Best Lawyers in Texas, United States for Criminal Defense: General Practice
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Cities
Jimmy Ardoin III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Jimmy, who practices law in Bellaire, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jimmy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Christy Jack is a nationally-recognized attorney who has tried more than 200 criminal cases before a jury. Her courtroom skills and expertise have led to appearances on 48 Hours , Dateline , Dr. Phil , Investigation Discovery , Cold Case , Forensic Files , Court TV, and Prosecuting Evil, among others. Nationwide, there are few attorneys who have her level of experience handling capital murder cases. In addition to death penalty litigation, Christy Jack has tried numerous high-profile murder a...
Dan Cogdell is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the corporate compliance and white collar defense team. He defends corporations and individuals in high-profile white collar criminal defense jury trials and related disputes. Dan has nearly 40 years of experience representing individuals and corporations in a broad range of high-profile, bet-the-company white collar and criminal defense matters. Dan is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-on...
Perry Minton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Family Law. Perry, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Perry is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
“Board Certified, 30 Years Experience, AV Rated Preeminent, Super Lawyer, Best Lawyers-Criminal Defense” Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer John T. Floyd, a board-certified criminal law expert as recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, offers premier legal defense for individuals and businesses facing serious criminal charges. Acknowledged by Best Lawyers: Criminal Defense and Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, and holding an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell...
Tyrone C. Moncriffe is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and Board Certified in criminal law in the state of Texas. Currently he is a faculty member of the Criminal Law Institute. Attorney Moncriffe handles serious cases and always strives for excellence in the courtroom. He graduated from Texas Southern University Magna Cum Laude and received his Juris Doctorate from Thrugood Marshall School of Law in 1982. He was voted as Texas Super Lawyers in Texas M...
Mark Hochglaube is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mark, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stephen Toland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Stephen, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
James O. Darnell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James O., who practices law in El Paso, Texas, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Letitia Quinones-Hollins brings more than 23 years of white collar and criminal law experience to her clients in Houston, throughout the state of Texas, and across the nation. A graduate of Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Letitia began her legal career in a partnership and subsequently accepted an apprenticeship under the tutelage of the legendary Robert A. Jones. After spending five years under his guidance, Letitia branched out on her own and formed Quinon...
Heather Peterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Heather, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
After more than 25 years experience in the area of criminal law, San Antonio Criminal Law Attorney Patrick L. Hancock has developed a keen understanding of the needs of those who are either under investigation for a crime or who have been charged with a criminal offense. San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney Patrick Hancock is sensitive to the overwhelming situations in which clients often find themselves. He knows decisions have to be made, and making the right decisions in a criminal case a...
Molly Bagshaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Molly, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Molly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Saputo has practiced throughout Texas in more than fifty Texas state and federal courts. He has obtained hundreds of dismissals and acquittals for clients facing a wide array of serious charges. He has also developed groundbreaking innovations in defense strategies and tactics. Mr. Saputo is a graduate of the elite Duke University School of Law , a nationally recognized top-ten law school in the United States. Before graduating law school, he worked for a Federal District Court Judge and ...
Alex Thornton is a senior associate at Varghese Summersett, where her primary focus is on state criminal defense matters in Tarrant County and the surrounding areas. She represents individuals charged in state court with misdemeanors and felonies, including intoxication offenses, drug charges, and crimes against people. Alex has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine every year since 2021. She has also been named a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West magazine.
Sheena Winkfield is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Sheena is a Senior Associate in Varghese Summersett’s Criminal Defense Division , where her primary focus is defending clients facing serious felony charges. Before transitioning to private practice, Sheena served as a felony prosecutor in Tarrant and Dallas Counties, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in criminal law, high-stakes trials, and case strat...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.