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Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arrested or charged with a crime in Austin or Travis County? Your case is in Travis County courts — and every hour that passes matters. The Hull Firm has a former Travis County prosecutor on staff, over 700 cases dismissed across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County, and an Austin office less than one mile from the courthouse. Available 24/7.

Get a Free Case Evaluation 512-599-9999 — 24/7
✓ 700+ Cases Dismissed ✓ Former Prosecutor on Your Side ✓ Austin Office — 1 Mile from Courthouse ✓ Available 24/7

Austin Criminal Defense Attorney — Local Courts, Real Results

Every criminal charge above a Class C misdemeanor in Austin goes to the Travis County Criminal Justice Center at 509 W. 11th Street. Misdemeanors go to Travis County Courts at Law. Felonies go to Travis County District Courts. The Travis County District Attorney’s office — organized into specialized units for DWI, Family Violence, Narcotics, and Felony Trial — prosecutes every case. The Hull Firm is at 1004 West Ave, less than one mile from that courthouse, and our attorneys appear there every week.

I’ve been a criminal defense lawyer in Austin for over 20 years. Allison Tisdale prosecuted criminal cases in Travis County before becoming a criminal defense attorney on our team. We know how each of the DA’s specialized units builds its cases, what evidence they prioritize, what moves them in negotiations, and where their cases break down under pressure from a prepared defense. That knowledge doesn’t come from reading about it — it comes from consistent practice in these specific courts.

Dismissal is the first goal on every case we accept. Not damage control. Not the fastest resolution. Dismissal. We have achieved it over 700 times across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County. When dismissal isn’t available, we pursue every reduction, diversion, and record-protection option. The outcome of a criminal case in Texas is not inevitable — it depends on the quality of the defense, how early it starts, and whether the attorney knows the specific court handling the case.

Request a free, confidential case evaluation →

What Happens After an Arrest in Austin

The Travis County criminal process has specific stages and specific windows where defense intervention makes the most difference. Here’s what the process looks like and where we focus.

1

Arrest & Booking

Fingerprinting, photographs, processing at Travis County Jail. This is where invoking your right to remain silent is most critical. Do not answer questions. Do not explain. Ask for an attorney.

2

Magistration

Within 48 hours, a Travis County magistrate sets bond conditions — cash bond, PR bond, no-contact orders, alcohol monitoring, GPS. Bond conditions govern your daily life for the entire case. Early retention allows us to attend and argue for the least restrictive conditions.

3

Charging Decision

The Travis County DA’s office reviews the arrest and decides whether to file charges and at what level. This is the highest-leverage window in the entire case. Early attorney intervention can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all.

4

Pretrial

Discovery, motions to suppress evidence, challenges to the legality of the stop or arrest, negotiation with the DA’s specialized unit. Most cases — over 700 of ours — resolve here before trial, not in a courtroom.

5

Resolution

Dismissal, plea agreement, deferred adjudication, pretrial diversion, or trial. Every case is different. Our job is to reach the best available outcome for your specific charge, evidence, and county — and to protect your record from permanent damage wherever possible.

6

Record Clearing

A dismissed case doesn’t disappear on its own. Texas Chapter 55 expungement destroys the arrest record entirely. We evaluate expungement eligibility on every resolved case and handle the complete petition-to-order filing process.

Criminal Charges We Defend in Austin & Travis County

Every charge type below is handled by The Hull Firm in Travis County courts. Each has its own defense strategy and its own urgency.

DWI & DUI Defense

The Travis County Vehicular Crimes unit prosecutes DWI actively at all levels. The 15-day ALR deadline starts the day of arrest. Our DWI lawyers file the ALR request the day you retain us, then challenge the stop, the field sobriety tests, and the BAC evidence simultaneously.

DWI Defense → DUI Defense (Under 21) →

Assault & Family Violence

Travis County’s Family Violence Unit operates a no-drop prosecution policy. A family violence finding triggers a lifetime federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9). Call us the same day the report is filed — pre-filing intervention is the highest-leverage window.

Assault Defense → Family Violence → Aggravated Assault →

Drug Charges

Most Austin drug cases begin with a traffic stop. The stop has to be legal. The search has to be legal. Under Texas Penal Code Penalty Group classifications, a Penalty Group 1 possession of under one gram is a state jail felony. Fourth Amendment challenges are where drug dismissals originate.

Drug Charge Defense → Marijuana Possession → Drug Trafficking →

Theft Crimes

Texas classifies theft by property value from Class C misdemeanor (under $100) to first-degree felony ($300,000+). A theft conviction — even a misdemeanor — shows on every background check and disqualifies you from jobs and professional licenses. We challenge evidence, intent, and identification.

Theft Defense →

Weapons Charges

Unlawful carrying of a handgun, felon in possession, carrying in a prohibited place, and weapons charges connected to other offenses. A felony weapons conviction permanently strips firearm rights under both state and federal law.

Weapons Charge Defense →

White Collar Crimes

Fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, and forgery. White collar cases often begin with civil investigations before criminal charges are filed. Early intervention by a criminal defense attorney can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all.

White Collar Defense →

Juvenile Defense

Texas juvenile cases are handled in the juvenile justice system but the consequences are real. A sustained petition can affect college admission, financial aid, military eligibility, and careers. In serious cases a juvenile can be certified to stand trial as an adult.

Juvenile Defense →

Probation Violations

A probation revocation hearing has a lower burden of proof than trial — preponderance of the evidence, not beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge has wide discretion to impose the full original suspended sentence. Act before the motion to revoke is filed.

Probation Violations →

Record Expungement

A dismissed charge stays on background checks until a court issues a formal expunction order under Texas Chapter 55. Expungement destroys the record — doesn’t just seal it. We evaluate eligibility on every closed case and handle the complete filing process.

Expungement →

We also handle protective order violations, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, harassment, and emergency jail release for Travis County clients.

Austin & Travis County Practice Areas

Every service below is handled by The Hull Firm in Travis County, Williamson County, and Hays County courts. Click any practice area for charge-specific information, penalties, and defense strategies.

DWI & DUI DefenseAustin & Travis County Assault DefenseSimple, Aggravated & FV Family Violence DefenseNo-drop policy — act immediately Aggravated AssaultFelony-level defense Drug ChargesPossession through Trafficking Marijuana PossessionDiversion & dismissal options Controlled SubstancePenalty Group 1–4 Defense Drug TraffickingState & federal exposure Theft CrimesMisdemeanor through Felony Weapons ChargesUnlawful carry & possession White Collar CrimesFraud, forgery & laundering Juvenile DefenseTravis County Juvenile Court Probation ViolationsAct before revocation hearing Record ExpungementDestroy the record, not just seal it Protective Order ViolationsCriminal offense, not civil Emergency Jail Release24/7 — call us now Public IntoxicationSixth Street & entertainment district Disorderly ConductDismissal & diversion options

Which County Is Your Case In?

The courthouse determines the DA’s office, the judges, and the prosecution posture. Our criminal defense attorneys practice in all five Central Texas counties. We identify your county on the first call.

Travis County
Courthouse: 509 W. 11th St, Austin

Austin, Pflugerville, Bee Cave, Lakeway. Specialized DA units for DWI, Family Violence, Narcotics. Our primary court — The Hull Firm is less than one mile away.

Travis County Guide →
Williamson County
Courthouse: Georgetown

Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown. More aggressive prosecution posture than Travis County. Different diversion access and stricter bond conditions.

Williamson County Guide →
Hays County
Courthouse: San Marcos

Kyle, Buda, San Marcos, Wimberley. IH-35 south corridor enforcement. Growing county with increasing criminal case volume.

Hays County Guide →
Bastrop County
Courthouse: Bastrop

SH-71 east corridor. Many Austin residents don’t realize arrests east of Austin on SH-71 fall in Bastrop, not Travis County.

Bastrop County Guide →
Caldwell County
Courthouse: Lockhart

US-183 south corridor. DPS enforcement zone between Austin and South Texas.

Caldwell County Guide →
700+Cases Dismissed
5.0Google Rating (363 Reviews)
20+Years Criminal Defense Experience

Recent Case Results

Dismissal is the first goal on every case. Here is a sample of recent outcomes across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County courts.

DWI Open ContainerHays CountyDismissed
Sexual AssaultHays CountyDismissed
Assault BI – Family ViolenceWilliamson CountyDismissed
Terroristic ThreatTravis CountyDismissed
Reckless DrivingHays CountyDismissed
DWIWilliamson CountyDismissed
Assault BI – Family ViolenceWilliamson CountyDismissed
Injury to ElderlyHays CountyDismissed
DWIWilliamson CountyDismissed
Criminal MischiefTravis CountyDismissed
DWIWilliamson CountyDismissed
Racing on HighwayWilliamson CountyDismissed

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case depends on its specific facts, evidence, and jurisdiction.

Austin Criminal Defense FAQ

The questions people ask immediately after an arrest. Answered straight, with the specific Texas statutes and courthouse details that matter.

Invoke your right to remain silent immediately and ask for an attorney by name. Under Miranda v. Arizona, law enforcement must stop questioning once you invoke counsel. Do not answer questions, explain the situation, or consent to searches. Write down everything you remember as soon as possible. Then call The Hull Firm at 512-599-9999 — we answer 24 hours a day. Early retention preserves evidence, protects your bond conditions, and allows intervention before the Travis County DA's office hardens its charging position.

All criminal cases above Class C misdemeanor in Austin and Travis County are heard at the Travis County Criminal Justice Center at 509 W. 11th Street in downtown Austin. Class A and B misdemeanors go to Travis County Courts at Law. Felonies go to Travis County District Courts. Class C misdemeanors are handled in Austin Municipal Court. The Travis County District Attorney's office prosecutes all felony and misdemeanor cases filed in county court. The Hull Firm appears in all of these courts regularly from our office at 1004 West Ave — less than one mile from the courthouse.

Texas classifies misdemeanors as Class C (fine only, no jail), Class B (up to 180 days county jail, up to $2,000 fine), or Class A (up to one year county jail, up to $4,000 fine). Felonies are classified as state jail felony (180 days to 2 years state jail), third-degree (2–10 years prison), second-degree (2–20 years), first-degree (5–99 years or life), and capital (life or death). The classification determines which court hears the case, the punishment range, and how a conviction affects civil rights including voting, firearm possession, and professional licensing.

Yes. The Hull Firm has achieved dismissals in over 700 criminal cases across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County. Common grounds for dismissal include: constitutional violations in the stop, search, or arrest that trigger suppression of key evidence; insufficient evidence for the prosecution to meet its burden at trial; witness credibility problems; laboratory or chain-of-custody issues with physical evidence; and successful completion of pretrial diversion programs. Dismissal is the first goal on every case we accept — not damage control.

The Travis County District Attorney's Office is organized into specialized prosecution units including Vehicular Crimes (DWI), Family Violence, Narcotics, and Felony Trial. Each unit has its own evidence evaluation standards, negotiation posture, and prosecution priorities. Allison Tisdale prosecuted criminal cases in Travis County courts before becoming a criminal defense attorney at The Hull Firm. We know how each unit builds its cases and what they respond to from the defense.

Deferred adjudication is a form of community supervision under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.101 where the court defers a finding of guilt and places the defendant on probation. Successfully complete the probation period and the charge is dismissed — no conviction enters. It is not available for DWI or assault with a deadly weapon. After successful completion, a nondisclosure order may be available to seal the record from most public access. Deferred adjudication has its own risks: a violation allows the judge to adjudicate guilt and impose any sentence within the original punishment range.

A motion to suppress is a pretrial defense filing under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 38 asking the court to exclude evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Amendment or Texas constitutional protections. Common grounds include an unlawful traffic stop without reasonable suspicion, a warrantless search without valid consent or a recognized exception, an unlawful arrest without probable cause, or a custodial interrogation without Miranda warnings. When key evidence is suppressed, the prosecution frequently cannot meet its burden and the case is dismissed.

A DWI arrest in Texas triggers an Administrative License Revocation process under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524 that runs separately from the criminal case. You have exactly 15 days from the date of arrest to request an ALR hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Miss that deadline and your license is automatically suspended regardless of the criminal case outcome. The Hull Firm files the ALR request the day you retain us on every DWI case.

A family violence finding under Texas Family Code Section 71.004 entered on a criminal judgment triggers a lifetime federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9) — the Lautenberg Amendment. It cannot be expunged in Texas. It shows permanently on background checks and directly affects employment, professional licensing, housing, child custody, and immigration status. Travis County's Family Violence Unit operates a no-drop prosecution policy — charges proceed even when the complaining witness recants. Calling a criminal defense attorney the same day a report is filed is the single most impactful action available.

After an arrest in Austin or Travis County: (1) Booking — fingerprinting, photographs, processing; (2) Magistration — within 48 hours, a magistrate sets bond conditions and may issue emergency protective orders; (3) Charging decision — the Travis County DA's office reviews the arrest and decides whether and at what level to file; (4) Arraignment — formal plea entry; (5) Pretrial — discovery, motions to suppress, prosecution negotiations; (6) Resolution — dismissal, plea agreement, diversion, or trial. Early attorney involvement — ideally before magistration — affects bond conditions, the charging decision, and every subsequent stage.

Yes. A dismissed charge remains in background check databases until a Texas court issues a formal expunction order under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Expungement destroys the records — not just seals them. Many people assume a dismissal means the record is gone. It isn't. The arrest still appears until expunged by court order. The Hull Firm evaluates expungement eligibility on every closed case and handles the complete petition-to-order filing process.

Yes significantly. Each county has a different District Attorney's office with different prosecution postures, different diversion program access, different judges, and different docket management practices. Williamson County has historically maintained a more aggressive prosecution posture than Travis County across charge types. Hays County has its own court culture and procedures. The Hull Firm practices regularly in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell County courts. We identify your county and tailor the defense strategy to how that specific courthouse operates.

What Our Clients Say

5.0 stars • 363 Google reviews across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County clients.

RL
Ronnicka Lopez
★★★★★
Google

“After two years, the case was dismissed and dropped. They made this whole ordeal easy, kept me in the loop, told me exactly what to expect. Mrs. Allison is such an amazing and sweet lady — the whole team. I see exactly why they received multiple awards for best law firm in the state.”

BS
Blake Shires
★★★★★
Google

“My case was dismissed. Mr. Hull was patient, attentive, and consistently communicative from start to finish. He explained every step and made sure I felt supported throughout. I highly recommend Mark Hull and The Hull Firm.”

SH
Shawn Hallman
★★★★★
Google

“These attorneys were responsive, intelligent, and relentless. I appreciated how they always had a plan and stayed one step ahead. If you’re facing criminal charges, you want them on your side.”

Facing Criminal Charges in Austin or Travis County? Call The Hull Firm Now.

The Travis County DA’s office starts building its case the day of your arrest. Evidence gets locked in. Witnesses move on. Surveillance footage overwrites on 30-to-90-day cycles. The pre-filing intervention window — where early attorney involvement can sometimes prevent charges entirely — closes fast. Call our Austin criminal defense attorneys at 512-599-9999 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We start working the day you call.

Request Free Consultation 512-599-9999

The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page. Contact The Hull Firm for a free, confidential consultation specific to your case.

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