TEXAS FELONY INDICTMENT DEFENSE
We Intervene Before the Ink Dries.
"An indictment is the State's formal accusation. It starts the clock on your freedom. But it is not a conviction. At Setra Law Firm, we do not wait for the file to land on our desk; we build the case against the Government to stop the charge before it sticks."
What is a Texas Felony Indictment?
An indictment is the formal written instrument issued by a Grand Jury charging a person with a felony offense. Under the Texas Constitution and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Art. 21.02), a felony case cannot proceed to trial unless an indictment has been returned.
The Reality: An indictment signifies that at least 9 of 12 jurors found "Probable Cause." It is merely the State's permission slip to proceed. However, it triggers immediate consequences: Arrest Warrants (Capias), bond conditions, and potential asset seizure.
The Grand Jury Process: True Bill vs. No Bill
The Grand Jury is a panel of 12 citizens. In Texas, this process is often a "rubber stamp" for the prosecutor. It is secretive, one-sided, and the defense is generally excluded. Without aggressive intervention, the State can indict almost anyone (the "Ham Sandwich" standard).
1. True Bill (Indictment)
A True Bill means the Grand Jury voted to indict. The case moves to a District Court, and you are formally charged.
2. No Bill (The Goal)
A No Bill means the Grand Jury found insufficient evidence. The case is effectively dead. This is our primary objective. A No Bill allows for an immediate Expunction of your arrest record.
OUR STRATEGY: THE DEFENSE PACKET
We do not let the State tell the only story. We prepare a comprehensive Grand Jury Defense Packet
—including witness affidavits, polygraph results, and exculpatory evidence—to present your
narrative directly to the panel. We fight to kill the case in the cradle.
Challenging the Indictment: The Motion to Quash
Just because an indictment is filed does not mean it is valid. Under Art. 21.04, the State must provide specific notice of the crime. Following the Williams v. State (2025) precedent, we aggressively challenge vague indictments.
If the State fails to allege a specific act, we file a Motion to Quash, forcing them to dismiss the case or start over, buying us valuable leverage.
Real-World Scenarios: What We Fight
The "Pocket Indictment" Surprise
The Threat: Prosecutors are increasingly bypassing the initial arrest to secure a "Secret Indictment" first. You may not know you are charged until you are pulled over for a traffic violation and arrested on a felony warrant you didn't know existed.
Our Move: We attack the bond conditions immediately. Under the new SB 6 bail rules, we use the "Public Safety Report" data to argue for your immediate release or a "Walk-Through" bond.
The 90-Day Squeeze (Art. 17.151)
The Threat: If you are detained, the State has 90 days to indict you. They often drag their feet to keep you in custody.
Our Move: We count the days. If they miss the deadline by one hour, we file a Writ for your immediate release on a Personal Bond or a massive bail reduction.
Federal Indictments (Western District of Texas)
In the Western District of Texas(Federal Court), the rules change. Indictments for Drug Conspiracy or Wire Fraud are often "Sealed" until the raid.
If you receive a Target Letter from the US Attorney, you are moments away from an indictment. You need a Federal Trial Team to intervene immediately.
THE STATE HAS MADE THEIR MOVE. NOW WE MAKE OURS.
Do not face a felony indictment with a "wait and see" approach. You need a Million-Dollar Defense Strategy.
Call Setra Law Firm 24/7.
START YOUR DEFENSE