1. Dunham & Jones
Focus Area: Criminal defense with multiple awards including Time Magazine, Newsweek, and National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Practice Areas: DUI/DWI, assault, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft, weapons charges, sex crimes, online solicitation, money laundering, felonies, misdemeanors
Background: Award Winning Irving Criminal Attorneys Dunham & Jones #1 Goal as your Irving Criminal Attorney is to get your case DISMISSED or REDUCED, so that you can have your arrest record, fingerprints and mugshot removed from public records. The Irving Criminal Attorneys at Dunham & Jones offer FREE Consultations and Easy Payment Plans with No Money Down in most cases. Dunham & Jones believes experienced and quality legal representation should be affordable when hiring a Criminal Attorney in Irving, Texas. Dunham & Jones was voted as a law firm by the Daily Texan and has been recognized as leading attorneys by both Time and Newsweek magazines. In addition they have been ranked as one of the nation’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers and 10 in Client Satisfaction. These awards reflect their dedication to criminal defense. They have a team of renowned Irving Criminal Defense Attorneys including Brett Hiser who will protect your rights and fight for you in the courtroom. Best Attorneys of America awarded to firm 2018-2019, NACDA awarded to firm 2017, Veteran Approved award to firm in 2017.
Location: Serves Irving and Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
Contact: (214) 888-8888 | https://www.dunhamlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, including weekends
2. Law Office of Michelle Poblenz
Focus Area: Criminal defense with extensive experience representing clients charged with various offenses
Practice Areas: DUI/DWI, drug crimes, theft, assault, domestic violence, felonies, misdemeanors
Background: Being charged with a crime can be a frightening experience, and navigating the criminal justice system can be overwhelming. Hiring a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney is in your interest in these situations. However, it is not always easy to know what to look for when determining whether a criminal defense attorney is the right person to assist with your case. At the Law Office of Michelle Poblenz, their robust knowledge of criminal law makes them uniquely qualified to serve clients who have been accused of committing crimes. They will serve as your guide throughout the legal process, working tirelessly to ensure that you have every opportunity to fight the charges against you and pursue a positive outcome in your case. The more experience an attorney has, the better. They need to have a deep understanding of the criminal justice system. The attorney has extensive experience representing clients who have been charged with a wide variety of offenses. At the Law Office of Michelle Poblenz, they know how daunting it can be to respond to criminal charges.
Location: 800 W. Airport Freeway, Suite 1127, Irving, TX 75062 (serves Dallas/Fort Worth area)
Contact: (469) 845-3031 | https://www.poblenzlaw.com/
Consultation: Confidential consultation available
3. Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Focus Area: Criminal defense with comprehensive defense services for wide range of charges
Practice Areas: DUI/DWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, assault, property crimes, weapons offenses, felonies, misdemeanors
Background: If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, don’t wait to take action. Their legal team provides comprehensive defense services for a wide range of criminal charges. Texas takes driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses seriously, with harsh penalties including license suspension, fines, and jail time. Their Irving DWI lawyers challenge breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, and police procedures to build a strong defense against your charges. They break down every detail: police reports, witness statements, forensic evidence. Was there an unlawful search? A rushed arrest? A weak case built on assumptions? They challenge every flaw, exposing cracks in the prosecution’s argument to build the strongest defense possible. Texas law imposes serious consequences for criminal convictions, including fines ranging from a few hundred dollars for misdemeanors to thousands for felonies, jail or prison time, probation as alternative to jail with strict conditions, and permanent criminal record that can affect employment, housing, and other opportunities.
Location: Serves Irving and Dallas County (Dallas, Carrollton, Richardson)
Contact: (469) 301-1185 | https://mcconathylaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. J. Roland Jeter, P.C.
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 47 years legal experience and lifelong Irving resident
Practice Areas: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, family law, elder law, estate planning
Background: Serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community since 1978, J. Roland Jeter, P.C. is skilled in many different facets of law such as: family law, elder law, estate planning and criminal defense. Committed to serving the people of Irving since 1978, J. Roland Jeter, P.C. has established itself as the trusted law firm in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. A lifelong resident of Irving, founding attorney Roland Jeter has 47 years of extensive legal and trial experience. His entire career has been devoted to providing sound, straightforward, and ethical legal counsel, and this is exactly what Roland Jeter has built his reputation upon. Fully committed to the highest standards of competency, integrity, and proficiency, Mr. Jeter has been named as the Attorney in Irving for 2013 by the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. He was the only attorney named that year. Due to his respected reputation within the community, many clients retain the firm through the referral of past happy clients and attorneys. Born and raised in Irving, Texas, Roland Jeter comes from one of the city’s oldest families and is well-known for his involvement in local political, civic, and church organizations.
Location: Irving, Texas (serves Grand Prairie, Euless, Colleyville, Cedar Hill, Mansfield, Grapevine, Hurst, Bedford, Arlington)
Contact: (972) 330-4050 | https://www.rolandjeterlaw.com/
Consultation: Available for consultation
5. Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C.
Focus Area: Criminal defense with personalized approach and track record of case dismissals
Practice Areas: DUI/DWI, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, felonies, misdemeanors
Background: When you’ve been accused of committing a crime, you are probably terrified of being convicted. Talk with an Irving criminal defense attorney at Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C. to discuss your defense options and work toward preventing a conviction. If you’ve been charged with a crime, you are likely paralyzed with fear because you don’t know what will happen to you if convicted. When you talk to an Irving criminal defense lawyer at their firm, they will help you understand the legal penalties you could be facing and help you understand what options are available to you. When fighting criminal charges, there are often many creative solutions. There could be treatment options or a probation alternative to jail time or you could even get a charge dropped or dismissed with help from a lawyer. When you’ve been charged with a crime, you want to know that the lawyer you work with has experience defending people against conviction. The attorneys at the firm are familiar with many different types of criminal charges. Your case will be examined on an individual basis because every person and every situation is unique.
Location: Serves Irving and Dallas area
Contact: (214) 665-6930 | https://www.lewisdefense.com/
Consultation: Available for consultation
Criminal Defense Laws in Texas
Felony Classifications
Texas classifies felonies into five categories:
Capital Felony: Includes capital murder. Penalty is death or life imprisonment without parole.
First Degree Felony: Includes murder, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery. Penalty is 5 to 99 years or life imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine.
Second Degree Felony: Includes manslaughter, aggravated assault, sexual assault. Penalty is 2 to 20 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine.
Third Degree Felony: Includes DWI (third offense), indecent exposure to a child, intoxication assault. Penalty is 2 to 10 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine.
State Jail Felony: Includes DWI with child passenger, theft $2,500-$30,000, credit card abuse. Penalty is 180 days to 2 years state jail and up to $10,000 fine.
Misdemeanor Classifications
Class A Misdemeanor: Includes DWI (first/second offense), assault causing bodily injury, theft $750-$2,500. Maximum 1 year jail and $4,000 fine.
Class B Misdemeanor: Includes DWI (first offense), possession of marijuana (2 oz or less), theft $100-$750. Maximum 180 days jail and $2,000 fine.
Class C Misdemeanor: Includes theft under $100, disorderly conduct. Maximum $500 fine (no jail).
Expunction and Nondisclosure
Expunction: Available for arrests that did not result in conviction (dismissal, acquittal, pardon). Completely erases the record.
Order of Nondisclosure: Available for some convictions after deferred adjudication. Seals record from public but accessible to law enforcement and certain employers.
DWI Laws
Texas DWI applies to driving with BAC of .08% or higher (.04% commercial, .00% under 21). First offense (Class B Misdemeanor) carries 72 hours to 180 days jail (minimum 6 days if BAC .15%+), $2,000 fine ($4,000 if BAC .15%+), 90-day to 1-year license suspension, and annual surcharge. Second offense carries 30 days to 1 year jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courts handle criminal cases in Irving?
Criminal cases in Irving are handled by Dallas County courts. Irving is part of Dallas County, so misdemeanor cases are heard in Dallas County Criminal Courts. Felony cases are heard in Dallas County District Courts. The Irving Police Department Jail is a 24/7 operation for temporary confinement of pre-trial individuals and those serving time on misdemeanor Irving Municipal Court cases. Arraignments are generally held twice daily during the week at approximately 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you are required to appear in court, you must arrive on time or a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
What are the penalties for DWI in Texas?
Texas takes DWI offenses seriously with harsh penalties. First DWI offense carries 72 hours to 180 days jail, up to $2,000 fine, and 90-day to 1-year license suspension. If BAC is .15% or higher, minimum jail is 6 days and fine up to $4,000. Second DWI offense within 10 years carries 30 days to 1 year jail, up to $4,000 fine, and 180-day to 2-year license suspension. Third DWI offense is a Third Degree Felony with 2 to 10 years prison. DWI with a child passenger is a State Jail Felony. An Irving criminal defense attorney can challenge breathalyzer results and police procedures.
What happens if I am arrested for a drug offense in Irving?
Drug charges in Texas range from simple possession to trafficking. Possession of marijuana (2 oz or less) is a Class B misdemeanor with up to 180 days jail. Possession of controlled substances (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine) carries penalties based on quantity. Less than 1 gram is a State Jail Felony (180 days to 2 years). Possession with intent to distribute carries enhanced penalties. Drug-free zone enhancements apply near schools and other designated areas. An Irving criminal defense attorney can evaluate eligibility for drug court or deferred adjudication.
Can I get my Texas criminal record expunged?
Texas offers two ways to clear records: expunction and orders of nondisclosure. Expunction completely erases the record and is available for arrests that did not result in conviction (dismissal, acquittal, pardon). You must wait until the statute of limitations expires or receive documentation of non-filing. Orders of Nondisclosure seal the record from public view (but not law enforcement) and are available for some convictions after completing deferred adjudication. The goal is to get your case DISMISSED or REDUCED, so that you can have your arrest record, fingerprints and mugshot removed from public records. An Irving criminal defense attorney can evaluate eligibility.
What should I do immediately after being arrested in Irving?
After being arrested in Irving, remain calm and exercise your right to remain silent. Do not answer questions without an attorney present. You will be booked into the Irving City Jail, where your property will be listed, photograph and fingerprints taken. Arraignments are held twice daily at approximately 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. where the judge informs you of charges, reads your rights, and advises of bond amount. If you qualify, an attorney may be appointed during arraignment. Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building your defense.