Felony Crimes

Georgetown Felony Defense Lawyers

Two Former Texas Prosecutors Defending Williamson County Felony Cases

A felony charge in Georgetown, Texas carries consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom. Prison time, a permanent criminal record, lost voting rights, restricted employment, and revoked professional licenses are all on the table. When you’re facing prosecution by the Williamson County District Attorney in the 26th, 277th, or 368th District Court, the attorneys across from you know those courts. So do we.

Winters & Chidester is built around two former Texas prosecutors who tried felony cases together. James Winters spent nearly a decade prosecuting felonies in Travis County and served as a felony prosecutor in Bell County before entering private defense. Veronica Chidester prosecuted at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the Travis County Attorney’s Office, and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, where she rose to chief misdemeanor and family violence prosecutor before moving into the felony trial court division. James and Veronica were mock trial partners in law school before they became prosecutors. That history of working together as a trial team is what Georgetown felony clients get today.

Request your free consultation online or by calling us at (512) 961-4555.

What Prosecutorial Experience Means for Your Defense

Most criminal defense attorneys learn how prosecutors think by watching them in court. We learned it from the inside. James and Veronica spent years making the decisions a Williamson County prosecutor makes now: what charges to file, which evidence is strong enough to take to trial, where a case has weaknesses worth exploring in plea negotiations, and when to push for a reduced charge. That knowledge doesn’t disappear when you cross to the defense side.

Every case we take gets prepared for trial. That’s not a marketing claim. Prosecutors know which defense attorneys will actually try a case and which ones won’t, and that distinction shapes what gets offered at the negotiating table. We’ve handled felony cases involving aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault family violence, and other serious charges, achieving reductions and dismissals in some matters where early preparation made the difference. Two former prosecutors review your case, not one.

Felony Charges We Defend in Georgetown

We represent clients facing all levels of state and federal felony charges. Texas classifies felonies in five degrees under the Texas Penal Code, each carrying distinct sentencing ranges. Full penalty details by classification are available in the expanded section below.

Our practice covers drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, felony DWI, theft crimes, and federal charges prosecuted in federal court under separate sentencing guidelines. Whether you’re facing a state jail felony or a first-degree charge, the stakes demand the same thorough preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Georgetown?

A felony conviction can mean prison time, fines up to $10,000, and a permanent criminal record that surfaces in every background check. Beyond incarceration, you may lose your right to own a firearm, lose your right to vote while incarcerated or on parole, face restrictions on professional licensing, and for qualifying sexual offenses, be required to register as a sex offender. The degree of the felony determines the sentencing range, and prior criminal history can enhance that range significantly.

How Can a Felony Attorney Help with My Case in Georgetown?

A Georgetown felony attorney builds a defense strategy around the specific facts, charges, and evidence in your case. That includes reviewing police reports and video footage, filing pre-trial motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, negotiating with the Williamson County District Attorney’s office on charges or sentencing, and representing you at trial if the case goes that far. Familiarity with the 26th, 277th, and 368th District Courts and their prosecutors is a practical advantage, not just a credential.

What Should I Do Immediately After Being Arrested for a Felony in Georgetown?

Invoke your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney immediately. Don’t explain yourself to law enforcement, don’t discuss the situation with anyone at the jail, and don’t assume that cooperating will help your case. Anything you say can be used by the prosecution. The sooner you contact a felony attorney, the sooner work can begin on your defense before critical early decisions are made without legal counsel.

Why Should I Choose Winters & Chidester for My Felony Defense?

Both James Winters and Veronica Chidester prosecuted felony cases in Texas courts before entering private defense practice. They tried cases together as prosecutors and continue to work as a two-attorney team on the defense side. The firm handles both state and federal felony matters, prepares every case for trial regardless of how it resolves, and offers free consultations in English and Spanish. That combination of courtroom background and collaborative case review sets this firm apart for Georgetown clients facing serious charges.

Speak with a Georgetown Felony Attorney Today

Felony charges move quickly, and the decisions made in the first days after an arrest can shape the rest of your case. We offer free consultations for clients in Georgetown and throughout Williamson County, with services available in English and Spanish.

Contact Winters & Chidester at our contact page or call (512) 961-4555 to schedule your free consultation.

Texas Felony Penalties by Degree

Texas felony offenses are classified by degree under the Texas Penal Code, and sentencing ranges differ substantially across those classifications. Understanding where a charge falls matters from the earliest stages of a case because it shapes bail decisions, plea negotiations, and trial strategy.

State Jail Felony: 180 days to 2 years in state jail, up to a $10,000 fine
Third-Degree Felony: 2 to 10 years in state prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Second-Degree Felony: 2 to 20 years in state prison, up to a $10,000 fine
First-Degree Felony: 5 to 99 years or life in state prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Capital Felony: Life without parole, or the death penalty where the state seeks capital punishment

Beyond incarceration, a felony conviction carries collateral consequences that follow a person long after any sentence is served. These include loss of firearm rights, loss of voting rights during incarceration and parole, ineligibility for certain professional licenses, mandatory restitution to victims, and a permanent criminal record that appears in background checks and affects employment and housing. Convictions for qualifying sexual offenses under the Texas Penal Code, such as sexual assault, can carry a mandatory requirement to register as a sex offender, which imposes ongoing reporting obligations that can last decades.

Building a Defense Against Felony Charges in Williamson County

A strong felony defense starts with understanding how the prosecution built its case. Our background as former prosecutors means we know what the Williamson County District Attorney’s office considers a strong case and where those cases tend to have gaps. That knowledge guides how we investigate and how we challenge the state’s evidence.

Common Defense Strategies in Texas Felony Cases

Defense strategies available in Texas felony cases include:

Fourth Amendment challenges: Suppressing evidence obtained through an unlawful search or seizure
Insufficient evidence: Contesting whether the state can meet its burden of proof
Lack of intent: Establishing that the required mental state for the offense was absent
Self-defense or defense of a third party: Asserting a legal justification for the conduct charged
Mistaken identity or false accusations: Challenging the reliability or credibility of identification evidence
Insanity: Raising an affirmative defense based on the defendant’s mental state at the time of the offense

Alternatives to Trial in Williamson County

Defense strategy also accounts for alternatives to trial. Williamson County offers diversion programs including a Veterans Treatment Court and a Felony Mental Health Docket under the 26th District Court. For eligible defendants, successful completion of these programs may result in dismissal of charges. Plea negotiations, pre-trial motions, and jury trial are each viable paths to resolution, and James Winters has tried cases spanning the full spectrum from traffic offenses to capital murder. Every case we take is prepared with that level of seriousness.

Contact a Georgetown felony defense attorney at (512) 961-4555 today for your consultation.

How Georgetown Felony Cases Move Through Williamson County Courts

Felony cases in Georgetown are prosecuted by the Williamson County District Attorney and assigned to one of three felony district courts at the Williamson County Justice Center: the 26th, 277th, and 368th District Courts. Each operates with its own judge and prosecutors. Knowing the practices, schedules, and tendencies of those courts isn’t a minor detail. It affects how motions are argued, how negotiations are timed, and how a case is presented to a jury.

After a felony arrest in Williamson County, the defendant is taken to the Williamson County Jail and brought before a magistrate who sets bail based on charge severity and criminal history. The case then proceeds through arraignment and pre-trial hearings. Before trial, the state must obtain a grand jury indictment, meaning a panel of citizens reviews the evidence and decides whether probable cause exists to proceed. From there, the case moves toward a negotiated resolution or trial. The 26th District Court also maintains a Felony Mental Health Docket for defendants whose mental health is a contributing factor in their charge, providing an alternative track for qualifying individuals.

Each stage presents opportunities and risks. Having attorneys who have stood on both sides of the Williamson County courtroom means we recognize those moments when they arise and know how to respond. Our criminal defense practice covers the full range of felony charges through every stage of this process. To discuss your situation with our team, visit our contact page or call (512) 961-4555.

Real People. Real Wins.

Review Some of Our Results to See for Yourself What We’ve Worked to Achieve

As Georgetown criminal attorneys, we recognize the importance of what we do. Our goal is to help our clients face brighter futures, all while protecting their constitutional rights to the fullest. We couldn't be more proud of the people we've helped and the lives we've changed.

View All Results

Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence
We represented a client accused of assault family violence who was being held in jail. We secured an agreement to reject the case before charges were officially filed, leading to our client's release and dismissal of the case within two days of hiring us.
Case dismissed Interference with public duties
Case Dismissed Drug Possession
Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence
We represented a client charged with assault family violence. By acting early and securing helpful testimony from the alleged victim at a protective order hearing, we persuaded the prosecution to reject the case.
Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence Causing Bodily Injury
Despite the prosecutor's initial reluctance due to our client's prior case, we successfully argued for dismissal on self-defense grounds, supported by the victim's non-prosecution affidavit, leading to a swift resolution with only two court appearances for our client.