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Barton Hills Criminal Defense Attorney

Arrested in Barton Hills or on South Lamar? Travis County court in downtown Austin handles your case. The Hull Firm knows those courtrooms. Former prosecutor on staff. Over 930 dismissals or rejected cases since 2021. 24/7.

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✓ Over 930 dismissals or rejected cases since 2021 ✓ Former Prosecutor on Your Side ✓ Austin Office ✓ Available 24/7

Criminal Defense in Barton Hills, Austin TX

Barton Hills is a residential neighborhood in south-central Austin, 78704, bordered by Barton Creek to the south and west, South Lamar Boulevard to the east, and Ben White Boulevard (US-290) to the north. Every criminal charge above a Class C misdemeanor from Barton Hills is prosecuted at the Travis County Courthouse in downtown Austin. APD’s South District handles patrol in Barton Hills. South Lamar Boulevard — immediately adjacent to the neighborhood — is one of Austin’s most densely concentrated restaurant, bar, and entertainment corridors.

South Lamar through the 78704 corridor generates among the highest DWI and assault arrest volumes in Austin. The combination of Alamo Drafthouse, numerous bars and music venues, and high commuter traffic on Ben White makes this a consistent APD enforcement zone. If you were arrested on South Lamar, at a venue near Barton Hills, or on Ben White heading west, your case goes to Travis County court — and the Travis County DA’s office is already working on it.

I’ve been a criminal defense lawyer in Austin for over 20 years. Barton Hills and the 78704 zip code are neighborhoods I know well through consistent work in Travis County courts. Allison Tisdale prosecuted these cases as a Travis County prosecutor before coming to the defense side. We know how the Travis County DA evaluates the specific charge types that come out of South Austin — and where those cases have room to move.

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Criminal Charges We Defend in Barton Hills

These are the charge types that flow most commonly from Barton Hills arrests into Travis County courts. Each has its own defense strategy and its own urgency.

DWI & DUI Defense

South Lamar Boulevard and Ben White Boulevard are among APD’s highest-volume DWI enforcement corridors in south Austin. The 78704 zip code consistently produces some of the highest DWI arrest numbers in Travis County. A DWI arrest anywhere in this area starts the 15-day ALR clock immediately — our DWI lawyers file the ALR request the day you retain us.

DWI Defense → First-Time DWI → DUI Defense →

Assault & Family Violence

South Lamar venues generate assault arrests regularly, particularly on weekend nights. The Travis County Family Violence Unit also handles domestic disturbance calls from within the Barton Hills residential streets. Once a family violence report is filed, Travis County pursues it under a no-drop policy regardless of whether the complaining witness cooperates later.

Assault Defense → Family Violence → Aggravated Assault →

Drug Charges

Drug arrests in this part of Austin typically begin with Ben White or South Lamar traffic stops. Fourth Amendment challenges to the stop and the scope of the search are the primary defense tools. If the stop wasn’t legally sufficient or the search exceeded its lawful scope, the evidence can be suppressed and the case can fall apart.

Drug Charge Defense →

We also handle theft charges, probation violations, weapons charges, juvenile defense, and record expungement for Travis County clients.

Travis County Criminal Courts — What Barton Hills Residents Need to Know

Every Barton Hills arrest above a Class C misdemeanor feeds into Travis County courts in downtown Austin. That means the Travis County DA’s office, Travis County judges, and Travis County procedures. The court system handling your case is not generic — it has specific prosecutors assigned by charge type, specific docket management practices, and specific ways of evaluating and resolving cases at each charge level.

The Hull Firm has built a complete guide to Travis County criminal courts covering courthouse location, how the DA’s specialized units are organized, the arraignment and bond process, and how DWI, assault, and drug cases are handled in those specific courts.

Travis County Court Guide →
Travis County
Courthouse: Downtown Austin
✓ Court locations & divisions ✓ DA’s office specialized units ✓ Arraignment & bond procedures ✓ DWI, assault & drug charge handling ✓ Dismissal & diversion options
Full Travis County guide →
Over 930dismissal or rejected cases since 2021
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Barton Hills Criminal Defense FAQ

The questions we hear most from Barton Hills residents after an arrest in Austin.

Barton Hills is in Travis County, City of Austin. All criminal cases above Class C misdemeanor are heard at the Travis County Courthouse — 509 W. 11th Street in downtown Austin. Misdemeanors go to Travis County Courts at Law, felonies to Travis County District Courts. APD's South District handles patrol in Barton Hills.

South Lamar Boulevard is within Austin city limits and Travis County jurisdiction. APD's South District patrols this corridor. Any criminal charge from a South Lamar arrest is prosecuted by the Travis County DA's office at the Travis County Courthouse downtown. The Hull Firm appears in those courts regularly.

A DWI arrest in Texas triggers an Administrative License Revocation process parallel to the criminal case. You have 15 days from the arrest date to request a hearing. Miss that window and your license is suspended automatically — regardless of what happens in criminal court. The Hull Firm files the ALR request the day you retain us.

Yes. The Hull Firm evaluates every South Austin DWI on three axes: the legal basis for the traffic stop, whether the field sobriety tests were properly administered, and whether the BAC evidence survives a challenge. When any of those breaks down, dismissal becomes a real target. We analyze all three during the free consultation.

A first-offense DWI in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor: up to 180 days in jail, up to a $2,000 fine, license suspension of 90 days to one year, and mandatory annual surcharge for three years to keep your license. A conviction is permanent — it doesn't fall off your record. Deferred adjudication is not available for DWI in Texas.

Yes. Travis County's Family Violence Unit operates under a no-drop prosecution policy. The DA's office builds cases from officer testimony, 911 recordings, medical records, and photos — regardless of whether the complaining witness later refuses to cooperate. Once the case is filed, it moves forward on the prosecution's terms, not the victim's.

A family violence finding on a conviction — even a Class A misdemeanor — triggers a lifetime federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9). It cannot be expunged in Texas. It appears on every background check indefinitely and directly affects employment, professional licensing, housing, and child custody rights.

Potentially yes. Most drug cases begin with a traffic stop. The stop requires a legally sufficient basis and the search must stay within its lawful scope. If either step violated the Fourth Amendment, a motion to suppress can exclude the evidence and leave the prosecution without a case. The Hull Firm challenges traffic stops and searches in Travis County courts regularly.

Deferred adjudication is a form of probation available for qualifying offenses — not DWI or assault with a deadly weapon — where the court defers a finding of guilt. Complete the probation and the charge is dismissed. After successful completion a nondisclosure order may be available to seal the record from most employers and landlords.

Yes. A dismissed charge stays in background check databases until a court issues a formal expunction order under Texas Chapter 55. Many people assume a dismissal means the record disappears — it doesn't. The Hull Firm evaluates expungement eligibility and handles the complete filing process for qualifying clients.

The Travis County DA evaluates cases by charge type, the strength of the evidence, the defendant's prior history, and the assigned prosecution division. Charge-specific divisions — Vehicular Crimes for DWI, Family Violence Unit for assault FV — each have their own posture and negotiating range. Allison Tisdale prosecuted in these same divisions. We know how they think and what moves them.

Austin & Travis County Areas We Serve

The Hull Firm represents clients from every Austin neighborhood and Travis County community whose cases run through Travis County courts.

Austin Bee Cave Lakeway Travis County Courts

What Our Clients Say

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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 Barton Hills? Call The Hull Firm Now.

The Travis County DA’s office starts building its case the day of your arrest. The 15-day ALR window on DWI cases starts the same day. Every hour that passes affects the evidence available for your defense. Call our Austin criminal defense attorneys at 512-599-9999 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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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