5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Antonio (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified September 2026 · 8 min read

Get arrested in Bexar County and the clock starts immediately, before you've had time to think about who should represent you. Between them, the criminal defense lawyers on this San Antonio page carry over 2,570 Google reviews, and all of them sit at 4.9 stars or higher, which tells you something rarer than it sounds: at this volume, a near-perfect rating is genuinely hard to fake.

Short answer: Dunham & Jones tops the list with a 4.9 rating across 849 reviews, the largest review base on this page. Michael & Associates and Trey Porter Law both hold a perfect 5.0, with Michael & Associates backed by 414 reviews. Most firms here offer a free initial consultation before you commit to representation.

Jump to a business

1. Dunham & Jones
2. Ramos & Del Cueto, PLL…
3. Cabañas Law Firm, PLLC
4. Michael & Associates C…
5. Trey Porter Law
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The shortlist, side by side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Dunham & Jones	4.9 ★	849	Overall / largest team	View ›
2	Ramos & Del Cueto, PLLC	4.9 ★	562	DWI and felony defense	View ›
3	Cabañas Law Firm, PLLC	4.9 ★	475	Direct access to a single attorney	View ›
4	Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys	5.0 ★	414	Multi-attorney firm with a stated success rate	View ›
5	Trey Porter Law	5.0 ★	279	DWI specialists	View ›

5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Antonio (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Dunham & Jones

4.9849 Google reviews

Dunham & Jones is a San Antonio criminal defense firm with a large roster of named attorneys who reviewers reference individually, including Jessica Gonzalez, John Sandheinrich, Will Williams, and Ian Mayfield. The firm's Google presence is built almost entirely from client reviews, with no separate website text available beyond the listing itself, but the volume of named-attorney feedback suggests a sizable team handling a broad range of criminal matters, from expungements to trial work.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly name individual attorneys who worked their case directly
Multiple reviews describe case dismissals and expungements
Clients say attorneys stayed reachable on holidays and weekends
Firm owners respond personally to reviews, including detailed replies

Worth knowing

A large team means the attorney you meet at consultation may not be the one on your case

Reputation scorecardrank in San Antonio

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume849 · 98th

Confidencevery high

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The deepest review history on this page at 849, and the rating holds at 4.9 across that volume. A strong first call if you want a firm with bench depth across multiple attorneys.

Website +1210-777-7777 Directions

112 E Pecan St Ste 555, San Antonio, TX 78205

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Ramos & Del Cueto, PLLC

4.9562 Google reviews

Ramos & Del Cueto, PLLC is a San Antonio firm led by attorney Roland Ramos, handling criminal defense including DWI cases alongside personal injury work. Reviewers frequently name Ramos directly along with attorneys Andrew and Jason Todd, describing case dismissals and negotiated outcomes in DWI matters specifically.

What people praise

Multiple reviewers cite successful DWI dismissals by name
Clients describe Ramos as personally involved and calm under pressure
Consistent praise for keeping clients informed before hearings

Reputation scorecardrank in San Antonio

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume562 · 93rd

Confidencehigh

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown98% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 average across 562 reviews with DWI outcomes mentioned more often here than on most of the other pages. Worth calling first if that's your specific charge.

Website +1210-761-6004 Directions

823 Hoefgen Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210

#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Cabañas Law Firm, PLLC

4.9475 Google reviews

Cabañas Law Firm, PLLC is led by attorney Alfonso Cabañas, who handles both criminal defense and personal injury cases in San Antonio. Reviews center almost entirely on Cabañas himself rather than a broader team, describing constant contact and case dismissals across a range of charges.

What people praise

Clients describe Cabañas as personally reachable throughout the case
Multiple reviews cite dismissals he secured
Reviewers highlight his confidence and communication during court proceedings

Worth knowing

One reviewer disputes the outcome and communication on a felony matter; the firm disputes the account in its response

Reputation scorecardrank in San Antonio

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume475 · 88th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 average across 475 reviews built mostly on one attorney's direct involvement rather than a large staff. A fit if you want to work with the same person from intake to resolution.

Website +1210-446-4090 Directions

122 Lewis St, San Antonio, TX 78212

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys

5.0414 Google reviews

Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys operates in San Antonio as part of a multi-state firm with offices across Texas and beyond, handling DWI, assault, drug crimes, and theft cases. The firm's site cites a 96.7 percent success rate in Bexar County and states it has over 400 years of combined attorney experience across its team.

What people praise

Every review on this page's data pulled a 5-star rating, an unusually clean record at this volume
Reviewers name multiple attorneys, including Kaytlyn Knowles and Janie Martin, for dismissals and expunged records
Clients describe transparency about options rather than being pushed toward one outcome

Reputation scorecardrank in San Antonio

Rating5 / 5

Review volume414 · 83rd

Confidencehigh

Recency2 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect 5.0 across 414 reviews, the second-largest base on this page. The multi-attorney structure means broad coverage across different types of charges.

Website +1210-791-7356 Directions

321 S Flores St Ste A, San Antonio, TX 78204

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Trey Porter Law

5.0279 Google reviews

Trey Porter Law is a San Antonio firm founded in 2017 by attorney Trey Porter that focuses specifically on DWI defense in Bexar County courts, including ALR license hearings. The firm's site notes Porter has 15 years defending DWI cases locally and says the practice has earned more than 900 five-star reviews across Google and Avvo combined.

What people praise

Reviewers consistently describe DWI-specific expertise, not general criminal defense
Multiple clients report dismissals or reduced charges
Praised for explaining the ALR hearing deadline and process clearly

Worth knowing

Narrower focus on DWI means it may not be the first call for other charge types

Reputation scorecardrank in San Antonio

Rating5 / 5

Review volume279 · 78th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect 5.0 across 279 reviews with a specific DWI focus that the other four firms handle as one practice area among several. The clear pick if a DWI is your exact situation.

Website +1210-673-1180 Directions

816 Camaron St Ste 124, San Antonio, TX 78212

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How we score these firms

Rating is the live Google average, pulled directly from each firm’s profile. Review volume measures how many clients actually left feedback, ranked against the others on this list. Confidence weighs the rating against that volume, since a perfect score on a handful of reviews means less than the same score at hundreds. Recency checks whether people are still reviewing the firm today. No business can pay to move these numbers.

What does a criminal defense lawyer cost in San Antonio? (2026)

Fees vary widely by charge severity, from a misdemeanor DWI up to a felony case headed to trial, and most firms set a flat or tiered fee rather than charging hourly for criminal work. Several firms on this page offer a free consultation before you’re asked to commit to a fee agreement, which is the fastest way to get an actual number for your specific charge.

Serving all of San Antonio and Bexar County

These firms cluster near downtown San Antonio, close to the Bexar County courthouse, but represent clients across the metro, from the Northwest Side to Alamo Heights. A search for a criminal defense lawyer near me in San Antonio will turn up most of these same firms.

What to ask before you hire a criminal defense lawyer

Have you handled cases with the exact charge I’m facing?
Will you personally represent me in court, or will another attorney appear?
What’s your fee structure, and does it change if the case goes to trial?
What outcomes are realistic given the facts of my case?
How quickly can you meet with me given any upcoming court dates?
Do you have experience with this specific court or judge?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these criminal defense lawyers?

We pulled real Google Business Profile data for criminal defense attorneys in San Antonio and ranked them by rating, review volume, and how recently clients are still leaving feedback.

How often is this page updated?

We refreshed this list in September 2026 using current Google ratings and review counts.

How fast do I need to hire a criminal defense lawyer after an arrest?

As soon as possible. Early representation can affect bail conditions, what you say to investigators, and deadlines tied to your case, so don’t wait until your first court date to make calls.

Do these firms handle both misdemeanors and felonies?

Most of the firms on this page handle a range of charges, from DWI and misdemeanors up to felonies, though a couple lean toward specific case types. Confirm directly when you call.

The bottom line

Dunham & Jones is the safe default here, with the deepest review history on this page and a 4.9 average that holds up at scale. If your charge is specifically a DWI, Trey Porter Law’s focused practice and perfect rating make it worth a direct call instead. Either way, ask about the fee structure before your first meeting ends.

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