Monica R. Khirallah
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in San Antonio, Texas
Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys
Practice areas: Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 2011
Education: Ave Maria School of Law
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Rising Stars: 2020 - 2025 Call today:
210-816-6228
Free Consultation Michael & Associates Criminal Defense Attorneys
321 S Flores StSuite A
San Antonio, TX 78204 Visit website
Details 
Monica R. Khirallah is a seasoned criminal defense trial attorney with Michael and Associates, representing clients across Bexar, Kendall, and surrounding counties. Her practice focuses on serious felony offenses, including assault, drug crimes, intoxication-related charges, manslaughter, and a broad spectrum of criminal matters.
Ms. Khirallah is known for her strategic and client-focused approach, tailoring each defense to the specific facts and goals of the case. Whether through trial or negotiation, she is dedicated to securing the best possible outcomes for her clients through vigorous and thorough representation.
Before entering criminal defense, Ms. Khirallah served as a state prosecutor, where she developed extensive courtroom experience—successfully managing thousands of cases and trying nearly 60 jury trials. She has since built on that foundation as a defense attorney, with nearly 100 jury trials to her credit.
Ms. Khirallah earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Dallas in 2007 and her Juris Doctor from Ave Maria School of Law in 2011. While in law school, she served as vice president of the moot court board and competed nationally with the Texas Young Lawyers Association mock trial team. She has been licensed to practice in Texas since 2011 and is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Western, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas.
Fluent in Spanish, Ms. Khirallah is a committed advocate for the Spanish-speaking community. Her dedication, skill, and results have earned her a “Superb” rating on Avvo and recognition in the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 list.
Practice areas
Criminal DefenseFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Debt, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations
- 100% Criminal Defense
First Admitted: 2011, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://zealousadvocate.com/attorneys/monica-khirallah/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Texas, 2011
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- San Antonio Bar Association
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Member
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Member
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Denton County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Treasurer
- 11th Annual Jolly Roger Legal Seminar, Co-Chair, 2018
- Assistant District Attorney for Denton County, 2012
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Client charged with the first degree felony offense of aggravated assault of a public servant, unlawful carrying of a firearm, resisting arrest, and interference with public duties. Client learned that his little brother, a student at a local high school, was involved in an altercation at school. Client drove his truck on to school campus in a reckless manner and nearly hitting a police officer who was already on scene trying to detain Client's little brother. After obtaining video surveillance and demanding a trial, the State agreed to dismiss all charges with a plea to interference with public duties. Client was still subject to an immigration hold, but after 48 hour delay, and upon insistent argument with the Captain at the county jail, Client was released prior to going in to immigration custody. , 2025
- Client charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was in town working on aircraft for reputable company. He was staying at a motel and some co-workers gathered to drink and play cards after work. Later that night, surveillance video captured my client shooting one his co-worker in the abdomen and fleeing the scene. Client turned himself in a few days after the shooting. Case was dismissed prior to trial on the merits. , 2023
- Client charged with Assault Family Violence after his wife alleged abuse. The State sought a protective order for the safety of Client's wife and their two children. Despite numerous mitigation documents and historical data showing that the complaining witness, Client's wife, was mentally unstable and her accounting of the event inconsistent with the truth, the DAs office refused to drop the charges. For months, Client was deprived access to his children. The case was set for trial and on the morning that jury selection was scheduled to begin, the DA filed a motion to dismiss. Client's record was expunged, he secured a family attorney and was reunited with his children., 2023
- The State of Texas v. RH- 05/20/2023, On retrial for continuous sexual assault of a child, the case was tried again to a new jury. After three days of testimony and two days of deliberation, the jury requested to come back Tuesday following the memorial day weekend holiday. When the Parties returned to court, it was learned that client committed suicide Tuesday morning awaiting the jury verdict. A mistrial was declared but the foreperson of the jury later confirmed that the jury had reached a unanimous verdict prior to learning of the mistrial. Their verdict would have been not guilty. , 2023
- State of Texas v. GH-03/07/2023, Client charged with assault family violence. During trial, the complaining witness (Client's wife) testified that client intentionally dropped a bandsaw on her foot causing injury. During complaining witness' testimony, the State violated a motion in limine on redirect and a mistrial was declared. The State dismissed the case in the interest of justice a few days later., 2023
- Client was on pretrial probation for murder, and is arrested for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. As a result of two mistrials on the murder charge, the State was motivated to punish him to the full extent of the law on the drug case. He was living in a trap house. Surveillance was initiated. Law enforcement sent in confidential informants. They built a case, secured a search warrant, and effectuated a drug bust at his home. Due to prior criminal history, he was facing a minimum of 25 years and up to life in prison. He burned through three or four lawyers, the case was set for trial by the time I was retained. I filed and had a hearing for Disclosure of Confidential Informants, had a hearing to compel GPS discovery and pretrial probation records, I filed a motion to suppress evidence knowing that there was an issue with the drugs and chain of custody. Negotiated back and forth with the DA for nearly 6 months trying to reach an acceptable plea deal. Client refused all offers, demanded a trial. After multiple trial resets, the Court denied any more continuances. The DA dismissed the case on the eve of trial and Client was immediately released from a GPS monitor that had been tracking him for nearly three years., 2022
- State Of Texas v. RH - 10/21/2022, Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child. Client was facing a minimum of 25 years and up to life in prison having been accused of sexually assaulting his step daughter for many years. When the complaining witness turned 16, she outcried. Result: Mistrial declared after nearly 16 hours of deliberation., 2022
- Client needed representation for a school hearing regarding a Title IX Violation of a University School Code of Conduct. It was alleged that after a school sponsored event, he assaulted his girlfriend who was passed out in the bedroom closet. The alleged assault was captured on video. Client faced expulsion from school among other severe sanctions. After a three hour hearing, the board issued a warning and Client remained in good standing with the school., 2022
- State Of Texas v. NS - 04/21/2022, Client was charged with felony fraudulent use and possession of identifying information. He had a history of similar charges in another county. His mobile app device was used to deposit a check that had been forged. He was seen on camera going in to the bank a couple days later to withdraw the funds. Client refused all offers, including time served on a misdemeanor theft. A jury found him not guilty after a few hours of deliberation., 2022
- State Of Texas v. AR - 12/09/2019, Driving While Intoxicated. Client arrested for DWI and had DACA status. Set the case for trial. Result: Dismissed prior to trial, 2019
- State Of Texas v. PM - 05/08/2019, Client charged with felony DWI 3rd or more in Denton County. Case reduced to misdemeanor DWI 2nd after presenting district attorney with case law on use of prior judgments and demonstrating that the prior did not meet the requirements of a valid judgment., 2019
- Client charged with felony assault family violence, interference with 911 call, and possession of marijuana, 2019
- Client charged with felony assault of public servant. Case dismissed by district attorneys office after indictment by grand jury., 2019
- State Of Texas v. TM - 04/01/2019, Client No Billed by Dallas County Grand Jury in felony unlawful possession of firearm in a prohibited place after submitting a grand jury packet., 2019
- State Of Texas v. RW - 01/09/2019, Client charged with felony DWI 3rd or more in Dallas County. Case reduced to Class B misdemeanor DWI after presenting district attorney with case law on use of prior judgments and demonstrating that the prior did not meet the requirements of a valid judgment., 2018
- State Of Texas v. NF - 03/05/2020, Client was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against the mother of his child and his child after allegedly holding a gun to their head and holding them hostage. Under the habitual offender statute, he was facing a minimum of 25 years and up to life prison. The Dallas County Assistant District Attorney offered 12 years incarceration. Client rejected the offer and set both cases for trial. After three and a half days of evidence and a day and a half of deliberations, the jury was unable to render a unanimous verdict in either case and a mistrial was declared for both cases. After the mistrial, the District Attorney offered 5 years deferred probation., 2018
- State Of Texas v. CS - 12/06/2018, Client acquitted by Denton County jury in sex assault of child case by three count indictment. As co-counsel, Ms. Khirallah assisted in case evaluation, development of theme and cross examination of the State’s witnesses. Client was a thirty four year old man with a preliminary diagnosis of Asperger's. The complaining witness was a high school student. After a four day trial, the jury deliberated 30 minutes before returning a Not Guilty verdict., 2018
- State Of Texas v. EA - 06/27/2019, Client acquitted by Denton County jury in assault family violence case., 2017
- Felony theft of property case dismissed prior to trial. Client charged with stealing a motorcycle. He had been asked to make repairs after multiple crashes of the bike. When Victim failed to pay for the bike, Client sold it at the request of the Victim. Victim later decided the bike was stolen by my client and the State pursued charges. Case was set for trial and dismissed by the DA in the interest of justice just prior to trial., 2017
- Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon dismissed. Client arrested for possessing drugs and subsequently had a weapon on him at the time of the arrest. Drug labs came back negative for a controlled substance. The drug case was dismissed and this UCW case was also dismissed in the interest of justice., 2017
- Felony possession of controlled substance dismissed. Labs came back negative for any sort of illegal drug. DA dismissed case in the interest of justice., 2017
- Felony Impersonation of Officer dismissed prior to trial. Client had red and blue lights connected to his car and flashed them at a couple during a road rage incident. Victims refused to testify at trial and would not cooperate in the prosecution of the case. Case dismissed prior to trial., 2017
- DWI probation granted after trial verdict of guilty. Client charged with Felony DWI and had a significant criminal history from years passed. He was facing 5-99 years if convicted. Prior to trial, the Client's offer from the DA was 12 years. Though the jury would not be assessing punishment (and could not consider probation even if they were to assess punishment), they submitted a note to the Court requesting leniency and rehabilitation when they delivered their guilty verdict. The Court honored the jury's request and assessed probation post conviction., 2017
- State Of Texas v. JG - 06/14/2017, Client acquitted by jury in Assault Family Violence case where 911 caller stated that my Client was all over the road and punching a female passenger in the face. The 911 caller stated that my client also grabbed the victim by the hair and shoved her face into the car window 3 times. The victim denied any assault occurred both at the time of the arrest and at trial. Jury returned verdict of not guilty., 2017
- Deadly Conduct dismissed. Client in truck picking son up for custody visit; victim (ex-wife) was trying to hug kid goodbye in back seat and Client puts car in drive and starts driving off. Victim had history of theft case convictions and revocations. Court found her not truthful in a prior domestic violence case where my Client was arrested and put in jail and later acquitted of those charges by a jury. DA agreed to dismiss this case after learning of prior case history., 2016
- Client acquitted by jury in Assault Family Violence case. Victim and victim's daughter alleged Client whapped her across the chest and face with a belt and subsequently threw a remote control at her head. Victim did not show up to testify. The 911 call and photographs presented at trial despite multiple objections did not corroborate the Victim's story. Verdict returned not guilty., 2016
- Client acquitted by jury in DWI case. Client, firefighter, was arrested and charged with DWI when he forgot to put his truck in park and rolled in to the gas station store. He drove off and was later found by police at his house, in the backyard. The witnesses in trial could not identify my client as the driver. Verdict returned not guilty., 2016
- Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon was reduced to Assault Family Violence, and reduced again to Deadly Conduct, and finally dismissed. Client cheated on her husband and when he found out, he demanded an ultimatum that she choose between him or the other guy. She responded by pulling out a steak knife. Case dismissed., 2016
- DWI reduced to obstruction of highway or passageway. Client pulled over due to welfare call about potential suicide. Handle of whiskey in bed of truck, three different agencies arrived to assist in the investigation, officer botched the administration of the field tests, Client's blood result was .11 over three hours after the stop. Case was set for trial and DA agreed to obstruction prior to trial commencing., 2015
- Felony Evading Arrest in Vehicle reduced to Class C reckless driving ticket. Client pulled over for nearly hitting three pedestrians and officer on side of street when he was going to pick up his girlfriend from bar district at night. Video did not indicate any of the alleged information provided by the officer in the Probable Cause Affidavit. 2nd degree felony due to prior penitentiary trip enhancement paragraph was reduced to a Class C ticket and Client sentenced to time served., 2015
- DWI reduced to obstruction of highway or passageway. Client was out celebrating her son's 21st birthday. Pulled over for failure to maintain a single lane. Client failed the standard field sobriety tests. Blood was drawn and labs indicated alcohol level was .06 and there was the presence of hydrocodone and Xanax. Prior to trial, we submitted a preliminary oral argument requesting suppression of certain evidence. Judge came back with a "preliminary advisory opinion" based on the presented information and that he would be inclined to grant a suppression at trial. DA offered obstruction prior to trial. Client sentenced to pay $500 fine and complete 16 months deferred adjudication probation., 2015
- Felony theft of motor vehicle dismissed. Client pulled over for report of stolen vehicle. The real license plate was covered with a fake paper plate. Client didn't know the car was stolen when she borrowed it to go to grocery store., 2015
- Theft >$50<$500 dismissed. Client charged with stealing cellphone from gym locker room. Evidence showed she pawned the cell phone at a kiosk. Dismissed in the interest of justice., 2015
- DWI reduced to obstruction of highway or passageway. Client went to pick up friends from a bar after having played softball all day. He failed the standard field tests and refused to provide a sample of breath or blood. Was sentenced to pay a $200 fine and complete 12 months of deferred adjudication probation., 2015
- DWI with open alcohol container reduced to obstruction of highway or passageway. Client pulled over for failing to maintain single lane. Spent afternoon at a bar, a bar receipt showed 15 drinks were purchased, failed the standard field sobriety tests. Was sentenced to pay $400 fine and complete 12 months of deferred probation., 2015
Educational Background
- University of Dallas, Irving, Texas, B.A. (Major: Political Philosophy, Minor: Spanish), 2007
Honors
- Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Texas, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2023
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2024
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2022
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2020-2024
- “Superb” Rating on Avvo
- Vice President of the moot court board and Actively Contributed to the Texas Young Lawyers Association mock trial team, Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Florida
- Texas Rising Stars, Texas Monthly, 2023
- Texas Rising Stars, Texas Monthly, 2022
- Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Texas, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2021
- Texas Rising Stars, Texas Monthly, 2021
- Texas Rising Stars, Texas Monthly, 2020
- Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Texas, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2020
- Monica R. Khirallah of the Law Office of Monica R. Khirallah in Dallas has been selected for inclusion into its Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers in Texas, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field. Membership in this exclusive organization is by invitation only, and is limited to the top 40 attorneys in each state or region who have demonstrated excellence and have achieved outstanding results in their careers in either civil plaintiff or criminal defense law. The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization comprised of the premier trial lawyers from across the country who have demonstrated exceptional qualifications in criminal defense or civil plaintiff law. The National Trial Lawyers provides accreditation to these distinguished attorneys, and also provides essential legal news, information, and continuing education to trial lawyers across the United States. With the selection of Monica R. Khirallah by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, Ms. Khirallah has shown that she exemplifies superior qualifications, leadership skills, and trial results as a trial lawyer. The selection process for this elite honor is based on a multi-phase process which includes peer nominations combined with third party research. , National Trial Lawyers Association, 2019
- Recognized by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys as Ten Best Attorneys for exceptional and outstanding client service and satisfaction in Texas., 2019
Industry Groups
- Assault
- Assault Family Violence
- Drug Possession
- DWI
- Probation Revocation
- Theft
Office location for Monica R. Khirallah
321 S Flores St
Suite A
San Antonio, TX 78204
Phone: 210-816-6228
Selections
6 Years Rising Stars
- Rising Stars: 2020 - 2025
