & Jones
Downtown Austin
NEAREST CRIMINAL COURTS
- Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center
509 W 11th St, Austin0.6 mi - U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
501 W 5th St, Austin0.8 mi
NEAREST BOOKING FACILITY
- Travis County Central Booking
509 W 11th St, Austin0.7 mi
Botsford & Roark
Downtown Austin (West Ave)
NEAREST CRIMINAL COURTS
- Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center
509 W 11th St, Austin0.3 mi - U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
501 W 5th St, Austin0.7 mi
NEAREST BOOKING FACILITY
- Travis County Central Booking
509 W 11th St, Austin0.3 mi
Distances are straight-line estimates.
Courthouses for Austin-area criminal cases
Tips if you are facing a charge in Austin
- Stay silent and ask for a lawyer. Anything you say to police can be used in court, even if you are innocent.
- Watch the DWI clock. The 15-day ALR deadline runs separately from your criminal case.
- Keep every court date. Missing court can lead to a bond forfeiture and a new warrant.
- Do not post about the case. Prosecutors can use social media posts and messages as evidence.
- Tell your lawyer about immigration status. A plea that looks minor can carry serious immigration consequences.