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Rafael C Morales
About Rafael
Biography
With a legacy of results and a well-earned reputation for diligent client services in both criminal and civil cases, Attorney Rafael C. Morales is ready to fight for his clients. He has taken more than 50 criminal defense cases to trial and has never worked on the other side of the aisle as a prosecutor. Mr. Morales has tried both major felony crimes and misdemeanors arrests, including cases involving serious injury or death. His experience includes trying cases involving DWI, drug possession, assault and domestic violence, arson, robbery, burglary, and the aggravated sexual assault of a minor. Mr. Morales has also worked on hundreds of cases that didn't require trials before a jury. Additionally, he handles cases involving serious personal injury and wrongful death resulting from the negligent actions of others. As a resident of El Paso for nearly two decades, Mr. Morales represents clients in a wide range of complicated matters in and around El Paso and Sierra Blanca, Texas.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
50%
21 years | 1,000 cases
DUI and DWI
10%
21 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 20 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
Rafael C. Morales Attorney at Law
416 N. Stanton St., 5th Floor -- Suite 502, El Paso, TX, 79901-1253
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Rafael C Morales's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
41 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (21)
Recommendation (14)
Professionalism (13)
Communication Style (11)
Advocacy (8)
Character & Conduct (8)
Cost of Services (8)
General Knowledge (7)
Compassion (6)
Practice Area Knowledge (5)
Responsiveness (5)
Trustworthiness (5)
Free Consultations (3)
Payment Plans (2)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Kayla | April 30, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Very unprofessional
Mr. Morales his demeanor towards his clients that are not paying and he is appointed to it’s very sad. He speaks down two folks, ignores phone calls, and it’s not very helpful. Requesting a phone call to discuss my case was too much for him. As long as you were willing to pay thousands of dollars for...
Rafael Morales
Replied last April 30, 2021APPOINTED CASE. INDIGENT Client. Represented this client 3 YEARS ago. PREVIOUS case was resolved years ago. Calls at 4:45 p.m. with no warning asking about a new issue. FIRST I must be appointed again by the Court to represent the defendant. The Judge must determine that the defendant is indigent (does not have the financial resources to pay for a lawyer on their own). Then the Judge must sign an Order appointing the lawyer to represent the indigent defendant. That Order appointing must be forwarded to the lawyer's office. A new file must be opened. Representation begins. NONE of the above was done. Client from 3 years ago calls and requests I discuss a case I knew nothing about. I tried to outline the information above. Client unwilling to accept that there is a process. Insisted I was the lawyer and wanted to talk to me right away. I repeatedly asked for time to figure out what was going on. Client insistent that I talk to her right away. NO. That is not how it works. Definitely not how it works at 7 p.m. (time of the last exchange of the night). Not even a good attempt at trying to scare me with a bad review. Post the text exchange and let people decide for themselves. That will never happen because the messages would clearly demonstrate that I was reasonable and professional the entire time. I just did not give this 3 year old indigent defense client what she wanted right away. I am not intimidated by this inaccurate version of events.
Posted by anonymous | March 22, 2020
Sincere, understanding, and professional
I had consulted him about my issue during a weekend. He was was very informative and helped me understand my options. Pretty funny and easy to get along with too.
Posted by Paul | November 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
beware unethical
Forgot ethics 101, "put client before one's self." Deserted us in hour of need, accused us of being hysterical and unreasonable at the time when we needed him the most. Authorities came to arrestat home and needed help. Scheduled a bond hearing but did not let us know when. He charged us $250 for ...
Rafael Morales
Replied last November 05, 2018I will fill in the blanks of what he left out in an effort to persuade you with LESS than the whole truth. First, those 17 PHONE CALLS were in the first 40 hours!!! BEFORE even a case was filed I was bombarded with Calls from mother AND father. INCLUDING 2 calls just from the time the police arrived to serve the warrant. BOTH emergency calls answered!!! Again gave the SAME advice that had been provided the previous day. IF the police come with an arrest warrant you have to go in. Previously advised to get a bonding company on standby. I know in the movies you call the lawyer and he gives some brilliant legal advice that prevents the arrest. However, this is NOT the movies. They arrest you and you bond out. That's how it works. No one deserted anyone. Took the calls. Reminded them of the same advice I had provided the other day. They were simply to emotionally shaken to remember or act on it. After hours calls (even after 7 p.m. when I was coaching my son's 7 year old soccer team - call accepted). Texts from mother, father and son. After hours text messages (including after 9 p.m. texts from son). All of this BEFORE a case even being filed. 1.5 hour office meeting again within the FIRST 40 hours of speaking to them. Reduced my initial retainer by 66% so the family would have enough resources left over to afford a bond. Scheduled Bond reduction hearing immediately after initial arrest. My normal hourly rate is $200/hour. The family received nearly 4 hours of my time and efforts in less than 48 hours. Unprecedented Small Initial retainer fee MORE than earned. Finally, threatened me with "Bad Reviews" on social media. Your attempts to extort me failed.
Posted by Josue | January 23, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
CASE DISMISSED
I hired Rafael Morales and Rick Huffman to represent me in my assault family violence case and everything came out great! I was worried that this case was going to affect my immigration status here in the US, but they always kept me calm, gave me hope and reassured everything was going to be okay. Th...
Posted by Billy | October 20, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Dumped my old attorney for Mr. Morales
He explained to me intrinsic elements of my case that I wasn't aware of. I nearly made a plea deal for a crime I didn't commit with my old attorney. I went to him for free advice and I got the best free advice I ever received regarding my case. Filled me in on what my former attorney failed to tell m...
Rafael C Morales's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Rafa is an individual who is very intelligent, but better yet able to convince the jury that he is correct. Lots of individuals use the title "trial lawyer", Rafa is a lawyer who tries cases extremely well."
"I've worked with Rafael on many cases and he is an excellent attorney. I endorse him without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. We don't just share a name but have worked togeather representing people. Rafael is allot like me, frank, no nonsense, to the point, tells it like it is and in the end always willing to go to bat for his clients."
"I endorse this fellow criminal defense lawyer."
"Years of experience defending people in El Paso. I endorse Rafael Morales."
"Rafael is a great attorney, and cares about his clients. I fully endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Having this much experience in Jury Trials is what a client should look for. The attorney who tries cases gets the respect need to convince the State to back down, and do the right thing! This attorney has that respect."
"Honest and dedicated to his clients."
"Very determined and dedicated attorney. I endorse this lawyer"
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Great lawyer ! I endorse !"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Rafael has great insight regarding serious issues of Domestic Violence. I am happy to endorse him."
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Experience
Honors
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2013
Lawyer of the Year, El Paso Bar Association
2005
Order of The Barristers, University of Texas School of Law: Board of Advocates
2005
Outstanding Member, University of Texas School of Law: Board of Advocates
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Founding Attorney, Rafael C. Morales, Attorney at Law
2008 - 2014
Sr. Trial Attorney, El Paso County Public Defenders Office
2006 - 2008
Assistant Attorney General, Texas Attorney General's Office
2000 - 2002
Border Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol
Associations
2015 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2015 - Present
The National Trial LawyersTop 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers
2015 - Present
El Paso Bar AssociationCriminal Defense Section
2014 - Present
El Paso Criminal Defense Bar
2005 - Present
El Paso Bar Association
2005 - Present
State Bar of Texas
2008 - 2010
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Education
2005
University of Texas School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
University of Maryland, University College
BS - Bachelor of Science
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What does written notice of prospective witness mean??
02 Jun 2015
Q&A
What do I do if non-custodial parent refuses to pay out of pocket medical expenses?
04 May 2015
Q&A
Charge has not been indicted since I was arrested in jan, what does this mean?
14 Apr 2015