Criminal Defense Attorneys in Allen, TX

An arrest in Allen, whether for DWI or something more serious, is prosecuted in Collin County and deserves a strong defense. A Texas-licensed criminal defense attorney who practices in Allen will discuss your case for free.

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How we match your Allen criminal defense case

When you submit a Allen criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Texas law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Texas who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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Criminal Defense cases in Allen

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Allen policing concentrates on the US-75 and Sam Rayburn Tollway corridors, the retail and restaurant districts around Watters Creek and Village at Allen, and event nights that draw large crowds downtown and to the Allen Event Center, producing DWI, theft, assault, and drug charges. Felonies and serious misdemeanors are prosecuted in the Collin County District Courts and county courts at law in McKinney, while low-level citations may stay in Allen's municipal court. Early representation matters before statements are given. DearLegal matches you with a Texas-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Allen, with a free review.

Felony cases from Allen are prosecuted in the Collin County District Courts in McKinney, with misdemeanors in county courts at law and minor citations in Allen municipal court.
Traffic enforcement on US-75 and SH 121 and nightlife around Allen's retail districts drive many DWI and possession arrests.
An arrest just outside city limits in Plano, McKinney, or Frisco is often still a Collin County prosecution, while Dallas County arrests are handled separately.

Texas criminal defense rules at a glance

Allen cases run under Texas law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Texas page.

Read the full Texas criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child, leaving the scene resulting in death; 20 years for theft by public servant; 10 years for theft over $200,000, arson, sexual assault of an adult; 5 years for most felonies (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 12.01)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years for most misdemeanors (Art. 12.02)
Sentencing Structure: Capital
Capital, First Degree, Second Degree, Third Degree, State Jail felonies and Class A/B/C misdemeanors under Tex. Penal § 12.04; punishment ranges in § 12.31-12.35; Habitual / 3g offender enhancements; deadly weapon findings increase parole eligibility (§ 42A.054)
Expungement / Nondisclosure: Tex. Code
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ch. 55 (Expunction) — acquittals, dismissals, certain other qualifying outcomes; Tex. Gov. Code § 411.0735 et seq. (Order of Nondisclosure) — seals records from public including Deferred Adjudication completions for many offenses; 2017 reforms expanded automatic nondisclosure for certain first-offense misdemeanors
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ch. 17; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Tex. Const. Art. I, § 11); SB 6 (2021) limited PR bonds for violent offenses; magistrate bond setting under Art. 17.15
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Allen criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Texas · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Texas are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Texas work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Tex. Disciplinary R. Prof. Conduct 1.04(e) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases (capital, federal, white-collar) use hourly billing. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission and county public defender offices (Harris, Dallas, Travis, Bexar, El Paso) and appointed counsel systems represent indigent defendants.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Allen criminal defense questions, answered

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It depends on the level of the charge: felonies go to the Collin County District Courts in McKinney, misdemeanors typically to a Collin County court at law, and minor citations often to Allen's municipal court. The charge level can change as the case develops. An attorney can tell you which court applies and what to expect there.

Generally no. Officers are gathering evidence, and statements made without counsel are difficult to walk back later even when you believe they help you. You can decline questioning and ask for a lawyer. Getting an attorney involved before any interview is usually the single most protective step available.

Texas provides expunction and nondisclosure options for certain outcomes, but eligibility depends heavily on the charge, the disposition, and waiting periods that vary. Not every case qualifies. An attorney can explain how the resolution you are considering now will affect your record options later.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Texas DPS, Texas Rangers, Houston PD, Dallas PD, Austin PD, San Antonio PD, and local sheriffs use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Tex. Const. Art. I, § 10 right against self-incrimination.

Yes. Texas Class A misdemeanors carry up to 1 year and $4,000 fine; Class B up to 180 days and $2,000. Deferred Adjudication (Art. 42A.101 — completion = no conviction, eligible for nondisclosure) and Pretrial Intervention/Diversion (county-specific programs) make early counsel critical. DV (Family Violence) and DUI/DWI convictions trigger major collateral consequences including federal firearm prohibitions.