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Travis County Criminal Defense Attorney

The Hull Firm defends individuals charged with criminal offenses in Travis County courts. Former prosecutors with 700+ case dismissals across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County. Available 24/7.

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Criminal Defense in Travis County — How the Court System Works

Travis County criminal cases above the Class C misdemeanor level are prosecuted at the Travis County Criminal Justice Center at 509 W. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701. The Hull Firm appears regularly in Travis County courts, knows the assigned judges and prosecution teams, and builds defense strategy around how those courts and the Travis County District Attorney's Office actually operate — not how they appear on paper.

The Travis County Criminal Justice Center houses the Travis County Courts at Law (misdemeanor) and Travis County District Courts (felony). All criminal hearings — arraignments, pretrial motions, plea proceedings, and jury trials — for charges arising from Austin, Pflugerville, Lakeway, Bee Cave, and every other Travis County community take place here. Parking is available in the adjacent garage off 10th Street and in surface lots along West 12th. Security screening is required at all entry points — arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled hearing time.

Understanding the specific court your case is in, how the assigned judge manages the docket and approaches pretrial motions, and how the prosecution unit responsible for your charge type evaluates evidence and negotiates cases is not background information — it is the foundation of effective defense strategy. Attorneys who appear infrequently in Travis County courts are learning that information on your case. The Hull Firm already has it.

Criminal charges in Travis County carry consequences that extend far beyond fines and jail time. A conviction — even a misdemeanor — creates a permanent record that appears on every background check, can restrict firearm rights, affect professional licenses, and influence child custody proceedings. The Hull Firm pursues dismissal as the first goal in every Travis County case and builds the legal record to support that outcome from day one.

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Travis County Criminal Justice Center 509 W. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701
★★★★★ 5.0
The Hull Firm — 363 Google Reviews Courthouse Directions →

The Travis County District Attorney's Office

The Travis County District Attorney's Office prosecutes all Class A and B misdemeanor and felony criminal charges filed in Travis County. The office is organized into specialized prosecution units including the Family Violence Unit, DWI Unit, Felony Division, and Narcotics Unit. Each unit applies its own case evaluation standards — what produces a dismissal in the DWI unit does not necessarily produce one in the Family Violence Unit, and vice versa. Understanding how each unit values cases and what arguments resonate with the assigned prosecutors is practical knowledge that only comes from consistent local practice.

Travis County has a reputation for being a relatively moderate DA's office compared to Williamson County to the north, but that characterization is charge-specific. The Travis County Family Violence Unit operates under a no-drop prosecution policy and pursues cases aggressively even when the complaining witness recants. The DWI unit prioritizes high-BAC cases and repeat offenders for trial. Drug cases are increasingly evaluated for diversion eligibility. The Hull Firm's former-prosecutor knowledge of how each unit operates translates directly into defense strategy for Travis County clients.

Allison Tisdale is a former prosecutor who sat on the other side of the table in Texas criminal courts — building cases, working with law enforcement, and making charging and plea decisions. That firsthand knowledge is not a marketing line. It is specific insight into how prosecution offices evaluate evidence, what arguments they find compelling, and where cases fall apart under pressure from a prepared defense attorney. Mark Hull brings 20+ years of aggressive criminal defense practice alongside that prosecutorial perspective.

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Travis County Criminal Courts — A Complete Guide

Every court in Travis County that handles criminal cases operates differently. Knowing which court your case is in, how that specific court runs its docket, and how the prosecution team assigned to your charge type operates is the foundation of effective defense strategy.

Misdemeanor

Travis County Courts at Law

📍 509 W. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases — the most common level of prosecution in Travis County. DWI first and second offense, simple assault, drug possession (under 1g Penalty Group 1), theft under $30,000, disorderly conduct, and most other misdemeanor charges are filed here. Travis County currently has 10 County Courts at Law. Cases are assigned to specific courts by charge type and case number. Jury trials in misdemeanor cases are available on request and are conducted in these courts.

Each County Court at Law has an elected judge serving a four-year term. Judge assignment for a specific case is determined by the docket. The Hull Firm appears regularly across all County Courts at Law and knows how each court approaches pretrial motions, bond hearings, and trial scheduling.

Felony

Travis County District Courts

📍 509 W. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701

All felony criminal prosecutions in Travis County — from state jail felonies through first-degree felonies. Aggravated assault, drug trafficking, DWI with child passenger, felony DWI (third offense), sexual assault, robbery, and all other felony charges are filed in District Court. Travis County has multiple District Courts with criminal jurisdiction. Grand jury indictment is required before a felony case proceeds to trial. Arraignment, pretrial hearings, suppression motions, plea proceedings, and jury trials all occur at this level.

Travis County District Court judges are elected to four-year terms. Criminal case assignment follows a rotating docket system. The Hull Firm has tried cases in Travis County District Courts and maintains current knowledge of how the assigned judges approach suppression hearings, bond conditions, and jury trial management.

Class C / Magistration

Travis County Justice of the Peace Courts

📍 Multiple precincts throughout Travis County

Class C misdemeanor cases — the lowest level of criminal offense in Texas, carrying fines up to $500 with no jail time. Also handles magistration (the initial appearance after arrest where bond conditions are set and Miranda rights are read) for all Travis County criminal arrests. JP Courts are located across five precincts covering the full county geographic footprint.

JP Courts in Travis County are often the first court a defendant appears in after arrest, even if the charge will ultimately be filed in a higher court. Magistration hearings set bond conditions, no-contact orders, and ignition interlock requirements that affect daily life throughout the pendency of the case. The Hull Firm advises clients on magistration and bond hearings from the day of arrest.

Class C / City Ordinances

Travis County Municipal Courts (Austin)

📍 Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701

Class C misdemeanor offenses occurring within Austin city limits and Austin city ordinance violations. Austin Municipal Court has multiple judges and handles high volume. Municipal Court matters include traffic offenses, public intoxication, minor in possession, and other Class C charges. Before paying a Travis County or Austin Municipal citation, a defense review can identify whether the citation has collateral consequences worth contesting.

Austin Municipal Court judges are appointed by City Council. The court operates a deferred disposition program for qualifying first-time offenders. The Hull Firm evaluates Municipal Court citations for dismissal and deferred disposition eligibility.

Arraignment, Bond, and Your First Travis County Court Appearance

The first court appearance after a Travis County arrest is magistration — typically within 24 to 48 hours. This hearing sets the bond conditions that govern your daily life for the entire duration of the case: cash bond amount, pretrial release conditions, alcohol monitoring, GPS monitoring, and no-contact orders. The decisions made at magistration are not minor procedural steps. They directly determine whether you can maintain your job, your housing, and your family relationships while the case is pending.

After a Travis County arrest, the defendant is brought before a magistrate — typically a Travis County JP Court judge — within 24 to 48 hours for magistration. At magistration, the magistrate reads the charges, advises the defendant of Miranda rights, and sets bond conditions. Bond conditions can include a personal recognizance bond (PR bond), a cash bond, a surety bond, alcohol monitoring, GPS monitoring, or no-contact orders. The Hull Firm seeks to be retained before magistration whenever possible to influence bond conditions at the earliest opportunity.

Travis County operates a pretrial services division that evaluates defendants for risk level and makes bond recommendations to the magistrate. A high-risk assessment can result in denied bail or high cash bond amounts. The Hull Firm challenges pretrial services assessments and argues for the least restrictive conditions consistent with court appearance and community safety — preserving employment, housing, and family contact during the pendency of the case.

Beyond bond conditions, magistration is where Miranda rights are formally read and the defendant is advised of the charges. Anything said at or after magistration without legal counsel is potentially usable against the defendant. The Hull Firm advises every Travis County client to invoke the right to counsel immediately and to say nothing about the facts of the case until we are present.

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Criminal Defense Services in Travis County

The Hull Firm handles the full range of criminal charges prosecuted in Travis County courts. Each service page covers the specific law, penalties, defense strategies, and Travis County court procedures that apply to that charge type.

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DWI & DUI Defense

DWI defense in Travis County requires challenging the traffic stop, field sobriety test administration, and breath or blood test accuracy. The 15-day ALR window after arrest is critical. The Hull Firm files the ALR request the day you retain us.

DWI Overview → First-Time DWI → DUI Defense →
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Assault & Family Violence

Assault charges in Travis County range from Class C misdemeanor to first-degree felony. A family violence designation triggers a lifetime federal firearm prohibition. Travis County’s Family Violence Unit operates a no-drop policy.

Assault Overview → Family Violence → Aggravated Assault →
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Drug Charges

Drug cases in Travis County are largely built on traffic stop evidence. Fourth Amendment challenges to the stop and search are the most powerful defense tool. The Hull Firm challenges these stops in Travis County courts consistently.

Drug Charges Overview → Marijuana Possession → Drug Trafficking →
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Theft & Property Crimes

Theft charges in Texas are tiered by value from Class C through first-degree felony. Even a misdemeanor theft conviction follows you on background checks for life. The Hull Firm challenges valuation, identification, and intent in every Travis County theft case.

Theft Crimes → White Collar Crimes →
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Probation Violations

Probation violations in Travis County are proven by preponderance of the evidence — a lower bar than beyond a reasonable doubt. Immediate legal intervention before the revocation hearing is the most critical variable. The Hull Firm acts immediately on Travis County probation violation calls.

Probation Violations → Protective Order Violations →
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Juvenile Defense & Expungement

Juvenile adjudications in Travis County affect educational and licensing opportunities well into adulthood. Texas Chapter 55 expungement and Orders of Nondisclosure are available for qualifying Travis County clients. The Hull Firm manages the full record-clearing process.

Juvenile Defense → Record Expungement → Emergency Jail Release →
700+Cases Dismissed
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Travis County Communities The Hull Firm Serves

The Hull Firm represents clients from every city and community whose criminal cases are prosecuted in Travis County courts. Click your city for city-specific defense information.

Austin → Pflugerville → Bee Cave → Lakeway → Buda — Hays/Travis border →

Travis County Criminal Court FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about how Travis County criminal courts work, how the DA’s office operates, and what defendants and families need to know.

Travis County criminal cases above the Class C misdemeanor level are heard at the Travis County Criminal Justice Center at 509 W. 11th Street in downtown Austin. Class C misdemeanors are handled in Travis County Justice of the Peace Courts (across five precincts) or Austin Municipal Court for cases within city limits. The Hull Firm appears regularly in all Travis County criminal courts.

After a Travis County arrest, the defendant is brought before a magistrate within 24 to 48 hours for magistration. The magistrate reads the charges, advises the defendant of Miranda rights, and sets bond conditions including cash bond, PR bond, alcohol monitoring, GPS monitoring, and no-contact orders. The Hull Firm seeks to be retained before magistration to influence bond conditions at the earliest opportunity.

The Travis County DWI unit prioritizes cases involving high BAC readings, accidents, repeat offenders, and DWI with child passenger. First-offense DWI cases with BAC readings close to the 0.08 limit and no accident are more frequently evaluated for plea offers. The Hull Firm challenges field sobriety test administration, breath and blood test accuracy, and the legality of the traffic stop in every Travis County DWI case — and files the ALR hearing request within the 15-day window on every DWI arrest.

The Travis County Family Violence Unit is a specialized prosecution division within the Travis County DA's Office that handles assault family violence cases. The unit operates under a no-drop prosecution policy, meaning cases are pursued even when the complaining witness later recants or refuses to cooperate. Understanding how the Family Violence Unit evaluates evidence, responds to recantation, and approaches plea negotiations requires specific experience with that unit's practices. The Hull Firm has that experience.

Texas Chapter 55 expungement is available for Travis County arrests that did not result in conviction, cases that were dismissed, and acquittals following trial. Successful completion of deferred adjudication may qualify for an Order of Nondisclosure, which seals the record from public view. The Hull Firm evaluates expungement and nondisclosure eligibility, files all required petitions in Travis County courts, and represents clients through the complete record-clearing process.

Travis County misdemeanor cases in Courts at Law can resolve in a few months with effective representation, or extend to a year or more for contested matters. Felony cases in Travis County District Courts typically take six months to two years or longer depending on complexity, evidence volume, and whether the case goes to trial. Travis County's docket volume is substantial — having an attorney who knows how to navigate the docket efficiently is a practical advantage.

Yes. The Hull Firm appears regularly in Travis County Courts at Law, Travis County District Courts, Travis County JP Courts, and Austin Municipal Court. Our attorneys know the assigned judges, the prosecution teams in each division, and how the Travis County DA's Office evaluates cases of every charge type. That local knowledge is a concrete defense advantage on every Travis County case we handle.

What Our Clients Say

The Hull Firm maintains a 5.0-star rating based on 363 Google reviews. Here is what recent clients have shared about their experience in Central Texas courts.

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Ronnicka Lopez
★★★★★
Google

“After two years, the case was dismissed and dropped. 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. I highly recommend Mark Hull and The Hull Firm.”

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Ashley Nicole
★★★★★
Google

“They gathered evidence, challenged the arrest process, and got the charge dropped. The relief I felt was indescribable.”

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.”

TB
Toni Ballard
★★★★★
Google

“This firm stepped in and didn’t stop fighting until my name was cleared. I owe them big time.”

MW
Michael White
★★★★★
Google

“When the prosecution tried changing their story, my team had receipts to prove otherwise. Meticulous record-keeping won my case.”

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

Every hour that passes after a Travis County arrest affects the evidence available to build your defense. The 15-day ALR window on DWI cases starts the day of arrest. The Travis County District Attorney's Office is already building its file. Call The Hull Firm at 512-599-9999 — we answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we begin working your case 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. Criminal defense laws are complex and fact-specific. 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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