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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 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by Steve | May 29, 2026
A Top-tier Attorney (Highly Recommended)
Attorney James Chiles provided exceptional legal guidance and professionalism throughout my experience. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain complex legal matters in a clear and understandable way. What stood out most was his attention to detail, strategic thinking, and genu...
Steve, thank you for your kind review.
Posted by anonymous | May 01, 2026 | Hired Attorney
A Lawyer You Can Trust
Working with lawyer James T Chiles was a great experience. I needed someone who could provide expert knowledge while also being understanding of my situation. James made the process extremely easy. We were able to communicate via phone and email with ease. James built trust with me and I valued the a...
Thank you for your kind review.
Posted by Natalia | August 30, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Very professional!!
James helped me out just recently in a family violence case and hasn’t been working on it for even a month! I walked away with a dismissal thanks to him. He communicated with me throughout the whole time and had been very respectful and understanding. I’d recommend anyone to have James Chiles represe...
Thank you for this review, Natalia.
Posted by Mary E. | January 26, 2022
Excellent, If you feel overwhelmed by any law issues I recommend you to first discussed it with Mr. Chiles
I contacted Mr. Chiles earlier today! and couldn't be more happy. Although my situation doesn't need criminal defense, his a very professional, well knowledgeable on his field. He explained my issue like no other attorney could have done it; with patience and understanding he guided me to the right ...
Thank you for the kind review. It was a pleasure to help ease your nerves.
Posted by Bart | January 10, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Top Notch Representation
If you are looking to hire a criminal defense attorney in Texas, I highly recommend James! He recently assisted me with a legal matter and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. James took the time to understand and analyze the issue, created a plan of action, and then stuck with the plan w...
Thank you for recommending me, Bart. I was happy to help.
"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
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