Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyers

Whether you are facing a criminal accusation or you’ve been arrested, you need to mount the best defense possible. At Varghese Summersett, we know from experience the best defense is a proactive defense. While time can sometimes be a useful tool in our tool belt, the tools available to us early are often the most powerful. Stopping a case or allegation in its tracks is as good as it gets.

At Varghese Summersett, we have gathered what we believe to be the best criminal defense lawyers in Fort Worth to help you through the most challenging time of your life. The great equalizer when it comes to fighting back is trial experience. So when we put this team together, we weren’t just looking for lawyers we subjectively believed to be the best. Instead, we gathered a team of trial lawyers known for their tenacity and results. We did this because we know that a trial lawyer is always in a better position to get the best possible outcome, whether a case is resolved through negotiation or trial.

Our focus is on providing aggressive, compassionate, and skilled representation for the fight that is to come.

Our Experience as Fort Worth Criminal Defense Attorneys

All of the partners at our firm started their careers as prosecutors. It is not just that we know the State’s playbook; it is that, in many cases, we helped write the playbook. Who better to dismantle a case than someone who knows how to build the best case? That also means we came up through the local bar as the judges and most senior prosecutors were coming up. We have known them and practiced in front of, alongside, or against them for years. All our Partners at our firm have at least a decade of experience, most closer to or over two decades. Three of the Partners at the firm are Board Certified in Criminal Law. Another Partner is Board Certified in Juvenile Law. Together, there is no criminal accusation we cannot defend in the state or federal court.

Schedule a consultation with us today.

Our Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyer Analyzes 2024 Tarrant County Jury Trials

Tarrant County Criminal Trial Outcomes (2024)

An analysis of jury trials in Tarrant County in 2024

Our Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyer completed an in-depth analysis of the data published by the Office of Court Administration. We took a look at the cases that went to jury trial in Tarrant County. Before we get into the numbers, it is important to understand that every criminal case is different, as are the factors that affect whether a case goes to trial. For example, a large number of capital murder cases go to trial and one reason is a person cannot plead guilty if the state is seeking the death penalty – the case must go to trial. Similarly, just because a much larger number of cases with child victims go to trial does not mean there are fewer adult sexual assaults. Factors such as the credibility of witnesses, the desire to stand up for children, and the hope that a jury will convict someone accused of an egregious crime all play into whether a case goes to trial.

Starting with misdemeanor cases, for first-time DWI offenses, juries returned 44 convictions and 14 acquittals. Second-time DWI trials in Tarrant County show a near-even split between convictions and acquittals. Out of 13 total second-time DWI trials, 7 ended in guilty verdicts, while 6 resulted in not-guilty verdicts. In other words, the conviction rate here was just over 50%. Prosecutors may have a harder time resolving cases through pleas when it is an allegation of a second DWI.

Family violence assault jury trials in Tarrant County had the following results. Juries convicted 8 defendants and acquitted 5, totaling 13 trials. This translates to a roughly 62% conviction rate for those cases. In simple Assault trials, 4 out of 7 defendants were found guilty, giving those charges a 57% conviction rate overall.

According to 2024 data from the Office of Court Administration, Capital Murder trials led to 7 guilty verdicts and 1 acquittal. This translates to an 87.5% conviction rate for one of the most serious charges on the books. In Murder cases, Tarrant County juries convicted defendants 11 times and acquitted only once, which works out to a roughly 92% conviction rate.

Aggravated Assault and Attempted Murder cases accounted for 18 convictions and 5 acquittals, putting the conviction rate near 78%. Sexual Assault of an adult ended in 2 convictions and no acquittals, a 100% conviction rate based on the trials reported, albeit with very few adult sexual assault cases going to trial. Child Sexual Offense trials had the most activity, with 27 convictions and 7 acquittals (about 79% conviction rate). For Felony Family Violence charges, juries convicted 6 times and acquitted 2, producing a 75% conviction rate. Robbery, including Aggravated Robbery, saw 7 convictions and no acquittals, another 100% conviction rate.

Out of a total of 94 trials across these offense categories, 78 resulted in convictions (an overall conviction rate of roughly 83%)

These acquittals serve as a reminder that not every defendant is found guilty, even after arrest, indictment (in felony cases), and sometimes years of negotiations. Each trial hinges on the unique facts of the case, the strength of the evidence, and how effectively both the prosecution and defense present their arguments. For anyone facing serious charges in Tarrant County, these numbers emphasize the importance of a solid legal strategy and an understanding of how local juries tend to decide these cases.

Cases Filed vs. Case Tried to Juries in Tarrant County

When we compare the number of cases that go to trial with the total number filed, it becomes clear that only a small fraction ever reaches a jury. For example, in 2024, 3,788 first-time DWIs were filed, yet only 58 went to trial—about 1.5%. Meanwhile, 733 second-time DWI cases were filed, but only 13 (roughly 1.8%) reached a jury. On the felony side, 37 capital murder charges were filed and just 8 proceeded to trial, or about 22%. Prosecutors play a significant role in deciding which cases move forward to a jury, but even then, they don’t win every case they bring. This underscores how crucial it is for defendants to have a strong defense team whenever the stakes are high enough to go before a jury.

Varghese Summersett Fort Worth Location

Varghese Summersett is located in the heart of Fort Worth at 300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700, Fort Worth, TX 76102. We are on the 7th floor of the One City Place building, which many Fort Worth natives remember as the Tandy Center. You can find us on Throckmorton Street, just past Third Street.

Varghese Summersett is at the heart of Fort Worth’s bustling legal district just steps away from the iconic Sundance Square Plaza. The firm’s prime downtown location places it within a five-minute walk of both the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center and the Eldon B. Mahon Federal Courthouse, making it perfectly situated for any courtroom battle. This strategic position, only three blocks from the historic Tarrant County Courthouse allows the firm’s legal team to serve clients efficiently and effectively. The office’s location in a modern high-rise offers commanding views of downtown Fort Worth while providing convenient access to parking options.

How to Get to the Criminal Defense Lawyers at Varghese Summersett Fort Worth

Get Directions to Varghese Summersett

Driving Directions

From the North (Denton, Alliance, Saginaw)

1. Take I-35W South toward Fort Worth.
2. Merge onto TX-280 Spur toward Downtown.
3. Continue straight, then take the exit toward Taylor Street.
4. Turn right onto Taylor Street.
5. Turn right onto 3rd Street or 4th Street.
6. Turn right onto Throckmorton Street.
7. One City Place will be on your right.

From the South (Burleson, Crowley, Mansfield)

1. Take I-35W North toward Fort Worth.
2. Merge onto I-30 West toward Abilene.
3. Take Exit 15A and merge onto Houston Street northbound.
4. Turn right onto 3rd Street or 4th Street.
5. Turn right onto Throckmorton Street.
6. One City Place will be on your right.

From the East (Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas)

1. Take I-30 West toward Fort Worth.
2. Use Exit 15A and merge onto Houston Street northbound.
3. Turn right onto 3rd Street or 4th Street.
4. Turn right onto Throckmorton Street.
5. One City Place will be on your right.

From the West (Weatherford, Aledo, Benbrook)

1. Take I-30 East toward Fort Worth.
2. Use Exit 12B for Forest Park Blvd.
3. Turn right onto Forest Park Blvd.
4. Turn left onto W. 5th Street.
5. Turn right onto Throckmorton Street.
6. One City Place will be on your right.

Building Access

Once you arrive at the One City Place building, take the elevators to the 7th floor. Our office is located in Suite 700. If you have any trouble finding us, feel free to call our office at (817) 203-2220, and we will be happy to assist you.

Areas We Serve

We regularly handle criminal cases throughout Fort Worth and the surrounding areas in Tarrant County. This includes:

• Arlington
• Bedford
• Burleson
• Colleyville
• Fort Worth
• Grapevine
• Haltom City
• Keller
• Mansfield
• North Richland Hills
• Richland Hills
• Saginaw
• Sansom Park
• Southlake
• Trophy Club
• Watauga
• Westlake
• Westover Hills

Volunteer Opportunities in Tarrant County

Giving back to the community is important to us. Here are some local organizations where you can volunteer your time:

• Tarrant Area Food Bank: Help fight hunger by volunteering at the food bank.
• SafeHaven of Tarrant County: Support victims of domestic violence by getting involved with this vital organization.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star: Mentor a child and make a difference in their life.
• Ronald McDonald House Fort Worth: Provide comfort and support to families with sick children.

Local Organizations We Trust and Support

At Varghese Summersett, we believe in supporting our community. We are proud to work with and support the following local organizations:

• Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCCDLA): TCCDLA supports the rights of the accused and provides resources for defense lawyers in Tarrant County.
• Trinity Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity believes in providing a hand up, not a handout. The homeowners work side by side with volunteers to build a home for their families.
• Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce: We actively participate in and support our local chamber to help promote economic growth in Fort Worth.