About Chris Perri
An award-winning attorney with over 15 years of experience practicing criminal law, Chris Perri has dedicated his life to fighting for justice and freedom. As the son of a doctor and nurse, he learned early on the value of helping others, a value he now tries to instill in his own children. Although he took a different path by pursuing law, Chris chose to become a criminal defense lawyer so that he could help people in their times of trouble and need. Just like his parents to their patients, Chris strives to be a caring, knowledgeable, hardworking, and successful advocate for his clients, regardless of the charges they may face.
Chris Perri says, “My goal is to provide personalized service to each client, where I give each case my fullest attention. That’s the only way to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome.”
Read his interview as a featured “Top Lawyer” with Authority Magazine here.
Unlike most criminal defense attorneys in Austin, Chris Perri is licensed to practice law at both the Texas state and federal levels.
Unlike most criminal defense attorneys in Austin, Chris Perri is licensed to practice law at both the Texas state and federal levels. He has extensive experience helping clients win trials, overturn convictions, get cases dismissed or reduced, and expunge criminal records. Dependent on the details of your situation, Chris Perri will develop a tailored strategy to ensure the best possible outcome for your particular case.
Through his expertise in legal research, Chris Perri will ensure that the government respects your constitutional rights, and he’ll fearlessly challenge the police and prosecution if they fail to do so. Moreover, his jury trial experience ensures that if plea negotiations falter, you will have someone by your side with a proven track record of success. In addition to his law degree from the University of Texas, Chris Perri earned a Master’s Degree in Economics in order to hone his logical thinking process. As a result, you can rest assured that he won’t fall into any surprise holes once he has thoroughly analyzed your case.
Put simply, no matter the situation at hand, Chris Perri is ready to fight for you—and win.
There is a reason why Austin Monthly magazine named Chris Perri as one of Austin’s top attorneys.
In addition to running his own law firm, Chris Perri is a leader in the criminal defense community. For many years, he served as a founding and supervising attorney for UT Law’s pro bono Texas Expunction Project. In 2016, UT’s Texas Law Fellowships program awarded Chris the Excellence in Public Interest Award based on his pro bono work as a private-practicing attorney.
Chris is a member of the Austin Bar Association, Texas NORML, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, where he served on the board of directors from 2014 to 2019, and is a graduate of Leadership Austin’s Emerge program. He is also a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association, which recognized Chris as one of the top criminal defense trial attorneys in the region.
Further, Chris is a sought-after legal thinker, often leading educational seminars for fellow defense lawyers and college students as well as penning powerful articles focused on criminal justice. You can read some of his publications listed further below. He’s guest-appeared on several podcasts and co-hosted a weekly web series called The Budding Report, which explores all things cannabis. His priority on the show was to ensure that everyone knows their rights when it comes to the ever-changing drug laws.
There is a reason why Chris Perri received Avvo’s 2020 Clients’ Choice Award, was selected for the exclusive 2021 Super Lawyers Texas Rising Stars List and 2022 and 2023 Super Lawyers Texas List, Austin Monthly Magazine named him as one of Austin’s Top Attorneys for 2021, 2022, and 2023, and Expertise recognized Chris in 2022 as one of the Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in both Austin and Round Rock. Yes, he’s a legal expert in criminal defense at both the trial and appellate levels, but, perhaps more importantly, he cares about the person behind the criminal allegation. With our firm by your side, you can rest assured that you’ll receive the best possible defense from someone who sees you as more than your criminal charge.
There’s no substitute for personalized service from a dedicated, energetic, and meticulous defense lawyer who consistently gets the best results. If you or someone you know is in trouble in Texas, contact Chris Perri at (512) 269-0260 for a free consultation today.
Select Awards, Publications, and Media
Awards and Recognitions
Named one of Austin’s Top Attorneys by Austin Monthly Magazine for 2021, 2022, and 2023
Selected to the premiere Texas SuperLawyers List for 2022 and 2023
Recognized by Expertise.com as one of the 2022 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Both Austin and Rock Rock
Selected to the exclusive and research-driven 2021 Super Lawyers Texas Rising Stars List
In 2021 and 2022, recognized as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the region by the National Trial Lawyers Association
Received the Avvo 2020 Clients’ Choice Award
Awarded with the 2016 Excellence in Public Interest Award, put forth by the University of Texas Law Fellowships Program
Publications
“Everything You Need to Know About Legal Cannabis in Texas.” Austin Monthly 6 Nov. 2023
“Three Tips to Avoid a Drinking or Boating While Intoxicated Charge This Summer.” Austin Monthly 24 July 2023
“Five Tips to Avoid a DWI This Holiday.” Do512 22 Dec. 2022
“What’s the Deal with Delta-9 THC in Austin?” Do512 27 Oct. 2022
“Crossing State Lines with Weed—Know the Risk.” Do512 23 Sept. 2022
“Abortion in Texas: Where the Law Stands Now.” Do512 29 July 2022
“Boating While Intoxicated: What You Need to Know.” Do512. 1 July 2022
“Deterioration of Due Process for the Wrongfully Convicted.” Jurist News. 24 June 2022
“Criminal Records and Dating Apps: What You Need to Know.” Do512. 2 June 2022
“What Are My Options If Arrested for Drug Possession in Austin?” Do512. 14 April 2022
“Ten Tips on How to Avoid a Criminal Arrest This Holiday Season.” Do512. 7 Dec. 2021
“APD’s No Refusal Initiative: What You Need to Know.” Do512. 8 Oct. 2021
“Pleading the 5th: Everything to Know About Your Rights and the 5th Amendment in Austin.” Do512. 10 Sept. 2021
“Can You Be Arrested for Alcohol and Drugs While Camping and Hiking Near Austin?” Do512. 9 Aug. 2021
“A Form of THC Is Now Legal—Wait, What?” Do512. 11 June 2021
“How to Handle a Criminal Record When Applying for Jobs.” Do512. 9 April. 2021
“Magic Mushrooms and The Law: What You Need to Know.” Do512. 24 Feb. 2021
“The Case of Rosa Jimenez and the Uphill Battle of Freeing the Wrongfully Convicted.” Jurist News. 4 Feb. 2021
“Three Ways The Progressive New D.A. Could Transform Austin.” Do512. 22 Jan. 2021
“How to Help a Friend Facing DWI Charges in Travis County.” Do512. 15 Dec. 2020
“What the “Green Wave” Might Mean for Texas.” Do512. 20 Nov. 2020
“Know Your Voting Rights.” Do512. 14 Oct. 2020
“A Word Every Longhorn Should Know: Expunction.” The Daily Texan. 11 Oct. 2020
“We Should Reimagine the Legal Process to Overturn Faulty Convictions.” Austin American-Statesman, 31 July 2020
“Austin’s Marijuana Laws: Explained.” Do512, 29 July 2020
“Know Your Rights When Interacting with the Cops.” Do512, 6 June 2020
“The Trial of Joe Biden in the Court of Public Opinion.” Jurist News. 14 May 2020
“Because of COVID-19, It’s Less Safe Behind Bars. Here’s How Federal Prisoners Can Petition to Get Their Sentences Reduced.” Austin Chronicle, 24 April 2020
“How Making a Murderer Exposes America's Flawed Jury System.” Austin American-Statesman. 4 Sept. 2016
“Expunction for DWI Arrest? Texas Law: Obtaining an Expunction.” Austin Chronicle: The Common Law. 3 Oct. 2014
“Does An Old Arrest Show Up on a Criminal Background Check? What's Best to Do After a Case Gets Dismissed” Austin Chronicle: The Common Law. 5 Sept. 2014
Media Appearances
Interview regarding Billy Faircloth and overturning Texas convictions. CBS News Austin. 29 Sept 2022
“Top Lawyers: Chris Perri of Chris Perri Law On The 5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law” interview. Authority Magazine. Oct. 2021
Visiting co-host of The Budding Report
“Wild Card.” Orange Tree Podcast, The Drag Audio Production House at The University of Texas at Austin, 4 Aug. 2020
“Innocent Until Proven Guilty.” The Foundation Podcast, Texas Public Policy Foundation, 28 Aug. 2018
Interview regarding DNA testing errors in Austin. KXAN. 14 Oct. 2015
In 2022, Expertise.com conducted a thorough and independent analysis of the lawyers in the area as part of their selection process, which included the following criteria: availability, qualifications, reputation, experience, and professionalism.
National Trial Lawyers only invites Top 100 Members who’ve been carefully screened for their exemplary reputation, achievements, certifications, leadership, and rankings from other sources. Chris was selected in 2021 and 2022.