If you were arrested or are under investigation in Corpus Christi, what you do in the next few days can shape your case. Barton & Associates defends people charged in the Nueces County courts and the federal court in Corpus Christi, from the first appearance through indictment and jury trial. Whether you need a Corpus Christi DWI attorney, a Corpus Christi felony attorney or help with a lesser charge, we review the evidence, explain your options and tell you what to expect before you decide. Call 361-800-6780 or send the form. Your first consultation is free.
Gary J Barton & AssociatesAttorneys at Law
A criminal charge puts your freedom, your job and your family’s stability at risk, and the Nueces County courts move quickly. Barton & Associates represents people charged in the county’s district courts and county courts at law, which sit at the Nueces County Courthouse, 901 Leopard Street, and in the U.S. District Court at 1133 N. Shoreline Boulevard. The work starts the day you call. We read the offense report, request any body camera or surveillance video, and look for problems with the stop, the search, the witnesses and the lab work before we talk about a plea. A police report tells one side of the story, and our first job is often to find what it leaves out. We handle arrests across Nueces County and the surrounding Coastal Bend, including Flour Bluff, Padre Island, Portland and Robstown.
Our misdemeanor lawyer in Corpus Christi page explains how Class A and B charges are handled, our Corpus Christi drug crime lawyer page covers possession and distribution cases, and our domestic violence lawyer in Corpus Christi page covers assault and family violence charges.
Our founding attorney, Gary J. Barton, is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, handled capital murder cases as a prosecutor and has tried more than 100 cases to a jury. Jim Erickson, a senior trial attorney, has practiced criminal defense in Texas courtrooms since 1985 and has tried more than 250 cases to a jury verdict in more than sixty Texas counties. Duane Graeff, our managing attorney, has practiced for more than twenty-six years in Texas state and federal courts. Together with the rest of our criminal defense legal team, they handle bond hearings, suppression motions, plea negotiations and trials, and you will know who is speaking for you in court. Support staff keep a calendar of deadlines, discovery requests and court dates so that a missed filing never changes a case.
Barton & Associates is a Corpus Christi law firm with criminal defense, family law and personal injury practices, and our criminal defense attorneys meet clients at 5110 Wilkinson Drive, Suite 210, by appointment. Charges can also threaten a security clearance, a professional license or a place in school. Our military defense lawyer in Corpus Christi page speaks to service members at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and to others whose work depends on a clean record.
When you hire a criminal defense attorney in Corpus Christi, you are paying for judgment as much as for time in court. Our job is to test the state’s case, tell you honestly where it is strong and where it is weak, and pursue the defenses the facts support, whether that means a dismissal, a negotiated result or a trial. The decision to plead or try the case always belongs to you. We do not treat any case as routine. A first-time misdemeanor can cost a job and a felony can cost years, so each file gets the same review: the report, the video, the witnesses, the lab results and the law. Where the evidence is thin, we press the state on it. Where it is strong, we focus on limiting the damage and protecting your record.
That standard applies to every charge we take, including a sex crime lawyer in Corpus Christi case, where the accusation alone can damage a reputation, and a weapons charge lawyer in Corpus Christi case, where a conviction can end the right to own a firearm.
Where Every Nueces County Criminal Case Actually Lands
Texas law requires that a person arrested be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17). That hearing sets bond and conditions of release, so the earlier a lawyer is involved the better. Our guide on what to do after an arrest covers the first steps, and the most important is to stop talking to police about the facts.
The level of the charge controls the punishment range, the court and the long-term consequences. Class B and Class A misdemeanors carry up to 180 days and up to one year in jail, while felonies range from a state jail felony to a first-degree felony with a term of five to 99 years or life. Our explanation of felony versus misdemeanor charges shows how a charge can move from one level to another.
Many cases turn on how the evidence was obtained. We look at whether police had a lawful reason to stop, detain or search you, whether a statement was taken properly and whether a witness, a DNA result or a lab report holds up. Under Texas law, evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution or the laws of Texas or the United States cannot be admitted against the accused, and a motion to suppress is how that rule is raised.
Felony cases are heard in the district courts at the Nueces County Courthouse, 901 Leopard Street, and Class A and B misdemeanors in the county courts at law. Local practice matters: how a court sets its docket, how prosecutors make offers and how judges treat bond and pretrial motions. We prepare for the court your case is in, not just for the statute. Our criminal case timeline walks through each stage from arrest to disposition.
Community supervision is a common outcome, and a violation can put it at risk. When the state files a motion, the stakes are high and the hearing moves fast, which is why our probation violation lawyer in Corpus Christi page explains the process and your options before the first setting.
Appeals from Nueces County convictions go to the Thirteenth Court of Appeals, whose clerk’s office is in the same courthouse on Leopard Street. A lawyer who prepares for appeal from the first hearing makes the objections and motions that preserve issues for review. A dismissal or acquittal does not remove an arrest from your record on its own, and our expunction lawyer in Corpus Christi page explains when a record can be expunged or sealed. Past cases listed on our case results page each turned on their own facts, and none of them predicts the outcome of yours.
Texas lawyers are licensed by the State Bar of Texas, and board certification is awarded separately by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Both can be checked in the State Bar’s public directory. Credentials matter, but so does the work in front of you, so ask any lawyer you interview how many cases like yours they have tried and who will appear with you in court. We are glad to answer both questions, and we will tell you plainly if another lawyer is a better fit for your case.
Gary J. Barton handled capital murder cases as a prosecutor before moving to defense. That experience shapes how he reads an offense report, weighs the state’s evidence and anticipates what a prosecutor will argue, and he brings that view to the cases the firm takes on.
Jim Erickson has tried more than 250 cases to a jury verdict, and Gary J. Barton has tried more than 100 cases to a jury. Some cases cannot be resolved on fair terms, and a lawyer who is ready to try a case negotiates from a stronger position. We prepare every file as one that may go to a jury, even when we expect to negotiate.
A charge that begins in one system can end up in the other. Duane Graeff has practiced for more than twenty-six years in Texas state and federal courts, and the firm’s attorneys prepare for both the Nueces County courts and the U.S. District Court in Corpus Christi. Federal and state cases follow different rules, and the right first step depends on which one you face.
When a case turns on forensic evidence, such as a blood test, a DNA result, a phone extraction or an accident reconstruction, we consult qualified experts where the facts call for it. We also look for what the police did not: nearby video, additional witnesses and records that show where a person actually was.
Gary J. Barton has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and by Best Lawyers, and he holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating, which reflects the assessment of other lawyers and judges. Those honors belong to him as an individual, and they do not predict the result in any one case.
Clients have posted reviews of our firm on Google reviews, where each review is tied to a Google account and the firm cannot choose which ones appear. A rating you can check is worth more than one we simply claim.
Arrests do not follow office hours. Call 361-800-6780 or send the form and tell us what happened, and the free consultation covers what is likely to happen next and what we recommend. If a family member is calling from outside the jail, we can start with what they know and fill in the rest with you.
You work with the attorney handling your case, and you receive updates between court dates instead of being routed through layers of staff. When an offer, a deadline or a setting changes, you hear it from us. We tell you what a court date will involve, whether you need to appear and what to bring.
We explain our fee arrangement at the first consultation, along with what your case is likely to involve and where the uncertainty lies, so that you can plan for the cost of the case before you commit. No lawyer can promise a result in a criminal case, and we do not.
Our Corpus Christi office is at 5110 Wilkinson Drive, Suite 210, and we meet with clients there by appointment. You can get directions to our office, or meet with an attorney by phone if you cannot travel. We will tell you what to expect at the courthouse before your first appearance.
A good defense depends on a client who is honest with the lawyer, follows every bond condition and goes to every court date. We ask you to tell us the facts as they are, including the parts that look bad, and to avoid discussing the case with anyone else, including on social media. Statements made online and in texts can end up as evidence.
Primary Practice Areas
Defending Nueces County Criminal Cases — Coastal Bend
A DWI arrest starts two cases: the criminal charge and a separate license proceeding. Under Transportation Code Section 524.031, a request for an Administrative License Revocation hearing must be made no later than the 15th day after you receive notice of the suspension, so we calendar that deadline at intake. Our ALR hearing guide for Corpus Christi explains the steps, and the hearing can give the defense an early chance to question the arresting officer under oath.
In the criminal case we examine why you were stopped, how field sobriety tests were given and whether breath or blood evidence was collected and handled correctly. A stop near the Seawall, North Beach or Padre Island can involve uneven ground, wind, crowd noise and poor lighting, all of which affect how a person performs on those tests, and body camera footage often shows conditions the report leaves out. Read more about spring break DWI arrests and summer DWI enforcement in Corpus Christi. A prior DWI can raise the charge to a felony, as our guide to felony DWI charges explains.
A misdemeanor is still a criminal record. A Class A offense carries up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000, a Class B offense carries up to 180 days and up to $2,000, and either one can follow you through background checks for jobs, housing and licenses. We look at whether the stop was lawful, whether the complaining witness is credible and whether the evidence supports the charge as written. A misdemeanor case starts the way a felony case does: we ask for the video, read the report and identify what the state must prove.
Common charges include theft charges, criminal trespass, assault, drug possession and disorderly conduct. Texas has no automatic expungement, as our guide to expunging a criminal record explains, so how a misdemeanor ends can matter for years.
A felony charge is the most serious situation most people ever face. A state jail felony carries 180 days to two years, a third-degree felony two to 10 years, a second-degree felony two to 20 years and a first-degree felony five to 99 years or life, and a felony conviction generally restricts the right to possess a firearm.
We defend charges such as aggravated assault, homicide and manslaughter, burglary, drug distribution and white-collar allegations such as fraud and embezzlement. A stop at a Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. 77 or U.S. 281 south of the city can lead to drug or smuggling charges, and the legality of the stop and the search is the first thing we examine.
Some cases are filed in federal court, where the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas holds court in Corpus Christi. Federal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and follow different procedures and sentencing guidelines, and many begin with an investigation long before any arrest. Felony defense means early work on bond, close review of the evidence and statements, suppression motions where the facts support them, and trial preparation from the first week.
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Contact Barton & Associates in Corpus Christi today for a free, confidential consultation about your criminal defense matter. Complete this form to schedule a free consultation, or call us at 361-800-6780 to check attorney availability for an immediate phone consultation.
We are selective about the cases we accept because we treat our clients like family, with respect, dignity and unwavering commitment. In return, we expect the same courtesy. We do not tolerate rudeness toward our staff, and we will withdraw representation from any client who exhibits inappropriate behavior, dishonesty or attempts to mislead our team.
FAQ Criminal Defense Corpus Christi
Look for a Corpus Christi criminal defense attorney who regularly appears in the Nueces County courts, will give you an honest assessment instead of a promise, and will try the case if a fair offer is not available. Ask who will handle your file day to day and how quickly calls are returned, and confirm any Texas lawyer’s license and discipline record through the State Bar of Texas. At our free consultation we listen to what happened, review any paperwork you have, explain the process and your options, and tell you where we see risk. Bring your citation, bond papers, court dates and a list of questions, and you can schedule a free consultation online or by phone.
Cost depends on the charge, how much work the case requires and whether it goes to trial. Felony cases, trials and cases with heavy evidence take more time than a simple misdemeanor, and no honest lawyer can promise a total before reviewing the facts. We explain our fees at the free consultation so you can decide with the full picture. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the magistrate must tell you at your first appearance that you can request appointed counsel, and you can make that request there.
Misdemeanors are heard in the county courts at law, and felonies are heard in the district courts, which the county lists as the 28th, 94th, 105th, 117th, 148th, 214th, 319th and 347th. Those courts sit at the Nueces County Courthouse, 901 Leopard Street, and the Nueces County District Attorney’s office prosecutes felony cases. The Thirteenth Court of Appeals, which hears appeals from the county, also has its clerk’s office in the courthouse. Federal charges are filed in the Corpus Christi Division of the U.S. District Court at 1133 N. Shoreline Boulevard. Judges differ in how they run a docket and take up motions, so it helps to have a lawyer who knows the court you are in. Our guide to the first court appearance in Corpus Christi shows what to expect at the start.
The first appearance is magistration. Under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17, a person arrested must be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest. The magistrate explains the accusation, your right to hire a lawyer, your right to remain silent and your right to request appointed counsel, and sets bond. Conditions can include a cash or surety bond, electronic monitoring, a no-contact order or, in a DWI case, an ignition interlock device. The hearing is short, but the conditions can affect your daily life for months, and a lawyer can ask the court to change them.
A magistrate sets bail based on the offense, the facts of the arrest and your history, and most people are released on a bond they can post. If bail is too high, a lawyer can ask the court to reduce it. A detained defendant must also be released on a personal bond or reduced bail if the state is not ready for trial within 90 days for a felony, 30 days for a misdemeanor punishable by more than 180 days, 15 days for a misdemeanor punishable by 180 days or less, or five days for a fine-only misdemeanor (Article 17.151). Some serious charges can affect whether bail is available at all, and that depends on the specific charge and a hearing, so ask a lawyer promptly.
Texas sorts offenses by class. A Class C misdemeanor is a fine-only offense, a Class B misdemeanor carries up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, and a Class A misdemeanor carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Among felonies, a state jail felony carries 180 days to two years in a state jail, a third-degree felony two to 10 years, a second-degree felony two to 20 years and a first-degree felony five to 99 years or life, each with a possible fine of up to $10,000. Enhancements, such as a prior conviction, can change these ranges, and a felony conviction can follow you for a long time, as our page on felony records in Texas explains.
Yes. Most DWI, drug possession, assault and theft cases are state cases prosecuted in the Nueces County courts. Federal charges are brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and cases arising in Corpus Christi are heard in the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division. Federal cases follow different procedures and sentencing guidelines, and the federal system has no parole. Drug trafficking, smuggling, large-scale fraud, some firearms offenses and cases that cross state lines are the kinds that often end up in federal court. Ask any lawyer you are considering whether they handle federal matters, and ask what the first step would be in your case.
Do not talk to investigators, hand over records or delete anything until you have spoken with a lawyer. White-collar allegations such as fraud, embezzlement or false statements often begin with a subpoena, a records request, a letter naming you as a subject or a visit from an agent, long before an arrest, and what you say at that stage can become evidence. A lawyer retained early can speak with the agency or the prosecutor for you, help you understand whether you are a witness or a target and keep your records in order. Tell us at the consultation if you received a letter, a subpoena or a call from an agency, and bring it.
A motion to suppress asks the court to exclude evidence that was obtained illegally. Under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.23, evidence obtained by an officer or other person in violation of the Constitution or laws of Texas or the United States cannot be admitted against the accused at trial, with a limited exception for officers who rely in good faith on a warrant. A stop without reasonable suspicion, a search without a valid warrant or exception, or a blood draw taken improperly can all be challenged. The same review applies after a checkpoint stop, where we look at what the agents did once the brief questioning ended. If a motion is granted, the state may lose the evidence its case depends on.
It depends on what you said and the circumstances. Statements made when you were not in custody are generally admissible, while statements from a custodial interrogation are governed by Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.22, which requires warnings and, for oral statements, an accurate recording, with certain exceptions. A statement is not automatically the end of a case. A lawyer will compare it with the offense report, the video and the rest of the evidence. From here, stop talking to police about the facts, and let your lawyer handle contact with investigators.
Felony charges in Texas generally proceed by grand jury indictment, unless the defendant waives it. A grand jury decides whether there is probable cause to charge a felony. A true bill results in a grand jury indictment and the case moves forward in one of the county’s district courts. A no bill means the grand jury declined to indict. Defense lawyers are not present in the grand jury room, but a lawyer retained early can sometimes give the prosecutor information before the case is presented. After an indictment, the next step is arraignment, where a not guilty plea is entered. If you are under investigation and have not been charged, the time before indictment is when a lawyer has the most room to act.
Probation, formally community supervision, lets a person serve a sentence in the community under conditions such as reporting, fines and fees, community service, testing and, in some cases, treatment or electronic monitoring. It may follow a conviction with a suspended sentence, or it may be deferred adjudication, where the judge withholds a finding of guilt while you complete supervision. A violation can lead the state to file a motion to revoke probation or a motion to adjudicate guilt. The judge hears these motions without a jury, and the standard of proof is a preponderance of the evidence, lower than reasonable doubt. If the judge grants the motion, the sentence can be as high as the original range allows.
Assault that causes bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor, and it becomes a third-degree felony in some situations, including a prior family violence conviction or impeding someone’s breathing or circulation (Penal Code Section 22.01). A magistrate can issue an emergency protective order at the first appearance, which can limit contact with a spouse or children and affect where you can live. A conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence can trigger a federal firearms prohibition, and a family violence finding can matter in a divorce or custody case. Our page on assault and family violence charges explains each stage.
It can. Many state licensing boards and some federal credentials, such as a commercial driver’s license or a Coast Guard merchant mariner credential, have their own reporting rules, and an arrest, a conviction or sometimes a deferred outcome can trigger a review. Employers in the refinery, port and healthcare fields may also require you to report an arrest. The rules differ by credential, so tell us what you hold on the first call, before any plea is entered. Our page on arrests of licensed professionals describes how we approach these cases.
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5110 Wilkinson Dr Suite 210, Corpus Christi, TX 78415
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