The Lone Star State has one of the highest conviction rates on Earth. It’s therefore imperative for those accused of committing a crime in central Texas to be certain to find the best criminal defense attorney in Austin to ensure their innocence in the eyes of the law.
While choosing an attorney can often be a daunting task and may require several interviews with a selection of law firms, Austin happens to be home to world-renowned defense attorneys who stand out among that state’s crowded legal sector. Here’s a list of some local lawyers who are contenders for the best criminal defense attorney in Austin.
Rick Cofer of Cofer & Connelly
Rick Cofer is a well-known criminal defense attorney with 13 years of experience in various cases including domestic violence, DWIs, and juvenile crimes as well as some of central Texas’ more serious cases such as capital murder, sexual assault, and child abuse. Rick Cofer is widely considered one of the best trial lawyers in the country and is known for maintaining a dismissal or acquittal rate of 94% over the past four years. Cofer has received dozens of accolades throughout his career including being recognized as 2021’s and 2022’s best lawyer by the Austin Chronicle. Cofer has served on numerous committees throughout Austin since 2007 and received a distinguished service certificate from the city of Austin. Cofer prides himself on his client-centric approach and makes sure to sustain extraordinary client communication and responsiveness throughout representation.
Jarrod Smith of Smith & Vinson
Jarrod Smith is known as one of Texas’ leading criminal defense and DWI attorneys. He’s tried a variety of cases, from burglary of a motor vehicle to murder, and has experience in both state and federal offices. Smith has handled thousands of cases and is a passionate negotiator who always fights for a case dismissal. Smith allows his unique perspective as a former prosecutor to form his defense strategy, which has aided in his clients receiving not guilty verdicts regardless of the complexity of their criminal cases. Smith is the founder of the STCL Criminal Law Society and has been named a rising star by Texas Super Lawyers. Smith’s main goal is to help citizens navigate the criminal justice system and he’s committed to helping his clients.
Jason Trumpler
Jason Trumpler is a highly respected criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience with DWI and other criminal cases. Trumpler is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the only organization in America accredited to certify lawyers as DUI defense law specialists. Trumpler has completed over 115 jury trials and is known for his meticulous review of cases leading to successful outcomes during pretrial negotiations and resulting in hundreds of victories in and out of the courtroom. Trumpler has experience training law enforcement, which he uses alongside his years of legal practice to identify weaknesses and inconsistencies in a case, often leading to a not guilty verdict. Trumpler is known for providing free consultations in the greater Austin area for those facing DUI and DWI charges.
Jeffrey Connelly of Cofer & Connelly
Cofer & Connelly just so happens to have two highly skilled criminal defense attorneys, as Jeffrey Connelly also ranks among the best in the city. Connelly leads Cofer & Connelly’s civil litigation practice and has expertise in family law and personal injury cases with a strong background in trials as a third-generation attorney. Connely has represented cases ranging from car accidents and sexual assault to divorce and child custody and is confident in his ability to bring any case to trial and win. Connelly is a decorated lawyer and has previously won the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award and was named in The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers list of 2020. Connelly has built a reputation on courtroom experience and trial preparation and emphasizes a technologically forward approach in criminal law.
Texas is home to some incredibly gifted and experienced attorneys, with Rick Cofer, Jarrod Smith, Jason Trumpler, and Jeffrey Connelly all in contention for the best defense attorney in Austin. Regardless of your choice, these four lawyers will give you a good shot at a not guilty verdict.
