PRO
also known as James T. Chiles
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James T. Chiles has never represented anyone but the accused. His entire practice has been criminal defense.
Mr. Chiles has handled hundreds of cases in more than twenty Texas counties, concentrated in Collin County and across the Dallas–Fort Worth area. His work spans the most serious charges the State of Texas prosecutes and all variety of misdemeanors:
-Family violence and domestic assaults
-Stalking & Harassment
-Assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
-Murder and other violent felonies
-Sexual assault and crimes against children
-Drug charges, from possession to manufacture or delivery (“MAN/DEL”)
Long before he was a lawyer, Mr. Chiles argued for a living. He reached the quarterfinals of the National Debate Tournament as a college competitor, and has coached multiple teams to State championships. Prior to law school, he competed or coached in competitive debate beginning in 2009. That is seventeen years spent doing one thing: finding the weak point in a case and picking the right angle to take it apart. Criminal defense rewards the same skillset. Mr. Chiles believes his experience in debate and martial arts has contributed to a “built different” mindset that has benefited to a creative, thorough, and outside-the-box approach to defending people from criminal charges.
Mr. Chiles earned his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, where he served as Chief of the SMU Criminal Justice Clinic. After graduating he was a post-bar intern with the Capital Habeas Unit of the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. He then spent the early part of his career in private practice learning from criminal defense lawyers with decades of trial experience, before co-founding Chiles McGuire Criminal Law with his partner Patrick McGuire.
Mr. Chiles has been awarded Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Avvo’s Client Choice, and more. His clients have called him a “lawdog.” He enjoys martial arts and getting cases dismissed. His favorite charges to defend are manufacture/delivery of controlled substances, family violence assaults, sex offenses, and criminal charges which implicate the first amendment’s guarantee on our freedom of speech and of the press.
5
Practice Areas
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Always
State: Texas
Acquired: 2020
No misconduct found
Other places you can find James online.
AI-summarized from Avvo client reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 18 reviews | 5 stars
Posted by Roslyn | March 02, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Top Notch Lawyer
He is exactly who he says he is, open, honest and trustworthy, once I hired him I felt immediately relieved from the stress of this case, he kept myself and my family informed on next steps but the greatest part was that he believed in me , and that’s why I hired him. My case was dismissed, he did ex...
Roslyn, it was a pleasure to represent you in that case.
Posted by Denise | January 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Very knowledgeable lawyer
I had the opportunity to work with James Chiles at Pantheon Legal Group on a case I had. He was very attentive, patience and very professional. He was very understanding and non judgemental, I was looking at a charge being put on my record for something I didn't do and he did everything he could to h...
Thank you very much for your kind review.
Posted by Shiaquelia Rentie | October 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Exceptional Support and Representation
Working with James Chiles and his firm was an incredible experience. From the very beginning, he was supportive, patient, and genuinely invested in my situation. He made me feel safe and seen throughout the entire process, never once showing judgment and always helping me make informed decisions. His...
Thank you for your kind review. I was definitely proud to represent you on that case.
Posted by anonymous | September 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Relief and Grateful
Thank you for defending my brother! The NOT GUILTY verdict says it all! All the right questions were asked and a lot of hidden information was revealed. We are so glad that he found you when he did. It made all the difference in the world.
Thank you for your kind review.
Posted by Vi | June 27, 2025
Great Attorney
James took time out to listen to me. He was really kind and reassuring doing our conversation. I’d recommend James to anyone
Thank you for your kind review.
"From reading his guide on affidavits of non-prosecution, I can tell that Mr. Chiles prioritizes frankness and transparency. I do not doubt that his clients receive advice that is concise and representation that is proactive."
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2026
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2026
Client's Choice, Avvo
2026
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Client's Choice, Avvo
2023
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Quarter Finalist - National Debate Tournament, The National Debate Tournament
2015
Quarter-Finalist - CEDA National Championship, Cross-Examination Debate Association
2015
Semi-Finalist - The Texas Open, The University of Texas - Austin
2026 - Present
Partner, Chiles McGuire Criminal Law
2024 - 2026
Partner, Pantheon Legal Group, PLLC
2023 - 2024
Senior Associate Attorney, The Crowder Law Firm, PC
2021 - 2023
Criminal Defense Attorney, The Law Office of James T. Chiles
2020 - 2021
Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Thomas R. Cox III
2020 - 2020
Post-Bar Intern, Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Texas, Capital Habeas Unit
2019 - 2019
Law Clerk, Ted B. Lyon & Associates
2019 - 2020
Student Attorney, SMU Criminal Justice Clinic
2018 - 2018
Law Clerk & Research Assistant, Rogge Dunn Group, P.C.
2016 - 2016
Intern, The Johnston Law Firm, PLLC
2012 - 2016
Speech & Debate Consultant, James T. Chiles
2024 - Present
Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2023 - Present
DUI Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2023 - Present
Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2022 - Present
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2021 - Present
TDCAA - Texas District & County Attorney AssociatiMember
2020 - Present
Dallas Bar AssociationMember
2019 - Present
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2019 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2019 - Present
Texas Young Lawyers AssociationMember
Jury's Verdict: Not Guilty, and case expunged.
Jury's Verdict: Not Guilty, and the case later expunged.
Dismissed.
At trial: Dismissed after jury selection.
Dismissed
Dismissed
Dismissed
Rejected. Case will not be filed
Conditional Dismissal Agreement, and a Rejected Charge.
Rejected.
Pending, trial court suppressed blood evidence, trial court decision reversed and remanded.
Dismissed
Dismissed
Dismissed
2020
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)
2025
2018
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
How can I have a Warrent for "Failure to comply" in Texas when I was never instructed to do anything
18 Dec 2025
Criminal Case Almost 2 Years OLD And Still Not Resolved!!
23 Sep 2025
What can I do about being the victim of entrapment setup through 2 guys running a youtube channel?
20 Jul 2025