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Let's talk about
your defense.
Schedule your free initial phone consultation online — or do things the old-fashioned way and give us a call.
Free means free — no pressure, no obligation.
An attorney who understands the value you put on your freedom — and who will help the court and prosecutor understand it too, so we can see justice done on all sides.
What We Handle
Two-part flat fees, published for every offense level — so you know the cost of your defense before you commit to it.
Misdemeanor and felony defense in Texas courts — from Class B misdemeanors through first-degree felonies.
Defense against charges brought by the United States, where procedure and stakes both change.
Background investigation and a full review of the State's evidence — every frame of footage, every page of police reports.
Working the county or district attorney toward a resolution you're satisfied with — without the necessity of a trial.
A full review of your trial or plea record, and a candid assessment of whether there are grounds for a successful appeal.
Sealing or destroying the record of an arrest so it stops following you through job, housing, and school applications.
Why Private Counsel
Public defenders are real lawyers — often very good ones — but they generally can't refuse cases, and there are a lot of Texans relying on them. Hiring private counsel means paying for something specific: an attorney with the time to give you and your case much more personal attention in the months ahead.
“It means an attorney who will take the time to talk with you when you're scared or angry about how the justice system is treating you.”
Criminal Defense Pricing
The pre-trial fee covers investigation, discovery review, and negotiation with the State; the trial fee applies only if you'd rather present your case to the judge or jury. Dalworth Legal does not currently represent defendants in Class C misdemeanor cases.
All pricing is subject to attorney discretion and may be modified by a written agreement offered by Dalworth Legal, PLLC, to any potential client seeking to retain our services. These fees do not include any estimated court costs, fees for third-party experts, travel expenses, or other incidental fees that may accrue in your case. Note that the mandatory minimum prison sentence may increase based on the facts of your case and criminal history.
Criminal Law FAQ
General information only — not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship created. Talk to an attorney about your unique situation before moving forward.
Ask about your caseOnce a crime is reported, it's no longer the alleged victim's decision whether charges are pursued — that belongs to the county attorney (misdemeanors) or district attorney (felonies). If the alleged victim's testimony was the only solid evidence, an Affidavit of Non-Prosecution can make it much more likely charges aren't filed. But if there were other witnesses, photographs, videos, or police reports, prosecution will often continue even against the alleged victim's wishes.
Not only real lawyers — often very good ones, and that's written with all sincerity. Dissatisfaction usually boils down to time: public defenders generally can't refuse a case once it's assigned, and a lot of Texans rely on them. Restoring Justice (an organization not affiliated with Dalworth Legal, PLLC, or the State Bar of Texas) estimated that as of 2019, 81% of Texans charged with a crime needed a public defender.
That's also why hiring private counsel can seem expensive: you're paying to be part of a small, selective caseload — an attorney able to give you and your case much more personal attention in the months ahead.
It depends on the location (counties with bigger cities tend to move faster than rural ones), the severity of the offense, how long ago it allegedly occurred, and what plea deals the State offers — accepting a deal you think is fair is much faster than going to trial. Generally: three to six months for a misdemeanor, up to two or three years for a felony, though most cases resolve within a year.
Texas offers two paths to a clean public record. An expunction is a court order that all evidence of your arrest and trial be completely destroyed — available in limited circumstances, like acquittal, a later pardon, or charges never being filed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. ch. 55).
A nondisclosure lets government agencies keep the record but prohibits releasing it to the public — so you won't have to disclose it on most job, housing, or school applications. Generally it requires successfully completed deferred adjudication, a nonviolent first offense, and a waiting period (Tex. Gov't Code §§ 411.071–411.0775). Court fees typically run $300–$500 depending on the county, and a critical step is properly listing every agency to notify — miss one, and your record may remain public through it. Talk to an attorney to confirm your eligibility.
Free Consultation
Schedule your free initial phone consultation online — or do things the old-fashioned way and give us a call.
Free means free — no pressure, no obligation.