Criminal Defense · Dallas, Texas

Charged With a Crime.
We Stand With You.

A criminal charge puts your freedom, your record, and your future at risk. John Arthur & Associates defends individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies across Dallas and all of Texas — fighting for dismissal, reduction, and the best possible outcome from the first day to the last.

Request a Consultation → 📞 (214) 638-0930
What We Handle

Criminal Cases
We Defend in Texas

From first-time misdemeanors to serious felony charges — we defend clients in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, and courts across Texas.

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DWI / DUI Defense
Texas DWI law is complex and the consequences are serious — license suspension, fines, and a conviction that follows you. We challenge every stage of the DWI case: the stop, the field sobriety tests, the chemical test, and the ALR license suspension hearing. The 15-day ALR deadline is absolute — call us today.
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Assault & Battery
Assault charges — including family violence — range from Class C misdemeanors to first-degree felonies depending on the circumstances. We evaluate self-defense arguments, credibility of witnesses, and every available avenue to dismiss or reduce the charge.
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Drug Charges
Drug possession and distribution charges carry severe consequences in Texas. We challenge the legality of the stop and search, contest chain of custody, and explore diversion programs and deferred adjudication options to protect your record.
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Theft & Property Crimes
Theft charges range from Class C misdemeanors to felonies depending on the value involved. We explore diversion, restitution agreements, and deferred adjudication to resolve theft cases in ways that protect your employment and record.
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Weapons Charges
Unlawful carrying of a weapon and related firearms charges carry serious penalties and can affect your right to possess firearms permanently. We challenge the lawfulness of the search and the legal basis for the charge.
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Criminal Trespass & Mischief
Criminal trespass and criminal mischief are common charges that can result in convictions that follow you for years. We fight for dismissal or deferred adjudication to protect your record.
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Warrants & Failure to Appear
An outstanding warrant means you can be arrested at any time — during a traffic stop, at work, or at home. We help clients turn themselves in on favorable terms and arrange bond in advance. Call us before you surrender.
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Expunctions & Non-Disclosure
If your case was dismissed, you were acquitted, or you completed deferred adjudication, you may be eligible to have your record cleared. An expunction destroys the record entirely. A non-disclosure seals it from public view. We handle both throughout Texas.
Know What You're Facing

Texas Offense Levels
and Punishment Ranges

Every criminal charge in Texas carries a specific punishment range. Understanding what you are facing is the first step to building a defense.

Offense Level Maximum Jail / Prison Maximum Fine Common Examples
Class C MisdemeanorNo jail — fine only$500Minor traffic violations, disorderly conduct, minor in possession
Class B Misdemeanor180 days county jail$2,000First DWI, possession under 2oz marijuana, theft under $100
Class A Misdemeanor1 year county jail$4,000DWI 2nd offense, assault Class A, theft $100–$749
State Jail Felony2 years state jail$10,000Drug possession (certain amounts), theft $2,500–$29,999
3rd Degree Felony10 years TDC$10,000DWI 3rd offense, assault family violence (repeat), certain drug offenses
2nd Degree Felony20 years TDC$10,000Aggravated assault, robbery, certain drug delivery offenses
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DWI — 15-Day ALR Deadline: After a Texas DWI arrest, you have only 15 days from the date of arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to contest your license suspension. This deadline is absolute — miss it and your license is automatically suspended. If you or someone you know was arrested for DWI, call us today at (214) 638-0930.
Know Your Rights

What to Do — and Not Do —
If You Are Arrested

The decisions you make in the first hours after an arrest can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Know your rights before you need them.

Right to Remain Silent

You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Exercise it. Tell the officer: "I am invoking my right to remain silent." Then stop talking. Anything you say — including casual conversation, attempts to explain yourself, or statements you believe are innocent — can be used against you. Do not make statements to police without your attorney present.

Right to an Attorney

You have the right to have an attorney present during any custodial interrogation. Clearly state: "I want a lawyer." Once you say this, all questioning must stop until your attorney is present. Do not waive this right. Do not continue answering questions while waiting for an attorney. Call John Arthur & Associates at (214) 638-0930.

Right Against Unlawful Search

You have the right under the Fourth Amendment to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. If police ask to search your vehicle, home, or person without a warrant, you may say: "I do not consent to a search." This does not stop a search if police claim another basis, but it preserves the argument for suppression later. Do not physically resist — comply and challenge it in court.

What Not to Do

Do not physically resist arrest — even an unlawful one. Do not run. Do not lie to police — making a false statement is a separate criminal offense. Do not post about the arrest or charge on social media. Do not contact the alleged victim or any witness. Do not speak to anyone about the facts of the case — including friends and family — until you have spoken with an attorney. Call us first.

How We Defend You

Our Criminal Defense
Process

From the moment you hire us, we take over — so you can focus on your life while we focus on your defense.

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Immediate Action on Urgent Matters
If you have a DWI arrest, we request the ALR hearing the same day. If you have a warrant, we begin arranging terms for surrender and bond before you turn yourself in. If you are in custody, we address bond immediately. Time matters in criminal defense — we act on day one.
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We Obtain and Analyze Every Piece of Evidence
We send a discovery request to the prosecution immediately after signing. We obtain the police report, body camera footage, dashcam footage, witness statements, lab results, and any other evidence. We read every word and compare the officer's narrative against the video. Inconsistencies are cross-examination opportunities. Evidence obtained illegally is the basis for suppression motions.
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We Identify Every Available Defense
Was the stop legal? Was the search lawful? Were your Miranda rights violated? Was the identification reliable? Is the evidence sufficient to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt? We pursue every avenue — from Fourth Amendment suppression motions to challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to asserting affirmative defenses like self-defense.
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Strategic Negotiation With the Prosecution
We build relationships with prosecutors and know what moves them. We present mitigation — your background, employment, community ties, lack of prior record — alongside the weaknesses in the State's case. The goal is dismissal or a significant reduction. We negotiate from strength, not desperation.
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Your Decision — We Advise, You Choose
Every plea offer is presented to you with our honest analysis — the offer's terms, the realistic trial risks, the immigration consequences if applicable, and the record implications. We give you our professional recommendation. The decision is yours and yours alone. We never pressure a client to accept a plea — and we never accept one without your express agreement.
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Trial If That Is What It Takes
When the prosecution will not offer fair terms, we go to trial. We prepare thoroughly — opening statement, cross-examinations, witness preparation, and closing argument. Insurance companies and prosecutors alike know the attorneys willing to try cases. That reputation changes what they offer before trial begins.
Why John Arthur & Associates

Why Defendants Choose
Our Firm

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We Presume You Innocent — Always
Every client is presumed innocent until the State proves otherwise. We approach every case from that foundation — not from an assumption of guilt. Our job is to hold the State to its burden, not to judge our clients.
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We Handle Both Criminal and Immigration
For non-citizen clients, a criminal conviction can mean deportation. Having criminal defense and immigration capabilities in one firm means we analyze and coordinate both — protecting your freedom and your immigration status simultaneously.
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We Know DFW Courts and Prosecutors
We practice in Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant counties regularly. We know the local prosecutors, judges, and how each court operates. Local knowledge is a genuine advantage in criminal defense.
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Flat Fee — You Know What You Owe
Criminal defense is billed as a flat fee, agreed upon at signing. No surprise invoices, no hourly billing anxiety. You know exactly what representation costs before we begin.
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We Advise on Record Relief from Day One
At the start of every case, we consider the end — what record relief (expunction or non-disclosure) may be available after resolution. The plea we recommend today affects what you can clear from your record tomorrow.
Common Questions

Criminal Defense
FAQs

Should I talk to police without an attorney?+
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present during any custodial interrogation. Exercise both. Politely tell the officer: "I am invoking my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer." Then stop talking. Anything you say — even an attempt to explain yourself — can be taken out of context and used against you. Call us before making any statement to law enforcement about any matter under investigation.
What is deferred adjudication and is it a conviction?+
Deferred adjudication is a form of community supervision where you plead guilty or no contest, complete a supervision period, and avoid a final conviction on your record — if you successfully complete the conditions. It is not a conviction, but it is not an acquittal either. Important limitations: it can be used as a prior offense in future criminal cases, it may be treated as a conviction for immigration purposes, and it is generally not eligible for expunction (only for non-disclosure after completion). We discuss all of these implications before recommending any plea involving deferred adjudication.
What is the 15-day ALR deadline for DWI cases?+
After a Texas DWI arrest involving a failed or refused chemical test, you have exactly 15 days from the date of arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety to contest your license suspension. This is an absolute deadline — there are no extensions and no exceptions. If you miss it, your license is automatically suspended. The ALR hearing also provides an early opportunity to cross-examine the arresting officer under oath before the criminal trial, which is valuable regardless of the outcome.
Can my record be cleared after a criminal charge in Texas?+
It depends on the outcome of your case. An expunction — which destroys all records of the arrest and charge — is available when a case is dismissed, you are acquitted, or charges were never filed. A non-disclosure order — which seals the record from public view — is available after successfully completing deferred adjudication for most (not all) offenses. A guilty plea conviction is generally not eligible for expunction or non-disclosure. This is why the plea we recommend today matters for your future — we always consider record relief eligibility when evaluating any disposition.
I have a warrant. What should I do?+
Call us before you turn yourself in. An outstanding warrant means you can be arrested at any time — during a traffic stop, at your workplace, or at home. By retaining an attorney first, we can often arrange the terms of your surrender, have bond arranged in advance so you are released quickly, and appear with you at the initial hearing. Turning yourself in without an attorney and without a bond plan is one of the worst things you can do — you could spend significantly more time in custody than necessary.
How much does criminal defense cost?+
We charge a flat fee for criminal defense cases, agreed upon at signing. The fee varies based on the charge level, the complexity of the case, and whether the matter is likely to go to trial. A flat fee means you know exactly what representation costs before we start — no surprise hourly bills, no invoices mid-case. We discuss fees openly at the consultation and do not begin work until the fee agreement is signed and the initial payment is received.

The State Has a Lawyer.
So Should You.

From the moment you are arrested, the prosecution is building its case. You deserve an attorney who starts building your defense just as fast. Call us now.

Call (214) 638-0930 Request Consultation →
Get in Touch

Tell Us What
Happened

Everything you share is protected by attorney-client privilege. We do not judge — we defend.

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Office
7929 Brookriver Drive, Suite 110
Dallas, Texas 75247
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Service Area
All of Texas
Everything is confidential. Attorney-client privilege protects every conversation and every piece of information you share with our office. You can speak honestly about your situation without fear.