Charles Allen Pelowski

Charles A. Pelowski is a Board-Certified Criminal Law specialist, Houston criminal defense attorney, and Senior Trial Attorney at Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys. He leads the firm's Houston office and represents individuals facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges throughout Harris County, Brazoria County, and Southeast Texas.

During his tenure at Michael & Associates, Mr. Pelowski has handled more than 330 criminal cases involving DWI, drug offenses, assault allegations, weapons charges, probation violations, and other serious criminal matters. DWI and intoxication-related offenses comprise a significant portion of his practice, giving him extensive experience with the legal, scientific, and procedural issues that frequently arise in alcohol- and drug-related prosecutions.

He prioritizes thorough case preparation, strategic motion practice, and trial-ready defense strategies, helping clients navigate some of the most challenging situations of their lives.

A Texas native, Mr. Pelowski graduated cum laude from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology before earning his Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2010. During law school, he served as Articles Editor of the Texas Tech Law Review and was inducted into the Order of Barristers, a distinction recognizing excellence in advocacy and courtroom skills.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Pelowski served as Assistant Chief Public Defender at the Caprock Regional Public Defender's Office. That role provided substantial courtroom and trial experience while giving him firsthand insight into criminal prosecutions, judicial decision-making, and effective defense strategy.

Mr. Pelowski is licensed to practice in Texas and before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, Brazoria County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, and the American Chemical Society.

Because DWI cases comprise a substantial portion of his practice, Mr. Pelowski has pursued advanced education in forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, forensic science, and laboratory quality standards. This training allows him to better evaluate breath-testing procedures, blood-alcohol analysis, drug-testing methodologies, laboratory protocols, and expert testimony that frequently play a critical role in intoxication and drug prosecutions.

His commitment to criminal defense and forensic education has earned recognition from both clients and peers, including a "Superb" 10.0 rating from Avvo and numerous positive client reviews. He is known for meticulous preparation, direct communication, and relentless advocacy on behalf of individuals facing life-changing criminal allegations.

Advanced Scientific Education and Pending Credentials

• ISO/IEC 17025 Internal Auditor Certification (ANAB)
• Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy, University of Houston Law Center (appointment begins Fall 2026)
• Graduate Certificate in Forensic Toxicology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (anticipated Fall 2026)
• ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation, American Chemical Society (anticipated October 2026)
• Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Forensic Science concentration, University of Florida (anticipated Summer 2027)

Credentials and Professional Memberships

• Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
• Published Author, Voice for the Defense (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association)
• Admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• Juris Doctor, Texas Tech University School of Law
• Articles Editor, Texas Tech Law Review
• Order of Barristers
• Former Assistant Chief Public Defender
• Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
• Member, DUI Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, Brazoria County Bar Association
• Member, American Chemical Society (Greater Houston Section)
• Member, ACS Chemistry and the Law Division (CHAL)
• Member, ACS Analytical Chemistry Division (ANYL)
• Member, ACS Chemical Toxicology Division (TOXI)

Clients often come to Mr. Pelowski during some of the most stressful moments of their lives. He believes they deserve honest answers, clear communication, and a lawyer who is fully prepared to challenge the prosecution's case.

About Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys

Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys is a criminal defense firm with a unique model: the high-touch, personalized attention of a boutique firm, backed by the resources and collective experience of a 40+ lawyer defense team.

Every client is assigned a dedicated Senior Trial Attorney who owns the defense from intake through resolution. That attorney focuses on a specific county and court — practicing there regularly and knowing the judges, the prosecutors, and the local tendencies that shape outcomes. Cases are not rotated, reassigned, or passed to junior attorneys (the firm doesn't employ any).

Behind that lead attorney is a team of forty criminal-defense lawyers with more than 1,000 jury trials between them, including attorneys Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, ten Super Lawyers honorees, ACS-CHAL Forensic DWI Lawyer-Scientists, former prosecutors, former judges, and former law-enforcement professionals, including a former FBI agent.

That structure gives clients the 40-on-1 advantage: one senior lawyer leading your case, backed by the collective knowledge of 40+ criminal-defense attorneys. It means the prosecutor is not up against one lawyer — they're up against a brain trust.

The firm's main metric is client satisfaction, which is measured using standard CSAT surveys to every client at the conclusion of the case. The firm has achieved a 98.5% client satisfaction rate based on 1,840 survey responses. The full breakdown by case type is below:

- DWI: 97.8% CSAT (781 responses)

- Assault & Domestic Violence: 99.5% CSAT (368 responses)

- Other: 98.7% CSAT (158 responses)

- Drug Charges: 98.6% CSAT (142 responses)

- Motion to Revoke Probation: 97.8% CSAT (134 responses)

- Theft & Fraud: 100% CSAT (106 responses)

- Driving Offenses: 98.7% CSAT (75 responses)

- Weapons: 98.1% CSAT (52 responses)

- Sex Offenses: 100% CSAT (24 responses)

Data from September 2022 through May 6, 2026.

The firm's 2025 trial record was 65% favorable outcomes with a 50% outright acquittal rate. A 5.0 rating on Google. More than 1,400 five-star reviews on Google, Avvo, BBB, and Martindale, an A+ BBB rating, and combined criminal-defense experience exceeding 540 years. Attorney caseloads run well below ABA recommendations. Case reviews are free. No trial fees - ever.

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