1. The Medlin Law Firm
Focus Area: Criminal defense with exclusive focus on criminal law
Practice Areas: DWI/DUI, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, felonies, misdemeanors
Background: The Medlin Law Firm has nearly 67 years of combined experience defending those charged with crimes in Fort Worth. The firm maintains an exclusive focus on criminal defense and no other type of law. Attorneys have helped thousands of people facing criminal charges in Tarrant County and throughout Texas. The firm employs attorneys including Gary L. Medlin and Edward “EJ” J. Odre who are well-versed in Texas criminal law and court procedures.
Location: Fort Worth, Texas (serves Tarrant County and Texas statewide)
Contact: (682) 204-4066 | https://www.medlinfirm.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
2. Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC
Focus Area: Criminal defense and DWI with Board Certified attorneys
Practice Areas: DWI/DUI, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, sex crimes, probation violations, federal crimes, capital murder
Background: All attorneys at Hoeller McLaughlin are former Tarrant County prosecutors. Partners Colin McLaughlin and Hilary Wright are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law. Bryan Hoeller has been selected as a Super Lawyer, while Lindsay Truly and Dustin Trammel are Rising Stars. The firm has achieved hundreds of dismissals, no bills, and reductions. All attorneys have been named Top Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyers by Fort Worth Magazine from 2022-2025. The firm has handled combined jury trials ranging from DWI to capital murder and maintains over 300 five-star reviews.
Location: Fort Worth, Texas (serves Tarrant County)
Contact: (817) 334-7900 | https://www.bryanhoellerlaw.com/
Consultation: 15-minute in-person or phone consultation available for clients with pending charges in Tarrant County
3. Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers
Focus Area: Criminal defense with federal and state court experience
Practice Areas: Domestic violence, drug crimes, federal crimes, murder, protective order violations, DWI, theft, white collar crimes
Background: The legal team at Cofer Luster has more than 60 years of combined experience fighting for those accused of criminal offenses. The firm has defended clients in cases ranging from simple assault charges and murder to complex federal offenses. Attorneys have extensive experience in federal courts throughout the Northern District of Texas. The firm maintains a network of experts for consultations to strengthen defense positions. The firm has represented hundreds of clients in criminal matters throughout Texas and federal courts.
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Contact: (682) 777-3336 | https://coferluster.com/
Consultation: Confidential consultation available
4. HLAW Law Firm (Howard Lotspeich Alexander & Williams PLLC)
Focus Area: Criminal defense and DWI with former prosecutor experience
Practice Areas: DWI, aggravated assault, drug crimes, family violence, sexual offenses, domestic violence, juvenile defense, expunction, non-disclosure, federal criminal defense, Title IX student defense
Background: HLAW has been named “Best Law Firm” in Fort Worth. Attorney Jason Howard is a former felony chief prosecutor who has litigated hundreds of criminal cases to judges and juries in Texas. Attorney Luke Williams is a former assistant district attorney and municipal prosecutor. Attorney Brandon Barnett is a U.S. Marine Officer and law professor who is Of Counsel with the firm. The firm operates offices in both Fort Worth and Keller.
Location: 930 W. 1st St., Suite 202, Fort Worth, TX 76102 and 101 Quest Court, Keller, TX 76248
Contact: (817) 993-9249 (Fort Worth) or (817) 482-6770 (Keller) | https://www.bhwlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Cole Paschall Law
Focus Area: Criminal defense with expert witness network
Practice Areas: DWI, assault, drug crimes, theft, domestic violence, probation violations, federal crimes
Background: Cole Paschall Law has been fighting for clients since 1992, providing over three decades of experience. The firm maintains a 10.0 superb Avvo ranking. Attorneys work in partnership with experts including forensic experts, toxicologists, accident reconstructionists, and investigators to build strong defense cases. The firm is available 24/7 and emphasizes relationship-building with court personnel. Attorneys provide skilled guidance through the criminal justice process in Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Location: Fort Worth, Texas (serves Tarrant County)
Contact: (817) 477-4100 | https://colepaschalllaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7
Criminal Defense Laws in Texas
Felony Classifications
Texas classifies felonies into five categories based on severity:
Capital Felony: Reserved for the most serious offenses including capital murder. Penalties include the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.
First Degree Felony: Includes murder, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. Penalties range from 5 to 99 years (or life) in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Second Degree Felony: Includes manslaughter, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. Penalties range from 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Third Degree Felony: Includes intoxication assault, stalking, deadly conduct with a firearm, and theft of property valued $30,000-$150,000. Penalties range from 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
State Jail Felony: The least serious felony category, including theft of property valued $2,500-$30,000, credit card abuse, and some drug possession offenses. Penalties range from 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and fines up to $10,000.
Misdemeanor Classifications
Class A Misdemeanor: The most serious misdemeanor, including assault causing bodily injury, DWI (first offense), theft of property valued $750-$2,500. Maximum penalty of 1 year in county jail and fines up to $4,000.
Class B Misdemeanor: Includes DWI (first offense with BAC under .15), theft of property valued $100-$750, possession of small amounts of marijuana. Maximum penalty of 180 days in county jail and fines up to $2,000.
Class C Misdemeanor: The least serious criminal offense, including theft of property under $100 and disorderly conduct. No jail time; maximum fine of $500.
Record Clearing Options
Expunction (Expungement): Available for arrests that did not result in conviction, including dismissals, acquittals, pardons, and certain completed deferred adjudication cases. Expunction completely destroys records so that the arrest legally never occurred.
Order of Non-Disclosure (Sealing): Available for some offenses after successful completion of deferred adjudication community supervision. Records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies. Waiting periods depend on the offense: immediate for some misdemeanors, 2 years for most misdemeanors, 5 years for felonies.
DWI Non-Disclosure: Texas now permits first-time DWI offenders who complete deferred probation to have their records sealed under certain conditions, including installation of an ignition interlock device.
Ineligible Offenses: Non-disclosure is not available for offenses requiring sex offender registration, murder, aggravated kidnapping, human trafficking, family violence offenses, stalking, or crimes against children.
Board Certification
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys as specialists in Criminal Law after meeting rigorous requirements. Attorneys like Colin McLaughlin and Hilary Wright who hold this certification have demonstrated substantial experience and expertise through examination and peer review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists different from other attorneys in Tarrant County?
Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization represents a rigorous credential held by only about 10% of Texas criminal defense attorneys. To earn certification, attorneys must demonstrate substantial experience in criminal law, pass a comprehensive examination, provide peer references, and complete ongoing continuing education. When attorneys like Colin McLaughlin and Hilary Wright at Hoeller McLaughlin hold this certification, it indicates objectively verified expertise. In Tarrant County courts, Board Certified attorneys have proven knowledge that can be particularly valuable in complex cases.
What are the penalties for a first-time DWI in Fort Worth?
A first-offense DWI in Tarrant County is typically a Class B misdemeanor, carrying penalties including 72 hours to 180 days in county jail, fines up to $2,000, driver’s license suspension of 90 days to 1 year, annual surcharges of $1,000 for three years, and possible requirement for ignition interlock device. If BAC was .15 or higher, the charge is elevated to a Class A misdemeanor with potential jail time up to 1 year and fines up to $4,000. Texas now allows first-time DWI offenders to seek non-disclosure (sealing) of their records under certain conditions, including completing deferred adjudication and installing an ignition interlock device.
How does having a former prosecutor on my defense team help my case?
Many Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys, including those at Hoeller McLaughlin, HLAW, and Cofer Luster, are former Tarrant County prosecutors. This experience provides valuable insight into how the prosecution builds cases, what evidence they prioritize, how they approach plea negotiations, and what strategies they use at trial. Former prosecutors understand the internal workings of the District Attorney’s office, have existing professional relationships with current prosecutors, and can anticipate the prosecution’s approach to your case. This insider knowledge allows them to identify weaknesses in the state’s case and develop more effective defense strategies.
What happens at the Tarrant County Jail after arrest?
After arrest in Tarrant County, you will be transported to the Tarrant County Jail for booking, which includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. You will appear before a magistrate to be informed of charges, advised of rights, and have bail set. Depending on the offense and your criminal history, you may be released on personal recognizance, required to post cash bond, or use a bail bondsman. For serious offenses, you may be held without bond pending a bail hearing. Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately, as they can appear at first appearance hearings to argue for reasonable bail terms.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Fort Worth if I completed deferred adjudication?
If you successfully completed deferred adjudication in Tarrant County, you generally cannot expunge the record, but you may be eligible for an order of non-disclosure (sealing). Non-disclosure removes the record from public background checks while keeping it accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies. Waiting periods vary: some misdemeanors are eligible immediately upon completion, while others require 2 years, and most felonies require 5 years. However, if your case was dismissed outright (not deferred adjudication), you may be eligible for full expunction. An attorney can evaluate your specific situation and advise on which form of relief is available.