1. Varghese Summersett, PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, federal criminal defense, DWI defense, white collar crimes, sex crimes defense
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, assault, family violence, sex crimes, murder, weapons charges, theft crimes, white collar offenses
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, grand jury representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, appeals, expungement, non-disclosure petitions, probation violation hearings
Background: Varghese Summersett includes four attorneys who are board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, placing them among fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys with any board certification. The firm is a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree (2018, 2024, 2025). In 2025, Fort Worth Magazine named 17 Varghese Summersett attorneys to its annual Top Attorneys list. The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce named the firm Small Business of the Year in 2023. Founding partner Benson Varghese received the 2025 Entrepreneur of Excellence award. Attorney Anna Summersett is Board Certified in Criminal Law and has personally handled over 100 jury trials ranging from misdemeanor DWIs to Capital Murder.
Location: 1501 W. 7th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Contact: (817) 203-2220 | https://versustexas.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Hoeller McLaughlin, PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DWI defense
Case Types Handled: DWI/DUI, drug crimes, assault, family violence, sex crimes, theft, felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, DWI non-disclosures, record sealing, suppression hearings, jury trials
Background: All attorneys at Hoeller McLaughlin are former Tarrant County prosecutors. The team has over 350 combined jury trials. All criminal attorneys have been named Top Fort Worth Criminal Defense Attorneys by Fort Worth Magazine for 2024 and 2025. Colin McLaughlin and Hilary Wright are Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Bryan Hoeller was selected as a Texas Super Lawyer for 2023, 2024, and 2025 by Thomson Reuters. Lindsay Truly (2020-2025) and Dustin Trammel (2020-2024) have been selected as Super Lawyer Rising Stars. The firm has over 300 five-star reviews.
Location: 1717 Main Street, Suite 4700, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Contact: (817) 631-4111 | https://www.bryanhoellerlaw.com
Consultation: Confidential consultation available
3. Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DWI defense, domestic violence defense, drug crimes
Case Types Handled: Capital murder, murder, assault, family violence, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, theft crimes, sex crimes, weapons charges, felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, grand jury representation, motion practice, expungement, non-disclosure petitions, probation violation hearings, warrant recalls
Background: The Fulgham Hampton legal team consists of former prosecutors with over 100 years of combined criminal law experience and over 500 jury trials in Texas. Five of the firm’s seven criminal defense attorneys previously worked as Tarrant County prosecutors. The firm maintains a proactive approach with documented results including dismissals, no-bills from grand juries, and not guilty verdicts.
Location: 115 W. 2nd Street, Suite 102, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Contact: (817) 877-3030 | https://www.criminalattorneyfortworth.com
Consultation: Free consultation available with around-the-clock availability
4. Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, federal criminal defense, sex crimes defense, assault defense
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, murder, capital murder, sex crimes, assault, drug offenses, DWI/DUI, theft, family violence, weapons charges, felonies, misdemeanors
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, appeals, grand jury representation, post-conviction relief
Background: Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers has over 60 years of combined experience. The firm has represented hundreds of clients in criminal matters and maintains a documented record of Not Guilty verdicts, dismissals, grand jury No Bills, and reduced charges in both Texas state courts and Federal courts in the Northern District of Texas. The firm handles cases from investigation through jury trial and appeal.
Location: 600 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Contact: (682) 777-3336 | https://coferluster.com
Consultation: Confidential consultation available
5. The Lowe Law Office, PLLC (Jonathan Lowe)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DWI defense, assault family violence defense, felony defense
Case Types Handled: DWI/DUI, assault, family violence, felonies, misdemeanors, drug crimes, theft, weapons charges, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, expungement, non-disclosure petitions, probation violation hearings
Background: Attorney Jonathan Lowe is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has experience as a former felony prosecutor in Tarrant and Bexar Counties. He brings over a decade of hands-on experience managing diverse criminal cases. His prosecutorial background provides insight into how the State builds and presents cases.
Location: 855 Texas Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Contact: (817) 764-0220 | https://www.thelowelawoffices.com
Consultation: Consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Texas
Texas requires attorneys to pass the Texas Bar Examination and maintain membership in the State Bar of Texas. Criminal defense attorneys may obtain Board Certification in Criminal Law through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which requires substantial experience, peer references, continuing legal education in criminal law, and passing a comprehensive examination. Fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys hold any board certification.
Texas operates a public defender system in some counties, while other counties rely on court-appointed attorneys from a wheel or assigned counsel list. Tarrant County has both a Public Defender’s Office and an assigned counsel system. Indigent defendants qualify for appointed counsel based on financial guidelines.
Attorney advertising in Texas is governed by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Advertisements must not be false or misleading and must include the name of at least one attorney responsible for the content. Certain designations like “specialist” require board certification.
Texas classifies felonies into five categories: Capital felonies (death penalty or life without parole eligible), First Degree (5-99 years or life), Second Degree (2-20 years), Third Degree (2-10 years), and State Jail Felonies (180 days to 2 years in state jail). Misdemeanors are classified as Class A (up to 1 year jail), Class B (up to 180 days), and Class C (fine only).
Texas has the death penalty for capital murder under certain aggravating circumstances. Capital defense requires specialized qualifications and appointments.
Texas expungement (expunction) is available for arrests that did not result in conviction, acquittals, pardons, and certain dismissed charges. Non-disclosure orders can seal certain conviction records from public view, including first-time DWI offenders who complete deferred adjudication (effective 2017). Waiting periods vary based on offense type. Certain offenses involving family violence, sexual offenses, and other serious crimes are ineligible for non-disclosure.
Texas bail laws underwent significant reform with the passage of the Damon Allen Act in 2021. Magistrates must consider public safety, criminal history, and flight risk when setting bail. Personal bonds may be restricted for defendants with violent criminal histories or those accused of committing felonies while on bail for another felony. Article 17.151 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure requires release on personal bond if not indicted within 90 days for felonies.
The constitutional right to a speedy trial in Texas is balanced against factors including length of delay, reason for delay, defendant’s assertion of the right, and prejudice to the defendant. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 32A provides that criminal trials shall be given preference over civil cases.
Texas attorneys must complete 15 hours of continuing legal education annually, including 3 hours of ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after an arrest in Tarrant County?
Following an arrest in Tarrant County, the defendant is transported to the Tarrant County Jail for booking and processing. A magistrate will conduct an initial appearance to advise the defendant of charges and set bail. For felony arrests, the State has 90 days to present the case to a grand jury for indictment under Article 17.151. If not indicted within 90 days, the defendant may petition for release on a personal recognizance bond. Misdemeanor cases proceed through County Criminal Courts, while felony cases are heard in Criminal District Courts.
How does bail work in Fort Worth criminal cases?
In Tarrant County, magistrates set bail amounts based on the offense charged, criminal history, ties to community, and public safety considerations. Defendants may post cash bond, use a bail bondsman (typically charging 10-15% of bond amount), or qualify for a personal recognizance bond in certain cases. Under the Damon Allen Act, defendants charged with violent felonies while on bail for another felony face restricted bail options. Bond reduction hearings may be requested before the assigned court. Conditions of release may include electronic monitoring, drug testing, or pretrial supervision.
What are the penalties for a DWI conviction in Texas?
A first DWI offense in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor carrying 72 hours to 180 days in jail (minimum 6 days if BAC was 0.15 or higher), fines up to $2,000 ($4,000 if BAC was 0.15+), and driver’s license suspension of 90 days to 1 year. A second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with 30 days to 1 year in jail and fines up to $4,000. A third DWI is a third-degree felony with 2-10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. DWI with a child passenger is a state jail felony. Since 2017, first-time DWI offenders who complete deferred adjudication may petition for non-disclosure after required waiting periods.
Can I get my criminal record sealed or expunged in Tarrant County?
Texas distinguishes between expunction (complete destruction of records) and non-disclosure (sealing from public view). Expunction is available for arrests without conviction, acquittals, pardons, and certain dismissed charges after waiting periods. Non-disclosure orders can seal conviction records for defendants who successfully completed deferred adjudication for eligible offenses. First-time DWI offenders may qualify for non-disclosure after completing deferred adjudication and waiting periods (2 years with interlock device, 5 years otherwise). Offenses involving family violence, sexual offenses against minors, murder, human trafficking, and other serious crimes are ineligible for non-disclosure.
What should I do if I receive a target letter or learn of a federal investigation in Fort Worth?
If you receive a target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas or learn you are under federal investigation, you should immediately retain a criminal defense attorney with federal court experience before speaking with any investigators. Target letters indicate you are a subject of grand jury investigation and potential indictment. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. An attorney can communicate with federal prosecutors, potentially negotiate a pre-indictment resolution, advise on grand jury subpoenas, and protect your constitutional rights throughout the investigation. Federal cases are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.