Criminal Defense

From the moment a charge is filed, the right defense strategy depends on the specific allegation, the court, and the prosecutor. Bret has handled the full range of state criminal matters across Texas.

• Felony charges (state jail through first-degree felonies)
• Misdemeanor charges (Class A, B, and C)
• Outstanding warrants and probation matters
• Civil asset forfeiture defense
• DWI and intoxication offenses
• Drug, theft, assault, and weapons charges
• White-collar offenses including fraud and embezzlement

Every Texas criminal case follows roughly the same arc. The work is in the details. Skilled representation can shape the outcome at every stage, from the moment of arrest to the disposition of the case.

In felony cases, that includes pre-indictment work with the district attorney’s office, grand jury packets, suppression motions, and trial preparation. In misdemeanors, it often means negotiating dismissal, deferred adjudication, or pretrial diversion before a guilty plea is ever on the table.

Many lawyers handle criminal cases occasionally. Bret handles them exclusively. Limiting the practice to criminal defense lets us go deeper on each case, knowing the local prosecutors, the judges, the lab analysts, and the procedures that matter.

It also means we have seen what works at trial, what wins on appeal, and what mistakes turn small cases into big ones. That experience translates directly into better outcomes for our clients.

If you have been arrested, contacted by law enforcement, or notified of a pending charge, the most important step is to stop talking to investigators and start talking to an attorney.

Call the Law Office of Bret W. Schmidt at (214) 526-1100 for a confidential consultation. Initial calls are private and there is no obligation.