By Samantha Paul Choosing a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Worth, Texas is rarely something people plan for. It usually starts with a phone call from jail, a detective’s business card on the door, or a court date printed on a citation. Then everything speeds up.
Tarrant County cases move faster than most people expect. Bond hearings, early charging decisions, and DWI license deadlines can all shape the outcome weeks before anyone talks about trial. The attorney you hire in those first days matters more than any other decision you’ll make.
This guide covers five Fort Worth criminal defense firms worth calling in 2026. It also explains what to check before you sign a fee agreement.
Fort Worth Criminal Defense: Quick Facts
- Most state felony and misdemeanor cases in Fort Worth are heard at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center downtown.
- Board Certification in Criminal Law is granted by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS). Only a small share of Texas lawyers earn it.
- Many leading Fort Worth defense attorneys are former Tarrant County prosecutors.
- After a Texas DWI arrest, you generally have only 15 days from receiving the suspension notice to request an ALR hearing.
- Firms often offer free initial consultations, but the length and terms differ.
What a Strong Fort Worth Defense Attorney Brings to Your Case
A polished website tells you very little. Before you hire, look for these things:
- Board certification: It shows tested expertise and peer review in criminal law.
- Prosecution background: Former prosecutors know how the other side builds and weighs cases.
- Real trial experience: Prosecutors offer better deals to lawyers they know will go to trial.
- Local familiarity: Knowing Tarrant County judges and court procedures saves time and avoids mistakes.
- Responsiveness: You should know who returns your calls and how quickly.
Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Fort Worth for 2026
1. VargheseSummersett
Varghese Summersett operates from 300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700, Fort Worth, TX 76102, a few blocks from the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. Three of its lawyers are Board Certified in Criminal Law: founder Benson Varghese, Anna Summersett, and Letty Martinez. The firm also has board-certified juvenile law specialists, which is uncommon for a defense practice.
- Address: 300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Phone: (817) 203-2220
- Handles DWI, drug charges, violent offenses, white-collar crimes, federal cases, and juvenile matters
- Regularly practices in Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, Johnson, Parker, Wise, and Denton counties
- Additional offices in Southlake and Dallas
One listing gives Suite 1650 at the same building, so confirm the suite number before your visit.
2. Cofer Luster Law Firm
Cody Cofer founded his Fort Worth firm in 2011, and it has since grown into Cofer Luster, led by Cofer and James Luster. The firm is based at 604 E. 4th Street, Suite 101, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Cofer is Board Certified in Criminal Law, and the team handles high-profile and complex cases.
Here’s a detail most clients never see: Cofer, Luster, and another firm attorney all appear on the Eighth Administrative Judicial Region’s death penalty counsel list effective January 1, 2026. Courts appoint lawyers to that list only for the most serious capital cases.
- Address: 604 E. 4th Street, Suite 101, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Phone: (682) 777-3336
- Phones answered 24 hours a day
- Jail visits for clients in custody, generally within 24 hours
- Practices mainly in Tarrant and surrounding counties
Note: A federal court directory still lists 300 Burnett Street, Suite 130. Call ahead to confirm the current office.
3. Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC
Every attorney at Hoeller McLaughlin is a former Tarrant County prosecutor. That shared background shapes how the firm reads cases and negotiates. The Fort Worth office is in Mallick Tower at 101 Summit Avenue, Suite 101, Fort Worth, TX 76102.
Managing partner Bryan Hoeller has tried more than 80 jury trials. He has been named a Texas Super Lawyer from 2023 to 2026, and Fort Worth Magazine has listed him as a top criminal defense attorney every year from 2018 to 2025.
- Address: 101 Summit Avenue, Suite 101, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Phone: (817) 334-7900
- Focuses on DWI and criminal defense
- Free 15-minute phone consultations for pending Tarrant County cases, depending on attorney availability
- Second office at 6513 Colleyville Blvd., Suite 300, Colleyville, TX 76034
4. The Medlin Law Firm
Gary Medlin has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by TBLS since 1989, longer than many Fort Worth defense attorneys have been licensed. His firm works out of 1300 S. University Drive, Suite 318, Fort Worth, TX 76107, near the TCU and Cultural District area rather than downtown.
- Address: 1300 S. University Dr., #318, Fort Worth, TX 76107
- Phone: (682) 204-4066
- Handles DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, and felony cases
- Also practices immigration law, which helps non-citizen clients facing criminal charges
- Member of DWI defense organizations, including the National College of DUI Defense
5. Howard Lotspeich Alexander & Williams, PLLC
Many locals still know this firm as Barnett Howard & Williams. It now practices as Howard Lotspeich Alexander & Williams from 930 W. 1st Street, Suite 202, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The team includes former prosecutors, and co-founder Brandon Barnett brings experience as a U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate.
Jason Howard has completed gas chromatography certification, the method labs use to test blood in DWI cases. That training helps him question blood-alcohol results that other lawyers might accept as fact.
- Address: 930 W. 1st Street, Suite 202, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Phone: (817) 993-9249
- Covers DWI, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft, drug, juvenile, and federal cases
- Also handles expunctions and orders of nondisclosure
- Serves Tarrant, Denton, and Wise counties
Questions to Ask at Your First Consultation
- Who will personally handle my case and appear in court?
- How many cases like mine have you taken to trial?
- Is your fee flat or hourly, and does it include trial?
- What are the likely outcomes, including the worst case?
- How will you keep me updated?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How much does a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Worth cost?
A: Fees depend on the charge, its complexity, and whether the case goes to trial. Many Fort Worth firms charge flat fees for misdemeanors and hourly or higher flat fees for felonies.
Q2. What does Board Certified in Criminal Law mean in Texas?
A: It means the Texas Board of Legal Specialization certified the lawyer after reviewing their experience, peer references, and a demanding exam. Lawyers must also maintain ongoing education to keep certification.
Q3. Should I talk to police before hiring a lawyer?
A: No. You have the right to stay silent and ask for an attorney. Anything you say can be used against you, even statements you believe prove your innocence.
Q4. Can a Fort Worth lawyer get my charges dismissed?
A: Sometimes. Lawyers can win dismissals or no-bills by exposing weak evidence or illegal searches. No honest attorney can promise a dismissal before reviewing the full facts of your case.
Q5. How quickly should I hire a defense attorney after an arrest?
A: As soon as possible. Early involvement protects key deadlines, such as the 15-day ALR window after a DWI, and gives your lawyer time to preserve evidence and contact prosecutors.