Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorneys in Fort Worth, TX

The Verdict, Up Front

Anyone who has sat in the gallery at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center knows the drill. Names get called, lawyers huddle with prosecutors in the hallway, and the person whose life is actually on the line stands there guessing what just got decided about them. The lawyer you pick changes how that hallway conversation goes. Based on courtroom reputation, case history, and who Tarrant County actually talks about, Sloane Law Firm is the top criminal defense pick in Fort Worth right now. Founder David Sloane spent years as a police lieutenant before he ever picked up a defense file, and that background still shapes how his firm builds a case today. Five more firms below also do serious work in these same courtrooms, and each one earns its spot for a different reason.

Six Fort Worth Firms, Compared

Why Only Six Made the List

Fort Worth has no shortage of lawyers who list criminal defense as one line on a services page next to five other practice areas. That is not what this list covers. Every firm here tries cases in Tarrant County on a regular basis, has attorneys with a real courtroom history you can check, and shows up in more than one independent source, not just its own homepage. A firm that could not back up its claims with something outside its own marketing did not make the cut.

1. Sloane Law Firm

David Sloane wore a badge before he ever wore a suit to court. He worked as a police lieutenant, taught field sobriety testing at multiple police academies, and got certified on the Intoxilyzer 5000, the machine Texas uses to measure blood alcohol during a DWI stop. Then he switched sides. Since opening his Fort Worth practice in 1997, Sloane has built a firm that treats a client’s arrest the same way a homicide detective treats a crime scene: look for what the report leaves out.

That background still does the heavy lifting today. Sloane serves as an on-call attorney for two of the largest police associations in Texas, a detail that tells you how law enforcement itself views his read on a case. The firm takes on drug charges of every penalty group, DWI, assault and family violence cases, sex crimes, theft and robbery, white collar fraud, federal charges, and the expunctions and nondisclosures that come after a case closes. Attorneys Alexis Archer and Ian Perez-Routledge round out the trial team, backed by paralegals Ariah Kragness and Elena York and client relations coordinator Chaney Hartgrove.

The firm has pulled in more than 200 five-star reviews and holds an Avvo rating in the Very Good range, plus recognition as a Nation’s Top One Percent Distinguished Counsel and a Top 100 National Trial Lawyer. Sloane also sits on the NORML Legislative Committee, a detail that matters to anyone facing a marijuana charge who wants a lawyer who understands the politics of the law, not just the letter of it.

Best for: anyone who wants a lawyer who has stood on both sides of a police report and knows exactly where officers tend to cut corners.

Address: 933 W Weatherford Street, Suite 203, Fort Worth, TX 76102 | Phone: (817) 810-0088 | Website: https://www.sloanelaw.com/ 

2. Daniel, Moore, Evans, Biggs, Decker & Smid

Six attorneys work out of this downtown Fort Worth practice, and four of them, Mark Daniel, Lance Evans, William Biggs, and Matt Smid, hold Board Certification in Criminal Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. That certification is not handed out for showing up. It requires a minimum number of trials, ongoing legal education, and a peer review process most attorneys never bother to complete. This firm takes on sexual assault charges, federal crimes, drug offenses, violent crime, white collar cases, DWI, and post-conviction appeals.

Best for: a felony charge serious enough that you want more than one board-certified attorney’s eyes on the file.

Address: 301 Commerce Street, Suite 2001, Fort Worth, TX 76102 | Phone: (817) 332-3822

3. The Dameron Law Firm

Craig Dameron built a practice around one thing: DWI defense, and the traffic stops, field tests, and breath machines that come with it. Licensed since 2001 and trained through the National College of DUI Defense, Dameron has landed on Fort Worth Magazine’s Top Attorney list every year from 2016 through 2025 and holds a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo. He also sits on the NORML Legal Committee, giving him a similar read on marijuana law as Sloane, from a different corner of the same courthouse hallway.

Best for: a DWI arrest where the roadside test itself is the weakest part of the state’s case.

Address: 1515 8th Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104

4. Kenneth N. Cutrer, Attorney at Law

Cutrer has practiced law in Fort Worth since 1993, more than 30 years, and runs a solo practice that ranges from a first DUI arrest all the way up to capital murder charges. A solo shop means no associate you have never met shows up to your hearing instead of the attorney you hired. Cutrer has also carried a Super Lawyers selection and built a white collar defense practice alongside his general criminal caseload.

Best for: clients who want one attorney handling their case personally, without a rotating cast of junior associates.

Address: 3624 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76104

5. Manuel Diaz Law Firm

This firm runs two Fort Worth offices and reports more than 200 years of combined attorney experience firmwide, with over 5,000 cases closed. Criminal defense sits alongside immigration, family law, and personal injury under one roof, which matters more than it sounds for a specific kind of client: someone facing a charge that could also affect a visa, a green card application, or a pending immigration case. Staff answer calls in Spanish and English, and the firm promises next-day callbacks around the clock.

Best for: a criminal charge that carries immigration consequences the client cannot afford to handle separately.

Address: 1100 Macon St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 | Phone: (866) 981-3854

6. Law Offices of Bobbie Edmonds

Bobbie Edmonds has practiced law in Fort Worth since 1987, nearly 40 years, and never narrowed her practice down to one lane. Criminal defense makes up roughly a third of her caseload, alongside family law, juvenile cases, probate, and Social Security disability work. That range fits a specific situation: a criminal charge that lands in the middle of a divorce, a custody dispute, or a juvenile case, where a client would rather not explain their situation to three different law firms.

Best for: a criminal matter that overlaps with a family or juvenile court case already underway.

Address: 100 E 15th St, Suite 410, Fort Worth, TX 76102

What to Ask Before You Sign Anything

A courthouse hallway is a bad place to learn your lawyer has never tried a case like yours in front of a Tarrant County jury. Ask directly how many cases similar to your charge the attorney has taken to trial, not just settled with a plea deal. Ask who actually shows up to your hearings, the name on the website or a junior associate you have never spoken to. And ask about fees in writing before any money changes hands. A firm that answers all three questions straight, without hedging, is usually the one that has done this enough times to know the numbers cold.

FAQ

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Fort Worth? 

Costs depend on the charge and how far the case goes. A misdemeanor often runs a flat fee, while a felony costs more because it demands more investigation, motions, and court time. Get a written fee agreement before you hire anyone, and ask what happens to the fee if the case resolves quickly through a plea.

What is the difference between a public defender and a private attorney in Tarrant County? 

A public defender gets appointed to clients who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and Tarrant County’s public defenders carry heavy caseloads by necessity. A private attorney usually has more time to spend on your specific case, more say over which cases to take, and often more experience with the exact type of charge you are facing.

How long does a typical criminal case take in Tarrant County? 

A misdemeanor can resolve in a few months if it moves toward a plea early. A felony that goes to trial can take a year or longer, especially with expert witnesses or forensic evidence involved. Your attorney should be able to give you a realistic timeline after reviewing the charge.

What happens if I miss a court date in Fort Worth? 

A judge can issue a warrant for your arrest and add a bail-jumping or failure-to-appear charge on top of your original case. If you miss a date for any reason, call your attorney immediately instead of waiting to see what happens. Fixing it fast is almost always possible. Ignoring it never is.

Can a criminal charge in Tarrant County be expunged or sealed later? 

Sometimes. Texas allows expunction for charges that were dismissed, ended in acquittal, or never resulted in formal charges. A conviction usually requires a separate process called an order of nondisclosure, and not every conviction qualifies. An attorney can tell you early which path, if any, applies once your case closes.

Pick the Lawyer Who Knows This Courthouse

Every name on this list has earned a real reputation inside Tarrant County’s courts, not just a search engine. David Sloane has seen a criminal case build from both sides of the badge, and that view is what pushes Sloane Law Firm to the top of this list. The other five firms above built their own strengths over years in these same buildings, from board certification to bilingual staff to decades of trial work. Talk to more than one before you decide, and hire the attorney who explains your charge in plain language, not the one with the biggest billboard on I-30.