The Texas Criminal Justice System takes driving while intoxicated extremely seriously. And they should. Too many Texans are killed by drunk drivers every week.
We have listed some DWI criminal defense lawyer in Houston, Texas who have been voted Top DWI Lawyers by the blog Texas Crime Lawyer.
Contact Eric Benavides – Top DWI Lawyer
Houston DWI Cost
How much does a DWI lawyer cost in Houston, Texas? Each DUI and DWI attorney in the Harris County area will charge different fees according to their experience and ability. However, when it is all said and done, your 1st Texas DWI conviction could end up costing you at least $10,000 in fines (keep in mind that is for a conviction).
This is why you should (1) Never face the Texas Criminal “Justice” System on your own, and (2) you should hire the best attorney that you can afford.
Find DUI Attorneys in Houston TX
According to your search history the best driving while intoxicated defense attorney near you is…(see map below).
Best 20 Houston DWI Lawyers
In no particular order, we have listed Criminal Defense attorneys who can represent you in you Houston, Harris County DWI case.
Eric Benavides [www.EricBenavides.com] is a Houston DWI Lawyer. He is a graduate of the prestigious Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Trial College. Mr. Benavides is a proven trial lawyer with multiple Not Guilty verdicts to his name, many No Bills, and countless dismissals. Mr. Benavides has been named a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star. He has also been named one of the Top Lawyers in Houston, TX by Houstonia magazine, and has earned a perfect 10.0 rating on AVVO, where he currently has a 100% review rating by former clients. Mr. Benavides took the additional time and classes to become certified to perform the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. This gives him the benefit of having the same training that the officers who arrest his clients took. It is a step not many lawyers take, and is essential in “Being More Prepared Than Your Opposition”. Mr. Benavides earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas and his Juris Doctorate from the Texas Tech University School of Law. He was born and raised in Kingsville, TX, where he was the Valedictorian of Academy High School.
2. DWI Lawyer Dan Lazarine
Before Mr. Lazarine became a criminal defense attorney in Houston, he was a criminal prosecutor in Galveston County. Meaning, he has extensive experience on both sides of the court room. Mr. Lazarine understands that if an officer pulls you over, and smells alcohol on your breath, you are most likely going to be arrested for drunk driving, no matter how great you feel, or how few drinks you have had.
3. DUI Attorney Matt DeLuca
Attorney Matt DeLuca has offices in Downtown Houston, Tx. He is a graduate of The University of Houston Law Center, one of the top law schools in the country. Matt DeLuca is a General Member of the National College for DUI Defense.
4. Knox Law Firm
Chris Knox is a young, awarded criminal defense lawyer with noted experience handling very high-profile cases. Named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters’ SuperLawyers.com, and a Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers, there are few other professionals with those honors at his age. To the client, this means Chris brings an energetic and passionate defense, without sacrificing the acute attention to detail that he has been awarded for.
5. Musick & Musick, LLP
Based in Houston, Texas, the law firm Musick & Musick LLP provides vigorous defense representation for clients accused of state and federal crimes. We understand that being charged with a crime is a frightening and intimidating experience. When your life and liberty are on the line, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to stand between you and the government and fight for your rights.
6. Loncar Associates
Loncar Associates doesn’t play games. Our injury lawyers prepare each case for trial. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys know ahead of time that we mean business and we mean to go all the way with it.
7. The Martinez Law Firm
Herman Martinez has practiced criminal law for over 18 years in Houston Harris County, Texas. Mr. Martinez is one of the few lawyers in Houston that can say that they are a former Harris County Chief Prosecutor, Associate Judge, a and briefing attorney for a District Court. Herman is a Certified Field Sobriety Test Expert. (The same tests that were used during your DWI arrest) Herman even owns the machine that is used for breath tests. He has been named by H Magazine from 2008-2014 as one of Houston’s Top Attorneys four years in a row, and is rated “Superb” 10/10 by Avvo.com.
8. Law Office of Shahin Zamir
Immediately after graduating summa cum laude from the University of Houston with membership in the Honor’s College, Shahin Zamir attended Texas Tech School of Law. While there, Shahin earned the Henslee/American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts Research Prize and the CALI Excellence for the Future Award.
Once in private practice, Shahin was invited to become a member of The College of the State Bar of Texas due to his devotion to Continuing Legal Education. He was also selected to attend the Criminal Trial College, which is a grueling week-long seminar geared towards mastering Criminal Defense trial techniques.
9. Scheiner Law Group, P.C.
Mr. Scheiner is a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, an Officer and Executive Committee Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, a Fellow of the College of the State Bar of Texas and Past Chair of the Computer and Technology Section of the State Bar of Texas. He is a former board member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) and a former board member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA). He is also a former chair of the “Criminal Defense Lawyers Project,” a committee which provides continuing legal education to attorneys who represent indigent clients. Mr. Scheiner is presently a board member of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a former Large Section Representative to the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. In 2011, Mr. Scheiner received the prestigious “Certificate of Merit” from the State Bar of Texas. He has received numerous commendations from TCDLA. In 2004, Mr. Scheiner was named HCCLA’s Outstanding Member of the Year. He is currently a “Ranch Club” member of the nationally renowned Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming.
10. Mingledorff Law
Former General Counsel to the late United States Senator Paula Hawkins. Served as Chief Prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and handled thousands of criminal cases in district, county and juvenile courts. Appointed to serve as Special Judge in Harris County Criminal Courts at law, by the Harris County Commissioners. Received National Recognition by winning a National Award in Burkan Memorial Competition and recognized for Academic Excellence. One of the chief architects of the missing children legislation when serving as a United States Senate Staff Member. Cited for Academic Excellence by United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen in 1979. Cited for Academic Excellence by United States Senator John Tower in 1979. Cited for Academic Excellence by United States Senator Bill Archer in 1980.
11. The David Hunter Law Firm
During his time as a Texas judge, David saw many strong criminal defense efforts as well as many weak ones. He saw how prosecutors put together a case and how smart and knowledgeable lawyers can undermine the prosecution’s assertions.
David Hunter is a member and former president of both the Fort Bend Bar Association and the Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Bar Association. He is also the former general counsel of the Fort Bend Republican Party. He serves on the board of directors of Front Line Ministries and is the former chairman of Fort Bend Meals on Wheels. David is active in his church.
12. Taryn Hill, Attorney at Law
After graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin, Taryn attended Law School at the University of Houston – graduating in 2005, While attending law school, Taryn worked as a legal intern in the Public Integrity Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Upon graduation from law school, Taryn passed the Texas Bar Exam and was sworn in as an Assistant District Attorney. Taryn’s career spanned 6 years in the District Attorney’s Office. During her tenure as a prosecutor, Taryn handled a wide range of cases in the misdemeanor, juvenile and felony trial courts.
Taryn’s courtroom experience also included serving as Chief Prosecutor in County Criminal Court where she was responsible for training and supervising other prosecutors. Before entering private practice with the Hill Law Firm, Taryn was responsible for case management in the Intake and Grand Jury Divisions of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
13. Madrid Law
Mario Madrid is a dedicated and experienced criminal defense attorney who represents clients in Houston, Harris County and the surrounding areas of Galveston County, Waller County, Brazoria County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, San Jacinto, and Fort Bend County. Mr. Madrid’s over two decades of litigation experience have endowed him with the skills necessary to aggressively confront the Texas criminal justice system on your behalf. His stellar reputation and strong client track record have been confirmed time and time again with numerous awards and qualifications.
14. Mercer & Keirnan
Mercer & Keirnan is a criminal defense law firm based in Houston, TX. Defense attorneys Michael D. Mercer and John “Casey” Keirnan co-founded “Mercer & Keirnan” in 2012 to provide high quality, experienced legal representation for anyone accused of a crime. The family tandem of John Keirnan and Michael Mercer have over 40 years of combined experience and are renowned by fellow criminal defense lawyers and by former clients as one of the best criminal defense firms in the state.
15. Mark Morasch
After graduating from law school, Attorney Mark Morasch passed the Missouri Bar exam in 1996 and worked for the next six years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Boone and Jasper Counties in Missouri. Then in 2003, Attorney Morasch moved to Houston, Texas and began the private practice of law, and he has been serving the people of Houston ever since. Now, he has over 20+ years of experience as a lawyer, including six years as a prosecutor.
16. Tyler Flood Attorney
At Tyler Flood & Associates, our goal is to out-research, out-prepare, and out-argue opposing counsel in everything we do. DWI defense is all we do which means that we are not only highly skilled in and out of the courtroom but we have the knowledge, experience, and resources to protect your best interests and seek the best possible outcome for your case.
When you’ve been pulled over or arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or drunk driving, turn to our Houston DWI attorney for the help you need. Call us today at to discuss your case.
Do Not Blow
Here are a few reasons why you should refuse the breath test in Texas. Keep in mind that each situation is different and you should act on legal matters ONLY on the advice of a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. That’s our way of saying, do not believe anything you read on the internet…especially legal advice.
Reasons to Refuse the Breath Test
- You don’t want to aid the police in building their case against you (gathering evidence against you).
- Regardless of your Blood Alcohol Level, you will still probably spend a night in jail.
- The higher your blood alcohol level, the increased likelihood of higher DWI fines and penalties.
- Even if the breath test is under the legal limit, the arresting officer will probably have you evaluated to see if any other drugs are present in your system.
All of the above are good reasons why most criminal defense attorneys in Texas will advise you to refuse the breath test, refuse any field sobriety tests, and refuse to take the blood test. -copied from DWIAttorneyDallas.net/do-not-blow
DWI / DUI Frequently Asked Questions
Can I beat a DWI charge in Houston?
In many cases the answer is yes. Houston has seen it's share of crime lab screw ups, tampering with evidence, violation of probable cause laws, all kinds of legal technicalities could help the court find that your 4th amendment rights were violated, or due process rights were violated. In certain situations, this could lead to you beating the charge. DWI attorneys see this all the time.
What if I refused the breathalyzer?
Most Texas DWI lawyers will actually advise you to refuse the breath test. You are under NO LEGAL OBLIGATION TO HELP THE POLICE GATHER EVIDENCE AGAINST YOU. Contact an attorney on this list for more information.
Are DWI Checkpoints Legal?
There are some legal experts who could argue either way. The bottom line is that every U.S. Citizen is afforded certain 4th amendment and due process rights that may have been violated during your arrest or investigation. Contact an attorney immediately to learn more.
How much does a Houston DUI Lawyer Cost?
Most attorneys charge for DWI defense representation on a case by case basis. That price is usually determined by attorney experience, attorney competence, attorney reputation, and the complexity of your case. Contact any attorney on this list for a consultation. Many DWI lawyers offer free consultations in Houston, TX.