1. Phillip W. Goff, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense throughout South Texas, handling cases from felonies to misdemeanors to traffic tickets, with specialized focus on DWI defense and commercial driver defense.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, drug possession, drug distribution, assault, theft, traffic violations, commercial driver violations, and federal crimes.
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, bench trials, motion practice, cross-examination of prosecution evidence and expert witnesses, pretrial motions, plea negotiations, and license suspension defense.
Background: Phillip W. Goff has been defending Texans in criminal defense and DWI cases since 1996, achieving outstanding results in court including many not guilty verdicts. He has earned the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the oldest and most respected lawyer rating system in America, indicating recognition for excellence and ethics. His fellow lawyers, including criminal defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors, have acknowledged him as preeminent in his field. Actual clients have posted over 250 five-star reviews across multiple platforms. Mr. Goff takes a personal interest in each case, utilizing technical resources and proven defense strategies. The firm tracks and monitors every communication between clients and the attorney to ensure responsiveness.
Location: 5151 Flynn Parkway, Suite 412S, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (also offices in Mission and Brownsville)
Contact: (361) 592-4357 | https://southtexlawyer.com
Consultation: Consultation available. Contact office for details.
2. Dunham and Jones
Practice Focus: Criminal defense and DWI defense throughout the Corpus Christi metropolitan area and Nueces County, with attorneys including board certified lawyers and former prosecutors.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, assault, theft, domestic violence, weapons charges, and sex crimes.
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, DMV administrative hearings, license suspension defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, and record expungement.
Background: Dunham and Jones has provided criminal defense services in Corpus Christi since 1989. The firm was voted Best Law Firm by the Daily Texan and has been recognized as leading attorneys by both Time and Newsweek magazines. The firm has been ranked among the nation’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers and received recognition as 10 Best in Client Satisfaction. Paul Dunham and Scotty Jones have hired board certified attorneys, former prosecutors, and assistant district attorneys to make up their team of criminal defense attorneys. The defense lawyers at Dunham and Jones have over 200 years of combined legal experience. Clayton Littlefield is among the attorneys representing clients in Corpus Christi and Nueces County.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (serving Nueces County and surrounding areas)
Contact: (361) 888-8888 | https://www.dunhamlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Easy payment plans with no money down in most cases.
3. Gale Law Group
Practice Focus: Criminal defense in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas, handling DWI, drug cases, white collar crimes, homicide, theft, and other criminal matters.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, drug distribution, drug possession, homicide, theft, burglary, robbery, probation revocations, and white collar crimes.
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, and probation revocation defense.
Background: Gale Law Group provides criminal defense representation in Corpus Christi, Texas, with experience handling a wide range of criminal matters. The attorneys understand the impact a criminal conviction can have on employment opportunities and personal life. The firm represents clients charged with driving while intoxicated, drug offenses under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, homicide, theft and property crimes, robbery, and burglary. The attorneys work to protect clients’ legal rights throughout the criminal justice process.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: (361) 808-4444 | https://galelawgroup.com
Consultation: Consultation available. Contact office for details.
4. Perkins and Perkins, Trial Lawyers
Practice Focus: Criminal defense and personal injury representation in Corpus Christi and the South Texas region.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, assault, theft, and related criminal matters.
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, motion practice, and plea negotiations.
Background: Jared Perkins was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated from Foy H. Moody High School and graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi with a bachelor’s degree in finance. In 2017, he earned his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. While pursuing his law degree, he studied abroad at the University of Innsbruck in Austria and participated extensively in the St. Mary’s Mock Trial Program, winning numerous regional and national awards. After working for his father, Eric Perkins, as an associate attorney, Jared and Eric formed Perkins and Perkins, Trial Lawyers in 2019. The firm is admitted to practice in Texas courts.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: Contact via firm website | https://www.perkinsandperkinslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
5. John D. Garcia, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense and civil litigation in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas, handling cases for clients throughout the country.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, assault, theft, domestic violence, and related criminal matters.
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, motion practice, plea negotiations, and civil litigation.
Background: John D. Garcia is a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator practicing in Corpus Christi, Texas. He started his own law firm in the summer of 2021. Mr. Garcia has guided thousands of clients from across the country through both civil and criminal cases. The majority of his practice is criminal defense, though he is expanding his personal injury practice. He remains dedicated to serving the people of Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas. He is admitted to practice in Texas state courts as well as the Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, and Southern District of Texas federal courts. He graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with honors and earned his J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law. He is a member of the Corpus Christi Young Lawyers Association and the State Bar of Texas.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: (361) 360-4049 | https://johndgarcia.com
Consultation: Consultation available. Contact office for details.
Criminal Defense Regulations in Texas
Texas attorneys must be admitted to the State Bar of Texas after passing the Texas Bar Examination. The State Bar of Texas, operating under the Texas Supreme Court, handles attorney licensing and the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel enforces the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers certification in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law. Attorneys seeking this designation must demonstrate substantial experience in criminal law, pass a written examination, complete continuing legal education in the specialty area, and receive favorable evaluations from judges and attorneys familiar with their work.
Texas operates a county-based indigent defense system. In Nueces County (Corpus Christi), the Managed Assigned Counsel Program or private appointed counsel provides representation to individuals who cannot afford private counsel. Eligibility is determined at the first court appearance based on financial need according to guidelines established by the county.
Attorney advertising in Texas is governed by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys must avoid false, misleading, or deceptive communications and face restrictions on direct solicitation of prospective clients.
Texas requires attorneys to complete 15 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) annually, with at least three hours in legal ethics or professional responsibility.
The attorney-client privilege in Texas is protected by Rule 503 of the Texas Rules of Evidence, providing strong protections for confidential communications between attorneys and their clients.
Texas classifies felonies into five categories: Capital (death or life imprisonment without parole), First Degree (5-99 years or life), Second Degree (2-20 years), Third Degree (2-10 years), and State Jail Felony (180 days-2 years in state jail). Misdemeanors are classified as Class A (up to 1 year in jail and $4,000 fine), Class B (up to 180 days and $2,000 fine), and Class C (fine only up to $500).
Texas speedy trial rights are protected by the Sixth Amendment and Texas law. While Texas does not have a specific statutory speedy trial deadline, courts apply a balancing test considering the length of delay, the reason for delay, the defendant’s assertion of the right, and prejudice to the defendant.
Bail in Texas is governed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Defendants have a constitutional right to bail except in capital cases where the proof is evident. Judges consider factors including the nature of the offense, the defendant’s ability to pay, ties to the community, prior criminal history, and risk of flight. Following the SAFE-T Act and other reforms, Texas has implemented changes to its bail system to address concerns about pretrial detention of indigent defendants.
Texas has the death penalty for capital murder cases and is one of the most active states in carrying out executions. Capital defense in Texas requires specialized training, and attorneys must be certified to handle death penalty cases.
Expungement in Texas (called expunction) is governed by Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expunction is generally available only for arrests that did not result in conviction, cases that were dismissed or acquitted, cases where the grand jury returned a no-bill, and cases where the defendant was pardoned. Unlike many states, Texas does not allow expunction of convictions that were successfully completed through probation. However, orders of nondisclosure are available for certain offenses that result in deferred adjudication, which seal records from public view but do not destroy them. Waiting periods vary by offense: Class C misdemeanors require a 180-day wait, most misdemeanors require a two-year wait, and felonies typically require a three-year wait or longer depending on the circumstances.
Texas has habitual offender enhancement provisions under Penal Code sections 12.42 and 12.43 that allow enhanced sentencing for defendants with prior felony convictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where will my criminal case be heard if I am arrested in Corpus Christi?
A: Criminal cases from Corpus Christi are heard in the Nueces County courts. Felony cases are handled in the District Courts located at the Nueces County Courthouse, 901 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. Misdemeanor cases are heard in the County Courts at Law at the same location. Municipal Court at 321 John Sartain Street handles Class C misdemeanors and city ordinance violations that occur within Corpus Christi city limits. Federal criminal charges are heard in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division, located at 1133 N. Shoreline Boulevard. You can check the status of your case through the Nueces County District Clerk’s online case search or by contacting the clerk’s office.
Q: What are the penalties for a first-time DWI in Texas and what happens to my license?
A: A first-time DWI in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by 72 hours to 180 days in county jail (with a 6-day minimum if blood alcohol content was 0.15% or higher), a fine of up to $2,000, and driver’s license suspension for 90 days to 1 year. You may be eligible for probation, which typically includes alcohol education courses, community service, and possible installation of an ignition interlock device. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety to contest the automatic license suspension. If you do not request this hearing within 15 days, your license will be automatically suspended on the 40th day after your arrest. The ALR hearing is separate from your criminal case and addresses only your driving privilege. An experienced DWI attorney can represent you at this hearing and may be able to obtain an occupational (hardship) license that allows you to drive for essential purposes.
Q: Can I get my criminal record expunged in Texas if I completed deferred adjudication?
A: If you successfully completed deferred adjudication probation, you are generally not eligible for expunction in Texas because deferred adjudication results in a dismissal after pleading guilty or nolo contendere. However, you may be eligible for an order of nondisclosure, which seals your criminal record from public view. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1, you may petition for nondisclosure after completing deferred adjudication for certain offenses. Waiting periods vary: immediately upon successful completion for some misdemeanors, two years for other misdemeanors, and five years for felonies. Some offenses are not eligible for nondisclosure, including murder, kidnapping, sexual offenses, domestic violence, stalking, offenses requiring sex offender registration, and offenses involving family violence. Once a nondisclosure order is granted, most private entities conducting background checks will not see the record, though law enforcement, licensing agencies, and certain employers (such as those in education, healthcare, and law enforcement) may still access the information.
Q: What are my rights if I am stopped by police in Corpus Christi?
A: You have important constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement. Under the Fourth Amendment, you are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures; police generally need a warrant, consent, or an exception to the warrant requirement (such as probable cause combined with exigent circumstances) to search your person, vehicle, or home. Under the Fifth Amendment, you have the right to remain silent and cannot be compelled to incriminate yourself; you should clearly state that you are invoking your right to remain silent. Under the Sixth Amendment, you have the right to an attorney if you are in custody and being questioned; clearly request an attorney and questioning should cease until one is provided. You must provide your name and identification if asked during a lawful stop. You may refuse consent to a search, though police may search anyway if they have probable cause. If you are arrested, you will be read your Miranda rights before custodial interrogation. You should not physically resist even an unlawful arrest but should note the officers’ names and badge numbers. Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after any police encounter that may result in criminal charges.
Q: How do Texas bail bonds work and what happens if I cannot afford bail?
A: When bail is set in Nueces County, you have several options for release. You may pay the full cash bail amount to the court, which will be refunded (minus any fees or fines) when your case concludes and you have appeared at all required court dates. More commonly, defendants use a bail bond through a licensed bail bondsman, paying a non-refundable premium of typically 10-15% of the total bail amount. The bondsman then posts a surety bond guaranteeing your appearance. If you fail to appear, the bondsman may be required to pay the full bail amount and will seek reimbursement from you or any collateral posted. For minor offenses, you may be released on personal recognizance (PR bond) without paying bail if the judge determines you are not a flight risk. If you cannot afford bail and are denied a PR bond, you may request a bail reduction hearing where your attorney can argue that the bail amount is excessive. Under recent Texas law, magistrates must consider your ability to pay when setting bail. While in custody awaiting trial, time served typically counts toward any sentence if convicted.