Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers

Defending Your Rights, Protecting Your Future

If you have been arrested and are now facing criminal charges, one of your most important decisions is who you choose as your defense attorney. When dealing with criminal matters, you must choose a defense attorney with the knowledge and skill to help you obtain a favorable outcome and prevent you from having a criminal record.

Shane Phelps Law has a proven record of successfully helping clients navigate the Texas criminal justice system. Our defense attorneys recognize that sometimes good people make poor choices that result in them having to deal with overwhelming legal issues.

No matter your legal issue, our criminal defense attorneys have comprehensive experience and will fight to protect your rights and future. If you or a family member have been charged in a criminal case, contact Shane Phelps Law at our Bryan and Colleges Station offices and ask to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation so we may determine how we can address your legal issues.

How may we help you?

DWI Defense
Criminal Defense

DWI

Intoxication Assault

Intoxication Manslaughter

DWI Penalties

Underage DUI

Criminal Defense

College Students

Drug Crimes

Manslaughter

Sex Crimes

Violent Crimes

What are the Advantages of Hiring a Criminal Defense Law Firm?

Many defendants are unaware of the scope of legal services that defense attorneys provide to clients. Some of the most significant advantages of hiring a criminal defense law firm include:

Knowledge of the legal system: A criminal defense team has comprehensive experience with criminal law and the various legal processes involved with representing clients
Professional case analysis: Our team of criminal defense lawyers is trained to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the state’s evidence and how it can affect the outcome of the case
Crafting aggressive defense strategies: A criminal defense legal team can craft aggressive defense strategies that give their clients an advantage
Negotiating with prosecutors: One of the most important roles of a defense lawyer and their team is the ability to negotiate with the prosecutor to try and have charges reduced or dismissed or advocate for probation or a diversion program
Trial experience: If negotiations with the state fail, a criminal defense law firm can provide legal representation should your case go to trial

What Are The Advantages of hiring a criminal defense lawyer

Client Success Stories

Very friendly with immigration

One of the best attorneys. Very friendly with immigration clients. One of my friend’s cases got dismissed. Shane is a humble, empathetic man

Shreyansh C.

It felt like they became part of our family

There aren’t enough stars or words to express our appreciation to the Shane Phelps Law Firm. It felt like they became part of our family. We were blessed to have Shane represent us. Thanks to Shane and his staff, our daughter can now go on with her life plans.

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Amazing service to our family

Reilly Garrett provided amazing service to our family. We had a situation that potentially required retaining a lawyer. In the end it wasn’t needed but Reilly provided great advice to our family on steps to take and helped put our mind at ease. Hopefully we won’t need legal counsel in the future, but if we do, Reilly is who we will call!

Kathy P.

wonderful job passing my messages

The Shane Phelps Law Office were appointed to be my court appointed lawyer and did a thorough job working with the District Attorney to come to reasonable plea deal. The lady in the office also did a wonderful job passing my messages and arranging my private meetings with my lawyer. I was treated very well over the almost 2 years (due on the DA’s part) it took to reach a plea. THANKYOU SO MUCH.

Tee K.

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What Makes Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Stand Out Over Others?

At Shane Phelps Law, we pride ourselves on a team that is highly skilled in the legal field and deeply committed to our clients’ needs. Our team’s diverse backgrounds and experiences contribute to a rich understanding of criminal law, ensuring comprehensive and effective representation for our clients.

What sets Shane Phelps Law apart is our approach to criminal defense. We believe in a holistic strategy that combines rigorous legal analysis, innovative problem-solving, formidable trial ability and compassionate client care. Our team works collaboratively on every case, ensuring that our clients benefit from the full breadth of our collective expertise. Our cutting-edge criminal defense strategies are aimed at resolving cases efficiently, providing clients with a new lease on life.

We understand that facing criminal charges can be one of the most challenging times in a person’s life. We are committed to guiding our clients through this process with dignity and respect. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionately committed to ensuring that all clients benefit from our services as we work to protect their rights and freedom.

What you need to know

Shane’s Top Ten Rules for
Avoiding Trouble at A&M, Blinn & Beyond.

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Meet Our Team

Shane Phelps

lead Attorney

As founder of Shane Phelps Law, Bryan/College Station criminal defense attorney Shane Phelps has a reputation as a leading trial lawyer in the Central Texas area. With decades of experience as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney, Shane has tried more than 300 jury trials, everything from DWI to Capital Murder.

Reilly Garrett

Attorney

Reilly Garrett joins Shane Phelps Law with an exceptional history of service to both country and community. Prior to graduating from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice, Reilly enlisted in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman in 2005 and would go on to serve two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his military service Reilly achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star among other numerous awards and medals.

Aaron Kleinschmidt

Attorney

Aaron Kleinschmidt comes to Shane Phelps Law. with an exceptional background. Aaron graduated from Texas A&M in College Station with a bachelor of science degree in genetics. As an Aggie student, Aaron immersed himself in high-level genetics and biochemistry research while pursuing his degree.

Meet Our Team

Years of Excellence: Experience Matters

Founded by Shane Phelps in 2011, Shane Phelps Law has established itself as a beacon of hope and excellence in criminal defense. Our story began over a decade ago with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide the highest standard of legal representation to those facing criminal charges and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.

Before founding our law firm, Shane Phelps was the First Assistant District Attorney with the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office. His extensive experience as a prosecutor gives him unique insight into how the state pursues criminal offenses and what defense strategies will be effective for clients.

Our other dedicated legal team members also offer many unique and diverse perspectives that give our law firm a definite advantage for our clients. Our Bryan and College Station criminal defense attorneys use their combined years of experience to protect clients’ rights and create innovative legal strategies to obtain favorable client outcomes.

does your criminal defense team have the experience

why choose us

Committed to upholding values

Shane Phelps Law remains committed to upholding the values that have defined our past: integrity, excellence, and a relentless pursuit of justice. We continue to evolve, adopting new technologies and legal strategies better to serve our clients in an ever-changing legal landscape.

Holistic criminal defense strategy

Our law firm believes in a holistic criminal defense strategy that combines rigorous legal analysis, innovative problem-solving, and compassionate client care. Our dedicated legal professionals work collaboratively on every case, ensuring that our clients benefit from the full breadth of our collective experience.

Comprehensive experience

Our criminal defense attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience, which we use to ensure clients receive the best defense possible. Our team utilizes their varying legal perspectives to create aggressive defense strategies tailored to each client’s needs, ensuring they can feel confident in our legal services.

Compassionate

At Shane Phelps Law, our professional legal team knows that good people can make poor choices that can lead to criminal charges. We believe strongly that no one should be defined by a single mistake. For this reason, we make no judgments but instead focus on building strong, trusting attorney-client relationships. We strive to treat our clients with care, integrity, and the respect they deserve.

Honest evaluations

When clients come to us for help, we professionally analyze their cases and provide honest evaluations of what we can do to help. Unlike other law firms, which often make promises they cannot keep, we strive to provide realistic feedback, so clients always know what to expect as their cases progress.

Skilled negotiators

Our criminal defense attorneys are skilled negotiators who are fearless in defending our clients’ rights. For some clients, their case’s outcome can have potential negative life-changing consequences. For this reason, we work alongside prosecutors to try to have charges dismissed or reach plea agreements that will provide our clients with favorable results.

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What Type of Results Can I Expect From Your Criminal Defense Law Firm?

Shane Phelps Law recognizes that individuals accused of criminal offenses want their cases to be concluded quickly so they can put their charges behind them and continue their lives. However, criminal defense cases often move slowly through the Texas legal system.

Nevertheless, our attorneys work diligently with prosecutors to resolve criminal cases quickly. When you come to us for help, we thoroughly investigate the case from a defense standpoint to ensure we have all the facts and evidence needed to try to have the charges dismissed or reduced. However, we never sacrifice getting the best possible result for our clients just to resolve the case quicker. Sometimes, getting the best results takes time.

We are dedicated to providing you with a criminal defense attorney who will get you the best results possible for your case. Our more than 50 years of combined legal experience help us pinpoint inaccuracies in the state’s evidence that can give us a definite advantage over the prosecution and the ability to negotiate a favorable outcome for your case.

What Makes Shane Phelps Law the Best Choice to Defend Me Against Criminal Charges?

Shane Phelps Law believes in representing, educating, and empowering you. Our Texas law firm is a place where comprehensive experience meets commitment in criminal law. Led by attorney Shane Phelps, our firm stands as a beacon of hope and strength for those facing criminal charges.

Under his leadership, Shane Phelps Law has grown into a firm known for its deep legal insight, ethical practice, and impressive track record.

When you come to us for help with your legal matters, you can trust that our team will work diligently to protect your rights and freedom. Our first step is to thoroughly evaluate your criminal charges and provide an honest assessment of your case. We serve Brazos County, Washington County, Grimes County, and beyond!

If you need a criminal lawyer who will fight to ensure you receive fair treatment by state prosecutors, contact Shane Phelps Law at 979-596-6843, our Bryan and College Station, Texas, law office, to learn more about our criminal defense legal services.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Will a DWI go on my criminal record? Is there any way to get it removed from my record?

Yes, a DWI will go on your record if you are convicted or receive probation, including a deferred adjudication. However, if you are charged with a class B DWI (first offense, BAC lower than .15), or your case is reduced to a class B misdemeanor DWI, you may be eligible to have the record of your DWI arrest, probation, or conviction publicly sealed. This is called an “order of non-disclosure.” If a judge orders a non-disclosure in your DWI case, the arrest, charge, and sentence (probation or conviction) will be sealed from public view. This means that the public, including private employers, should not be able to see information regarding your DWI if they run a background check. However, state licensing agencies (many occupations, both professional and vocational, require state licensed) will always have access to the record of your DWI and you are required to disclose the arrest, charge, and sentence if you are applying for a license. In addition, prosecuting agencies and law enforcement will have access to your record as well.

You can apply for an order of non-disclosure two years after you successfully complete your probation. If you were convicted and received any jail sentence, you must wait five years before you can apply for an order of non-disclosure.

You will not be eligible for an order of non-disclosure if the circumstances of your DWI included an accident.

Finally, there are very limited ways a DWI can be completely erased from your record, known as an expunction. Some jurisdictions in Texas have pre-trial diversion programs for DWI (usually first offense with a BAC lower than .15). If you are offered a pre-trial diversion and successfully complete the conditions of the program, you can apply for an expunction to have the DWI wiped off your record. If you take your DWI case to trial and are acquitted, you can also have your record expunged.

Are all sex offenders required to register on the Texas Sex Offender Registry?

Not all convictions for sex crimes require criminal defendants to place their names on the Texas Sex Offender Registry. However, there are specific sex-related offenses that require mandatory registration, including indecency with a child, sexual assault, trafficking, child pornography, or aggravated sexual assault. Furthermore, individuals do not necessarily have to be found guilty and convicted to be forced to register. Even making a failed attempt can be enough for the court to order a person to register. Failure to register can result in an individual being arrested and sent to state prison.

Does Texas ever dismiss drug trafficking charges?

Texas state and federal courts are tough on drug trafficking. Due to our proximity to the Mexican border, law enforcement, and prosecutors look to make examples out of those who have been charged with drug trafficking. Nevertheless, in some cases, it is possible to have drug trafficking charges dismissed if there is a lack of evidence, the defendant’s civil rights were violated, or other problematic legal issues. However, the only way to have trafficking charges dropped is to hire a highly-trained criminal defense attorney who has extensive experience dealing with Texas drug cases.

How can a criminal conviction affect a current college student?

If you are a college student who is convicted of a crime, you could face harsh consequences. You can be subjected to criminal penalties such as jail time and steep fines from the Texas criminal justice system and your college. A criminal conviction could result in losing your financial aid or scholarships, being expelled, or suspended, or being forced off a college athletic team or club. For this reason, if you have been accused of a criminal offense, you must seek legal representation from a qualified attorney who will fight to protect your rights.

Can I be forced to leave my home if I have been accused of domestic violence?

Due to the rise in domestic violence cases throughout the state and nation, Texas has enacted strict laws that impose harsh penalties. If you are accused of domestic violence, a judge can order that you be forced to leave your home until the case is resolved. Additionally, you may lose custody of your children and, along with temporary loss of your gun rights. Depending on the facts and severity of the case, you could be sentenced to spend time in jail or state prison and be ordered to pay steep fines.

What types of drug offenses are tried in federal court?

Drug charges may be tried in either state or federal courts. However, there are only specific drug cases that are dealt with by federal officials. In most instances, cases that involve large quantities of illegal drugs or controlled substances, conspiracy, or drug trafficking are those that are dealt with by federal prosecutors. Anyone facing federal drug charges must hire a Texas criminal defense attorney qualified to argue cases in federal court. Federal laws and procedures differ significantly from those followed in state court, so criminal defendants must have a defense attorney familiar with the federal court system.

Do college students accused of Title IX violations need to hire a defense lawyer?

Most college students accused of Title IX violations are scared and unsure of what they can do to protect their legal rights. Even though a school representative investigates Title IX violations and not law enforcement officials, hiring a defense lawyer is vital to provide legal guidance and ensure they are treated fairly. Defense attorneys qualified to handle Title IX violations can help investigate, collect evidence, and present witnesses that support their client’s side of the case. Finally, a defense attorney can help students understand what will happen next and ensure their client’s rights are not violated.

Do all cases have to go to trial to be settled?

One of the most common fears criminal defendants share is the worry that their case may have to go to trial. No one likes sitting in front of a judge and jury who will decide their fate. However, negotiations between prosecutors and defense attorneys settle most criminal cases out of court. However, Texas criminal law can be confusing and requires the help of a criminal defense attorney. That being the case, anyone who has been charged with a crime must seek legal representation from a skilled defense lawyer who can assist them with their legal needs.

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Bryan & College Station, TX & Beyond