Irving, Texas · DUI / Criminal Defense
Ten Irving criminal defense and DWI firms with real trial records and free consultations — plus what a case costs, the deadlines that matter, and how to choose.
If you were arrested in Irving or charged with a DWI after a stop on 183, the 114, or Belt Line Road, the most important decisions come fast. In Texas a DWI arrest triggers two separate tracks at once: the criminal case in court and an administrative fight over your driver's license. You have just 15 days from the arrest to request an ALR hearing, or your license is suspended automatically — most people miss this because no one tells them the clock is running.
Irving sits in Dallas County, so most cases run through the Frank Crowley Courts Building downtown, though municipal matters stay local. The lawyers below handle the full range: DWI, drug charges, assault, theft, family-violence allegations, and felony cases. Several are former prosecutors who know how the other side builds a file, and a few are board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a credential fewer than ten percent of Texas criminal lawyers hold.
We built this list from peer-reviewed directories — Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and Expertise — and confirmed each firm has a real Irving-area criminal practice. Treat it as a shortlist. Call two or three, ask the same questions about your specific charge, and compare how clearly each lawyer explains what you are facing before you hire anyone.
How we picked these 10: 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 Irving-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, drug, and felony defense
Led by Warren and Joshua Abrams, both former Assistant District Attorneys with the Dallas County DA's Office, this Irving firm focuses on DWI and criminal trial work.
Why they made the list: A strong pick when your case may go to trial — the lawyers have argued these cases from the prosecution side and know where the state's evidence is weakest.
Practice focus: DWI, including breath and field-sobriety challenges
This Irving DWI practice concentrates on challenging breathalyzer results, field-sobriety tests, and the police procedures behind the stop and arrest.
Why they made the list: A focused choice for a DWI charge where the science of the breath or blood test is the central issue.
Practice focus: DWI and drugged-driving defense
Managing partner Deandra Grant holds a graduate certificate in forensic science and a master's in pharmaceutical science, and the firm defends DWI cases across the DFW area including Irving.
Why they made the list: Made the list for unusually deep command of the lab science behind blood and breath evidence — useful when the case turns on the test.
Practice focus: DWI and general criminal defense
A solo DWI and criminal defense practice serving Irving, with direct attorney handling of each case rather than hand-off to staff.
Why they made the list: A reasonable option for a first-offense DWI or misdemeanor where you want to work with one lawyer the whole way through.
Practice focus: DWI — first offense, repeat, and felony
Based at 4425 W. Airport Fwy in Irving, this firm handles first-offense, repeat, and felony DWI cases and has resolved many of them favorably.
Why they made the list: A local, DWI-centered office worth a call if your charge involves a prior conviction or felony exposure.
Practice focus: DWI, drug, and theft charges
A criminal defense office at 613 N. O'Connor Rd in Irving handling DWI, drug, and property-crime cases.
Why they made the list: A local generalist option for common misdemeanor and lower-level felony charges.
Practice focus: Felony and misdemeanor criminal defense
Located at 426 W. Pioneer Dr in Irving, this firm represents clients across felony and misdemeanor criminal matters.
Why they made the list: Worth considering for a serious felony charge where you want a lawyer with a physical Irving office and courtroom experience.
Practice focus: DWI, drug, and violent-crime defense
A criminal defense firm at 6565 N. MacArthur Blvd in Irving handling DWI and a range of felony and misdemeanor cases.
Why they made the list: A solid mid-range choice for clients near Las Colinas who want a nearby office.
Practice focus: Criminal defense and DWI
An Irving criminal defense office at 5605 N. MacArthur Blvd representing clients on DWI and other criminal charges, including record sealing.
Why they made the list: Useful if part of your goal is cleaning up a record through an expunction or nondisclosure after the case.
Practice focus: DWI and misdemeanor criminal defense
A long-running Irving criminal defense office at 308 N. O'Connor Rd handling DWI and misdemeanor cases.
Why they made the list: A budget-conscious local option for a straightforward first-offense or misdemeanor matter.
Arrested or charged in Irving? Tell us what happened and we'll connect you with one of these defense firms — or a similar one — for a free, confidential consultation.
Move on the license deadline first. You have 15 days from a DWI arrest to request an ALR hearing or your license suspension is automatic. Ask any lawyer you call whether they will file the request — if they shrug it off, keep calling.
Favor trial experience over a fast plea. Prosecutors offer better deals to lawyers who actually try cases. Ask how many jury trials the lawyer has handled and how recently, not just how many years they have practiced.
Check for a board-certified or former-prosecutor edge. Texas board certification in criminal law and former-DA experience both signal someone who knows the courthouse and the state's playbook. Neither is required, but both help.
Get the fee in plain numbers and in writing. Most Irving criminal lawyers charge a flat fee per charge. Ask exactly what it covers — pretrial, the ALR hearing, and trial are sometimes priced separately.
Make sure you can reach your actual lawyer. Ask who handles your court dates and who answers your calls. On a criminal case, being passed to a rotating cast of associates is a real risk worth screening for.
Criminal defense in Irving is usually billed as a flat fee tied to the charge, not by the hour. Rough ranges:
Cheapest is rarely the goal on a criminal case, where the cost of a conviction — jail, a permanent record, lost jobs — dwarfs the fee. Get the flat fee and exactly what it covers in the engagement letter before you sign.
A typical Irving misdemeanor or DWI case runs roughly like this:
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.
Most Irving criminal lawyers charge a flat fee tied to the charge rather than an hourly rate. A first-offense misdemeanor DWI commonly runs $2,500 to $5,000; a repeat or felony DWI can run $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Ask exactly what the fee covers — pretrial work, the license (ALR) hearing, and trial are sometimes priced separately.
A DWI arrest starts an administrative case against your driver's license that is separate from the criminal charge. You have only 15 days from the arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Miss that window and your license is suspended automatically, regardless of what happens in the criminal case. This is the single most common deadline people blow.
A first-offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to 180 days in jail, but most first offenders without aggravating facts do not serve significant jail time. Outcomes range from dismissal to probation depending on the evidence, your record, and the judge. A lawyer can give you a realistic read after reviewing the stop and the test results.
Some cases are dismissed when the stop was unlawful or the evidence is weak. If your case is dismissed or you are acquitted, you may be eligible for an expunction that erases the record. Deferred adjudication may qualify for a nondisclosure (sealing) instead. Ask your lawyer which path your case may open.
Rarely without advice. Pleading guilty creates a permanent criminal record that can affect jobs, housing, and licenses for years. A lawyer can often negotiate a better outcome or spot a defense you cannot see on your own. Talk to one before you enter any plea.
Irving cases run through Dallas County courts, so a lawyer who regularly appears at the Frank Crowley courthouse and knows the local prosecutors and judges has a real edge. Many capable firms serve Irving from nearby Dallas; what matters is courthouse familiarity, not the office ZIP code.
A straightforward misdemeanor or first DWI often resolves in a few months. Contested cases, felonies, or anything set for a jury trial can take a year or more. Your lawyer should give you a realistic range after seeing the charge and the evidence.
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.