Criminal Defense · Dallas
Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dallas
Criminal defense lawyers represent people under investigation or charged with offences, from traffic and misdemeanour matters to serious felonies. This list compares 14 criminal defense lawyers practising in Dallas on verified licences, years in this area, focus and sourced reputation.
- Updated 19 Oct 2026
- Ranking v1.0.0
- How we rank
- lawyers considered
- 14
- 7 verified licences
- 50%
- average years in practice
- 15
The ranking
Score out of 100- 1
Hugo Abernathy
Out of dateAssociate
Redfern & Linden LLP27 yrs in practice4.2(17)Criminal DefensePersonal Injury - 2
Amara Kowalski
VerifiedAssociate
Merritt & Quill LLP14 yrs in practice3.8(13)Criminal DefenseSpeaks English, Urdu
- 3
- 4
Noah Rahman
VerifiedAssociate
Merritt & Quill LLP22 yrs in practice4.0(2)EmploymentCriminal DefenseReal EstateSpeaks English, Vietnamese
- 5
Arjun S. Okafor
UnverifiedManaging Partner
Sterling & Linden LLP34 yrs in practice4.1(5)Criminal DefenseDivorceSpeaks English, Hindi
- 6
Priya Zielinski
UnverifiedOf Counsel
Redfern & Linden LLP38 yrs in practiceCriminal DefenseImmigration - 7
Adaeze R. Zielinski
VerifiedPrincipal Lawyer
31 yrs in practice4.8(11)Child CustodyCriminal DefenseEmployment+2 moreSpeaks English, Arabic
- 8
- 9
- 10
Daniel K. Brennan
VerifiedFounding Attorney
Brook & Kensington LLP8 yrs in practiceDivorceBusinessCriminal Defense+1 moreSpeaks English, Arabic
- 11
Helena Cardenas
VerifiedAssociate
Calder & Vance LLP6 yrs in practice3.3(7)BusinessCriminal DefenseFamilySpeaks English, Mandarin
- 12
Julia Moreau
UnverifiedManaging Partner
Sterling & Linden LLP26 yrs in practice4.5(3)DivorceCriminal DefenseSpeaks English, Korean
- 13
Esther R. Lowell
UnverifiedSenior Associate
Redfern & Linden LLP14 yrs in practice4.5(1)Criminal DefenseBusinessDivorce+1 more
How we rank
Each lawyer gets nine component scores from 0 to 100. The bar shows how many of the 100 available points each component contributed. Weights are fixed for every lawyer in this list and published in full; payment plays no part.
Expertise50%
- Credentials20%
- Relevant experience15%
- Specialization15%
Standing35%
- Verified reputation15%
- Professional recognition10%
- Relevant track record10%
Service & data15%
- Client experience5%
- Profile & data quality5%
- Data freshness5%
Dallas legal resources
- State Bar of Texas
Find-a-lawyer directory with licence status.
- Dallas Bar Association
Lawyer referral service.
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer
Experience in the specific court and with the specific type of charge matters. Ask whether the lawyer has handled trials, not only plea negotiations, and whether they previously worked as a prosecutor or public defender. Contact a lawyer before speaking to investigators.
Frequently asked questions
Should I talk to the police without a lawyer?
You generally have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present. It is usually wise to speak to a criminal defense lawyer before giving any statement.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
If you are charged with an offence that can lead to imprisonment, you may be entitled to a public defender or legal aid. Ask the court about eligibility.