Garland, Texas
Arrested or charged in Garland? The first days matter most. Here are the criminal defense and DWI firms that appear repeatedly in the rankings, with what they cost and who they fit.
An arrest in Garland puts your record, your job, and sometimes your freedom on the line, and the lawyer you pick in the first week shapes everything that follows. Texas treats DWI seriously: even a first offense is a misdemeanor that can mean jail, heavy fines, and a license suspension, and a conviction does not come off your record. A skilled defense attorney's job is to find the weak points in the state's case and protect your future.
Garland criminal cases run through Garland Municipal Court for city-level matters and through the Dallas County criminal courts in downtown Dallas for misdemeanors and felonies, with some cases in neighboring Rockwall or Collin County depending on where the alleged offense occurred. An attorney who works these specific courts knows the prosecutors, the judges, and which diversion or pretrial options actually apply.
Most criminal defense lawyers charge a flat fee for a defined matter (a DWI, a misdemeanor) or hourly plus a retainer for serious felonies. Many of the firms below offer a free consultation, so you can understand your charges and realistic options before committing. Every firm here has a verifiable DFW-area criminal practice.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Garland-area dui / criminal defense practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: DWI, assault, family violence, drug charges, theft, felonies
Founded by Warren and Joshua Abrams, both former Assistant District Attorneys with the Dallas County DA's office, the firm uses its prosecution background to defend the full range of Garland criminal and DWI charges.
Why they made the list: Former Dallas County prosecutors who know exactly how the other side builds its cases.
Practice focus: DWI, serious felonies, federal cases, criminal appeals
Clint Broden and Mick Mickelsen are board-certified in criminal law (and criminal appellate law) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, with AV ratings and decades defending complex Dallas County state and federal cases.
Why they made the list: Board-certified specialists with a long record in serious felony, federal, and appellate matters.
Practice focus: DWI, assault, theft, drug charges, criminal defense
Brian Corrigan is board-certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has tried more than 150 jury trials, representing clients in Garland, Dallas, Rockwall, and Collin Counties.
Why they made the list: Board certification plus an unusually deep jury-trial record across the counties Garland cases land in.
Practice focus: DWI, misdemeanors, felonies, dismissals and reductions
Founded by Ben Michael, this Texas criminal defense firm has handled thousands of cases statewide and carries an A+ BBB rating and a strong record of dismissals and reductions for Garland-area clients.
Why they made the list: High-volume statewide defense with strong reviews and a focus on dismissals and reductions.
Practice focus: DWI, assault, drug charges, theft, criminal defense
Texas Defenders concentrates on Garland and Dallas County courts, defending DWI, assault, drug, and theft charges with an emphasis on knowing the local prosecutors and judges.
Why they made the list: A practice built specifically around Garland Municipal and Dallas County criminal courts.
Practice focus: DWI, drug offenses, criminal traffic, misdemeanors
Justin Hall, a University of Texas law graduate, belongs to the National College for DUI Defense and the Texas DWI Defense Lawyers Association and has spent over a decade on DWI and drug cases in the Garland and Rockwall area.
Why they made the list: Specialized DWI-defense credentials and memberships focused on exactly these charges.
Practice focus: DWI, assault, drug crimes, theft, felonies
Mark Lassiter's Dallas-area firm defends the full range of Garland criminal charges and earns client reviews highlighting case dismissals and favorable outcomes.
Why they made the list: A broad criminal practice with strong client reviews for dismissals.
Practice focus: DWI, assault, drug crimes, criminal defense, appeals
Co-founders Reggie and Njeri London personally handle each retained case from the first court appearance through trial or appeal, serving Garland and the surrounding North Texas counties.
Why they made the list: Partner-level attention on every case, from magistration through trial.
Tell us about your charge and we'll match you with a Garland criminal defense attorney who handles cases like yours. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Check which courts they actually work. Garland cases land in Garland Municipal Court or the Dallas County criminal courts, and sometimes Rockwall or Collin County. A lawyer who appears in your specific court knows the prosecutors and the realistic options.
Look for board certification on serious charges. For a felony, a Texas Board of Legal Specialization certification in criminal law signals proven, vetted experience. For a routine DWI, a focused DWI-defense practice may matter more.
Get the flat fee and what it covers in writing. Most criminal defense is flat-fee. Confirm whether trial, motions, and any license (ALR) hearing are included before you sign.
Criminal defense pricing in Garland depends on the charge and whether the case goes to trial. As rough guidance:
The cheapest lawyer is rarely the right call in a criminal case, but neither is the most expensive. Get two or three written quotes and compare what each fee actually covers.
Most Garland criminal cases follow a predictable path, though serious felonies take longer:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most dui / criminal defense matters, gather:
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
A first-offense DWI is a misdemeanor that can carry jail time, but many first offenders receive probation instead, depending on the facts and the county. A defense lawyer works to minimize or avoid jail.
Very fast. In Texas you generally have only 15 days from the arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Miss it and your license suspension takes effect automatically.
City-level matters go to Garland Municipal Court, while misdemeanors and felonies are usually handled in the Dallas County criminal courts. Cases arising in neighboring areas may land in Rockwall or Collin County.
Sometimes. Depending on the stop, the testing, and the evidence, charges can be reduced or challenged on procedural grounds. Outcomes depend on your specific facts, and no honest lawyer guarantees a result.
Generally yes. Texas does not allow expunction of most convictions, though some arrests that do not lead to conviction, or cases resolved through certain dispositions, may be eligible for expunction or nondisclosure. A lawyer can assess your options.
As soon as possible. Early representation protects your rights, preserves evidence, and is critical for DWI because of the 15-day license deadline.
Most charge a flat fee, commonly $2,500-$5,000 for a misdemeanor and more for felonies or trials. Get the fee, and exactly what it covers, in writing before you sign.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.