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Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Austin. TX
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A criminal charge in Austin, TX arrives with a court date and very little explanation. The paperwork names the offense and the setting. It does not tell you who will prosecute the case, how Travis County moves it forward, or what to expect once the court process begins.
The stakes follow the charge. A conviction can surface on job applications and apartment screenings. A DWI puts your driver’s license at risk, and bond conditions and hearing dates run on the court’s schedule whether or not you feel ready.
We defend people charged with crimes across Austin and Travis County, from misdemeanors filed in the County Courts at Law to felonies handled in the District Courts. Our work covers the full path of a criminal case, from the first setting through negotiation, plea, or trial, and we keep you informed about where your case stands and what comes next.
Why Choose The Law Office of Raul V. Treviño in Austin
Most people who contact us about a criminal charge in Austin arrive with the same three questions: how serious is it, what can actually be done, and who will be handling the case day to day. We start there before anything else.
Two Decades of Texas Criminal Trial Experience
Attorney Raul V. Treviño brings more than 20 years of trial experience to criminal defense, with jury trials in both Texas state and federal courts. He is bilingual and represents English- and Spanish-speaking clients, and he works each case personally, so you deal with the attorney on your matter rather than a junior associate.
We take criminal cases in San Antonio and Austin first, and we also represent clients in Dallas and Houston. Every charge carries its own facts, and the defense that fits one case rarely fits the next, so we build each one around the specific stop, the evidence, and the court where it is filed.
Client Testimonials
“Raul, cant thank you enough for making my case a smooth one. By far a great lawyer! Fastest turn around I’ve experienced with a lawyer. Always kept me up to date and got the CASE DISMISSED!!! If your looking for a lawyer, Raul Trevino is for YOU!” — Matt E.
“Raul helped me so much. This was my first time ever being in any type of legal trouble and he made it as least stressful and as painless as he could and he managed to get me a good deal and kept me out of jail. I will definitely be using his services again in the future when I need it. Thank you Raul!!” — Tyler M.
“As a fellow lawyer in the community I highly recommend Raul Trevino and his exemplary work ethic to receive the best outcomes for his clients. Hire without reservation!” — George C.
Criminal Charges We Defend in Austin and Travis County
We defend the full range of criminal charges filed in Austin and Travis County, from first-time misdemeanors to serious felonies and federal cases. The categories below cover most of what local clients bring to us:
- DWI and DUI, including first offenses and repeat charges
- Drug possession, distribution, and manufacturing
- Assault and family violence
- Theft and other property crimes
- Sex crimes
- Weapons charges
- Felonies, from state jail offenses to first-degree charges
- Federal criminal charges
Where a case is heard depends on how it is charged. A first-offense DWI is filed as a misdemeanor in the County Courts at Law, while a felony drug, assault, or weapons charge moves to the District Courts and can carry state prison time.
Federal charges follow a separate process in the federal courts, where the rules and the exposure differ from state cases. We are licensed in both Texas state and federal court, and we review how each charge was brought and whether the evidence supports it before mapping out a defense.
How Criminal Cases Move Through Travis County Courts
Criminal cases in Austin are heard at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center at 509 West 11th Street, where Travis County houses both its felony and misdemeanor courts. Which court and which prosecutor handle a case depends on how the offense is classified.
Misdemeanors are handled in the County Courts at Law and prosecuted by the Travis County Attorney. Felonies go to the District Courts and are prosecuted by the Travis County District Attorney. Class C misdemeanors, which carry a fine and no jail time, are handled separately in the Justice of the Peace courts.
After an arrest, the first step is usually a bond decision that sets the conditions for release while the case is pending. From there, a case generally follows the same path, whatever the charge:
- Arraignment and plea. You appear before the court, hear the formal charge, and enter a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most cases start with a not-guilty plea so the defense can review the evidence.
- Pretrial and negotiation. Your attorney examines the police reports, the stop, and any search, files motions where the law supports them, and discusses the case with the prosecutor. Many issues are resolved at this stage.
- Resolution or trial. A case can end in a dismissal, a reduced charge, or a negotiated plea. When no agreement fits, the case goes to trial before a judge or a jury, where the State must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Timelines vary from one case to the next, though in many cases the first setting comes within a few weeks of the arrest. Knowing which court a case sits in and who is prosecuting it shapes the defense from the day it begins.
What to Do After an Arrest in Austin
The single most important move after an arrest in Austin is to ask for a lawyer and stay quiet about the case. What you say in the first hours can carry directly into the case, so a few careful decisions early on protect your options later.
The same steps apply whether you were arrested or you are a family member trying to help someone who was.
- Ask for a lawyer and say plainly that you want one present. Questioning is supposed to stop once you do.
- Stay quiet about the details of the case until your attorney is there. You can be cooperative with officers without discussing what happened.
- Follow every bond condition and note each court date. A missed setting or a broken condition becomes a second problem on top of the charge.
- Write down what happened while it is fresh, including the time, place, officers, and any witnesses.
- Save anything that could matter later, such as photos, messages, receipts, or the names of people who were present.
- Speak with a criminal defense lawyer before the first setting, so the review of your case starts early.
Knowing your rights during a police encounter helps you make these decisions under pressure, and it can affect whether certain statements or searches hold up later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Austin
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Cost in Austin?
The consultation with our law office is free. After that, criminal defense fees are set based on the charge and the work involved rather than on the outcome, since criminal cases are not taken on contingency. We go over the expected cost at the free consultation, so there are no surprises later in the case.
Do You Offer Free Consultations for Criminal Cases?
Yes. We offer a free consultation for criminal matters, where we review the charge, answer your questions, and explain how the case is likely to move through the Travis County courts. You can also use the consultation to ask about cost and next steps before making any decision.
What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony in Texas?
A misdemeanor is the less serious category and is handled in the County Courts at Law or the Justice of the Peace courts for fine-only Class C offenses. A felony is more serious, is heard in the District Courts, and can carry state prison time. The classification also decides which prosecutor handles the case.
Can a Criminal Charge Be Dismissed or Reduced?
Some cases are dismissed or reduced, and some are not. The outcome depends on the facts, the strength of the evidence, and how the stop, search, and arrest were handled. A dismissal or reduction is never guaranteed, and past results do not predict what will happen in another case.
Do You Handle Criminal Cases Outside Austin?
Yes. We take criminal cases in San Antonio and Austin first, since those are closest to our office, and we also represent clients in Dallas and Houston, generally for larger cases. If you are unsure whether your case is a fit, the free consultation is the place to ask.
Get Help with Your Austin Criminal Charge
A pending charge and a court date in Austin do not wait for you to feel ready. Bond conditions, filing decisions, and the first setting all move on the court’s schedule, not yours.
We defend misdemeanor and felony cases across Austin and Travis County, and we take cases in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston as well. The sooner we review the charge and the court it landed in, the more room there usually is to work with.
To start with a free consultation, call 210-409-8788 or contact us online.
Written By Raul V. Treviño
With 14 years of courtroom experience, Raul is a seasoned litigator whose practice spans criminal law, personal injury, family law, and general litigation. Licensed in both state and federal courts, he has successfully handled jury trials and zealously advocates for clients—from misdemeanor and felony defendants to individuals and families facing complex civil disputes.
