James T Chiles

I have devoted my career solely to criminal defense in the great state of Texas. Over the years, I have handled a wide range of felony cases, including those involving murder, family violence and domestic assaults, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, sexual assaults and crimes against children, drug offenses (with a great appreciation for the motion-practice in these cases), gun charges, and all manner of misdemeanors. Some of my favorite misdemeanors to defend are assault, harassment, and anything rarely charged. I have represented clients in hundreds of cases across at least 30 counties in Texas, with a primary focus on the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding areas. I earned my Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law, where I served as Chief of the SMU Criminal Justice Clinic. After law school, I worked as a post-bar intIern at the Capital Habeas Unit of the Federal Public Defender’s Office in the Northern District of Texas. Since then, I have been in private practice, gaining significant experience by working alongside accomplished criminal defense attorneys with extensive backgrounds. Born and raised in Dallas, I have always had a passion for advocacy. During college, I was a National Debate Tournament Quarter-Finalist. Before pursuing a legal career, I coached debate teams to multiple Texas State and National Championships. I believe my background as a champion debater and coach since 2009 has greatly enhanced my ability to craft compelling written and oral arguments, allowing me to approach criminal defense cases with creativity and determination. My primary focus lies in criminal procedure, the Texas rules of evidence, and the 6th Amendment’s guarantee of a defendant's right to confront their accusers through cross-examination.