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Rick Cofer

Rick Cofer

Voted Best Lawyer - Austin Chronicle. Texas Super Lawyer. Former Prosecutor.
  • Criminal Law, Juvenile Law, DUI & DWI ...
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Biography

Attorney Rick Cofer is a partner with Cofer & Connelly, PLLC. Nationally known as among the top trial attorneys in the country, Mr. Cofer has more than 15 years of legal experience. Recognized from 2021 to 2024 as Best Lawyer by the Austin Chronicle, a Texas Super Lawyer by ThomsonReuters, and Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, he provides unmatched counsel and support to clients throughout Texas who have legal needs involving any of the following:

- Criminal defense
- Juvenile law
- Personal injury

Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Cofer has served as a judge, felony prosecutor, and criminal defense attorney. He has tried more than 100 cases to a judge or jury, and has thousands of hours of courtroom experience.

From his efforts, Mr. Cofer has achieved a long record of securing successful outcomes for his clients, and he has earned numerous awards and honors for his outstanding professionalism and service. Among his accolades, he has received a Top 100 Trial Lawyers designation from The National Trial Lawyers, and Attorney & Practice Magazine named him among the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in 2019. He has also received Superb client ratings on Avvo along with the site's Clients' Choice Award.

Moreover, Mr. Cofer has received the Distinguished Service Certificate from the city of Austin along with the Individual Achievement Award from Keep Austin Beautiful. He has also received a Resolution of Appreciation from the Travis County Commissioners Court, and he is a graduate of the Austin Bar Association's Leadership Academy.

Mr. Cofer is also a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a board member of the Austin Bar Foundation. He is a member of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association, the Austin and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Associations, the Austin LBGT Bar Association, and other local, state, and national legal organizations.

Education
University of Texas - Austin
J.D. (2007) | Law
Leon Green Society, American Constitution Society
University of Texas - Austin Logo
University of Texas - Austin
B.A. (2004) | Government & History
Liberal Arts Honors; Phi Beta Kappa; Temple Scholar; Junior Fellow; LBJ Fellow; Normandy Scholar
University of Texas - Austin Logo
Professional Experience
Partner
Cofer & Connelly, PLLC
- Current
Attorney
Law Office of Rick Cofer, PLLC
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Assistant County Attorney
Travis County Attorney’s Office
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Assistant District Attorney
Travis County District Attorney’s Office
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Assistant County Attorney
Travis County Attorney's Office
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Attorney at Law
Private Practice
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Cofer: One year later, Austin bag ban is working
Austin American-Statesman
Speaking Engagements
Rainy day fund and Hurricane Harvey damage, FOX 7 Discussion, Austin, Texas
Certifications
Texas Guardianship Certification
State Bar of Texas
Prosecutor Trial Skills Course Certificate
Texas District & County Attorneys Association
Awards
Clients' Choice Award
Avvo
2018-2024
Super Lawyer
Super Lawyer
2023-2024
Top 100 Trial Lawyers - Criminal
National Trial Lawyers
2019-2020
AV Preeminent Peer Rating
Martindale-Hubbell
Elite Lawyer
Elite Lawyer
2021-2023
Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2021-2022
Best Lawyer
Austin Chronicle
2021
Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Award
Attorney & Practice Magazine
Resolution of Appreciation
Travis County Commissioners Court
Individual Achievement Award
Keep Austin Beautiful
Distinguished Service Certificate
City of Austin
Professional Associations
Texas Bar Foundation
Fellow
Current
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
Current
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Highland Lakes Bar Association
Member
Current
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Hays County Bar Association
Member
Current
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National College for DUI Defense
Member
Current
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Austin LBGT Bar Association
Member
Current
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Austin Bar Foundation
Fellow & Board of Directors
- Current
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Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Member
- Current
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Austin LBGT Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Cannabis Committee
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Capital Area Trial Lawyers Associaton
Member
- Current
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College of the State Bar of Texas
Member
- Current
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Austin Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Criminal Law Section, Treasurer
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Austin Young Lawyers Association
Member
- Current
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State Bar of Texas  # 24065059
Member
- Current
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Texas District & County Attorneys Association
Member
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
5th Circuit
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Texas Supreme Court
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U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
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U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
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U.S. District Court for the Western, Northern & Southern Districts of Texas
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Juvenile Law
DUI & DWI
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights
Cannabis & Marijuana Law
Marijuana Business Formation, Medical Marijuana
White Collar Crime
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Mandarin: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. How to gef out of jail if I got a mtrp
A: What Texas County is your matter pending in? Generally speaking, there are a number of options for release on an MTRP. But, for the most part, you're at the mercy of the Presiding Judge of the Court from in which the probation originated. Call my office at 512-200-3801 or make contact through www.CoferConnelly.com.
Q. Can I expunge a case that has already been dismissed for free?
A: Congratulations on your charge being dismissed. Now it's time to expunge the arrest and clean your record. Filing a Petition for Expunction can be relatively straightforward or highly complex. For example, if an individual was charged with multiple offenses out of the same arrest, had most of the charges dismissed, but was convicted in at least one, it would likely prohibit an expunction (depending on certain factors). However, the treatment of Class C deferred dispositions is different from higher level deferred adjudications. Further, other subsequent arrests can impact expunction eligibility.

Further, there are various statutes of limitations for different offenses. Those statutes of limitations determine the time at which an individual may be eligible for an expunction. However, the prosecuting attorney's office can consent to an early expunction through a State's Recommendation of Early Expunction.

Finally, the Department of Public Safety or other entities can object to an expunction resulting in a contested hearing in front of a Judge.

While expunctions can appear simple on their face, they are typically complicated in practice, detail-oriented, and time-consuming. It is always an individual choice whether to proceed with counsel or pro se in a legal matter.
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Cofer & Connelly
Website
Austin Juvenile Lawyer
Blog
Cofer & Connelly Blog
Contact & Map
Cofer & Connelly
Austin Office
602 W 11th St
Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: (512) 991-0576
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Notice: Because a person in crisis needs answers now, not later, Cofer & Connelly is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve client needs. Whether it's a 3am jail release or other emergency matter, our Firm is here to serve you.
Cofer & Connelly
San Marcos Office
136 E. San Antonio Street #107
San Marcos, TX 78666
Telephone: (512) 991-0576
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Cofer & Connelly
Lubbock Office
1116 Broadway Street, Ste 200
Lubbock, TX 79401
Telephone: (806) 298-6518
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Cofer & Connelly
Kerrville Office
100 Fairway Drive
Kerrville, TX 78028
Telephone: (830) 590-0589
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours (Today)