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Criminal Defense

Corpus Christi Criminal Defense Attorney — State Courts, Federal Courts, and the Immigration Consequences In Between

A criminal charge does not give you time to wait and see. The decisions made in the first 48 to 72 hours — whether to make a statement, what bond conditions to accept, how to preserve evidence — can shape the outcome of your entire case. I am Laura Ramos, a criminal defense attorney in Corpus Christi with 14 years of experience defending clients in Nueces County courts and federal court for the Southern District of Texas.



Whether you are facing a misdemeanor, a felony, or a federal charge, I will tell you honestly what your options are and what the fight looks like — before we ever discuss a plea.

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If You Are Not a Citizen, Your Criminal Case Has Two Outcomes to Protect

A criminal conviction carries consequences beyond prison time and fines. For non-citizens, those consequences can include deportation, loss of permanent residency, or permanent bars to future immigration benefits. These immigration consequences are separate from the criminal penalties — and they are often more severe.


Because I practice both criminal defense and immigration law, I can assess and address both sides of your case at the same time. You do not need two attorneys, two consultations, or two separate strategies. I handle the full picture.

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Charges I Defend in Texas State and Federal Courts

Every charge below links to a dedicated page with more detail. Find your situation and start there.

DUI and DWI

A DWI conviction in Texas carries license suspension, fines, and potential jail time — and it can affect your employment and immigration status. I defend first-time and repeat DWI charges throughout Nueces County.

Texas drug charges range from misdemeanor possession to felony distribution, and federal drug charges carry mandatory minimums that can reshape a person's life. I defend state and federal drug cases and evaluate every available option before any plea is considered.

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Drug Charges

Felony Defense

A felony conviction in Texas can mean years in prison, permanent loss of civil rights, and lifelong consequences for employment, housing, and immigration status. Felony cases require a defense attorney who will evaluate every angle — suppression motions, evidentiary challenges, trial strategy — not just a path to a plea.

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Misdemeanors are not minor matters. A conviction stays on your record, can affect your job, and for non-citizens can trigger immigration consequences. I take misdemeanor cases seriously because the stakes are real.

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Misdemeanor Defense

Sexual Assault Defense

Sexual assault charges carry some of the most severe penalties in Texas law and require a defense attorney who will challenge the evidence, scrutinize the investigation, and build a complete defense strategy. I handle these cases with the seriousness and discretion they demand.

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Murder and homicide charges are the most serious cases in the Texas criminal system. I defend clients facing these charges in state court, and I approach every case by examining the evidence, the investigation, and every legal avenue available.

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Murder Defense

Expungement and Nondisclosure

A past arrest or conviction does not have to follow you forever. Texas law provides pathways to seal or destroy criminal records for eligible offenses. I will review your record and tell you honestly whether you qualify.

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Federal cases are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys with significant resources, and the sentencing guidelines are strict. I am on the Criminal Justice Panel Act for the Southern District of Texas — a designation few private attorneys in the Corpus Christi area hold — and I defend federal drug, firearms, and white-collar cases.

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Federal Criminal Defense

Why Corpus Christi Residents Call Me First

Nueces County criminal cases are heard at 901 Leopard Street, and I practice in those courts regularly. The Nueces County District Attorney's Office is aggressive in prosecution, and the Corpus Christi area has elevated rates of violent crime charges that move quickly through the system. You need an attorney who knows this courthouse, these prosecutors, and this local legal environment.


Here is what I bring to every case:

  • 14 years of criminal defense practice in Texas state and federal courts
  • One of the few private attorneys in Corpus Christi on the Criminal Justice Panel Act for the Southern District of Texas
  • Bilingual representation in English and Spanish
  • Full crimmigration analysis for non-citizen clients — criminal defense and immigration consequences handled together
  • An honest assessment of your options before any plea is discussed

What to Do After an Arrest in Corpus Christi

The window between arrest and arraignment is typically 24 to 72 hours. The decisions made in that window matter more than most people realize. Here is what I tell every client who calls me immediately after an arrest.

Step 1:

Do Not Make a Statement

You have the right to remain silent. Exercise it. Anything you say to law enforcement — even something that seems to help you — can be used against you. Wait until you have spoken with an attorney.

Step 2:

Contact an Attorney Before Your Arraignment

Your arraignment is where formal charges are entered and bond conditions are set. Having an attorney present — or having an attorney who has already reviewed your situation — gives you a meaningful advantage at that first hearing.

Step 3:

Preserve Everything

Text messages, social media activity, surveillance footage, and witness contact information can all be relevant to your defense. Do not delete anything. Your attorney can assess what matters and how to use it.

Step 4:

Call Me

I take calls from people who were just arrested and do not know what to do next. That is exactly the right time to call. The earlier I am involved, the more I can do.

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Answers to Common Questions About Criminal Charges in Texas

  • What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Texas?

    In Texas, misdemeanors are the less severe category of criminal offense and are punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines. Felonies are more serious charges that carry potential state prison sentences ranging from 180 days to life, depending on the degree. Both categories carry collateral consequences — including effects on employment, housing, and immigration status — that extend well beyond the sentence itself.

  • Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor charge?

    That depends on the value of your home, your belongings, and your level of risk. We’ll help you calculate replacement costs and liability needs to ensure you’re fully protected without overpaying.

  • What happens at arraignment in Texas?

    Yes. I am on the Criminal Justice Panel Act for the Southern District of Texas and I handle federal criminal defense, including drug charges, firearms offenses, and white-collar cases. Federal cases require a different level of preparation and experience than state cases, and I have both.

  • What are the consequences of a criminal conviction beyond prison time?

    Yes, independent agencies work with several insurance carriers. This allows clients to compare coverage options through one agency rather than contacting insurers individually.

  • What does it mean that you handle crimmigration cases?

    Crimmigration refers to the intersection of criminal law and immigration law — the area where a criminal charge carries direct consequences for a person's immigration status. Because I practice both criminal defense and immigration law, I can evaluate your criminal case and your immigration exposure at the same time. You do not need separate attorneys for each side of that risk.

  • Do you handle federal criminal cases in Corpus Christi?

    Yes. I am on the Criminal Justice Panel Act for the Southern District of Texas, which covers federal cases in the Corpus Christi area. I defend federal drug charges, firearms charges, and white-collar cases. Federal prosecution is resource-intensive and moves quickly — early representation matters significantly in federal court.

Ready to Talk Through Your Case?

You do not need to have all the answers before you call. You need an attorney who will listen, give you an honest assessment, and start building your defense from day one. I serve clients in Corpus Christi, across Nueces County, and throughout Texas.

Start Your Case →