Michael Howard | Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer

The fact that one mistake, one bad day, or even a police officer’s mistake could completely ruin or change the trajectory of your entire life made me want to get into criminal law. I grew up in Dallas and attended SMU Dedman School of Law. I began my career fighting for people as a Public Defender in Dallas. I saw how unfairly the criminal justice system treats people, especially if they don’t have a good lawyer.

I wanted to treat my clients how they deserved to be treated – by taking the time necessary to get to know who they are and what they need. I created my law firm to do just that. Understanding that people shouldn’t be judged on their worst day, I strive to help people through difficult times with compassion and integrity. Facing criminal charges is intimidating. Knowing this, I ensure my clients understand the process, their rights, and the possible outcomes for their case. I pride myself on getting to know my clients outside of their case files. When I represent you, you’ll have an ally to explain the process, your rights, your options, and how to best resolve the matter. We understand where you’re coming from, carefully walk you through each step of the criminal process, and directly answer your questions. We start every case with an initial one-hour consultation. Most lawyers only give a quick sales pitch in a 15-minute call. We don’t do that — we’ll discuss what happened and give you an idea of what to expect, including possible outcomes and strategies. We’ll also talk about pricing. Once we’re engaged, our team will get to work right away, giving you feedback along the way so you know that we’re on it.

We’ll also familiarize you with our convenient online portal for existing clients and provide regular updates and clear lines of communication until we reach a satisfactory resolution.

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University	JD	Law School	2004
Texas Tech University	B.A.		2001

State / Court	Date
Texas	2004
Texas Northern District Court

• Member | Texas Bar Association
  Member | Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  Member | Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  Member | National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

• Top 40 Under 40
• Super Lawyers Rising Stars

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Michael Lai Howard has been a Premium Member since September 16, 2024.
Lawyers with longer memberships tend to have more experience so we use the Membership date to help prioritize lawyer listings on search pages.

Verified Credentials	Date Verified
	September 17, 2024

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In Texas, carrying weapons has specific restrictions. Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon (UCW) is often a misdemeanor, but can become a felony in restricted areas like schools or bars. Penalties range from fines to prison. If charged, having a skilled attorney like Mike Howard can help protect your rights