Board Certified · Trial-Tested · DFW & Greater Houston

Texas Criminal Defense
Lawyers who try cases.

Most criminal cases never see a jury, because most criminal defense lawyers won't take one to a jury. We do. We have. Over 700 times. That's the difference prosecutors notice.

Set a Consultation → Call Now

Where do you stand right now?

Criminal defense isn't one thing. The right next step depends on what's already happened, and what hasn't.

Just Happened

I was arrested

You or someone with you was just taken in. The clock starts now. The first 48 hours shape everything that follows.

What to do first →

In Custody Now

A loved one was arrested

They're in jail. You need to know about bond, charges, and what they should not say. We can talk you through it tonight.

Call us now →

Pre-Charge

I'm being investigated

A detective called. A subpoena arrived. A search warrant was served. Hire counsel before charges are filed, not after.

Pre-charge defense →

Already Charged

I have a court date

Charges are filed. You have a setting. You either have a lawyer you don't trust, or no lawyer at all. Both are fixable.

Switch counsel →

What We Defend

The full range of Texas criminal charges.

Misdemeanor to capital felony. State court to federal court. Each category links to a deeper guide with the elements, penalties, defenses, and case examples.

01 / STATE COURT

Texas State Criminal Charges

DWI & Intoxication →

First-time DWI, felony DWI, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter.

Drug Crimes →

Possession, manufacturing, delivery, and possession with intent.

Assault & Family Violence →

Misdemeanor assault, aggravated assault, family violence, protective orders.

Sex Crimes →

Sexual assault, indecency, online solicitation, registration issues.

Murder & Homicide →

Murder, capital murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide.

Theft & Property Crimes →

Theft, burglary, organized retail theft, UUMV.

Weapons Offenses →

Unlawful carrying, felon in possession, prohibited weapons.

White Collar & Fraud →

Fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft.

02 / FEDERAL COURT

Federal Criminal Defense

Federal Drug Conspiracy →

Mandatory minimums, USSG calculations, safety valve, cooperation.

Federal Firearms Charges →

Felon in possession, NFA violations, 924(c) enhancements.

Federal Fraud & Financial →

Wire fraud, healthcare fraud, tax evasion, money laundering.

Supervised Release Violations →

Revocation hearings, Chapter 7 calculations, sentencing alternatives.

03 / SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Beyond the Charge

Juvenile Defense →

Delinquency, certification hearings, Board Certified juvenile specialists.

Expunctions & Nondisclosures →

Clear arrests and seal records where Texas law permits.

Probation Violations →

Motions to revoke, motions to adjudicate, modifications.

Why It Matters

Credentials prosecutors actually recognize.

We have 10 criminal defense lawyers. Three are Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Two more are Board Certified in Juvenile Law. Half our criminal team holds a Board Certification, a credential held by fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys overall.

Several of our lawyers are former prosecutors. They know how cases get built, and where they break.

And we are, above everything else, trial lawyers. Plea bargains exist because trials happen. Prosecutors negotiate differently with firms that will actually pick a jury.

700+

Jury Trials

1,600+

Dismissals

800+

Reductions

300+

No-Bills

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.

The Board Certified Specialists

Three lawyers. Three Board Certifications. One firm.

Fees

What a real defense costs.

Most criminal defense firms in Texas refuse to discuss fees on their website. We don't. Below is what representation typically costs at Varghese Summersett, charged as flat fees, not hourly billing. You'll know what defending your case costs before you sign anything.

Type of Case

Typical Range

What This Covers

Misdemeanor

$3,500 to $10,000

Pre-trial resolution of most Class A and Class B misdemeanors, including DWI, assault, theft, and drug possession.

Felony (State)

Starts at $7,500

State jail through first-degree felonies. Final fee depends on charge severity, evidence volume, and likelihood of trial.

Federal

Starts at $25,000

Federal indictments require a different level of preparation, including guidelines work, motion practice, and discovery review at scale.

Trial & Capital Cases

Quoted Separately

Jury trials and capital cases are scoped and priced to the specific matter.

Consultations are free and confidential. Payment plans are available on most matters.

Process

The first 48 hours after an arrest.

The decisions made in the first two days set the trajectory of the entire case. Here's how it should go.

Stay Silent

Do not give a statement. Do not consent to a search. Do not try to "explain." Invoke your right to a lawyer and stop talking, politely but absolutely.

Bond Out

Hire counsel before you sign anything at the magistration. A lawyer involved at this stage can sometimes lower the bond amount and remove unreasonable conditions.

Preserve Evidence

Save texts, call logs, surveillance, witness names, and timelines. Evidence disappears fast. The defense investigation starts before the prosecution's does.

Build the Defense

From the day you hire us, we work the case as if it's going to trial, even if it never does. That posture is exactly what produces the better resolution short of trial.

Our Offices

Where we practice.

Four offices across DFW and Greater Houston. Choose the office closest to your case for location-specific information.

Fort Worth

Headquarters · Tarrant County

300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Fort Worth criminal defense →

Dallas

Dallas County · Collin · Rockwall

2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 950
Dallas, TX 75201

Dallas criminal defense →

Houston

Harris County · Fort Bend

2925 Briarpark Drive
Houston, TX

Houston criminal defense →

Southlake

NE Tarrant · Denton · Collin

3120 Sabre Drive, Suite 110
Southlake, TX 76092

Southlake criminal defense →

Common Questions

What people ask before they hire us.

Do I need a criminal defense lawyer if I haven't been charged yet? +

Yes, and the earlier the better. If law enforcement has contacted you, served a search warrant, or made you aware that you are under investigation, the time to hire counsel is now. Pre-charge representation can sometimes prevent charges from being filed, narrow what gets charged, or position the defense before evidence is locked in. Once an indictment is returned, your leverage drops.

What is the difference between being arrested and being indicted in Texas? +

An arrest happens when police take you into custody on probable cause. An indictment is a separate, later step in felony cases where a grand jury reviews the evidence and decides whether formal felony charges should be filed. You can be arrested and never indicted, or indicted without ever having been arrested. Misdemeanor cases proceed by information rather than indictment.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Texas? +

Most reputable criminal defense firms in Texas charge flat fees rather than hourly billing. At Varghese Summersett, misdemeanor representation typically ranges from $3,500 to $10,000 depending on the charge and complexity. Felony representation generally starts at $7,500 and scales with the severity of the charge. Federal cases generally start at $25,000. Jury trials and capital cases are quoted separately.

What does Board Certified in Criminal Law mean in Texas? +

Board Certification is a credential awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to attorneys who have demonstrated substantial trial experience, passed a rigorous examination, received favorable peer evaluations from judges and other attorneys, and met continuing legal education requirements. Fewer than 10 percent of Texas attorneys hold a Board Certification in any specialty. It is the highest formal credential available to a practicing Texas lawyer.

Can a Texas criminal charge be dismissed or reduced? +

Yes. Texas criminal charges can be dismissed outright, reduced to a lesser offense, resolved through pretrial diversion, or won at trial. Outcomes depend on the facts, the evidence, the defendant's history, and the quality and timing of the defense. Early intervention almost always produces better options than late representation.

Should I talk to the police if I'm innocent? +

No. Innocent people are convicted every year on statements they gave to police trying to clear things up. You have a constitutional right to remain silent and a constitutional right to an attorney. Use both. Politely decline to answer questions, do not consent to searches, and ask to speak with a lawyer. Being polite is not being cooperative, and silence is not an admission of guilt.