10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Houston, TX

This guide covers 10 law firms that defend people charged with crimes in Houston and Harris County. Each was evaluated on three things: the background and courtroom credentials of its lead attorneys, its trial experience in the local courts, and how central criminal defense is to the firm’s actual work. Houston’s size means its defense bar is unusually specialized, with firms built around DWI defense specifically, federal white-collar cases, or the kind of high-volume misdemeanor and felony docket that moves through the Harris County Criminal Justice Center every day.

Harris County runs one of the largest criminal court systems in the country, with dozens of felony and misdemeanor courts, and its size means case outcomes can vary significantly by court and by prosecutor. When comparing firms, it helps to ask whether the attorney who meets you will be the one appearing in court, whether they are board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by only a small share of Texas lawyers, and whether they have specific experience with your type of charge, especially DWI, federal crimes, or sex offenses, each of which is litigated differently from a general theft or assault case.

1. Haddad & Timmons Law Firm

• Attorney/Key Figure: Mark Haddad, Partner
• Headquarters: 1920 N Memorial Way, Houston, TX 77007
• Website: haddadtimmonslaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (DWI, Felonies, Aggravated Robbery, Murder and Homicide, Weapons Charges, Protective Order Violations, Juvenile), Personal Injury, Business and Commercial Litigation
• Firm Size: Boutique; handles serious and violent felony cases alongside personal injury and commercial litigation from its Houston headquarters

About the Firm: Haddad & Timmons has built a track record on some of the most serious charges that come through Harris County’s courts, including murder, homicide, and aggravated robbery cases, alongside more common DWI and weapons charges. That willingness to take on high-stakes violent felony matters sets the firm apart from practices that focus mainly on misdemeanors and lower-level felonies.

Because the firm also carries personal injury and business litigation caseloads, clients should confirm that the attorney assigned to a criminal matter is focused specifically on that side of the practice rather than splitting time across the firm’s other specialties.

2. Segura & Kiatta Criminal Defense

• Attorney/Key Figure: Chase Segura, Partner
• Headquarters: Sugar Land, TX (with service across Fort Bend County, Houston, Richmond, Katy, Fulshear, Missouri City, Rosenberg, and Wharton County)
• Website: segurakiattacriminaldefense.com
• Practice Areas: DWI Defense (Administrative License Revocation, Breath Alcohol Testing, Intoxication Assault and Manslaughter, Occupational Driver’s License), Drug Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft and Robbery, Violent Crimes, White Collar Crimes, Expunction
• Firm Size: Boutique; practices across the greater Houston and Fort Bend County region with a docket spanning misdemeanor to serious felony cases
• Practice Area Page: Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer

About the Firm: Segura & Kiatta built a practice that treats DWI defense as a specialty in its own right, with case categories broken out by the specific administrative and criminal issues a DWI charge raises, from breath test challenges to occupational license hearings. That level of procedural detail matters in Texas, where a DWI case runs on two tracks at once: the criminal charge itself and a separate administrative license suspension with its own short deadline.

The firm’s reach across Fort Bend County and into Houston proper means it can represent clients whose case moves between Harris County and the surrounding counties, a common situation for anyone arrested while commuting or traveling through the region. Clients with a serious felony matter unrelated to intoxication offenses should confirm the specific partner and team assigned to their case.

3. Law Office of Joseph Ruiz

• Attorney/Key Figure: Joseph Ruiz, Founding Attorney
• Headquarters: 1100 W. 23rd Street, Suite 220, Houston, TX 77008, with additional offices in Conroe, Richmond, Galveston, Angleton, Hempstead, Dayton, College Station, and Pasadena, TX
• Website: josephruizlaw.com
• Practice Areas: DWI Defense (Third Offense, College Student, Motorcycle, Multiple, Underage, Hit and Run, DWI with Injury), ALR Hearings, Criminal Defense (Domestic Violence, Drug Charges, Theft, Assault, Felonies, Federal Crimes), Expunction and Non-Disclosure, Sexual Assault, Manslaughter, Personal Injury
• Firm Size: Multi-office regional firm with criminal defense work spanning nine Texas counties from its Houston headquarters

About the Firm: Joseph Ruiz has built one of the more granular DWI defense practices in the Houston area, breaking cases out by scenario, from a first-time college student arrest to a third-offense or injury-related charge, and he says clients work directly with him rather than being routed to an associate. That directness, paired with the firm’s regional office network, lets it serve clients across Harris County and well beyond it without routing a case out to referral counsel.

The firm’s Houston headquarters anchors a larger regional team spread across nine Texas counties, which brings resources a solo practice may lack. Clients should still confirm which specific attorney from the firm’s roster will be handling their local court appearances, since a multi-office firm distributes casework across its team.

4. Greco Neyland, P.C.

• Attorney/Key Figure: Dustan Neyland, Partner
• Headquarters: 701 N. Post Oak Road, Suite 425, Houston, TX 77024 (with additional presence in Fort Bend County and Katy, TX)
• Website: greconeylandtx.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Assault, Aggravated Assault, Child Pornography), DWI (First Through Felony Offenses, Aggravated, DWI with Child Passenger), Drug Crimes, Federal Crimes, Burglary, Theft, Gun Charges, Sexual Assault
• Firm Size: Boutique; formed in 2013 when founding attorneys Jeff Greco and Dustan Neyland combined their individual practices

About the Firm: Dustan Neyland spent years working in law enforcement and criminal justice, including stints with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, before moving to defense work. That combination of law enforcement and prosecutorial experience gives the firm insight into how both police investigations and DA’s office case evaluations unfold from the inside.

Neyland personally conducts his own investigation of client cases, including interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence rather than relying solely on discovery from the state. The firm’s federal practice, including admission before courts in New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts in addition to Texas, gives it reach beyond the typical state-court-only defense practice, though clients with a straightforward local misdemeanor may find a smaller local practice more cost-effective.

5. Surginer Stewart PLLC

• Attorney/Key Figure: Justin T. Surginer, Partner
• Headquarters: Houston, TX (serving clients statewide across Texas)
• Website: surginerandstewart.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (Drug Crimes, DWI, Family Violence Defense, Gun Crimes, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, Expungement, Domestic Violence)
• Firm Size: Boutique; practices criminal defense exclusively from its Houston base

About the Firm: Surginer Stewart keeps its practice narrowly focused on criminal defense rather than splitting time across family law, personal injury, or civil litigation, which means every attorney at the firm works exclusively on the kinds of cases that come through Harris County’s criminal courts. Its case list includes family violence and domestic violence defense specifically, an area that carries its own procedural wrinkles in Texas, including protective order hearings that run separately from the criminal case itself.

The firm’s statewide reach from a Houston base is useful for a case that moves venues, though as a more tightly focused criminal defense boutique, it has less capacity than a larger multi-practice firm for handling a client’s related civil or family law needs alongside the criminal matter.

6. Neal Davis Law Firm, PLLC

• Attorney/Key Figure: Neal Davis, Founder
• Headquarters: 1545 Heights Blvd, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77008
• Phone: (713) 227-4444
• Website: nealdavislaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Sex Offenses, Drug Offenses, White Collar Crime, DWI and Intoxication Offenses, Family Violence, Federal Crimes
• Firm Size: Boutique; founded in 1998, with the founding attorney board certified in criminal law since 2009 and listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2015

About the Firm: Neal Davis spent more than a decade working with Texas criminal defense figure Dick DeGuerin before founding his own firm, and he has since argued cases before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by only a small fraction of Texas attorneys, and carries an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

The firm’s recognition in both general criminal defense and white-collar crime by Best Lawyers in America reflects a docket that runs from state misdemeanors to complex federal matters. That range is a strength for cases that could escalate to federal charges, though it also means the firm is more selective than a high-volume practice about the cases it accepts.

7. Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C.

• Attorney/Key Figure: Doug Murphy, Founder
• Headquarters: 902 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
• Phone: (713) 229-8333
• Website: dougmurphylaw.com
• Practice Areas: DWI Defense (First Through Fourth Offense, Felony DWI, DWI with Child Passenger), Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes, DWI Defense for Licensed Professionals
• Firm Size: Boutique; one of only two attorneys in Texas board certified in both criminal law and DWI defense

About the Firm: Doug Murphy is one of just two lawyers in Texas dual board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in DWI defense by the National College for DUI Defense, a combination the firm says is unmatched in the state. He has served on the board of directors for the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and was named “Lawyer of the Year” in DWI defense by Best Lawyers in America based on peer review.

Murphy was also recognized for exposing flaws in the Houston Police Department’s breath alcohol testing vans, work that speaks to a practice built on challenging the scientific and procedural basis of DWI evidence rather than simply negotiating pleas. That intense specialization is a clear strength for an intoxication-related charge, though clients facing a case unrelated to DWI, such as a general theft or assault charge, may be better served by a broader criminal defense practice.

8. Thiessen Law Firm

• Attorney/Key Figure: Mark Thiessen, Chairman and CEO
• Headquarters: 733 E. 12th 1/2 Street, Houston, TX 77008
• Phone: (713) 864-9000
• Website: thetexastrialattorney.com
• Practice Areas: DWI Defense, Criminal Defense, Intoxication Manslaughter, Drug Crimes, Civil Trial Work
• Firm Size: Boutique; founding attorney is triple board certified, a distinction the firm says is unique among American lawyers

About the Firm: Mark Thiessen holds board certification in criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, in DUI law from the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and in DUI defense through the National College for DUI Defense, a combination the firm describes as unmatched nationally. He also holds an American Chemical Society Lawyer-Scientist designation, reflecting a practice built around challenging the forensic science behind breath and blood test evidence.

Thiessen has served as president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association and has handled cases ranging from first-time DWI arrests to quadruple intoxication manslaughter charges. The firm emphasizes quality over case volume, which means more individual attention but a more selective intake process than firms built to handle a higher caseload.

9. Law Office of David A. Breston

• Attorney/Key Figure: David A. Breston, Founder
• Headquarters: 1820 W Bell Street, Houston, TX 77019
• Phone: (713) 224-4040
• Website: houston-criminalattorney.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crimes, DWI and DUI, Drug Crimes, Sex Crimes, Domestic Violence, Expungement
• Firm Size: Boutique; practicing since 1997, with more than 3,000 clients represented in federal, state, and juvenile matters

About the Firm: David Breston earned his law degree from the University of Texas Law School in 1997 and has since represented more than 3,000 clients facing federal, state, and juvenile criminal charges in the Houston area. His docket covers a wide range of case types, from DWI and drug crimes to sex offenses and domestic violence defense, each handled through a dedicated practice page on the firm’s site.

The firm’s broad case range makes it a reasonable starting point for many kinds of charges, though clients with a highly specialized matter, such as a complex federal fraud case, may want to confirm the specific depth of the attorney’s experience with that particular charge type before signing on.

10. Chernoff Law

• Attorney/Key Figure: Edward A. Chernoff, Founder
• Headquarters: Houston, TX
• Website: chernofflaw.com
• Practice Areas: Federal Criminal Defense, White Collar Crime, DWI Defense, Drug Crimes, Violent Crimes
• Firm Size: Boutique; founding attorney has been board certified in criminal law for more than 25 years, a credential held by roughly 10 percent of Texas criminal defense lawyers

About the Firm: Ed Chernoff has practiced criminal defense in Houston for more than two decades, with board certification in criminal law that the firm notes only a small share of Texas lawyers hold. His practice leans toward federal and white-collar matters, an area of criminal defense that requires familiarity with federal sentencing guidelines and investigative processes distinct from a standard state misdemeanor or felony case.

That federal and white-collar focus is a genuine strength for clients facing charges in federal court or a complex fraud investigation, though clients with a routine state DWI or drug possession charge may find a firm with a higher-volume, state-court-focused practice a better fit for a more straightforward case.

Houston, TX Criminal Defense Resources

• Houston Municipal Court: Provides information on Houston municipal court cases, citations, warrants, court appearances, expunctions, non-disclosure motions, and other city-level criminal matters.
• Houston Police Department Headquarters: Houston’s city police department, with resources for police reports, jail information, records requests, complaints, crime reporting, and other law-enforcement services.
• Houston Municipal Court Case & Ticket Information: Allows individuals to access information about Houston municipal citations, court dates, payments, deferred disposition, defensive driving, and related proceedings.
• Houston Municipal Court Legal Resources: Provides city-specific information regarding expunctions, non-disclosure motions, legal forms, attorney services, and court procedures.
• Houston Police Department Records & Reports: Provides access to Houston police records, accident and crash reports, public information requests, and other police-related records.
• Houston Public Library – Central Library: Provides access to public information and research resources that can be useful when researching legal and criminal justice topics.
• Houston Lawyer Referral Service: Connects Houston residents with attorneys for legal consultations and representation.
• University of Houston Law Center: Offers legal education and clinical resources in Houston that can be useful for individuals seeking information about legal issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after a DWI arrest in Harris County?

Texas runs an Administrative License Revocation, or ALR, process separately from the criminal case, and you generally have only 15 days from your arrest to request a hearing contesting an automatic license suspension, or the suspension takes effect on its own. Missing that short window is one of the most common mistakes people make after a DWI arrest, which is why DWI-focused firms like Doug Murphy Law Firm and Thiessen Law Firm emphasize acting within days, not weeks.

What does it mean for a criminal defense attorney to be board certified?

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in specific practice areas, including criminal law and DWI defense, based on trial experience, peer review, and a specialty exam. Only a small fraction of Texas’s licensed attorneys hold board certification in any area. Attorneys like Neal Davis, Doug Murphy, and Mark Thiessen hold this distinction, and Murphy and Thiessen are both certified in both criminal law and DWI defense specifically.

Should I hire a former prosecutor as my defense attorney?

Several Houston defense attorneys, including Dustan Neyland of Greco Neyland, previously worked inside the Harris County District Attorney’s Office or in law enforcement. That background can mean firsthand insight into how prosecutors evaluate evidence and build cases, though it is not the only measure of a strong defense attorney. It is worth asking any firm directly about this background during a consultation.

How is a federal criminal case different from a state case in Harris County?

Federal criminal cases, including many white-collar, drug trafficking, and firearms charges, follow federal sentencing guidelines and are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office rather than the Harris County District Attorney, with different procedures, different courts, and generally higher stakes. Firms with genuine federal court experience, such as Neal Davis Law Firm and Chernoff Law, handle these cases differently from a standard state court matter, and it is worth confirming a firm’s specific federal court experience if your case could escalate that way.

What should I do if I’m arrested in Houston?

Exercise your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney before answering questions or making statements, even ones that seem minor or unrelated to the charge. Write down everything you remember about the arrest as soon as you’re able, including officer names, badge numbers, and any witnesses. Contact a criminal defense attorney before your first court date, since some deadlines, like the ALR hearing request after a DWI, run on a matter of days.

Do Houston criminal defense attorneys offer free consultations?

Most of the firms on this list offer a free initial consultation for criminal cases, though this can vary by firm and by type of case. It is worth confirming directly and asking about payment plans, since criminal defense fees are typically flat or hourly rather than the contingency arrangements common in personal injury cases.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an endorsement. Attorney qualifications change over time. Verify all credentials and details independently before hiring counsel.