Facing criminal charges in Austin, Texas can be stressful and scary. 

The legal system is intimidating, and a conviction can have life-long consequences, impacting your ability to find a job or even rent an apartment.

But there are people on your side. You can get the support you need with the right criminal defense attorney — one who knows the inner workings of the Austin-area legal system. It is important to remember that the system favors you and you have rights. 

You are Innocent Unless Proven Guilty Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

You also have a right to have a criminal lawyer represent you at all court appearances.

The right criminal defense attorney can make a world of difference when navigating the legal system in the Austin area. We know the strengths and weaknesses of the various county justice systems and capitalize on them. We sincerely believe that everyone who has been accused of a crime is entitled to a criminal defense by a Zealous Advocate.

The Austin area isn’t limited to Travis County. We can also help clients in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, and Williamson counties.

Our #1 Goal is to Get You the Best Possible Outcome

When you hire a Zealous Advocate to represent you, you will get:

• An attorney who works tirelessly to defend you and knows how to get cases dismissed
• A team that will carefully examine all evidence in your case
• A staff with an established track record of career excellence
• An advocate with at least a decade of experience in criminal defense to help you navigate the legal system
• Professionals who have established relationships with Austin-area prosecutors, district attorneys, and judges
• People in your corner who will zealously defend you no matter what the charge – we will be far more prepared than the prosecution

If you’ve been charged with a crime in the Austin area, contact Michael & Associates today to set up a free consultation. There’s no commitment, and we will fight until you walk away with the best possible outcome.

Why Choose Michael & Associates?

Michael & Associates is a premium criminal defense law firm in the greater Austin area. Our team boasts over 100 years of combined experience and an established track record of achieving great outcomes for our clients.

5-Star Client Reviews

Michael and Associates were amazing. I got a verdict within 6 months for my case, which typically takes up to 1-2 years. I was always reassured that they were working hard on my case, and that’s what they did! I was always updated regularly and their response time was never too long. With this being my first time hiring an attorney I can for sure say I was pleased with the services given by my attorney!

Experience and Expertise in Criminal Defense

Our team of defense attorneys has expertise in all types of criminal defense cases. This includes three certified DWI scientists, ALR (Administrative License Revocation) specialists, a former FBI agent, former prosecutors, and career defense attorneys.

No matter what comes our way, we can handle it.

Awards and Recognition

• Ranked Top 10 Defense Attorney by Attorney & Practice Magazine
• A Top 10 ranking by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
• Named to the 40 Under 40 by the American Academy of Attorneys
• An “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot
• A 9.7/10 “Superb” rating on Avvo
• Five-star client ratings from Google and Thumbtack

Additionally, our attorneys are often go-to authorities in the field, having been cited in the Austin American-Statesman, Bloomberg, Business Insider, CNET, Newsweek, and McClatchy News Service.

How Michael & Associates Beats Criminal Charges in Austin

At Michael & Associates, we realize that every case and county court system is unique, so we customize a defense for each client based on the evidence and location.

We will investigate every case that crosses our desks more thoroughly than anybody else — this includes the police department, the case prosecutors, public defenders, or another defense attorney. 

If you’re facing a DWI charge, three of our lawyers are trained in Gas Chromatography. They completed rigorous coursework at Axion Labs in Chicago, a premier Chromatography training facility. 

They can analyze your test results and look for weaknesses.

When our investigation is complete, we design a custom approach based on the details of your case. Some strategies may include:

• The police violated procedure or your rights during your arrest
• A police officer has a documented history of taking shortcuts or violating procedures
• You did not commit the crime 
• You have been framed
• You were acting in self-defense or defending others
• There may have been a laboratory error
• There are issues with the evidence in question
• Your constitutional rights have been violated

We Hold Ourselves to the Highest Standards in the Industry

Our team at Michael & Associates will:

Protect Your Rights and Interests: Regardless of the allegations you face, you are innocent unless proven guilty. We will fight as hard as necessary to protect your rights.

Minimize Bond Conditions: The court sets a bail amount after you’re charged with a crime. We will work tirelessly to get you the best bond deal possible and fight high bail requirements, ignition interlock devices, and travel restrictions. We may even be able to submit a request for release on personal bond to a judge. With a personal bond, you only have to pay an administrative fee of $40 or 3% of the bond amount.

Negotiate Hard with Prosecutors: Our experienced attorneys know how to build rapport with prosecutors in different jurisdictions and study their various styles. We take what we learn and use it to play hardball for our clients. Prosecutors know we’re fighters, and they don’t want to risk a loss to us in trial.

All these factors combined lead to positive case outcomes for our clients.

We’re Never Afraid of Going To Trial

It’s important to choose an attorney who isn’t afraid to take your case to trial. We know it can be intimidating, but sometimes it’s necessary to get you the best possible outcome. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

We Identify the Weaknesses in the Justice System

• A class action lawsuit was filed in April on behalf of people in Travis County who were jailed without legal representation. The class action suit stems from a requirement that arrested people must attend their first criminal court appearance without granting defendants’ right to a lawyer for those who can’t afford one, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The outcome of this lawsuit could have legal ramifications for defendants across the U.S.
• According to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), judges in Travis County frequently question people without counsel. This includes asking about immigration status, details of alleged incidents, and relationships with witnesses. The ACLU report said that nearly a third of uncounseled people were observed making statements that could affect their case and be used against them later on.
• Travis County is also struggling to consolidate its public defense system.
• Experts at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin have found that a disproportionate number of Austin-area defendants with mental health and substance use disorders end up in jail instead of getting treatment and support.
• Travis County District Attorney José Garza is facing a removal effort under House Bill 17, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023. Travis County resident Mary Dupuis filed a petition in April seeking to “remove Defendant from his public office due to incompetency and official misconduct.”
• In some Austin-area DWI cases, blood processing is backed up for a year.

We Capitalize on Those Weaknesses

We can use these weaknesses to help boost our clients’ cases. The justice system may not always be fair, but it is set up to protect your rights. We will do whatever it takes to use this to our advantage.

We can:

Prepare the Best Possible Arguments: We believe that you deserve a dismissal or a favorable deal, and we will zealously fight for you to get the best possible outcome.

Suppress Evidence when Possible: If the evidence against you is flawed, we’ll present it to a judge to have it thrown out. This will increase the chances of the case being dismissed.

Identify Empathetic Jurors: If your case proceeds to trial, we’ll take every step possible to ensure that the jurors are inclined to rule in your favor.

Types of Cases We Handle

Michael & Associates handles virtually every type of criminal charge in the Austin area. 

Here are some of the common cases we take on:

DWI Charges: Driving While Intoxicated involves operating a motor vehicle in a public place while impaired – usually because of alcohol. It is one of our most common cases, and we have an extremely high rate of DWI dismissals. We handle all types including first DWI offenses, second offenses, third (or more) DWI offenses, intoxication manslaughter, and DUI. Our Certified DWI Scientists are experts in breath and blood testing. They know more than any police officer or prosecutor.

Drug Charges: Drug crimes can vary in severity from possession of small amounts to drug trafficking. No matter the charge, we can fight it.

Felony Charges: In Austin, there are more than 1,400 ways to commit a felony, and all of them can result in massive fines and long prison sentences. Whether it’s a first-degree felony, a second-degree felony, a third-degree felony, or a state jail felony — our goal is to get it dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge. If you’ve been charged with a felony, don’t try to fight the charge without the help of an experienced attorney — it will be well worth the investment.

Misdemeanor Charges: While misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, penalties can still be harsh. We handle Class A, Class B, and many Class C misdemeanors.

Assault Charges: In Texas, assault covers a wide variety of charges, ranging from Assault Family Violence, which is a fairly easy charge for us to beat, to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, which can carry many years in prison.

Probation Violations: Typically covered under a Motion to Revoke Probation, these charges are particularly dangerous because they can mean that you face consequences for not only the probation violation but also the original charge. We have a strong track record of beating these.

Homicide Charges: Homicide charges are by far the most serious and require meticulous care and preparation. The charges can range from Involuntary Manslaughter to Felony Murder.  Any manslaughter or murder charge requires a carefully planned strategy. Don’t leave your future in the hands of an inexperienced defense attorney.

Other Charges: We handle almost all types of criminal charges. 

This includes:

• Theft
• Burglary
• Criminal Trespassing
• Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon
• Terroristic Threat
• Harassment
• Evading arrest

Contact us today to set up a free consultation to review your case.

Our firm does not handle traffic law, family law, immigration law, or civil law.

Meet your Austin Defense Team

Ben Michael

Ben is the founder and Managing Partner of Michael & Associates. He is born and raised in Austin, Texas, and has over a decade of experience in criminal defense.

He has successfully defended hundreds of clients and handled all sorts of legal issues, including DWI, assault, domestic violence, sex crimes, expungement cases, and felony cases.

Ben studied political science at the University of Florida and attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. After passing the bar, Ben decided to focus on criminal law. He eventually became a partner at another Austin-area defense firm before deciding to start his own firm

Ben started Michael & Associates to provide a higher level of service, top legal advice, and, most importantly, to zealously advocate for those in the Austin area who face criminal charges.

Joseph Deeb

Joseph spent over 10 years as a prosecutor in Austin, Texas, so he’s very familiar with the local criminal justice system.

He’s handled felonies for the Travis County District Attorney’s office, misdemeanors for the Travis County Attorney’s Office, and served as the city prosecutor for the City of Cedar Park, Texas. He has substantial jury trial experience with blood and breath DWIs.

James Fletcher

James was born and raised in Houston and graduated from the South Texas College of Law, where obtained “high A” marks in both Criminal and Constitutional Law.

Throughout law school he interned at the Harris County and Galveston County District Attorney’s Offices, ranging from work in misdemeanor courts to vehicular crimes and asset forfeiture. He moved to Austin in 2017 and has been practicing in Travis County and surrounding areas ever since.

James is one of a handful of lawyers to achieve the designation of Lawyer-Scientist through the American Chemical Society. He earned this designation by attending the prestigious Axion forensic training laboratory in Chicago. He has tried and won DWI trials across Texas. 

Andromeda Vega Rubio

Andromeda was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany.  As a native Spanish and German speaker, she believes language should not be an added barrier to effective legal representation.

She graduated Cum Laude in 2014 from the University of Maryland University College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She graduated from Baylor Law School and was licensed to practice law in October 2019. 

Andromeda began her career at the Williamson County Attorney’s Office where she quickly worked her way up to a trial prosecutor before deciding in 2021 to follow her true passion: criminal defense. 

Nathan Ossowski

Born and raised in the heart of the Golden State, Nathan’s passion for justice was ignited during his years at the University of Redlands, from which he graduated with a degree in government.

Nathan attended Temple University School of Law and graduated with Rubin Honors in 2014. He interned with the Philadelphia Public Defender’s office and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, gaining valuable insights into the workings of both sides of the courtroom.

Since passing the Texas Bar in 2016, he has diligently worked to provide unwavering support to Texans facing legal challenges. 

Matthew Pospicil

Matthew’s unwavering dedication and remarkable track record of success have cemented his reputation as an exceptional advocate for his clients.

Initially pursuing studies in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University, he set his sights on becoming a Criminal Defense Attorney and enrolled at South Texas College of Law.

Upon earning his law degree, Matthew focused his expertise on parole and prison law by collaborating with legendary Texas defense attorney Bill Habern. Matthew fine-tuned his advocacy skills under the tutelage of George Parnham, the esteemed Houston-area criminal defense attorney. He then joined the Dunham and Jones law firm as a managing attorney, where he ran the El Paso office. He joined Michael & Associates in April 2024.

We Only Hire the Best

The interview process for Michael & Associates attorneys is extensive. We hire about 1% of all applicants. Our team ensures that only the best attorneys end up at Michael & Associates.

We only hire experienced attorneys. There are no “associates” (also known as baby lawyers)  on our staff. On average our attorneys have 15 years of legal experience.

Our Screening Process is Rigorous

Each attorney completes a rigorous screening process, reviewing their entire career. We review their legal cases, how they approach different cases, their track record, and most importantly, their commitment to Zealously Advocating for clients. We contact every single past boss for an interview. When someone joins our firm, we are assured that they have the track record of success that our clients deserve.

We Have Extremely High Performance Standards

Our performance standards are even higher than our hiring standards.

We have an established process for how each case is handled. For instance:

Evidence Review: The evidence for every single case will undergo a thorough in-depth review. It will far surpass what the police, prosecution, or any other defense firm would expect. 

Case Speed: We know this is a stressful time for you. We want to get it over with quickly while obtaining an excellent outcome.

Client Communication: Our attorneys will return all client calls on the same business day.

Court Date Preparation: We will contact you seven days before any court dates so that you are fully prepared.

Contact Information

The easiest way to contact us is to schedule a free case review. From there, we will set up a time with one of our senior attorneys to discuss the preliminary details of your case and determine if it’s a good fit.

500 W 2nd St Suite 1900

Austin, TX 78701

Phone: (512) 488-5775

We have offices across Texas and are ready to help 24 hours a day.