Small text sizeMedium text sizeLarge text size Print this page
Back to Search Results
Dax Garvin

Dax Garvin

Law Office of Dax Garvin
812 San Antonio Street
Suite 403
Austin, TX 78701

Phone: (512) 482-0900  |  Fax: (512) 485-7350
http://www.daxlegal.com
http://www.austincriminallawjournal.com

Contact Dax Garvin

Former Police Officer and Prosecutor: On YOUR side.

Legal Topic

Criminal Defense

Preferred New Clients

Any person who finds themselves facing criminal charges and really wants an attorney that will help them to understand the system and manage their case with personal attention and a devotion as if it was his own case.

Sub-Categories

Criminal Defense
  • Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
  • Appeals
  • Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
  • Environmental Violations
  • Felonies
  • Grand Jury Proceedings
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • False Identification
  • Truancy
  • Military Crimes (UCMJ)
  • Misdemeanors
  • Parole
  • Probation
  • Perjury
  • Plea Negotiation
  • Search & Seizure
  • Victims' Rights
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Abuse
  • Animal Abuse
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Elder Abuse
Automotive
  • DUI
  • Felony Auto Accidents
  • Parking Tickets & Towing
  • Traffic - Moving Violations
  • Open Container
  • Driving with a Suspended License
  • Driving without a License
  • DWI
Computer Crimes
  • Hacking
  • Malicious Code
  • Unauthorized Access
Criminal Records
  • Expungement or Expunction
Drugs
  • Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
  • Drug Possession
  • Intent to Distribute Drugs
  • Intent to Sell Drugs
  • Medical Marijuana
Firearms & Weapons
  • Constitutional Rights Defense
  • Illegal Possession or Transportation
  • Other Weapons & Devices
Fraud & Financial Crimes
  • Bank Fraud
  • Checks & Credit Cards
  • Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
  • Embezzlement
  • Extortion
  • Forgery
  • Identity Theft
  • Insider Trading
  • Insurance Claims
  • Money Laundering
  • Public Offerings
  • Racketeering & RICO
  • Securities Fraud
  • Smuggling
  • Tax Evasion & Fraud
  • Trade Secrets
  • Wire Transfer
Property Crimes
  • Arson
  • Burglary
  • Embezzlement
  • Larceny
  • Shoplifting
  • Theft
  • Trespass
  • Vandalism
Sex Crimes
  • Abduction
  • Child Abuse
  • Child Pornography
  • Indecent Exposure
  • Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
  • Rape
  • Sexual Assault
  • Stalking
  • Trafficking in Women
Violent Crimes
  • Assault & Battery
  • Domestic Violence
  • Extortion
  • Kidnapping
  • Manslaughter
  • Murder
  • Robbery

Bar Admissions

TX, Nov 2002
Bar Number: 24036622

Other Court Admissions

Texas State Courts - all Felony and Misdemeanor Courts.

Association Memberships

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, National Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, Austin Bar Association, Austin Criminal Defense Attorney's Association, and Williamson County Bar Association.

Continuing Education

In an effort to always be informed, I go to national seminars where other criminal defense attorneys meet and learn. I also strive to exceed the minimum number of hours to stay well-informed. The topics that I try to cover each year focus on DWI, assault, and courtroom strategies to increase my skills as a litigator.

Example Cases

My clients' identities are theirs, and I try to never reveal that information. However, I routinely obtain favorable outcomes for my clients, and those vary from dismissals to reduced charges.

Education

Degree:

Juris Doctorate

School:

Texas Tech University School of Law

City:

Lubbock

State:

TX

Year:

2002

Focus and Accomplishments:

Member of the Board of Barristers Trial Advocacy Team.

 

Degree:

Bachelor of Science

School:

University of Texas at Tyler & Austin College

City:

Tyler and Sherman

State:

TX

Year:

1999

Honors:

Magna Cum Laude

Focus and Accomplishments:

Majored in Criminal Justice. Mock Trial and Moot Court.

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

Texas

Firm Focus and History

My office is a small firm that offers personal attention and service to my clients. You hire me to represent you, not an associate attorney, and I try to return all telephone calls and emails within 24 hours.

I accept cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies and pride myself on giving the kind of service that I would want if I were hiring an attorney.

I opened this office in June of 2008, but I have a very diverse and well-developed past that allows me to provide the best criminal defense service that I can. Maintaining lower overhead expenses allows me to focus on my clients and their needs.

Previous Employment Summary

I have been a prosecuting attorney here in Travis County, so I have been in and out of the courtroom thousands of times. I also worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Williamson County, where I received the same kind of training that the officers involved in your case received. For example, I am certified to administer the field sobriety tests that are used in DWI "investigations", so I can grade the officer's administration of the test, as well as, your performance and give you an accurate evaluation.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I support education and my clients being informed, but much of the information is technical and may easily be confused. That being said, I make myself available to answer and clarify any questions clients bring to me. I discourage the use of "jail house lawyers": those inmates who think they know more than competent, ethical counsel.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

For purposes of information, I will review them, but I am not going to do this as a service to a client wanting to represent him/herself.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I refuse to coach clients to represent themselves. This system is complex and even those of us practicing law for decades still learn new strategies regularly. I believe self-representation is the best way to get a really poor outcome in a case.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I love to argue and talk, and in few other professions do I get to do that as much as I do as an attorney. Further, I love my freedoms and want to defend those given to me in the Constitution. I truly subscribe to the quote, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and think that as a criminal defense attorney, I get to protect that… What a privilege!

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I am a better attorney because of the other roles I have fulfilled in life. As a cop, I made the decision whether or not to arrest someone. As a prosecutor, I decided whether a case should be dismissed or tried before a jury. As a person, I understand how important stressful, life-altering decisions are, and I work to provide the service I would want from someone helping me out of a difficult situation.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

It is where my heart lies and what my mind best processes.

What do you like best about your career?

Helping clients to resolve their difficult situations and being there when the dust has settled.

Tell us about your law firm:

I am a solo practitioner, so my clients deal directly with me for legal issues. I am also very personal and approachable, so I pride myself on giving the kind of service that I would want in an attorney. Makenna is the most amazing full-time assistant anyone could ask for, and I feel privileged to have her working with me. Clients are constantly complimenting her to me.

What are your strengths and style?

I strive to be understanding and empathetic with my clients and reasonable with prosecutors during negotiations. At trial, the "gloves come off" except as limited by my personal and professional ethics. Further, I pride myself in my direct but firm style of communication, where I just lay out the facts and help clients make decisions and prosecutors understand my demands.

Personal Interests:

Travel, architecture, my dogs, and online computer games.

Office Manager/Assistant

Makenna

Fax

(512) 485-7350

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Appointments available outside of these hours. For emergency after hours, please call (512) 458-5662 (jail release).

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I have no fixed-price chart, as I believe every case is different. They are each priced on the basis of the seriousness of the offense, the number of prior offenses, the number of cases I need to turn away in order to effectively work on a particular case. My first meeting with a potential client is always FREE, and I offer a 10% discount to clients who pay in full or for those who mention Nolo when they complete my intake form.

Hourly Rates

Not applicable.

Free Initial Consultation?

Absolutely. These usually last about one hour but may be longer, when needed.

Typical Retainer

This depends on the amount quoted as there is no set fee on any case, but my lowest has been around $400 up to $10,000.

Understanding Fees

Nolo's Licensing Check

Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.

Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.