Criminal Defense Dossier · San Antonio · Published October 31, 2026
Five San Antonio criminal defense firms, checked on office, consultation terms, federal reach, language and Google reviews.
A criminal case in Bexar County moves fast, and some deadlines start the day of arrest. These dossiers put what each firm says about itself next to what its Google listing and reviews show, so the first phone call is a short one.
0 of 5
firms here publish a fee for a criminal case
15 days
to request a DWI license hearing after the notice of suspension
$0
for a court-appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one
Peek Law Group is listed first on this page. The order of the other four is not a ranking. Every fact below was checked against the source named beside it on October 31, 2026.
01
The scorecard: 5 checks, 5 firms
✓ meets the check ◐ partly or self-reported ✗ does not, or not published
Peek Law GroupBilingual families where a criminal charge could also affect a green card, visa or citizenship case
Office location
✓North Loop 410Free consult stated
◐Confidential; call to ask feeFederal court
✓Yes, firm-wideGoogle rating checked
✓5.0 / 2 (SA office) Goldstein & OrrSerious felony, federal and appellate cases where trial and appeal experience matter most
Federal court
✓Yes, incl. appealsSpanish stated
✗Not statedGoogle rating checked
✓4.1 / 30 De La Garza Criminal Defense, PLLCClients who want one lawyer who knows the Bexar County courthouse from the inside
Federal court
✓WD and SD TexasSpanish stated
✗Not statedGoogle rating checked
✓5.0 / 31 Hunter, Lane & Jampala PLLCDefendants who want three partners working the case together, including federal and post-conviction work
Free consult stated
✓Free case evaluationFederal court
✓Yes, incl. writsSpanish stated
✗Not statedGoogle rating checked
✓5.0 / 38 The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PCCallers who need someone on the phone at night, bail bond help and Spanish in the same call
Google rating checked
◐4.9 / 257, mixed practice 02
Before you hire: what the numbers mean for a San Antonio case
1
0 of 5: firms here publish a fee for a criminal case
None of the five prints a price. Four say the first consultation is free, and Peek Law Group says it offers payment plans and gives a fee breakdown at a confidential consultation. Expect the quote to depend on the charge level, the court and whether the case goes to trial.
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15 days: to request a DWI license hearing after the notice of suspension
After a DWI arrest with a failed or refused breath or blood test, you generally have 15 days from the notice of suspension to ask Texas DPS for an ALR hearing. Miss it and the license suspension usually starts on the 40th day. Ask any firm whether it files this request.
3
$0: for a court-appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one
Texas law gives a person charged with a crime the right to an appointed lawyer if they are indigent. Ask for one when you see the magistrate after arrest. A private firm is a choice, not a requirement, and an appointed lawyer can handle the same case.
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The 5 firm dossiers
01
Peek Law Group
Bilingual families where a criminal charge could also affect a green card, visa or citizenship case
Why it made the list
Peek Law Group has defended people charged with crimes in Texas since 1996, per its website, and runs its San Antonio criminal defense practice from an office on the north side of Loop 410, alongside offices in Austin. The firm handles DWI, drug, family violence, theft and white-collar charges, plus expunction and record sealing. What separates it from the other four here is an in-house immigration practice: the same firm can weigh how a plea would affect a client’s immigration status. It works in English and Spanish, offers payment plans, and says it will check for warrants and help arrange a voluntary surrender.
Proof file
- Office84 NE Interstate 410 Loop, Floor 2, Suite 2153, San Antonio, TX 78216
- Phone(210) 202-1986
- In practice since1996, per the firm
- Charges listedDWI, drug crimes, family violence, theft, white-collar crime, expunction and record sealing
- Other practiceImmigration law in the same firm
- FeesNot published; payment plans available
- LanguagesEnglish and Spanish
- HoursMonday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm
- Google rating5.0 from 2 reviews (San Antonio office); 4.7 from 597 (Austin office)
Your first-call script
QWill my case be handled from the San Antonio office, and which attorney will appear in Bexar County court?
QCan your immigration team review my plea offer before I accept it?
QIs the consultation free, and what does your fee cover if the case goes to trial?
From the reviews we read
+ Charges dismissed+ Keeps families updated+ Criminal and immigration under one roof~ One missed consultation call
Reviews we read for the firm describe dismissed charges, steady updates to family members, and attorneys including Chris Villarreal and Natalia Chávez by name. The San Antonio office listing has only two Google reviews; most of the firm’s feedback sits on its Austin profile, which carries 597. One Austin reviewer said a paid consultation call was missed before the firm followed up.
Fit and watch-outThe clearest fit here when immigration status is part of the risk, with Spanish spoken throughout. The trade-off: the San Antonio office is on Loop 410 rather than downtown near the courthouse, and its own Google listing is too new to say much.
02
Goldstein & Orr
Serious felony, federal and appellate cases where trial and appeal experience matter most
Why it made the list
Goldstein & Orr is a downtown San Antonio criminal defense firm that says it has worked only on criminal defense for the past 45 years. Gerry Goldstein and Cynthia Orr are each board certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, per the firm, and both have led NACDL and TCDLA. Its notable cases include work on the Michael Morton exoneration and the Hannah Overton case. The firm takes state and federal cases, including appeals and asset forfeiture, and says it offers a free initial consultation with an attorney.
Proof file
- Office315 E Commerce St, Suite 301, San Antonio, TX 78205
- Phone(210) 226-1463; toll free (800) 226-6465
- Lead attorneysGerald H. Goldstein, Cynthia E. Hujar Orr, John S. Gilmore III, Ronnie Wilkins
- Board certificationGoldstein and Orr: Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law, per the firm
- ConsultationFree initial consultation
- CourtsState and federal, including appeals
- Hours8:30am to 5:30pm, per the firm; Google lists 24 hours
- Google rating4.1 from 30 reviews
Your first-call script
QWill Mr. Goldstein or Ms. Orr work on my case, or an associate?
QIf I am convicted, would your appellate team handle the appeal too?
QHow do your fees compare for a misdemeanor versus a felony?
From the reviews we read
+ Calls returned as promised+ Outcomes beat expectations~ 4.1 average, lowest here
The reviews we read name John Gilmore, Ronnie Wilkins and Gerry Goldstein, and describe returned calls, plain answers and outcomes better than clients expected, including for an out-of-state client with Texas warrants. The 4.1 average across 30 reviews is the lowest in this group, so lower-rated reviews exist that our sample did not show.
Fit and watch-outStrongest on paper for a high-stakes felony, federal charge or appeal. The trade-off: a 4.1 Google average and no stated Spanish service, and senior partners of this profile may not be the ones handling a routine misdemeanor.
03
De La Garza Criminal Defense, PLLC
Clients who want one lawyer who knows the Bexar County courthouse from the inside
Why it made the list
De La Garza Criminal Defense, PLLC is the practice of Daniel De La Garza, a San Antonio criminal defense lawyer on South Presa Street, a short walk from the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center. His profile says he worked as a Bexar County District Clerk criminal court clerk from 2004 to 2011, was licensed in Texas in 2014, and is admitted in the Western and Southern Districts of Texas. He lists cases from marijuana charges to capital murder, federal drug trafficking and post-conviction writs. He is also a partner at Jones & De La Garza, PLLC at the same address, and offers a free consultation.
Proof file
- Office401 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX 78205
- Phone(210) 540-3456
- Lead attorneyDaniel De La Garza; State Bar of Texas 2014, per his profile
- Federal admissionWestern District of Texas 2017; Southern District of Texas 2020
- BackgroundBexar County District Clerk criminal court clerk, 2004 to 2011
- ConsultationFree consultation; available 24/7, per the firm
- HoursMonday to Friday 8am to 5pm
- Google rating5.0 from 31 reviews
Your first-call script
QWill you personally handle my case, or will Jones & De La Garza attorneys work on it?
QHow often will I hear from you while the case is pending?
QDo you file the ALR request if my charge is a DWI?
From the reviews we read
+ Delivers on the timeline he sets+ Dismissals~ One poor intake call
Reviewers we read describe a lawyer who sets a timeline, explains it, and then delivers, with several mentioning dismissals. One reviewer described a rushed and rude intake call when asking about a free consultation, so the first contact may not be with Mr. De La Garza himself.
Fit and watch-outA good fit for a client who wants a single named lawyer with long Bexar County court experience. The trade-off: a small practice means fewer people to cover calls, and the site states no Spanish service.
04
Hunter, Lane & Jampala PLLC
Defendants who want three partners working the case together, including federal and post-conviction work
Why it made the list
Hunter, Lane & Jampala PLLC is a three-partner San Antonio criminal defense team on Navarro Street downtown: John T. Hunter, Thomas J. Lane and Vivek Jampala. The firm says it takes any criminal charge, and its site lists drug, sex crime, DWI, federal and white-collar cases, including PPP fraud. It also handles appeals, state and federal writs of habeas corpus, expunctions and orders of non-disclosure. Every case starts with a free case evaluation, per the firm, and its stated approach is collaborative, with the partners working a case as a group rather than one lawyer alone.
Proof file
- Office711 Navarro St, Suite 235, San Antonio, TX 78205
- Phone(210) 202-1076
- PartnersJohn T. Hunter, Thomas J. Lane, Vivek Jampala
- CourtsState and federal, including writs of habeas corpus and appeals
- ConsultationFree case evaluation
- HoursMonday to Friday 9am to 5pm, per the firm; Google lists 24 hours
- Google rating5.0 from 38 reviews
Your first-call script
QWhich partner will lead my case, and how do the other two take part?
QDo you use outside investigators or experts, and how are they billed?
QIf I am already convicted, can you review my case for a writ or appeal?
From the reviews we read
+ Dismissals and a not guilty verdict+ Outside investigators brought in+ Consistent communication~ 38 reviews, a modest base
Reviews we read credit each partner by name with a dismissed DWI, a not guilty verdict and a case built against false accusations, often noting that the firm brought in outside help to investigate. No negative review appeared in the set we read, out of 38 total.
Fit and watch-outA strong fit for a contested case or a post-conviction review where more than one experienced set of eyes helps. The trade-off: the site states weekday hours only and no Spanish service, and three partners may mean a higher fee than a solo practice.
05
The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PC
Callers who need someone on the phone at night, bail bond help and Spanish in the same call
Why it made the list
The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PC is a San Antonio criminal defense attorney office on South St. Mary’s Street downtown with a team of seven lawyers listed on its site, including Shawn C. Brown and Bryan S. Orihel. The firm says it answers calls 24 hours a day, speaks Spanish, offers flexible payment plans and a free consultation, and helps clients arrange bail bonds. Its list runs from DWI, assault and drug charges to federal offenses, probation revocation hearings, expunctions and non-disclosure orders. It also runs a personal injury practice from the same office.
Proof file
- Office540 S St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205
- Phone(210) 224-8200; also 1-888-WE-FIGHT
- Attorneys listedSeven, including Shawn C. Brown, Bryan S. Orihel, Analisa Gomez and Andrew Dominguez
- ConsultationFree consultation; calls answered 24/7, per the firm
- PaymentFlexible payment plans; fees not published
- LanguagesEnglish and Spanish (Hablamos español)
- Other practicePersonal injury
- Google rating4.9 from 257 reviews, including personal injury clients
Your first-call script
QWhich of your attorneys handles criminal cases full time, and who would take mine?
QWhat does your bail bond help involve, and is it billed separately?
QIs an expunction or non-disclosure included if my case is dismissed?
From the reviews we read
+ Dismissals and expunctions+ Explains each step+ Team handoffs worked~ Reviews mix criminal and injury cases
With 257 Google reviews, this firm has the largest review base here, and the reviews we read praise dismissals, attorneys who explain each step, and team handoffs that worked. Several of those reviews come from personal injury clients, so the 4.9 average reflects more than criminal cases.
Fit and watch-outThe most reachable option here, with 24-hour phones, Spanish and bail help. The trade-off: the firm splits its work between criminal defense and personal injury, so ask how much of the assigned lawyer’s caseload is criminal.
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Seven things to settle before you sign a fee agreement
A written fee agreement. It should say whether the fee is flat or hourly, what stage it covers, and whether trial costs extra.
The name of your lawyer. Ask which attorney will appear in court for you, not only who answered the first call.
The DWI license hearing. If your charge is a DWI, confirm in writing that the firm will request the ALR hearing within the 15-day window.
Outside costs. Investigators, experts and lab testing are often billed on top of the fee. Ask for an estimate.
Payment plan terms. Get the down payment, the monthly amount and what happens if a payment is late in writing.
Record clearing. Ask whether an expunction or non-disclosure order is included if the case ends in your favor, or priced separately.
Immigration review. If you are not a U.S. citizen, ask who will check how any plea offer affects your status before you accept it.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in San Antonio?
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None of the five firms here publishes a fee. Four state that the first consultation is free, and fees depend on the charge level, the court and whether the case goes to trial. Get the fee and what it covers in a written agreement.
Which of these firms speak Spanish?
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Peek Law Group and The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PC both state that they work in Spanish. The other three do not say so on their websites, so call to ask.
How long do I have to save my license after a DWI arrest in Texas?
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In most cases you have 15 days from the notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing with Texas DPS. If no request is made, the suspension generally starts on the 40th day.
Can I get a free lawyer for a criminal case in Bexar County?
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Yes, if you cannot afford one. Texas law gives an indigent defendant the right to an appointed lawyer. Ask for one at your magistrate hearing after arrest.
Which firm here handles federal cases?
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All five list federal work. Goldstein & Orr and Hunter, Lane & Jampala PLLC also list appeals and writs, and Daniel De La Garza lists admission in the Western and Southern Districts of Texas.
Is there a San Antonio criminal defense firm that also handles immigration?
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Yes. Peek Law Group has a criminal defense office at 84 NE Interstate 410 Loop in San Antonio and an immigration practice in the same firm. Call (210) 202-1986.
General information for people choosing a criminal defense lawyer, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Confirm every fee, deadline and eligibility rule with the firm before you hire.