1. Roberto Balli, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, drug offenses, violent crimes, federal crimes, DWI defense
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, drug trafficking, violent crimes, DWI/DUI, theft crimes, assault, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, federal court representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, suppression hearings, sentencing advocacy
Background: Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Former prosecutor with the Webb County and Zapata County District Attorney’s Offices. Over 20 years of criminal defense experience in state and federal courts. Extensive jury trial experience throughout South Texas.
Location: Laredo, TX (serving Webb County and surrounding areas)
Contact: (956) 712-4999 | https://www.robertoballilaw.com
Consultation: Consultation available
2. Joey Tellez, Tellez Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DWI defense, drug offenses, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, assault, theft crimes, domestic violence
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, bond hearings, probation violation defense, expunction petitions
Background: Former prosecutor with over 20 years of legal experience, licensed since 2003. Has accumulated over 225 five-star reviews on Google. Practice serves Webb County, El Cenizo, and Rio Bravo. Handles both criminal defense and personal injury matters.
Location: Laredo, TX (serving Webb County, El Cenizo, Rio Bravo)
Contact: (956) 776-7276 | https://www.tellezlawtx.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Silverio Martinez, Law Office
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, drug crimes, domestic violence, federal crimes, DWI defense
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, drug trafficking, domestic violence, violent crimes, DWI/DUI
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, state court representation, plea negotiations, motion practice, probation revocation defense
Background: Over 20 years of criminal defense experience. Former prosecutor with the Webb County District Attorney’s Office where he served as Chief of the Narcotics Unit and as lead prosecutor for domestic violence cases. Experience on both sides of criminal cases in state and federal courts.
Location: Laredo, TX
Contact: (956) 712-7881 | https://www.silveriomartinezlaw.com
Consultation: Consultation available
4. George Altgelt, Altgelt Law Office, P.C.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, federal crimes, drug trafficking, white collar crimes, violent crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, drug offenses, white collar crimes, violent crimes, theft crimes, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, grand jury representation, plea negotiations, appeals, expunction petitions
Background: Over 20 years of legal experience with extensive prosecutorial background. Former positions include Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Zapata County Attorney, Texas Attorney General’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office. Licensed in multiple states and practices in multiple languages. Provides perspective from both prosecution and defense sides of complex criminal matters.
Location: Laredo, TX
Contact: (956) 758-3001 | https://www.altgeltlaw.com
Consultation: Consultation available
5. David Almaraz, Law Office of David Almaraz
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, federal crimes, drug trafficking, violent crimes, white collar crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, drug offenses, violent crimes, white collar crimes, weapons charges, conspiracy charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, jury trials, plea negotiations, appellate work, motion practice
Background: Over 40 years of criminal defense experience. Named Texas Super Lawyer from 2009 to 2012. Selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers in 2012. Among the most experienced criminal defense attorneys in the Laredo area with decades of courtroom experience in state and federal courts.
Location: 6262 McPherson Road, Suite 107, Laredo, TX 78041
Contact: (956) 791-4400 | https://www.davidalmarazlaw.com
Consultation: Initial consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Texas
Bar Admission Requirements: Attorneys must graduate from an ABA-approved law school, pass the Texas Bar Examination, and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Character and fitness review is conducted by the Texas Board of Law Examiners before admission by the Texas Supreme Court.
Specialty Certifications: The Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers Board Certification in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law. Board Certified attorneys must demonstrate substantial experience, pass a rigorous examination, and maintain enhanced continuing legal education requirements. Certification must be renewed every five years.
Continuing Legal Education: Texas requires 15 hours of CLE annually, including at least 3 hours of ethics. Newly admitted attorneys must complete the New Lawyer Orientation Program.
Public Defender System: Webb County contracts with private attorneys to provide indigent defense services. Texas does not have a statewide public defender system; each county establishes its own system. Defendants who cannot afford counsel are appointed attorneys from a rotation list or through a managed assigned counsel program.
Felony Classification System: Texas classifies felonies as Capital (death penalty eligible), First Degree (5-99 years or life imprisonment, fines up to $10,000), Second Degree (2-20 years, fines up to $10,000), Third Degree (2-10 years, fines up to $10,000), and State Jail Felony (180 days to 2 years in state jail, fines up to $10,000).
Misdemeanor Classification: Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year in county jail, fines up to $4,000), Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days, fines up to $2,000), Class C Misdemeanor (fine only up to $500, no jail).
Expunction: Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A (formerly Chapter 55), individuals may petition to expunge arrest records when charges were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, were not filed before the statute of limitations expired, or were pardoned. Convictions generally cannot be expunged (except for Class C misdemeanor deferred adjudication in limited circumstances). Expunction completely destroys all records of the arrest.
Nondisclosure Orders: Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 Subchapter E-1, individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication may petition to seal their records through an order of nondisclosure. Sealed records are hidden from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies. Waiting periods apply: immediate for certain Class C misdemeanors; 180 days for other misdemeanors; 2 years for certain offenses (domestic violence, weapons, assault); 5 years for felonies. Certain offenses are permanently ineligible including sex offenses requiring registration, family violence offenses, stalking, human trafficking, murder, kidnapping, and others.
Automatic Nondisclosure: Texas law provides for automatic nondisclosure for certain first-time, low-level misdemeanor offenses completed through deferred adjudication, provided the defendant has no other criminal history and meets all eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the Webb County courthouse and how are criminal cases processed in Laredo?
A: The Webb County Justice Center is located at 1110 Victoria Street, Laredo, TX 78040. Felony cases are heard in the District Courts, while misdemeanors are heard in the County Courts at Law. After arrest, defendants are typically brought before a magistrate within 24 hours for a probable cause determination and bond setting. Arraignment usually occurs within a few weeks. The Webb County District Clerk’s Office handles felony case filings, while the County Clerk handles misdemeanor filings. Laredo also has federal court presence through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division, located at 1300 Victoria Street.
Q: What are the penalties for DWI in Texas?
A: First offense DWI: Class B misdemeanor, 72 hours to 180 days in jail (3 to 6 days minimum if BAC 0.15 or higher), fines up to $2,000, license suspension for 90 days to 1 year, and possible ignition interlock requirement. Second offense: Class A misdemeanor, 30 days to 1 year in jail, fines up to $4,000, license suspension for 180 days to 2 years. Third offense: Third Degree Felony, 2 to 10 years in state prison, fines up to $10,000. Intoxication Manslaughter: Second Degree Felony, 2 to 20 years in prison. DWI with child passenger: State Jail Felony, 180 days to 2 years. Webb County may offer pretrial intervention for first-time DWI offenders.
Q: How does deferred adjudication work in Texas and can I seal my record afterward?
A: Deferred adjudication is a form of probation where the judge defers finding you guilty. If you successfully complete all conditions, the case is dismissed without a conviction on your record. However, the arrest and deferred adjudication remain on your record unless sealed through a nondisclosure order. After completing deferred adjudication, you may petition for nondisclosure. Waiting periods depend on the offense: immediate for many first-time misdemeanors; 180 days for other misdemeanors; 2 years for certain offenses (assault, weapons); 5 years for felonies. Some offenses (family violence, sex offenses, stalking, murder) are never eligible for nondisclosure. Filing fees apply and vary by county.
Q: What types of cases are heard in federal court in Laredo versus state court?
A: Federal court in Laredo (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division) handles drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border, illegal reentry and immigration offenses, federal weapons charges, federal money laundering and financial crimes, violations of federal law on federal property, and cases involving federal agents. State courts in Webb County handle most common offenses including DWI, assault, theft, state drug possession charges, domestic violence, and other violations of Texas Penal Code. Many Laredo criminal defense attorneys are licensed in both state and federal courts given the significant federal court presence related to border enforcement.
Q: Can I get my criminal record expunged in Texas after being convicted?
A: Generally, no. Texas expunction law (Chapter 55A, Code of Criminal Procedure) does not allow expunction of convictions. Expunction is available when: charges were dismissed; you were acquitted; you were arrested but no charges were filed and the statute of limitations has expired; you received a pardon; or the conviction was overturned on appeal. The only exception is Class C misdemeanors resolved through deferred adjudication, which may be expunged if you were a minor at the time. For most convictions, your option is an order of nondisclosure (if you completed deferred adjudication) which seals the record from public view but does not destroy it. If you were convicted after trial or through a guilty plea (not deferred adjudication), neither expunction nor nondisclosure is available.