Not Every Dallas Criminal Defense
Attorney Tries Cases. We Do.

Dallas Criminal Defense Attorneys at Varghese Summersett

If you have been arrested in Dallas County, your case will move through the Frank Crowley Courts Building on Riverfront Boulevard, and the attorneys at Varghese Summersett are there every week. From our office at 2100 Ross Avenue in downtown Dallas, minutes from both the county courts and the Earle Cabell Federal Building, we defend people charged with everything from first-offense DWI to federal conspiracy.

Varghese Summersett is one of the most credentialed criminal defense firms in Dallas: five Board Certified attorneys, former Dallas County and Tarrant County prosecutors on staff, and a team of 70+ legal professionals. Our track record, more than 1,600 dismissals, 800 charge reductions, 300 grand jury no-bills, and 550 jury trials, reflects work done in these specific courtrooms, before these specific judges and prosecutors. The Dallas Observer named us the "Best DWI Firm in Dallas," and our clients have left more than 1,100 five-star Google reviews.

Many of our attorneys are former prosecutors who spent years on the other side of the courtroom, learning how Dallas County builds cases, evaluates evidence, and makes charging decisions. That insider knowledge translates directly into sharper trial strategies and stronger plea negotiations. We have also been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, a reflection of the infrastructure and resources we bring to complex, high-stakes cases.

A criminal case in Dallas County.

Dallas County processes tens of thousands of criminal cases each year. The district attorney's office employs hundreds of prosecutors whose sole job is securing convictions. They have teams of investigators, lab technicians, and years of experience building cases against people in your situation. Walking into a Dallas courtroom without experienced legal representation means facing a system designed to move cases through quickly, often at the defendant's expense.

Many people believe they can handle misdemeanor charges on their own. This is almost always a mistake. Even a Class C misdemeanor creates a permanent criminal record visible on background checks for the rest of your life. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards all run these checks. A conviction you thought was minor can cost you a job offer a decade from now.

What Must the Prosecution Prove?

In every criminal case in Texas, the prosecution carries the entire burden of proof. The defendant is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove anything. To secure a conviction, the State must prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest standard of proof in the American legal system. Effective criminal defense targets specific elements. If the State cannot prove you acted intentionally, the charge fails. If the evidence was obtained through an illegal search, it can be suppressed. Our attorneys identify the weakest links in every case and build defense strategies around them.

Misdemeanor Penalties

Class C Misdemeanor: Fine up to $500, no jail time. Examples include minor theft, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication.

Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in county jail, fine up to $2,000. Examples include first-offense DWI, possession of small amounts of marijuana, and criminal trespass.

Class A Misdemeanor: Up to one year in county jail, fine up to $4,000. Examples include assault causing bodily injury, DWI with BAC over 0.15, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

Felony Penalties

State Jail Felony: 180 days to 2 years in state jail, fine up to $10,000. Examples include theft of property worth $2,500 to $30,000 and certain drug possession charges.

Third-Degree Felony: 2 to 10 years in prison, fine up to $10,000. Examples include DWI third offense and assault on a family member with a prior conviction.

Second-Degree Felony: 2 to 20 years in prison, fine up to $10,000. Examples include aggravated assault, robbery, and certain drug offenses.

First-Degree Felony: 5 to 99 years or life in prison, fine up to $10,000. Examples include aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, and murder.