Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer

A criminal charge can put your freedom, reputation, and future at risk. If you need an Austin, TX criminal defense lawyer, O’Connell West, PLLC is ready to defend you. Schedule your consultation online or call (512) 547-7265 today to protect your rights and your future.

Whether you are facing misdemeanor allegations or serious felony charges, a conviction can have long-term consequences—impacting your employment, housing, professional licenses, and personal relationships. You need an attorney who understands Texas criminal law, knows how prosecutors build their cases, and has the trial experience to fight for reduced charges, dismissal, or acquittal.

Why Choose O’Connell West, PLLC For Your Criminal Defense?

Our firm brings over 80 years of collective experience defending clients against criminal allegations in state and federal courts throughout Texas. We have served as both state and federal prosecutors and defense attorneys, which gives us unique insight into how the government develops its cases and which strategies are most effective for protecting our clients’ rights.

Our Austin criminal defense attorneys have prosecuted cases, understand the pressure points in the state’s case, the weaknesses prosecutors try to hide, and the arguments that resonate with judges and juries in Travis County courts.

Austin Criminal Defense Services

O’Connell West, PLLC maintains an extensive track record of representing defendants in Texas state courts—from minor infractions to serious felony prosecutions. We defend clients against all felonies, state jail felonies, and misdemeanor offenses under the Texas Penal Code and related statutes. We have earned a well-deserved reputation for fierce, unrelenting legal representation, built on our experience first-chairing more than 150 jury trials in federal and state courtrooms.

Theft and Property Crimes in Texas

We defend individuals accused of unlawfully taking or damaging another person’s property. Property crime convictions can result in criminal records that damage your reputation and limit future opportunities:

• Theft
• Burglary
• Robbery
• Shoplifting
• Criminal mischief
• Forgery
• Credit card abuse
• Unauthorized use of a vehicle

DWI Offenses

Driving while intoxicated charges can carry severe penalties that escalate with each subsequent offense. Texas law enforcement aggressively pursues DWI prosecutions that can result in license suspension, substantial fines, and incarceration:

• First-time DWI
• Second DWI
• Third DWI (felony)
• DWI with a child passenger
• Intoxication assault
• Intoxication manslaughter

Drug Offenses

The type and amount of the substance involved determine drug offense penalties. We challenge unlawful searches, scrutinize the chain of custody for evidence, and vigorously defend your constitutional rights:

• Possession of controlled substances
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Drug manufacturing
• Drug trafficking
• Prescription fraud
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Violent Crimes

Violent crime allegations warrant immediate legal intervention, as prosecutors seek maximum sentences and judges often deny bail. We investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest, interview witnesses, and develop defenses that cast doubt on the state’s version of events:

• Assault and aggravated assault under Texas Penal Code § 22.01 and § 22.02
• Domestic violence
• Homicide and manslaughter
• Kidnapping
• Terroristic threats
• Deadly conduct

White-Collar Crimes

Financial crimes require attorneys who understand complex business transactions, accounting principles, and federal regulations. Our background as former prosecutors gives us insight into how the government builds white-collar cases and where vulnerabilities exist:

• Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Money laundering
• Identity theft
• Forgery

Federal Crimes

Federal prosecutions involve extensive investigative resources, mandatory sentencing guidelines, and prosecutors who rarely bring charges unless they believe they have a strong case. We have tried cases in federal court and know how to counter the government’s advantages:

• Drug trafficking across state lines
• Weapons offenses
• Bank fraud
• Wire fraud
• Racketeering (RICO)
• Immigration offenses

Military Crimes

Service members face distinct legal challenges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which can result in criminal penalties and negative effects on their military careers. Our services provide defense for active-duty personnel, veterans, and military contractors. Attorney Doug O’Connell has an active Top Secret (TS-SCI) clearance and has been repeatedly sought out to work on cases involving classified documents and programs:

• Courts-martial proceedings
• Article 15 proceedings
• Military sexual assault allegations
• Desertion and AWOL charges
• Insubordination
• Conduct unbecoming of an officer

Other Crimes

We defend clients against a wide range of criminal charges that threaten your freedom and future. Our comprehensive criminal defense practice covers offenses that many people don’t realize carry serious consequences:

• Weapons charges
• Title 9 investigations
• Public intoxication
• Probation violations
• Officer misconduct

Expunctions and Nondisclosures

Even after your case concludes, criminal records continue affecting your life by appearing in background checks conducted by employers, landlords, and licensing boards. Our Austin criminal defense lawyer team helps eligible clients clear their records through legal processes designed to minimize lasting damage:

• Expunctions: Remove arrest records entirely from public databases and law enforcement files, allowing you to legally deny the arrest occurred in most circumstances.
• Nondisclosures: Seal criminal records from public view while allowing access for select government agencies, preventing most employers and private parties from uncovering past offenses.

Criminal Penalties in Texas

Our attorneys fully explain the potential consequences you face. Texas classifies criminal offenses into misdemeanors and felonies with escalating penalties:

• Class C Misdemeanor: Fine up to $500.
• Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Felony convictions under Texas Penal Code § § 12.32–12.35 carry substantially harsher punishments, including lengthy prison sentences. Understanding these penalties demonstrates the stakes involved in fighting your charges:

• State Jail Felony: 180 days to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
• 3rd Degree Felony: Two to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• 2nd Degree Felony: Two to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• 1st Degree Felony: Five to ninety-nine years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Beyond incarceration and fines, felony convictions strip away fundamental rights, including voting, firearm possession, and professional licensing. The collateral consequences extend to housing discrimination, employment barriers, and damage to personal relationships that persist long after you complete your sentence.

Contact Our Experienced Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer Today!

Criminal charges place everything you value at risk, and the prosecution will use every resource available to secure a conviction against you. You deserve Austin criminal defense attorneys who match the government’s determination with skill, preparation, and courtroom experience.

Call O’Connell West, PLLC at (512) 547-7265 or reach us online to request your consultation with a reputable Austin criminal defense lawyer who will fight relentlessly to protect your rights and your future.