Charged with a crime or DWI in Arlington? The first days matter, and one deadline can cost you your license.
A criminal charge puts your freedom, your record, and your job on the line, and the system moves fast. A good defense lawyer protects your rights from the first call, scrutinizes the evidence, negotiates with Tarrant County prosecutors, and is ready to take a case to trial if that is what it takes. The Arlington firms below handle DWI, drug charges, theft, assault, and serious felonies, and most offer a free or low-cost first consultation.
If you are facing charges in the Arlington area, the firms below are established criminal-defense practices serving Arlington and Tarrant County, vetted against multiple legal directories. Acting quickly matters, especially after a DWI arrest, so it is worth calling two or three before you decide.
Criminal defense is about protecting your rights at every stage: the stop or arrest, the charging decision, plea negotiations, and, if necessary, trial. A defense lawyer examines whether the police followed the law, whether the evidence holds up, and whether the charge fits the facts, then uses that to seek a dismissal, a reduction, a diversion program, or an acquittal. In Texas, a DWI also triggers a separate civil process that can suspend your license unless you act fast. The cases range from misdemeanors that still threaten your record and job to felonies that carry prison time. What a good lawyer brings is not just courtroom skill but knowledge of the local prosecutors and judges, which shapes what outcomes are realistically on the table.
How we picked these eight: We cross-referenced legal directories and peer-review sources (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Expertise, FindLaw, Martindale) along with each firm's published practice information. Only firms confirmed by at least two independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: DWI, drug crimes, felonies, theft
Has represented Arlington-area clients in misdemeanor and felony cases since 1996, with offices in Arlington and Fort Worth.
Practice focus: DWI, drug crimes, violent crimes
A Tarrant County criminal-defense firm; attorney Casey Cole draws strong client reviews for resolving serious cases.
Practice focus: DWI, felonies, theft, assault
A team of former prosecutors reporting more than 100 years of combined experience and over 500 jury trials.
Practice focus: DWI, drug crimes, assault
A Tarrant County criminal-defense practice handling DWI and felony matters, recognized across multiple legal directories.
Practice focus: DWI, felonies, federal crimes
A well-known DFW criminal-defense firm founded by former prosecutors, handling serious state and federal cases.
Practice focus: DWI, criminal defense
Attorney Craig Dameron has more than 20 years of experience defending clients across Tarrant County, with 100-plus five-star reviews.
Practice focus: DWI, drug, assault, theft
Founding attorney Rwan Hardesty received the Avvo Clients' Choice award; the firm defends criminal charges across the DFW region.
Practice focus: DWI, criminal defense
A bilingual Arlington criminal-defense firm with hundreds of five-star client reviews.
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Most Arlington criminal-defense firms charge a flat fee set by the seriousness of the charge. A first-offense misdemeanor or DWI commonly runs from about $1,500 to $5,000, while a felony can range from roughly $5,000 to $25,000 or more, and a case that goes to trial costs more than one that pleas out. Some lawyers bill hourly, often $200 to $400. Ask exactly what the fee covers, whether trial is included, and what expenses are extra. Many firms offer a free or low-cost initial consultation; use it to compare.
A misdemeanor can resolve in a few weeks to a few months, while a felony often takes many months to over a year, depending on the evidence, the court's calendar, and whether the case goes to trial. The DWI license issue moves on its own, faster timeline: you generally have only about 15 days after arrest to request a hearing to protect your license. Most cases resolve through negotiation, but preparing as if for trial is often what produces a better deal.
The eight firms above are all credible, so the right choice is about fit, not ranking. A few ways to narrow it down for a criminal defense matter in Arlington:
Match the firm size to your case. Boutiques and solo practitioners often give you direct access to the lawyer whose name is on the door and tend to be nimble on smaller matters. Larger firms bring more staff and bench depth, which helps when a case is complex, document-heavy, or likely to go to trial. This list includes both, so think about which your situation calls for.
Compare fee structures honestly. Ask each firm to explain its fee in writing and to walk you through a realistic total, not just the headline rate. A lower rate is not a bargain if the matter drags; a flat fee is only a deal if it covers what you actually need.
Test communication early. The way a firm handles your first call, how quickly they respond, how clearly they explain your options, is a good predictor of how they will handle your case. Talk to at least two before you decide.
Not every situation requires hiring a lawyer, but the cost of guessing wrong is high. You should talk to a criminal defense lawyer when the other side already has one, when real money or your rights are on the line, when deadlines are running, or when the paperwork and procedure are more than you can confidently handle alone. Even in simpler situations, a single paid consultation to review your plan is cheap insurance. The mistakes that hurt people most are the ones they did not know they were making, and a short conversation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Arlington usually surfaces them before they become expensive.
You will get more out of a free consultation if you come prepared. Bring any documents tied to your situation, contracts, notices, court papers, bills, or correspondence, plus a short written timeline of what happened and what you want to achieve. Having these in hand lets the lawyer give you a real read on your criminal defense matter in the first meeting instead of guessing, and it saves you billable time later.
Most criminal defense firms you find online are competent. A few are not. The patterns worth avoiding:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery or outcome, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the agreement in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is usually a sign of a volume mill.
No verifiable track record. A good firm can point to results, peer rankings, or bar recognition. "We've helped thousands" is marketing; specifics are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate criminal defense lawyer will give you a written agreement spelling out the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges.
Most criminal defense firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Use it. Bring questions and write down the answers, then compare at least two firms before you sign.
Texas calls it DWI. Driving while intoxicated is the Texas charge for drunk driving. A first offense is usually a Class B misdemeanor, but penalties climb fast with a prior offense, a high blood-alcohol level, or a child in the car.
You may have only 15 days to save your license. After a DWI arrest, Texas's Administrative License Revocation process can suspend your license unless you request a hearing quickly. A defense lawyer should handle that request immediately.
Arlington cases run through Tarrant County. Charges are prosecuted in the Tarrant County courts in Fort Worth, and knowing the local prosecutors and judges is part of what a seasoned Tarrant County defense firm brings to the table.
Most charge a flat fee based on the charge: roughly $1,500 to $5,000 for a first misdemeanor or DWI, and $5,000 to $25,000 or more for a felony. Some bill hourly. Ask what the fee covers and whether trial is included.
A first DWI is usually a Class B misdemeanor, with possible jail time, fines, and a license suspension. Penalties increase sharply with a high blood-alcohol level, a child passenger, or prior offenses.
You generally have about 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing. Miss it and your license can be suspended automatically, so contact a lawyer immediately.
If you qualify, a public defender is a real option, but they carry heavy caseloads. A private firm can often give your case more time and attention. The first consultation is usually free, so compare.
A misdemeanor may resolve in weeks to a few months; a felony can take many months to over a year. The license issue moves faster and separately.
Often yes. Even a misdemeanor conviction can stay on your record and affect jobs and housing. A lawyer may be able to get it reduced, dismissed, or kept off your record.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many cases like yours they have handled in the last three years. The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team