1. Goldstein & Orr
Practice Focus: Criminal defense in state and federal courts with emphasis on complex federal prosecutions, white collar crimes, drug offenses, violent crimes, wrongful convictions, appellate work
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, capital murder, white collar crimes (fraud, money laundering, securities violations), drug trafficking, sex offenses, violent crimes, RICO prosecutions, conspiracy charges, criminal appeals
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal criminal defense, grand jury representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, suppression hearings, criminal appeals (state and federal), writs of habeas corpus, post-conviction relief, wrongful conviction cases
Background: Gerald “Gerry” H. Goldstein has practiced criminal defense for over 50 years. J.D. from University of Texas School of Law (1968); B.A. from Tulane University (1965). Texas State Bar Number: 08101000. Board Certified in Criminal Law (since 1975) and Criminal Appellate Law (since 2012) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Admitted to practice in Texas (1968), Colorado (1989), U.S. Supreme Court (1975), and multiple U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals (4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th Circuits). Past President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1994-1995) and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (1992-1993). Inducted into Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Hall of Fame (2002). Recipient of the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award from NACDL (1991). Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Texas Bar Foundation Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award (2019). Adjunct Professor at University of Texas School of Law (1982-1993) and St. Mary’s University School of Law (1998-present). Notable cases include the exoneration of Michael Morton after 25 years of wrongful imprisonment and the overturning of Hannah Overton’s capital murder conviction. Cynthia E. Hujar Orr is also dual Board Certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law, served as Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section (2014-2015), and is a Fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.
Location: 315 E Commerce St, Suite 301, San Antonio, TX 78205
Contact: (210) 226-1463 | https://www.goldsteinhilley.com
Consultation: Free and confidential consultation available
2. Daniel & Hudson
Practice Focus: Criminal defense for state and federal charges including serious felonies, misdemeanors, and federal crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft, white collar crimes, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, jury trials, plea negotiations, motion practice, suppression hearings, bail hearings
Background: Doug Daniel has practiced criminal defense since receiving his law license in 1981. Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, an honor recognizing exceptional service and commitment to Texas State Bar traditions. Over 40 years of criminal defense experience. Adriana Hinojosa Biggs graduated from St. Mary’s University (1987) and St. Mary’s University School of Law (1990). Former prosecutor with Travis County District Attorney’s Office and Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office where she personally handled thousands of criminal cases. The firm’s attorneys have over 65 combined years of criminal defense experience.
Location: 310 S St Mary’s St, Suite 1800, San Antonio, TX 78205
Contact: (210) 987-5276 | https://www.dhcriminaldefense.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Tylden Shaeffer, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense with focus on drug crimes, domestic violence, felonies, DWI, assault, theft
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, drug crimes, domestic violence, DWI, assault, theft, weapons charges, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, plea negotiations, motion practice, suppression hearings, bail hearings, probation violation defense
Background: Tylden Shaeffer has practiced criminal law for over 30 years. Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Former prosecutor with experience on both sides of the courtroom. Texas State Bar member in good standing. Scene in SA Magazine recognition. Personally handles every case rather than delegating to junior associates.
Location: San Antonio, TX (Downtown area)
Contact: (210) 802-5063 | https://www.sanantoniocriminalatty.com
Consultation: Initial consultation available
4. Hunter, Lane & Jampala, PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense at state and federal levels with emphasis on complex criminal matters, capital cases, drug conspiracies, organized crime
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, capital murder, drug offenses (including federal drug conspiracies), DWI, sexual assault, money laundering, bribery, organized crime, identity theft, fraud, internet sex crimes, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal criminal defense, jury trials, plea negotiations, motion practice, suppression hearings, criminal appeals (state and federal), state and federal writs of habeas corpus, expungement, writs of non-disclosure
Background: The firm is led by Attorneys John Hunter, Thomas Lane, and Vivek Jampala, who are respected members of the San Antonio criminal defense bar. The attorneys have decades of combined experience in Texas criminal defense handling both state and federal matters. The firm takes a collaborative team approach to provide comprehensive defense representation.
Location: 745 E Mulberry Ave, Suite 900, San Antonio, TX 78212
Contact: (210) 202-1076 | https://www.hljdefense.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
5. Austin Hagee Law Firm
Practice Focus: Criminal defense including murder and homicide, DWI, assault, sex crimes, drug offenses, domestic violence
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, murder and manslaughter, DWI/DUI, sexual assault, drug offenses, assault, domestic violence, theft crimes, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, plea negotiations, motion practice, Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearings for DWI cases, suppression hearings, bail hearings
Background: Austin Hagee is the founding attorney, recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Super Lawyer and named among San Antonio’s criminal defense attorneys by Forbes in 2024. Top 50 San Antonio Super Lawyers 2025 recognition. Jeremy Best is an associate attorney and former Bexar County prosecutor who handled thousands of criminal matters. Kyra Falcone is an associate attorney, J.D. from California Western School of Law (December 2024), passed California Bar Exam on first attempt, licensed attorney as of May 2025, with prior experience interning for the District Attorney’s Office.
Location: San Antonio, TX
Contact: (210) 227-1111 | https://austinhageelaw.com
Consultation: 100% free consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Texas
Texas criminal defense practice is governed by the Texas Supreme Court, the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Board of Law Examiners.
Bar Admission Requirements: Attorneys must pass the Texas Bar Examination, which consists of the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) plus the Texas law component. Applicants must hold a J.D. from an ABA-approved law school, pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a scaled score of 85 or higher, and satisfy character and fitness requirements. Individuals with a felony conviction or probation for a felony offense are barred from application for 5 years after completion of sentence or probation; thereafter, they must demonstrate present good moral character. First-year Texas law students must file a Declaration of Intention to Study Law with the Texas Board of Law Examiners.
Public Defender System: Texas counties operate public defender offices or use court-appointed attorneys for indigent defendants. Bexar County has a Public Defender’s Office that provides representation to qualifying defendants who cannot afford private counsel. Eligibility is determined based on federal poverty guidelines and the defendant’s financial resources. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission oversees standards for appointed counsel.
Specialty Certifications: The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) offers Board Certification in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law. To earn Criminal Law certification, attorneys must demonstrate substantial involvement in criminal law practice, handle a minimum number of jury trials to verdict as lead counsel, complete continuing legal education requirements, pass a comprehensive examination, and receive favorable peer evaluations. Less than 1% of Texas attorneys are board certified in criminal law.
Attorney Advertising Rules: Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct govern attorney advertising. Attorneys may advertise services but cannot make false or misleading statements. Advertisements must include the name of at least one lawyer responsible for the content. Certain disclaimers are required for testimonials and results.
Attorney-Client Privilege: Texas recognizes broad attorney-client privilege protections under Texas Rules of Evidence Rule 503. Communications made for the purpose of facilitating legal services are protected from disclosure. The privilege extends to communications with representatives of the lawyer and the client.
Continuing Legal Education: Texas requires attorneys to complete 15 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credits annually, including 3 hours of ethics and 1 hour of substance abuse or mental health topics. New attorneys must complete additional hours in their first year of practice.
Arraignment and Speedy Trial: In Texas, defendants must be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours of arrest. Texas does not have a statutory speedy trial requirement, but the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution protect the right to a speedy trial. Courts apply a balancing test considering length of delay, reason for delay, defendant’s assertion of the right, and prejudice to the defendant.
Bail and Pretrial Release: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 17 governs bail. Bail must be set in an amount sufficient to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court but not be used as an instrument of oppression. Factors considered include the nature of the offense, defendant’s ability to pay, criminal history, ties to the community, and safety of the victim and community. Personal bonds (release on recognizance) may be granted for qualifying defendants. Capital murder cases may result in denial of bail.
Felony Classification System: Texas classifies felonies into five categories: Capital felonies are punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole. First-degree felonies carry 5 to 99 years or life in prison and fines up to $10,000. Second-degree felonies carry 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Third-degree felonies carry 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. State jail felonies carry 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and fines up to $10,000. Enhanced penalties apply for repeat offenders under Texas Penal Code Chapter 12.
Death Penalty: Texas is a death penalty state. Capital punishment is authorized for capital murder, which includes murder committed during the commission of certain felonies, murder of public safety officers, murder of children under 10, and other aggravating circumstances. Texas has specific requirements for attorneys representing capital defendants.
Expungement and Record Sealing: Texas provides several mechanisms for clearing criminal records. Expunction (Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55) allows complete destruction of records for cases that did not result in conviction, including acquittals, dismissed charges, and pardons. Nondisclosure orders (Government Code Chapter 411) seal records from public access but remain available to law enforcement. Eligibility depends on the offense type, case outcome, and waiting periods. Certain offenses including murder, sexual offenses, and family violence are ineligible for nondisclosure.
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing: Texas imposes mandatory minimum sentences for various offenses. For example, aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 carries a minimum 25-year sentence. Certain drug offenses carry mandatory minimums based on quantity.
Habitual Offender Laws: Texas Penal Code Section 12.42 provides enhanced penalties for repeat felony offenders. A defendant convicted of a second felony may be sentenced under the next higher degree. A defendant with two prior felony convictions faces sentences of 25 to 99 years or life imprisonment for any subsequent felony (except state jail felonies). Three-strikes provisions apply for repeat violent offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a felony case in Bexar County District Court?
A felony case in Bexar County proceeds through several stages. After arrest and initial appearance before a magistrate (within 48 hours), the case is presented to a grand jury for indictment determination. Once indicted, the defendant is arraigned in district court where formal charges are read and a plea is entered (typically not guilty at this stage). The case then enters the pretrial phase with discovery exchange, motion practice, and plea negotiations. Pretrial motions may include motions to suppress evidence, challenges to search warrants, and requests for discovery. If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial before a jury of 12 Bexar County residents. Felony cases are heard in the Bexar County District Courts located at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center at 300 Dolorosa, San Antonio.
How does the bail bond system work in Bexar County, and what are typical bond amounts?
In Bexar County, bail is typically set according to a bond schedule with amounts varying by offense severity. Defendants may secure release through cash bond (full amount), surety bond through a licensed bail bond company (typically 10% of bond amount as a non-refundable fee), or personal recognizance bond for qualifying defendants. Magistrates consider factors including the nature and circumstances of the offense, criminal history, ties to the community, employment, and potential danger to the public. DWI bonds typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 for first offenses. Aggravated felonies carry significantly higher bonds, often $50,000 to $500,000 or more. Capital murder cases may result in denial of bail. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office operates the county jail and provides inmate information online.
What are the penalties for a first-time DWI offense in San Antonio?
A first-time DWI in Texas (BAC of 0.08% or higher) is a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties include 72 hours to 180 days in county jail (minimum increases to 6 days if BAC was 0.15% or higher), fines up to $2,000, driver’s license suspension for 90 days to 1 year, annual surcharge of $1,000 to $2,000 for 3 years to maintain driving privileges, mandatory DWI education program, and possible installation of an ignition interlock device. Enhanced penalties apply for BAC of 0.15% or higher (Class A misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail and $4,000 fine), DWI with a child passenger under 15 (state jail felony), or causing serious bodily injury (intoxication assault, third-degree felony). Defendants have 15 days from arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to contest license suspension.
Does Texas offer pretrial diversion programs for criminal defendants?
Yes, various pretrial diversion and intervention programs exist in Bexar County and throughout Texas, though availability varies by county and prosecutor’s office. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office operates several diversion programs for qualifying defendants. First-time offenders charged with certain non-violent misdemeanors or low-level felonies may be eligible. Drug Court programs provide intensive supervision and treatment for drug-related offenses. Veterans Treatment Court addresses cases involving military veterans. Mental Health Court handles cases where mental health issues are a factor. DWI Court provides structured intervention for repeat DWI offenders. Successful completion typically results in dismissal of charges. Eligibility requirements vary by program and generally exclude violent offenses, sex crimes, and defendants with significant criminal histories.
How can I get my criminal record expunged or sealed in Texas?
Texas provides two primary mechanisms for clearing criminal records. Expunction (complete destruction of records) is available under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 for cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or resulted in a pardon. You must wait until the statute of limitations has expired for the offense, or charges must have been formally dismissed. Orders of nondisclosure (sealing from public view) are available for certain offenses that resulted in deferred adjudication community supervision. Eligibility depends on the offense type and waiting periods ranging from immediate (for some misdemeanors) to 5 years (for some felonies). Offenses ineligible for nondisclosure include murder, aggravated kidnapping, injury to a child, sexual offenses, stalking, and family violence. To petition for expunction, file in the district court where the offense was charged. For nondisclosure, file with the court that placed you on deferred adjudication. The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains criminal history records and processes orders once granted by the court.