McKinney Criminal Defense
Family Violence Defense in Collin County. One Price. Trial Included.
A family violence case can reach your home, your kids, your firearms and your immigration status long before it reaches a jury. James Chiles and Patrick McGuire take a limited number of serious cases and prepare each one as though it will go to trial.
- Former felony prosecutor
- Phones answered 24/7
- Free consultation
- 5.0 Stars on Google
- 61 Google Reviews
- 24/7 Phones Answered
- 1 Price, Trial Included
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One Price
Trial Included
For Each Case
What you pay at the start covers all legal services, including a trial, for each case. You know the number before the case moves.
How The Firm Works -
Just Arrested?
The Order Comes First
Before Your Court Date
A magistrate can keep you away from your home, your family and your firearms at your first appearance. Here's what an emergency protective order can do.
Read The Guide -
A Narrow Practice
By Design
Not A Volume Firm
We take on a limited number of serious cases so we can devote the time, attention and resources each client and their circumstances demand.
Meet The Attorneys
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense Is What We Do
We dedicate our practice entirely to criminal defense, at both the trial and appellate levels. Start with the charge you're facing.
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Family Violence & Domestic Violence
Texas law calls it family violence, and it isn't one crime. An arrest can bring an emergency order that keeps you from your home and your firearms before your first court date. Chiles McGuire Criminal Law defends these cases in McKinney and across Collin County. Learn More -
Assault Family Violence
Assault family violence is usually charged as a Class A misdemeanor in Texas, and a few facts can turn it into a felony. Chiles McGuire Criminal Law defends assault family violence charges in McKinney and across Collin County. Learn More -
Restraining & Protective Orders
A restraining or protective order can limit who you can talk to and where you can go. Chiles McGuire Criminal Law helps you protect your rights and tell your side of the story. Learn More -
DWI
A Texas DWI can involve two separate concerns: the prosecution and your driving privileges. Chiles McGuire Criminal Law reviews the stop, the field sobriety exercises and the breath or blood testing. Learn More -
Drug Crimes
The type and quantity of a controlled substance can dramatically change how a Texas drug offense is charged. We investigate whether a search was lawful and whether the evidence actually establishes possession, manufacture or delivery. Learn More -
Federal Crimes
A federal investigation or indictment brings different procedures, agencies and sentencing considerations than a Texas state case. Attorney Eddie R. Mendoza is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and DOJ Tax Division trial attorney. Learn More -
Sex Crimes
Few accusations can threaten a reputation as quickly as an alleged sex offense. We approach sensitive allegations discreetly, test the credibility and reliability of the evidence, and prepare for the consequences that may follow a conviction. Learn More -
Criminal Appeals
Our work doesn't end at the trial-court level. We handle appeals of convictions throughout Texas, analyzing complex legal issues, identifying errors and challenging convictions and other adverse rulings. Learn More
Your Attorneys
Two Trial Lawyers. Both Sides of the Courtroom.
James T. Chiles has never represented anyone but the accused. Patrick McGuire prosecuted misdemeanors in Kaufman County and felonies in Dallas County before moving to the defense. They met as students at SMU Dedman School of Law, worked together in its Criminal Defense Clinic, and built this firm around honest representation at a transparent, upfront price.
- Former Dallas County felony prosecutor
- Former Assistant U.S. Attorney on the team
- Trials and appeals across Texas
- Defending professionals and license holders
Why Chiles McGuire
We Are Not a Volume Firm
We take on a limited number of serious cases. When someone hires us, it's because they want attorneys who will thoroughly examine their case and explore every avenue.
- Ready to Go to Trial When Necessary We regularly take matters to trial and prepare accordingly from the beginning. When a case needs to be fought in court, we're ready to advocate before a judge or jury.
- Defending Professionals and Their Careers A conviction can jeopardize a professional license, career, reputation or years of hard work. We build the defense with those consequences in mind.
- When Immigration or Custody Is at Stake A charge can affect immigration status or ongoing divorce and custody proceedings. We account for those risks when deciding how to approach the defense.
- Statewide Appellate Experience We handle appeals of convictions throughout Texas, identifying errors and challenging convictions and other adverse rulings.
Case Results
Defending Clients. Delivering Results.
A few outcomes from the firm's case results. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
- Continuous Violence Against the Family Dismissed
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Dismissed
- Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant Dismissed
- Manufacture / Delivery of a Controlled Substance Not Guilty
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- Patrick McGuire: Elite Lawyer 2026
Client Reviews
What Clients Say
5.0 stars from 61 Google reviews. Every review below is quoted word for word. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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Markus Byrd
James T chiles is great domestic violence attorney help me out very well with my case. If need help use ask for him if I was you.
Google · July 2022
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christopher barge
Mr. Chiles is wonderful! Fired my CA Attorney to hire him due to a lack of communication between me and the CA, none of that was the case between James and I at all, I hired him as a family violence/domestic violence attorney as well as a general criminal defense attorney as he has exceeded expectations. He in fact got one of my possession charges dropped already, has been as helpful to both me and my parents (the defendant’s) on my behalf, and just overall has made my first experience with a hired attorney as smooth as I can imagine. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who is looking for a criminal defense attorney
Google · May 2022
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Richard Raheem
Mr.Chiles is a lawdog. I was facing 25 to 99. He got the whole case dismissed. The man was in my corner and stayed there till the end. Went straight to work. Law is his business. Facts.
Google · August 2022
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Ashlyn Watts
Chiles McGuire is the best criminal defense firm in Collin County! Their team is very passionate about providing the best defense possible for their clients. I highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of criminal defense lawyers!
Google · June 2026
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Official Zay
Gave me really good professional advice to help with my family violence case I’m dealing with. Hopefully all goes well
Google · August 2026
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Tyeshia Gordon
James and his team are wondering! I would hate for anyone to be in a situation where they would need legal representation for anything criminal. I happen to face a situation that put me in a tough spot. I sought out different lawyers, but James Chiles stood out to me. He explained everything in great detail for me. He was empathetic, compassionate, and resourceful. He and his team got me the results that I deserved, which was CASE DISMISSED! I appreciate you all for everything.
Google · October 2026
Reviews from Google. See the listing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Call for a free consultation.
Is domestic violence the same thing as family violence in Texas?
Texas law uses the term family violence. It isn't one crime. Family Code Section 71.004 defines it to cover acts against a family or household member, certain abuse of a child in the family or household, and dating violence. The charge itself is usually something else, such as assault under Penal Code Section 22.01.
What should I do right after a family violence arrest?
Stay calm and don't discuss the case with anyone but your attorney. Use your right to remain silent with law enforcement. Don't contact the other person if a protective order or bond condition prohibits it. Save your text messages, emails, photos and videos. Then call a lawyer as soon as you can.
The other person says it's fine if I come home. Is it?
Not while an order says otherwise. An emergency protective order under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.292 must state that no person, including a person protected by the order, may give permission to anyone to ignore or violate it. Call us before you act on that conversation.
What does one price mean?
What you pay at the start covers all legal services, including a trial, for each case. We tell you the price at the outset so it doesn't change on you if the case needs to be tried. The first consultation is free.
Do you handle cases in Plano, Frisco, Allen and Richardson?
Yes. We regularly represent people in McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano and Richardson, and we handle criminal trials and appeals for clients across Texas. Parts of Plano and Frisco sit in Denton County and parts of Richardson sit in Dallas County, so tell us exactly where the arrest happened.
Areas We Serve
Collin County First
We represent people facing charges throughout Collin County, including McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen and Richardson, and handle criminal trials and appeals for clients across Texas.
Talk To An Attorney
Your Future Is on the Line. Call Today.
The decisions made after an arrest can shape what happens in negotiations, in court and long after the case is over. The consultation is free and confidential, and phones are answered 24/7.