If you’re facing criminal charges in Fort Worth, Texas, it’s important that you have someone in your corner. 

The court system is large and overwhelming, and the risks are high if you lose in court. Who knows what to expect from prosecutors?

But we’re on your side. You can get the help and support you need from an experienced criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the Fort Worth-area legal system. We know that this is a stressful time. But it is important to remember that you have rights and the criminal justice system works in your favor.

We Fight Tirelessly to Protect Your Rights

You are innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

You also have the right to have a defense attorney represent you at all court appearances.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can make a world of difference when navigating the Fort Worth-area legal system. We know the weaknesses and capitalize on them. We firmly believe that everyone who has been accused of a crime is entitled to defense by a Zealous Advocate.

Fort Worth isn’t limited exclusively to Tarrant County. We can also help clients in Arlington, the greater Dallas area, and Collin and Rockwall counties.

You Need a Zealous Advocate

When you hire a Zealous Advocate to represent you, you are getting:

• An attorney with a track record of career excellence
• A team that will completely and thoroughly investigate all evidence
• Someone who works tirelessly for clients and knows how to earn case dismissals
• An advocate with at least a decade of experience in criminal defense
• Professionals who have established relationships with Austin-area prosecutors and judges
• People who will zealously prepare for each and every case – our team will be far more prepared than the prosecution

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

Why Michael & Associates?

Michael & Associates is a premium criminal defense law firm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Our team boasts over 100 years of combined experience and has a proven track record of achieving great outcomes for our clients.

Our staff includes a group of defense attorneys with diverse experiences, so no matter what comes our way, we have someone who will be equipped to handle it. This includes career defense attorneys, former prosecutors, three certified DWI scientists, people who will help you win your ALR (Administrative License Revocation) hearing, and even a former FBI Agent.

5-Star Client Reviews

From day one I felt assured not just by the counsel of the lead attorney assigned to my case, but by the actions that led to the best possible outcome in court. An over all good experiance for a bad situation I put myself in. I highly recommend this law firm.

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These defense lawyers are the best I’ve come across they’re very helpful and thoughtful about different situations. They also are great at communicating with you about everything. I would recommend them to over ask me do I know any good lawyers.

Awards & Honors

Some of the firm’s awards include:

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

Additionally, our attorneys are often go-to authorities in the field, having been cited in McClatchy News Service (owner of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram), the Austin American-Statesman, Bloomberg, Business Insider, CNET, and Newsweek.

How We Beat Criminal Charges in Fort Worth

Every case is unique, so at Michael & Associates, a tailored approach is our specialty.

We will investigate each client’s case more thoroughly than anybody else – the police department, prosecutors, public defenders, or another defense attorney.

As soon as our investigation is complete, we will choose the best defense for your situation. Some strategies may include:

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

We hold ourselves to the highest of standards throughout your case. We will:

Protect Your Rights and Interests: From day one, you are innocent unless proven guilty. We will do everything within our power to protect your rights

Minimize Bond Conditions: We will fight to get you the best possible bond deal. This includes fighting high bail requirements, ignition interlock devices, and travel restrictions.

Negotiate Hard with Prosecutors: We only hire experienced attorneys who know how to build rapport with the prosecution and learn their style. We use what we learn to play hardball. Prosecutors know we’re heavy hitters, and they don’t want to lose to us in trial.

All this leads to favorable case outcomes for our clients.

We Aren’t Afraid to Go to Trial

We understand that going to court is intimidating, but sometimes it’s the only way to get you the best possible outcome. That’s why it’s important to choose an attorney who is willing to do whatever it takes to fight on your behalf. We’re in your corner.

We Leverage the Weaknesses in the Justice System

The legal system in Tarrant County has been plagued by legal problems. For example:

• After massive backlash from attorneys and judges, the county recently reversed a plan to put the criminal court system and 63 positions under a new administrator who ultimately falls under the authority of the Tarrant County commissioner’s court and county judge.
• A group of activists from Tarrant County met last year with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to share their concerns about the Tarrant County Jail. Since 2017, at least 60 people have died in custody at the jail, according to the Texas attorney general’s office, while others have alleged medical neglect and mistreatment.
• Tarrant County taxpayers have spent at least $26.6 million since 2011 on a court software system that has yet to be implemented.
• Chronic police department understaffing
• Tarrant County constables’ precincts have hired 10 law enforcement officers with a history of alleged misconduct
• The Fort Worth City Council agreed to pay $150,000 to settle a police misconduct lawsuit filed against the city and former Fort Worth police officer Mitchell Miller
• Tarrant County had to halt a proposed plan to reorganize the criminal court administration due to intense backlash
• At least 61 blood alcohol testing kits in the Fort Worth suburb of Arlington contained test tubes that were recalled by the manufacturer 

Then We Capitalize on Those Weaknesses

We capitalize on these weaknesses to boost our clients’ cases. The justice system isn’t always fair, but it is set up to protect your rights. We use this to our advantage.

We will:

Prepare the Best Possible Arguments: We believe that you deserve the best possible deal or a complete case dismissal, and we will do everything within our power to make that happen.

Suppress Evidence when Possible: If we believe the evidence against you is flawed, we’ll present it to a judge to have it thrown out. This increases the odds of case dismissal.

Identify Empathetic Jurors: If your case proceeds to trial, we’ll seek out the best possible jurors who are most likely to rule in your favor.

Types of Cases We Handle

Michael & Associates handles virtually every type of criminal charge in the Fort Worth 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 due to alcohol. We have an extremely high rate of DWI dismissals, and it is one of our most common cases. We can handle everything from a first DWI offense up to intoxication manslaughter and DUI allegations. Our certified DWI Scientists will carefully analyze your test results.

Probation Violations: If you violate the terms of your probation, you risk revocation. This means you may be ordered to complete your entire original sentence. And if your parole violation includes committing another crime, you’ll have to face the penalties for that as well. 

Assault Charges: Assault charges in Texas can range from Assault Family Violence to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and depending on the charges you’re facing, the penalties can be serious. 

Drug Charges: Drug crimes vary in severity from drug trafficking to possession. No matter what charge you’re facing, we can challenge it.

Misdemeanor Charges: Although misdemeanors aren’t as serious as felonies, penalties can still be harsh. We handle Class A, Class B, and many Class C misdemeanors.

Felony Charges: There are more than a thousand ways to commit a felony in Texas, and many of them are very serious. You need the best possible defense. Penalties can include long prison sentences and massive fines. No matter what you’re facing, our goal is to get your charges reduced or even get the case dismissed.

Homicide Charges: Homicide charges are exceptionally serious. They require experience, meticulous care, and preparation. Charges range from criminally negligent homicide to Capital Murder. If you face any of these charges, do not leave your future in the hands of an inexperienced attorney. We will carefully investigate the allegations and use the information we’ve gathered to craft the best possible strategy.

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

This includes:

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

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

Meet Your Defense Team

Zach Redington

With 20 years of experience defending clients against DWI and other criminal charges in state and federal court, Zach boasts a winning jury trial record. He is recognized as a leader in criminal defense.

Born and raised in Dallas, Zach graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University before attending the University of Texas School of Law.

He formerly served as President of the Ellis County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (ECCDLA) and was appointed to the State Grievance Committee.

Bobby Leahey

Bobby is a Senior Trial Lawyer at Michael & Associates. After earning a political science degree from UCLA, his path into law was circuitous.

He worked in various fields, from management to high school education, before deciding to pursue his lifelong desire to practice law. He attended The University of Miami School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate degree in 2010.

With a strong desire to help clients accused of crimes, he chose to begin his practice in Odessa, Texas, a city with one of the highest crime rates in the country.

He eventually opened a second office in Fort Worth, where he was able to assist more clients in a broad array of cases. He joined Michael & Associates in 2022 to further the firm’s goal of providing top-notch representation to every client, no matter how serious the charge.

Thomas Murphree

Thomas is a senior trial attorney at Michael & Associates. He’s known for his unwavering dedication to criminal defense. Thomas has been named “Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star” and “Top Attorney” in Fort Worth and the DFW metroplex.

Thomas earned a Political Science degree from Texas Tech University before attending the Texas A&M School of Law. Over the past decade, he has honed his expertise in criminal law, navigating the complexities of dozens of high-stakes jury trials in local, state, and federal courts across Texas.

His philosophy is that a successful defense is built on transparency, honesty, and open communication. He is known for his empathetic approach, giving each client personalized attention, and taking the time to genuinely listen to each client’s needs and expectations.

Michelle Andelman (of counsel)

A native Dallasite, Michelle Andelman has been practicing law in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area since 1994. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Elementary Education/Math and earned her J.D. at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

She began her career handling medical and psychiatric malpractice cases at a small boutique firm in the Uptown area of Dallas. In 1996, she joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Staff Attorney for the Administrative License Revocation program. She was quickly promoted to Field Supervisor in 1998. During her 11 years at DPS, she handled thousands of ALR hearings for a busy Dallas docket and gained invaluable experience in this area of law.

Since 2007, Michelle has exclusively handled ALR hearings. She relies on her years of experience at DPS to provide the best ALR defense possible, helping us gather vital details about your case to better craft your DWI defense.

We Only Hire the Best

Michael & Associates has a rigorous hiring process. We have a team in place that’s dedicated to ensuring that only the best attorneys end up at Michael & Associates. 

Only about 1% of applicants end up on our team, and our attorneys average 15 years of legal experience. There are no “associates” (also known as “baby lawyers”) on our staff. 

Each attorney completes a lengthy screening process. We review their entire career, past legal cases, how they approach different cases, their track record, and most importantly, their commitment to zealously advocating for clients. We don’t just check references – we interview every single past supervisor. Every attorney on our staff has a history of excellence.

Extremely High Standards

Our standards for performance are even higher than our hiring standards.

We have an established protocol for how each case is approached. We prioritize:

Evidence Review: We thoroughly review the evidence in every single case. We go above and beyond the expectations of the police, prosecution, and every other defense firm.

Case Speed: We understand that this is a stressful time for you, and we want to get it over with quickly while ensuring the best possible outcome.

Client Communication: There’s no phone tag. We return all client calls on the same business day.

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

Contact Information

The easiest way to get in touch 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.

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