Houston Felony Defense Lawyers

A Former Harris County Prosecutor & a Board-Certified Lawyer on Your Side

Felony charges are the most serious criminal accusations under Texas law. A conviction can mean years in state prison, substantial fines, and permanent damage to your freedom, career, and reputation. In Harris County, felony cases are prosecuted in district court by one of the most active district attorney’s offices in the state. The procedural demands and stakes differ substantially from any misdemeanor proceeding.

Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC has been defending Texans facing serious criminal allegations since 2002, with over 65 years of combined experience across thousands of cases. Our team includes a Board-Certified criminal defense lawyer and a former Harris County prosecutor, giving clients a direct window into how the office that would be prosecuting their case actually builds its strategy.

Consult a Houston felony defense attorney in person or via a virtual meeting by contacting us online or at (713) 526-6300. Hablamos español. Available 24/7.

How We Defend Felony Cases

From the moment a felony investigation begins, we take decisive action to protect you from the full force of the criminal justice system.

We represent clients at every stage of a felony case, including:

• Investigation
• Arrest
• Charging
• Pretrial proceedings
• Trial
• Sentencing
• Appeal

Early involvement lets us prevent damaging statements, challenge unlawful searches or seizures, and begin shaping the defense before the prosecution’s narrative becomes entrenched. In Harris County, a felony case may be diverted before indictment if the defense intervenes at the grand jury stage. This makes early representation especially consequential.

Felony cases often hinge on forensic evidence, witness credibility, and constitutional issues, including Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations. We conduct a thorough, evidence-driven analysis of the prosecution’s case, identifying weaknesses, inconsistencies, and violations of your rights. Where appropriate, we file motions to suppress evidence, exclude unreliable testimony, and seek to reduce or dismiss charges. When a trial is necessary, our courtroom experience and preparation position you for a forceful, credible defense before a judge or jury.

Throughout the case, you work directly with attorneys who understand both the legal and personal stakes and who provide clear guidance, realistic assessments, and advocacy focused on your long-term outcome.

Why Choose Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC for Felony Defense in Houston

Not every criminal defense firm brings the same depth of inside knowledge to a Houston felony case. Our credentials are specific to the courts and prosecution office that would handle yours.

Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube – Former Harris County Prosecutor
Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube served as a Harris County prosecutor from 1994 to 2002. She spent eight years inside the office that now prosecutes felony cases in Harris County district courts, giving her direct knowledge of how the district attorney’s office investigates, builds, and deploys its cases. She has been selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2010 through 2025 and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review distinction available.

Mark Hochglaube – Board-Certified in Criminal Law
Mark Hochglaube is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Certification requires demonstrated trial experience, peer review, and a rigorous written examination. Fewer than ten percent of Texas lawyers hold any board certification. This makes it one of the clearest markers of substantive criminal defense ability available to clients evaluating their options.

Beyond credentials, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That discipline means no detail goes unexamined, regardless of how the case ultimately resolves. Clients work directly with experienced attorneys throughout the process, not support staff.

Texas Felony Classifications & Penalties

Texas distinguishes criminal offenses as either misdemeanors or felonies based on severity and potential punishment. Felonies are prosecuted in district court and carry the possibility of state prison time or, in the most serious cases, life imprisonment. A conviction can also trigger loss of civil rights, firearm restrictions, and lasting barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing.

Texas classifies felonies into several tiers, each with its own penalty range:

• Capital felony – The death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole
• First-degree felony – Five to 99 years or life in prison, plus a fine of up to $10,000
• Second-degree felony – Two to 20 years in prison, plus a fine of up to $10,000
• Third-degree felony – Two to 10 years in prison, plus a fine of up to $10,000
• State jail felony – 180 days to two years in a state jail facility, plus a fine of up to $10,000

These ranges are set by Texas Penal Code Title 3, Chapter 12. Sentencing can be enhanced based on prior convictions, aggravating factors, or the nature of the alleged offense. A prior conviction history can push a charge into a higher tier entirely.

Common Felony Charges We Handle in Houston

Our practice covers a wide range of felony charges, including:

• Drug trafficking or possession of controlled substances
• Aggravated assault and violent offenses
• Sexual offenses
• Theft, robbery, and burglary
• Fraud and white-collar crimes
• Weapons offenses
• Homicide and manslaughter