1. Roberto Balli, Attorney at Law
Focus Area: Criminal defense with Board Certification in Criminal Law and 20+ years of experience
Practice Areas: Murder, manslaughter, DWI, drug conspiracy/smuggling, gun/weapons charges, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, assault, domestic violence, alien smuggling/trafficking, organized crime, white collar crime
Background: Roberto Balli is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This distinction demonstrates that an attorney has substantial experience and special competence in the area of specialization. With over 20 years of experience practicing criminal defense in the Laredo/Webb County area, Roberto Balli is a defense lawyer that brings a wealth of knowledge to each case. The goal is to get clients’ criminal cases dismissed, and the law firm brings the experience needed to achieve this goal. If the prosecutor will not dismiss the case then the firm is prepared to take the case forward to trial. Criminal Defense Lawyer Roberto Balli has tried cases including Murder, Manslaughter, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Intoxicated Manslaughter, Intoxicated Assault, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault, Domestic Violence, and more.
Location: Laredo, Texas (serves Webb County)
Contact: (956) 712-4999 | https://webbcountycriminaldefense.com/
Consultation: Available for consultation
2. Altgelt Law Office, P.C.
Focus Area: Criminal defense with former prosecutor experience across multiple government agencies
Practice Areas: Murder, violent crimes, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, federal crimes
Background: George Altgelt, the founding attorney, is a former prosecutor in the state of Texas. Having worked at the Webb & Zapata County District Attorney’s Office, the Webb County Attorney’s Office, the Texas Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorneys Office, Department of Justice, and has now been licensed for over 20 years. As a former prosecutor, George Altgelt has the skills in and out of the courtroom to win cases. The firm goes to great lengths to represent cases, pulling from a deep well of resources. The team reflects the diversity of the South Texas border region by speaking multiple languages. This allows the firm to serve a wide range of clients while making sure they receive the support needed in a language they’re comfortable with. Recent results include a not guilty verdict in a murder and attempted murder case after five hours of deliberation.
Location: Laredo, Texas
Contact: (956) 758-3001 | https://www.altgeltlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Hablamos español.
3. Law Office of David Almaraz
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 40+ years of experience and Texas Super Lawyer recognition
Practice Areas: Federal crimes, state crimes, drug crimes, DWI, violent crimes, white collar crimes
Background: David Almaraz is one of the most successful attorneys in Texas and was voted Texas Super Lawyer by the Texas Monthly Magazine in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. He was also recognized in the county’s top 100 trial lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers in 2012. He was also voted as one of the top three criminal-defense lawyers in Laredo. With his proven track record and over 40 years of experience, David Almaraz is the attorney for you. At The Law Office of David Almaraz, the firm is dedicated to providing the absolute defense for clients. No matter your situation, it’s crucial that you call an experienced attorney to be by your side and defend your rights. If you have had any contact either at home or on the road with any law enforcement agents, state or federal, refrain from making any statements that could incriminate you.
Location: 6262 McPherson Rd., Suite 107, Laredo, TX 78041
Contact: Available through website | https://www.lawofficeofdavidalmaraz.com/
Consultation: Initial consultation available
4. Tellez Law (Joey Tellez)
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 20+ years of experience and former prosecutor background
Practice Areas: DWI, drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, federal crimes, assault, domestic violence, stalking, harassment
Background: If you’ve been injured in an accident or are facing criminal charges in Laredo, you need a proven attorney on your side. Joey Tellez has spent more than two decades fighting for justice in South Texas. As a former prosecutor, he understands both sides of the courtroom and uses that insight to defend rights and maximize compensation. Joey Tellez has 225+ Google 5-Star Reviews, more than any other law firm in Laredo. He has been serving the Laredo community since 2002 and is committed to providing high-level legal representation to individuals facing criminal charges. Tellez Law has been recognized among the Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Laredo, TX by Three Best Rated (2017-2025). At the Law Offices of Joey Tellez, they represent individuals facing serious charges in Texas, including felonies, misdemeanors, federal charges, and a wide range of violent crimes.
Location: Laredo, Texas (serves Webb County, El Cenizo, Rio Bravo, and surrounding areas)
Contact: (956) 717-8200 | https://www.tellezlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Guzman Law Firm
Focus Area: Criminal defense with ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation for DWI cases
Practice Areas: DWI, drug crimes, federal crimes, assault, theft, violent crimes, personal injury
Background: Guzman Law Firm is a law firm headquartered in Laredo, Texas, that offers relentless representation in federal and state criminal cases, DWI, personal injury, and family law. Headed up by founding trial attorney and ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Javier Guzman, the relentless attorney at Guzman Law Firm has a commitment to justice that knows no bounds. Javier Guzman is Laredo’s only ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, the highest designation given to attorneys by the American Chemical Society, which means that he knows the law and the science behind DWI, and can make sure that you don’t become a victim of bad science or bad police work. He can help you request an Administrative License Revocation (“ALR”) hearing to save your license, contest the results of flawed standardized sobriety tests, and ensure the veracity of any Blood Alcohol Content tests being entered as evidence into the court.
Location: Laredo, Texas
Contact: (956) 516-7198 | https://www.guzman.law/
Consultation: Available for consultation
Criminal Defense Laws in Texas
Felony Classifications
Texas classifies felonies into five categories:
Capital Felony: Includes capital murder. Penalty is death or life imprisonment without parole.
First-Degree Felony: Includes murder, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault. Penalty is 5-99 years or life in prison and up to $10,000 fine.
Second-Degree Felony: Includes manslaughter, robbery, and certain drug offenses. Penalty is 2-20 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine.
Third-Degree Felony: Includes third DWI, certain assault offenses, and stalking. Penalty is 2-10 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine.
State Jail Felony: Includes theft $2,500-$30,000, certain drug possession, and credit card abuse. Penalty is 180 days to 2 years in state jail and up to $10,000 fine.
Misdemeanor Classifications
Class A Misdemeanor: Includes assault causing bodily injury, DWI (first offense), and theft $750-$2,500. Maximum 1 year in county jail and $4,000 fine.
Class B Misdemeanor: Includes DWI (first offense without aggravating factors), theft $100-$750, and criminal mischief. Maximum 180 days in county jail and $2,000 fine.
Class C Misdemeanor: Includes theft under $100, minor traffic violations, and disorderly conduct. Fine only, maximum $500.
Expunction and Non-Disclosure
Expunction: Available for arrests that did not result in conviction, certain acquittals, pardons, and dismissed cases. Expunction completely removes the record.
Non-Disclosure: Available for deferred adjudication cases. Seals the record from public view but law enforcement and certain agencies can still access it. Waiting periods vary by offense.
DWI Laws
Texas DWI applies to driving with BAC of .08% or higher (.04% commercial, any detectable amount under 21). First offense is a Class B misdemeanor with 72 hours to 180 days jail (minimum 6 days if open container), $2,000 fine, and 90-day to 1-year license suspension. Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with 30 days to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine, and 180-day to 2-year license suspension. Third offense is a third-degree felony with 2-10 years prison. Texas has implied consent; refusal results in 180-day license suspension (first refusal).
Border-Specific Considerations
Laredo is located on the Texas-Mexico border, which means federal charges are common for offenses related to immigration, drug smuggling, and customs violations. Federal cases are handled in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Laredo Division). Federal drug trafficking charges carry mandatory minimum sentences. Alien smuggling charges can result in significant federal prison time. Having an attorney experienced in both state and federal courts is particularly important in the Laredo area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courts handle criminal cases in Laredo?
Criminal cases in Laredo are heard in Webb County courts. The 49th District Court and 111th District Court handle felony cases. Webb County Court at Law handles Class A and B misdemeanors. Justice of the Peace Courts handle Class C misdemeanors and minor traffic violations. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Laredo Division) handles federal criminal cases, which are particularly common in the border region due to immigration and drug trafficking prosecutions. Having a Laredo criminal defense attorney familiar with both state and federal court systems is important given the border location.
What are the consequences of a drug conviction near the border?
Drug convictions in the Laredo area can have particularly severe consequences due to the proximity to the border. Federal drug trafficking charges carry mandatory minimum sentences that often exceed state sentences. For example, trafficking over 1 kilogram of heroin or 5 kilograms of cocaine carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison. Additionally, drug convictions can result in enhanced penalties in “drug-free zones” near schools and other protected areas. For non-citizens, drug convictions almost always result in deportation and permanent inadmissibility. A Laredo criminal defense attorney experienced in federal drug cases can evaluate whether your charges are being prosecuted in state or federal court and develop appropriate defense strategies.
What is deferred adjudication in Texas?
Deferred adjudication is a form of community supervision (probation) in Texas where the judge does not enter a finding of guilt. Instead, the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, and the judge “defers” the adjudication of guilt. If the defendant successfully completes the probation period, the case is dismissed without a conviction. However, the arrest and deferred adjudication remain on the defendant’s record unless sealed through a petition for non-disclosure. Deferred adjudication is not available for all offenses; certain offenses like DWI, intoxication manslaughter, and some sex offenses are not eligible. A Laredo criminal defense attorney can negotiate for deferred adjudication as an alternative to conviction.
What are federal immigration-related crimes prosecuted in Laredo?
Given Laredo’s location on the Texas-Mexico border, federal immigration-related crimes are commonly prosecuted. These include illegal entry (8 U.S.C. § 1325), which is a misdemeanor for first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses. Illegal re-entry after deportation (8 U.S.C. § 1326) is a felony with enhanced penalties for prior criminal history. Alien smuggling (8 U.S.C. § 1324) is a felony with sentences of 5-20 years depending on circumstances. Harboring undocumented immigrants and document fraud are also commonly prosecuted. A Laredo criminal defense attorney experienced in federal immigration crimes can help navigate these complex cases.
Can I get my Texas criminal record expunged or sealed?
Texas allows expunction (complete removal) of certain records, including arrests that did not result in conviction, acquittals, pardons, and dismissals (after waiting period). Expunction makes it as if the arrest never occurred. Texas also allows non-disclosure (sealing) of deferred adjudication records after waiting periods (generally 2 years for misdemeanors, 5 years for felonies). However, certain offenses are not eligible for non-disclosure, including murder, kidnapping, trafficking, sexual offenses, family violence, and offenses requiring sex offender registration. The petition must be filed in the court where the case was heard. A Laredo criminal defense attorney can evaluate your eligibility and file the appropriate petition.