James Fletcher is an Austin criminal defense attorney, Senior Trial Attorney at Michael & Associates, and one of only a handful of Texas lawyers to earn the designation of Lawyer-Scientist through the American Chemical Society. His practice focuses on DWI defense, drug crimes, assault charges, domestic violence allegations, theft offenses, weapons charges, and other misdemeanor and felony criminal matters. He represents individuals accused of crimes throughout Travis County and Central Texas.
Mr. Fletcher earned the Lawyer-Scientist designation after completing advanced forensic-science training at the renowned Axion forensic laboratory in Chicago.
His scientific training has made him particularly effective in defending DWI cases, and he has become a trusted Austin DWI attorney for individuals facing intoxication-related charges. His experience adds valuable insight into the forensic evidence commonly used in DWI prosecutions, including blood-test analysis, toxicology, and other forms of scientific evidence. He regularly applies this knowledge when challenging the reliability, interpretation, and admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal cases. He also leads Michael & Associates’ Austin criminal defense office.
After earning his law degree, Mr. Fletcher began his legal career defending individuals accused of criminal offenses at a prominent Houston law firm. In 2017, he relocated to Austin and has since focused his practice on representing clients facing criminal charges in Travis County and the surrounding Central Texas communities.
During his tenure at Michael & Associates, Mr. Fletcher has handled nearly 500 criminal cases, representing clients charged with offenses ranging from DWI and drug crimes to assault allegations, theft offenses, weapons charges, probation violations, and serious felony offenses. More than 150 of those matters have involved DWI allegations, giving him significant experience with the scientific and evidentiary issues unique to intoxication-related prosecutions. Combined with his American Chemical Society Lawyer-Scientist designation, this extensive criminal defense experience has provided him with substantial familiarity with the forensic, legal, and strategic issues that frequently arise in criminal cases.
A Houston native, Mr. Fletcher attended South Texas College of Law, where he earned the highest grade in both Criminal Law and Constitutional Law and received multiple advocacy awards for his performance in moot court competitions. During law school, he gained prosecutorial experience through internships with the Harris County and Galveston County District Attorney's Offices.
Throughout his career, Mr. Fletcher has focused on defending individuals accused of crimes and challenging the evidence used against them. His experience litigating DWI cases across Texas has given him a deep understanding of the courtroom, evidentiary, and constitutional issues that frequently arise in intoxication-related prosecutions.
Outside the courtroom, Mr. Fletcher lives in Austin with his wife, Bianca, their daughter, Billie, and their senior dog, Justice. An avid basketball fan and lifelong Houston Rockets supporter, he enjoys spending time with his family and exploring Austin’s outdoor spaces, including the Bull Creek Greenbelt.
