Doug O'Connell
Former State & Federal Prosecutor - 30 Years of Experience - 100+ Jury Trials
Former Prosecutor – 30 Years of Experience – 100+ Jury Trials
Doug O’Connell is well known across Texas as one of the very finest criminal defense attorneys in the state. He has a well-earned reputation as a fierce advocate and unrelenting attorney who fights for his clients.
Doug has practiced criminal law for over 30 years in central Texas and has extensive experience both as a state and federal prosecutor as well as a criminal defense attorney. He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer each year for the last five years. National and international media outlets regularly cover Doug’s cases.
“My entire career was on the line, and I’m forever thankful I turned to Doug for help. Doug beat the government prosecutors so bad they gave up on the second day of trial.” – former client.
People trust Doug to handle their most difficult legal challenges. As a criminal defense attorney Doug has represented politicians, military generals, national media personalities, senior government officials, other high-profile individuals, as well as regular citizens who need a powerful advocate in their corner. Often other Attorneys turn to Doug when they need criminal law representation.
Doug is especially proud of his reputation as the “go-to” attorney for law enforcement officers. The cops are in the courthouse every day, they know which attorneys really fight for their clients. There is no higher endorsement for a criminal defense attorney than when police officers turn to Doug for criminal law help.
While primarily a criminal law attorney, Doug also forcefully prosecutes select civil lawsuits on behalf of clients wronged or threatened by powerful interest or bullies. Typically, these clients never thought they would ever sue someone, but are forced to fight back and turn to Doug for assistance.
Doug is also nationally recognized for his work defending military service members and Veterans.
- Criminal Law
- Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- White Collar Crime
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Military Law
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Free Consultation
We offer a free 1 hour consultation. - Credit Cards Accepted
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Contingent Fees
We regularly enter into contingency fee agreements for personal injury cases. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
There are thousands of attorneys to choose from. We don't try to be the least expensive. Our fees are based on the complexity of the case and our experience gained over decades of practicing criminal law in central Texas.
- Texas
- State Bar of Texas
- ID Number: 00792028
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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- United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
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- United States District Court - Western District of Texas
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Attorney
- O'Connell West, PLLC
- - Current
- This firm was formerly known as O'Connell & Associates, PLLC
- Colonel
- United States Army
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- Doug spent 30 years as an officer in the United States Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. The bulk of this time was spent as a Special Forces (Green Beret) officer. His service included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, NW Africa and many other places. Doug retired as a Colonel in 2017.
- United States Army War College
- M.A. (2013) | Strategic Planning & Operations
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- Naval Postgraduate School
- M.A. (2008) | National Security & Homeland Security
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- Wake Forest University School of Law
- Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)
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- Texas Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- Selected by attorney peers to the prestigious designation of Texas Super Lawyer.
- National Rise Award for Criminal Defense
- Axon
- National Criminal Defense Award presented by AXON.
- Texas Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- Texas Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- Texas Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- State Bar of Texas # 00792028
- Member
- - Current
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- Doug O'Connell - Profile Best Lawyers in Austin, Texas
- My Austin Magazine
- Texas House of Representatives, Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, Texas Capitol
- Requested to provide testimony on criminal justice legislation related to Grand Jury reform and changing venue in a criminal case. https://house.texas.gov/videos/21726
- Top Secret Clearance with SCI certification.
- United States Government
- Website
- O'Connell West, PLLC
Garrett Foster was ILLEGALLY CARRYING AK47
Doug O'Connell discussing a recent self-defense Murder case.
Daniel Perry didn’t “drive into” protesters
Doug O'Connell discussing one of his high profile jury trials in Austin, Texas.
Kantor Family Special Interview
In June 2021 Austin experienced a mass shooting on 6th street in the entertainment district. Doug represented the family of Douglas Kantor an out of town visitor who was murdered. Here, Doug and members of the Kantor family discuss the case and trial.
#070- "Legal Lifelines" with Doug O'Connell and Ken Ervin Part 1
Doug O'Connell & Ken Ervin discuss their successful trial defense of two Williamson County Sheriff's Deputies indicted for manslaughter. Doug discusses how he and Ken thwarted a political prosecution.
#070- "Legal Lifelines" with Doug O'Connell and Ken Ervin Part 2
Doug with Ken Ervin discussing trial strategy and a Not Guilty verdict in a high profile case.
From Green Beret to Legal Advocate: The Fight for Justice with Doug O'Connell | Tim Teaches Podcast
Doug O'Connell discusses how his background as a Green Beret shaped him and influences his approach to practicing criminal law.
- Q. Was it legal for a Texas officer to pull me over and search my car without consent after speeding to pass a semi, resulting in my arrest?
- A: Unfortunately, it sounds like the law enforcement officer acted within the law. You were legally pulled over for speeding. The officer has the authority in Texas to ask you to step out of the car while they conduct an investigation. The search by the drug sniffing dog is also legal since we have no reasonable expectation of privacy to how our vehicle smell. In other words, this was not a violation of your 4th Amendment rights. Once the drug dog alerted, in theory, the officer had probable cause to search your vehicle for narcotics. No warrant was needed due to the vehicle exception to the normal requirement to obtain a warrant. An experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to have the ... Read More
- Q. Can I face legal trouble if a friend threatens a harassment report after texting to defend my character?
- A: The answer to your question will depend on the content of your text messages, and possibly the amount of text messages sent to your friend. If the messages were threatening you could face legal challenges. Likewise, if the tone, language used and number of messages rise to the level of harassment, you could face a misdemeanor charge. I recommend you save and print the messages you sent and consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney in your jurisdiction.
