When facing criminal charges, you need a top-rated attorney on your side
Neal Davis is a criminal defense attorney based in Houston, Texas, who handles state and federal cases across Texas and the United States.
For more than 25 years, Davis has defended clients in a wide range of matters. He has argued before the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals (the state’s highest court for criminal cases) and has appeared as counsel in a landmark United States Supreme Court case involving the Fifth Amendment, which protects the legal rights of the criminally accused.
His clients come from all walks of life and face many kinds of charges. He has represented everyone from a Grammy award-winning musician who was falsely accused of rape (charges dropped) to a politician accused of abuse in an official capacity (case dismissed) to an executive accused of fraud involving a loss of about $150 million (no charges filed).
Davis handles state and federal criminal cases from the investigative phase through trial and the appeals process. Most frequently, he defends clients against charges involving:
- Sex crimes
- Drug offenses
- Computer crimes
- Family violence crimes
- Homicide
- Intoxication offenses
- Fraud
- Non-violent, white-collar offenses
- Federal offenses
Davis’s client reviews attest to the level of service and attention he gives his clients as well as the results he has achieved in their cases. He is especially proud of his track record for quietly resolving criminal matters successfully before the cases go to trial—or even before charges are filed.
Because of Davis’s excellent reputation, fellow attorneys often refer clients to him, as can occur when an appeal is necessary and other lawyers aren’t as experienced in handling appeals.
Before opening his own law firm, Davis worked as a lawyer for more than 10 years with Texas criminal defense legend Dick DeGuerin. As founder of the Neal Davis Law Firm, Davis is now a top-rated Houston criminal defense attorney.
In 2019, his colleagues elected him as President of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, which has over 500 lawyers as members, making it among the largest criminal defense organizations in the United States.
Davis’s qualifications, client service and record of success have consistently placed him among the top-rated criminal defense lawyers in the United States. He is among a very small percentage of attorneys who are Board Certified in Criminal Law (2009-2023) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell (2015-2023) and listed as a Best Lawyer in America (2015-2023) in two areas: criminal law and white collar crime.
His cases have garnered national and international media attention, and he has appeared as a commentator on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision and other media outlets. He has frequently lectured to other attorneys and has published several articles in major legal publications on various criminal law topics.
REPRESENTING CLIENTS ACCUSED OF ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSES
IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURT, INCLUDING:
Education
- University of Texas at Austin
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.) - University of Southern California
B.A. in Spanish/Comparative Literature
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Texas, 1999
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certification, 2009 Criminal Law
Languages
English and Spanish
Past Employment
Lawyer at DeGuerin & Dickson, 1999-2010
Volunteer Activities
- Houston Steering Committee of the University of Texas School of Law
- Dad’s Club, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, Bellaire, Texas
Serving Houston and all Texas counties, including
- Houston, Texas (Harris County)
- Conroe, Texas (Montgomery County)
- Galveston, Texas (Galveston County)
- Richmond, Texas (Fort Bend County)
Neal Davis on why he chose to practice criminal defense
Davis says a legal hero of his in college was Gerry Spence, who wrote the book With Justice for None.
“Before, I’d never thought of police as power abusers or dishonest and certainly never viewed prosecutors as wanting to win a conviction more than pursuing justice. But Gerry and Dick DeGuerin, whose criminal defense class I took in law school, were catalysts in my decision to dedicate my career to defending the accused.”
Davis believes the criminal justice system, at its core, “is classist and racist. A white male defendant who runs a corporation and steals billions of dollars but is ‘too big to jail’; a black male who shoplifts a pair of sunglasses from Macy’s is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. A pharmaceutical company that lies and cheats millions of doctors and consumers in the name of profit gets slapped with a fine; a small-time drug dealer gets thrown in jail and has a conviction for life.”
He also believes the so-called war on drugs “has unfairly had a disparate impact on minorities, has split apart what little of the black family unit has remained as a result of prior institutional racism, and has created a new Jim Crow system that has disenfranchised the minority community.”
Davis realized that in every case he tried, either a police officer lied or a prosecutor cheated in some way. So he asked other defense attorneys whether they could think of a single case they’d tried where this didn’t happen. And none of the attorneys could come up with one.
“What happens to police or prosecutors who commit misconduct at trial? Nothing. They get away with it. Which is why it continues to happen,” Davis says.
That’s why Davis is so dedicated as a defense attorney—an attorney who makes sure everyone follows the rules and the defendant receives a fair trial.
About Neal Davis
A native Houstonian, Davis majored in Spanish as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California and spent part of his childhood in Mexico. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin and became licensed to practice law in Texas in 1999.
Davis is married and has two young children. When he is not spending time with his family or defending his clients, he lectures on criminal law. He is a longtime scholarship contributor to U.S. college students interested in criminal justice. Neal is also in the 5+ Tier of Longhorn Loyal for his contributions to the University of Texas.
For 25 years and counting, Neal Davis has been a top-rated Houston criminal defense attorney, defending clients throughout Texas in matters of drug offenses, sex offenses, computer crimes, DWI/intoxication offenses, non-violent offenses, violent crimes and more.
Contact the Neal Davis Law Firm today for 24/7 legal assistance or to schedule a consultation for your criminal defense case.
A Criminal Defense Lawyer You Can Trust
Best Criminal Attorney in Town
When my world got turned upside down, I needed the best Criminal Attorney in town. I was facing false MURDER accusations and convicted by the media. Neal’s efforts resulted in a dismissal.
C.B. Client from Harris County, TXExtremely Good News
Mr. Davis took the time he needed to get my case “no billed”. Which is extremely good news. I thank him and recommend him highly. The news could not have come at a better time. We were starting a family, and avoiding jail was my priority.
Adam S.Best in Houston
According to everyone, my case was very serious, and it was impossible to get it dismissed. With Neal on my side, I eventually got it dismissed on my 1st hearing…Folks, please select your attorney wisely who is willing to listen to you and create a solid defense strategy. Don’t select Attorneys who mislead you and feed on your fear…He is the best in Houston.
Hector R.Case Dismissed at 1st Hearing
Dismissing a Criminal Case at 1st court hearing is a big achievement for any attorney’s profile…don’t jeopardize your case for a couple of hundred of dollars. When you are paying your hard-earned money, you want the best Attorney to be on your side.
Leena S.Demolished Every Argument Presented
He demolished every witness and argument the prosecution presented with a deep understanding of the law and impeccable logic, revealing the incongruity of the prosecution’s evidence
C.A.C. Client acquitted of .18 blood DWI (case expunged)Outstanding Job
Words cannot express the gratitude we have for y’all. You did an outstanding job for Brian to set him free. It will take some time to get used to this ‘new normal’
Brother of Client B.F. B.F. acquitted of child sex assaultWorks Hard for Clients
I endorse Neal. He is very professional and works hard for clients. I will continue to refer to anyone seeking advice or counsel in criminal matters to him.
Herrick Sovany Principal Attorney, Sovany Law Firm
Excellent Criminal Defense Attorney
Neal is an excellent criminal defense attorney with an in depth knowledge of the law combined with extensive trial experience. All of our immigration clients who have required criminal defense representation have always been extremely satisfied with Neal’s professionalism and excellency in representation.
Beatriz Ballerini, Principal Attorney, Trillos-Ballerini Law Firm, PC
Fights hard for his clients
I have known Neal his entire career. Neal is always prepared in court. No matter how tough the case, Neal does not back down and fights hard for his clients. Neal is well respected among his fellow lawyers and is one of the finest lawyers in Texas. I am proud to recommend Neal Davis as a gentleman and great lawyer.
Robert Pelton Pelton Law Offices
