A criminal defense lawyer in El Paso works a caseload that looks nothing like Dallas or Houston. On a single morning, the same attorney might argue a DWI suppression motion at the county courthouse on East San Antonio Avenue, walk a few blocks to the federal courthouse on Magoffin Avenue for a smuggling detention hearing, then return a call from a Fort Bliss soldier facing a court-martial. Arrests at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint on I-10, charges that spill into Las Cruces, and families living across the river in Ciudad Juárez all shape what strong defense means here. The five lawyers below were chosen because their backgrounds fit that mix.
|
Law Firm |
Lead Attorney |
Address |
Phone |
Known For |
|
Jim Darnell, P.C. |
Jim and Jeep Darnell |
310 N Mesa St, Suite 212, El Paso, TX 79901 |
(915) 532-2442 |
State, federal and white-collar defense |
|
Benjamin Law Firm |
Brock Benjamin |
1013 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901 |
(915) 320-6730 |
Checkpoint and border-related cases |
|
Law Office of Louis Elias Lopez |
Louis E. Lopez |
416 N Stanton St, Suite 400, El Paso, TX 79901 |
(915) 543-9800 |
Board-certified trial work in TX and NM |
|
Law Offices of Eduardo Solis |
Eduardo Solis |
901 Wyoming Ave, El Paso, TX 79902 |
(915) 544-1818 |
Federal drug conspiracy and serious felonies |
|
The Matthew James, PLLC |
Matthew James Kozik |
310 N Mesa St, Suite 810, El Paso, TX 79901 |
(915) 303-8062 |
Military and civilian felony defense |
What Put These Five on the List
- Board certification in criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, or a long trial record in El Paso courts
- Admission to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Client feedback on Google and legal directories that points to steady communication
- Comfort with cross-border work, such as a New Mexico license or service in Spanish
1. Jim Darnell, P.C.
This is a father-and-son practice, and the pairing works. Jim Darnell has been licensed in Texas since 1980 and has spent his whole career on the defense side. Best Lawyers has listed him for more than 20 years, and he is a Texas Super Lawyer in white-collar and criminal defense. He has also served as president of the El Paso Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
His son, Jeep Darnell, holds licenses in both Texas and New Mexico. He was a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2019 through 2023, made the full Super Lawyers list in 2024, and won the El Paso Young Lawyers Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer award in 2020.
- Handles criminal investigations, drug cases, and appeals as well as trials
- Admitted to the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, and the Fifth Circuit
- Office at 310 North Mesa Street, Suite 212, El Paso, TX 79901; phone (915) 532-2442
It’s the strongest fit when a federal investigation is still underway and no charge has been filed yet.
2. Benjamin Law Firm
Brock Benjamin prosecuted cases for the El Paso District Attorney’s Office before opening his own firm, so he knows how charging decisions get made from the inside. He is board certified in criminal law and graduated as valedictorian of Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Past clients specifically recommend him for arrests at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint, and the firm handles smuggling, domestic violence, and other border-related charges in state and federal court.
There’s an unusual extra here too. Benjamin is a licensed pilot and serves as an AOPA panel attorney, which helps when a case involves aviation.
- Office at 1013 E San Antonio Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901; phone (915) 320-6730
- Staff speak English and Spanish
- Google reviews number around 100 with a five-star average at last check
3. Law Office of Louis Elias Lopez
Louis Lopez practices only criminal law and has since 1993. He is board certified, licensed in Texas and New Mexico, and admitted to both the Fifth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals. That second admission matters more than it sounds: a federal case from Las Cruces gets appealed to the Tenth Circuit in Denver, not the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans.
- Earned a J.D. from St. Mary’s University and an economics degree from UT Austin
- Recognized as an Outstanding Lawyer by the El Paso Criminal Law Group
- Speaks and writes Spanish fluently; offers a free consultation
- Office at 416 N. Stanton Street, Fourth Floor, Suite 400, El Paso, TX 79901; phone (915) 543-9800
Clients often mention his patience when cases get reset again and again, which happens a lot on a busy docket.
4. Law Offices of Eduardo Solis
Eduardo Solis has been board certified in criminal law since 1998. His trial range runs from Class C misdemeanors to capital murder, and he has tried multi-ton federal drug conspiracy cases in several Texas cities. He brings in experts often, and he says plainly that a plea bargain shouldn’t be the first option a client hears.
- Licensed in Texas and New Mexico; speaks Spanish and Italian
- Holds a 9.4 Avvo rating, with reviews praising his federal court work
- Office at 901 Wyoming Avenue, El Paso, TX 79902; phone (915) 544-1818
He’s a good choice when the evidence is technical and the case looks headed for trial.
5. The Matthew James, PLLC
Fort Bliss is one of the largest Army posts in the country, and many soldiers need a lawyer who understands both the military and civilian systems. Matthew James Kozik served as an Army Judge Advocate, prosecuting and defending cases in some of the Army’s busiest jurisdictions. He earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge, and he still serves as a defense attorney in uniform.
His civilian practice focuses on first-degree felonies and complex cases in the Western District of Texas. The firm also handles immigration matters, which is a real advantage for non-citizen defendants.
- Licensed in Texas, New Mexico, the District of Columbia, and Maryland
- Rated 4.8 across 66 client reviews
- Office at The Cortez Building, 310 North Mesa Street, Suite 810, El Paso, TX 79901; phone (915) 303-8062
Matching Your Case to the Right Courthouse
- County misdemeanors and district court felonies are both heard at the El Paso County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio Avenue.
- Federal cases go to the Albert Armendariz Sr. U.S. Courthouse at 525 Magoffin Avenue. The Western District of Texas saw more than 6,800 criminal filings in 2023, so speed and familiarity with local judges count.
- If you aren’t a U.S. citizen, your lawyer must advise you on immigration consequences before any plea. Ask about this in the first meeting.
- Soldiers can face civilian charges and command action at the same time, and the two can affect each other.
FAQs
Q1. How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in El Paso?
A: Most charge flat fees, which run lower for a first-offense misdemeanor and much higher for felonies or federal cases. Ask whether a trial is included in the quote.
Q2. What does board certified in criminal law mean in Texas?
A: It means the lawyer has years of substantial criminal trial experience, passed peer review, and passed a written exam from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Q3. Is a Sierra Blanca checkpoint arrest a state or federal case?
A: It can be either, depending on the agency involved and the amount seized. Many end up in federal court in El Paso.
Q4. Can an El Paso lawyer represent me in New Mexico?
A: Only if they hold a New Mexico license. Louis Lopez, Eduardo Solis, Jeep Darnell, and Matthew James Kozik all do.
Q5. Can a dismissed charge be removed from my Texas record?
A: Often, yes. Dismissed and acquitted charges may qualify for expunction, and some deferred adjudication cases qualify for an order of nondisclosure.
