Kent Starr is a criminal defense attorney in McKinney, Texas. He has practiced criminal defense in Collin County since 1997 and takes every consultation himself. The consultation is free and confidential: (214) 982-1408.
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer in Collin County starts with the charge you face and the court handling it. Ask who will do the work, what the fee covers and how you will receive updates. Search results and reviews can help you make a shortlist. A consultation lets you ask how a lawyer would approach your situation.
These five questions can help you compare lawyers before signing a representation agreement. For an overview of the firm’s work and the local court system, see criminal defense in Collin County.
1. Have you handled this type of charge in the court handling my case?
Ask about experience with the allegation you face. A DWI charge raises different questions from an assault allegation or a sex crime investigation. Ask what evidence the lawyer would need to review before discussing possible defenses.
Bring the charge name and court information from your paperwork. A Plano or Frisco mailing address alone does not establish which county is handling a case. Let the lawyer check the filing and court assignment instead of assuming that every arrest in either city belongs in Collin County.
You can check a lawyer’s license status through the State Bar of Texas. Read reviews for details about communication and how the representation was handled. A favorable result in someone else’s case does not predict your result. A lawyer may also be unable to share details of a former client’s matter.
2. Who will handle my consultation and court appearances?
Ask whether the lawyer you meet is the person you would hire. Find out who reviews the evidence, discusses decisions with you and appears in court. If other attorneys may be involved, ask how that arrangement works.
At Starr Law, P.C., Kent Starr is a solo attorney and takes every consultation himself. Kent Starr has practiced criminal defense in Collin County since 1997. The office is at 5900 S Lake Forest Dr, Suite 200, McKinney, TX 75070. The firm represents people facing criminal charges throughout Collin County from that office.
You can read about Kent before the consultation and ask him how representation would work in your case.
3. What needs attention before my next court date?
Bring any bond conditions, court notices or other deadlines you have received. Ask which matters need attention now and which questions require a review of the evidence first. In a DWI matter, bring any driver-license suspension notice too; the license process is separate from the criminal case.
If someone is still in custody, ask what the lawyer can do about bond and what depends on the court or jail. A phone call does not guarantee release. Read the firm’s Collin County jail and bond guide for background, then discuss the person’s circumstances with counsel.
Ask how the lawyer evaluates negotiation and trial. Neither a promise to win nor a promise to avoid trial tells you how the evidence will be assessed. The discussion should cover available options and their risks without guaranteeing an outcome.
4. What does the fee include?
Ask for the proposed scope of representation and fee terms in writing. Check whether the agreement includes trial or ends at an earlier stage. Ask how additional work and expenses would be handled before you commit.
Useful questions include:
- Is the fee flat or hourly, and when are payments due?
- Are a bond hearing and any separate driver-license matter included?
- How are investigation costs and other litigation expenses handled if they become necessary?
- What happens if the representation ends before the case does?
Compare agreements on the work included, not just the first payment. The State Bar’s guide to selecting a lawyer explains why it helps to clarify fees and services before signing.
5. How will we communicate while the case is pending?
Ask who handles scheduling, how to send documents and when to expect replies. Find out how urgent issues are handled outside office hours. Do not assume that an online chat or consultation request means a lawyer is available immediately.
Starr Law’s office hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week. Kent conducts the consultation. After hours, the contact page and website chat can collect a request for follow-up. They do not promise an immediate response from Kent. Keep sensitive case details out of the initial web message and ask the office how to provide them securely.
Prepare for your consultation
Have your court paperwork available, along with any bond conditions and license notices. Write down the dates you know and the questions you want answered. If a family member makes the first call, explain that they are calling for someone else so the office can arrange the next step.
For a free consultation with Kent about a Collin County criminal matter, call (214) 982-1408 or request a consultation.
Attorney advertising. This article provides general information, not advice about an individual case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.