1. Valenzuela Law Firm
Practice Focus: Federal criminal defense, state criminal defense, complex criminal litigation
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, state felonies, drug trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering, firearms offenses, immigration-related crimes, white collar offenses, violent crimes, capital cases
Legal Services: Federal court representation, state court representation, trial defense, grand jury representation, plea negotiations, appeals, post-conviction relief
Background: Founding attorney Felix Valenzuela was born and raised in El Paso and graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso before attending Yale Law School. Attorney David Nunez is also a native El Pasoan who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as an Assistant District Attorney before joining the firm. The firm has worked on high-profile federal cases that garnered national media attention, including the Walmart shooting case. The team starred in an episode of A&E’s true crime documentary series “Accused: Guilty or Innocent?” The firm’s attorneys have been listed as Super Lawyers and have received Avvo ratings of 10.0.
Location: 201 E. Main Drive, Suite 1500, El Paso, TX 79901
Contact: (915) 292-3173 | https://www.valenzuela-law.com
Consultation: Consultation available
2. Benjamin Law Firm (Brock Morgan Benjamin)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, federal criminal defense, DWI defense, aviation law
Case Types Handled: Drug crimes, DWI/DUI, assault, domestic violence, theft crimes, federal crimes, sex offenses, juvenile offenses, U.S. Center for SafeSport matters
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, investigation defense, athlete misconduct defense
Background: Attorney Brock Morgan Benjamin is certified in criminal defense by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Both attorneys at the firm, Brock Morgan Benjamin and Bryan Herrera, are admitted to practice in the United States District Court for both the Western District of Texas and the District of New Mexico. The firm has represented clients in more than 2,000 cases with a success rate of over 90 percent. The firm handles cases at the El Paso County Courthouse, Dona Ana County Courthouse (New Mexico), and is one of only a select few firms handling cases at the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Location: 221 N. Kansas Street, Suite 1601, El Paso, TX 79901
Contact: (915) 320-6730 | https://www.brockmorganbenjamin.com
Consultation: Consultation available with around-the-clock availability
3. Darnell Law Firm (Jeep Darnell)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, military law, civil litigation defense, administrative law
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, drug crimes, assault, federal crimes, military court martial defense, white collar crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, military court representation, appeals, administrative hearings, plea negotiations
Background: Attorney Jeep Darnell was selected to Super Lawyers for 2024-2025. He graduated from The University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2011 and was admitted to practice the same year. He has served as Associate Director (2018-2019), Director (2019-2021), and on the Executive Committee (2020-2024) of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He served as Editor of The Voice for the Defense (2021-2024) and Chair of the CDLP Committee (2023-2024). He is a member of the George A. McAlmon American Inn of Court.
Location: 206 N. Mesa Street, El Paso, TX 79901
Contact: (915) 532-8886 | https://www.darnelllawfirm.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation details
4. Nava Law Texas (Alyssa E. Nava)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DWI defense
Case Types Handled: DWI/DUI, drug possession, drug trafficking, assault, family violence, sex crimes, kidnapping, possession of child pornography, injury to a child, violent crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, jury selection, motion practice, case evaluation
Background: Attorney Alyssa E. Nava founded Nava Law Texas and is a former prosecutor for the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in El Paso, Texas. She successfully litigated hundreds of cases as a prosecutor involving DWI, drug possession, sexual assault, kidnapping, capital murder, and other offenses under the Texas Penal Code. She received her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Texas School of Law in 2011. She has served as president of both the El Paso Young Lawyers Association and the El Paso Women’s Bar Association. Her prosecutorial experience provides insight into jury selection and prosecution strategies.
Location: 500 W. Overland Avenue, Suite 250, El Paso, TX 79901
Contact: (915) 996-9194 | https://www.navalawtexas.com
Consultation: Consultation available
5. Dunham & Jones Law Firm
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DWI defense
Case Types Handled: DWI/DUI, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, felonies, misdemeanors, expungement
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, expungement, non-disclosure petitions, administrative license revocation hearings, motion practice
Background: Dunham & Jones employs board certified attorneys, former prosecutors, assistant district attorneys, and criminal defense lawyers with over 200 years of combined legal experience among their team of defense attorneys. The firm maintains offices throughout Texas including El Paso. The firm offers representation with documented results of dismissals and reductions. Paul Dunham and Scotty Jones founded the firm with the objective of providing affordable criminal defense representation.
Location: 10777 Gateway Blvd West, Suite 150, El Paso, TX 79935
Contact: (915) 777-7777 | https://www.dunhamlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available with payment plans and no money down options in most cases
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.
El Paso County operates a Public Defender’s Office for indigent defendants who cannot afford private counsel. Eligibility is determined based on income guidelines. El Paso also uses an assigned counsel list for conflict cases.
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.
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.
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. Since 2017, first-time DWI offenders who complete deferred adjudication may petition for non-disclosure after required waiting periods. Certain offenses involving family violence, sexual offenses, and other serious crimes are ineligible for non-disclosure.
Texas bail laws require magistrates to consider public safety, criminal history, and flight risk when setting bail under the Damon Allen Act of 2021. Article 17.151 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure requires release on personal bond if not indicted within 90 days for felonies.
El Paso County is in the Western District of Texas for federal criminal matters. Federal cases are heard at the Albert Armendariz, Sr. United States Courthouse.
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 El Paso County?
Following an arrest in El Paso County, the defendant is transported to the El Paso County Detention Facility for booking. 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. If not indicted within 90 days, the defendant may petition for release on a personal recognizance bond under Article 17.151. Misdemeanor cases proceed through County Courts at Law, while felony cases are heard in Criminal District Courts. El Paso uses a 34th Judicial District Court system for felony matters.
How does bail work in El Paso criminal cases?
In El Paso County, magistrates set bail amounts based on the offense charged, criminal history, ties to community, employment, 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. Immigration status may affect bond considerations in El Paso given the border location. Bond reduction hearings may be requested before the assigned court.
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. Refusing a breath or blood test results in automatic license suspension. After arrest, defendants have 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing to challenge license suspension.
Can I get my criminal record sealed or expunged in El Paso?
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. Petitions are filed in the court where the case was adjudicated.
What should I do if I am charged with a federal crime in the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division?
If you are charged with or under investigation for a federal crime in the Western District of Texas (El Paso Division), you should immediately retain a criminal defense attorney with federal court experience. El Paso’s border location means many federal prosecutions involve immigration offenses, drug trafficking, firearms violations, and human smuggling. Federal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and heard at the Albert Armendariz, Sr. United States Courthouse. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. An attorney can represent you at initial appearance, argue for pretrial release, review discovery, and prepare your defense. Federal sentencing guidelines are complex and carry potentially severe consequences.