Facing Criminal Charges in Hays County? Choose a Former Prosecutor Who Knows Both Sides
If you or a loved one has been arrested in Hays County—whether in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, or anywhere else—you need immediate legal guidance. Criminal charges can threaten your freedom, future, and immigration status. Jorge Vela, a former federal and state prosecutor, is ready to stand between you and the full force of the justice system.
Jorge brings years of trial experience to every case, including time as an Assistant District Attorney in Texas and as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice. Today, he defends clients in Hays County with strategic, aggressive advocacy rooted in deep courtroom experience and local insight.
Local Defense Grounded in Knowledge of Hays County Courts
Hays County is unique, and so are the legal dynamics in its court system. Judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement each have their own procedures, tendencies, and expectations. Jorge understands how to navigate these complexities because he’s worked on both sides of the courtroom.
Whether your case is pending in the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos or you were arrested by local police in Buda or Kyle, Jorge can immediately assess your case and determine the best defense approach. His insider understanding of case flow, local sentencing patterns, and plea bargaining tactics ensures your defense is tailored to the jurisdiction.
Jail Release and Bond Representation in Hays County
After an arrest, the first priority is often getting out of jail. The Hays County Jail, located in San Marcos, processes individuals arrested across the county. Jorge Vela provides fast, responsive assistance with jail release, bond hearings, and emergency court motions.
Time matters. Delays can cost you your job, damage your reputation, or result in missed opportunities for favorable plea negotiations. Jorge helps clients secure release quickly, pursue bond reductions, or appear at initial hearings to minimize pretrial incarceration.
Full-Scope Criminal Defense in Hays County
DWI Defense
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) arrests are common across Hays County, particularly on I-35 near San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. Whether it’s a first-time DWI or a felony-level charge, Jorge challenges every aspect of the case—from probable cause to field sobriety tests to the reliability of breath or blood results. He aims to protect your license, your freedom, and your record.
Drug Possession & Drug Offenses
Drug arrests in Hays County can stem from traffic stops, college campus incidents, or investigations by local or federal task forces. Jorge defends clients facing charges ranging from simple marijuana possession to felony drug trafficking and conspiracy. He works to suppress unlawful searches, challenge lab analysis, and negotiate alternatives to conviction when possible.
Domestic Violence Charges
Domestic violence cases carry severe penalties, including jail time, fines, and lasting damage to your personal relationships and employment. Jorge handles family violence, aggravated assault, and protective order violations with a balanced, strategic approach—protecting your rights while challenging assumptions made by police or prosecutors.
Sexual Assault & Sex Crimes
Charges involving sexual misconduct are serious and can carry lifelong consequences, including sex offender registration. Jorge brings the experience needed to navigate complex evidence, forensic claims, and witness testimony. He defends clients accused of sexual assault, indecency with a child, and related offenses.
Violent Felonies
Hays County prosecutes violent felonies like aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and murder with intensity. As a former prosecutor of these very crimes, Jorge knows how the state builds its cases. He defends clients by aggressively investigating the facts, challenging the prosecution’s narrative, and preparing every case as if it were going to trial.
Federal Charges & Drug Conspiracies
Federal criminal charges are handled differently than state-level cases. Jorge Vela has experience prosecuting and defending federal offenses, including drug conspiracy, firearms trafficking, wire fraud, and immigration crimes. If your case is under investigation by federal agencies or already in federal court, Jorge provides experienced, aggressive representation.
Criminal Immigration Defense
If you’re a non-citizen charged with a crime in Hays County, your legal strategy must take your immigration status into account. Jorge ensures that any resolution protects your ability to stay in the United States whenever possible. He understands the overlap of criminal and immigration law and builds cases to avoid deportation triggers.
Illegal Reentry Defense
Federal prosecutors often pursue charges against individuals who reenter the U.S. after deportation. These cases carry serious penalties, but Jorge is equipped to defend them. He scrutinizes the prior removal, explores due process violations, and works to achieve outcomes that avoid lengthy incarceration.
Alien Smuggling Defense
Jorge Vela defends clients facing charges of transporting, harboring, or assisting undocumented individuals. These federal cases often involve surveillance, wiretaps, and confidential informants. Jorge knows how to attack the evidence and challenge the government’s case at every level.
Immigration Aggravated Felonies
Certain state charges, when labeled “aggravated felonies” under immigration law, can lead to automatic deportation. Jorge evaluates every element of the charge, negotiates to avoid aggravated felony designations, and fights to keep families together. His approach is tailored to preserve immigration relief eligibility.
Why Hays County Clients Trust Jorge Vela
What sets Jorge apart is his dual experience: first as a prosecutor, now as a defender. That rare combination gives him a complete view of how criminal cases unfold—from investigation and arrest through trial and sentencing. He’s tried cases before juries, negotiated dismissals, and resolved complex federal and state matters.
Clients praise his responsiveness, honesty, and dedication. He speaks directly with the people he represents and works tirelessly to resolve each case with the least possible harm.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Hays County Today
If you’re facing criminal charges in Hays County, time is not on your side. Early action gives your attorney more leverage to protect your rights, suppress evidence, and control the narrative.
Call the Law Office of Jorge Vela at (512) 537-1237 for a confidential consultation. You can also reach out online and expect a prompt reply—often within the hour. We are available 24/7 and represent clients in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, and throughout Hays County.
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