Graduation Cap

Education

St. Mary’s Law School, J.D.
U.T.S.A., B.A. in Philosophy
Briefcase

Practice Areas

Criminal Law
DWI
Gun Crimes
Sexual Assault
Stephen C. Barrera Image

Stephen C. Barrera

Honors & Awards

• Top San Antonio Criminal Defense 2022, SA Scene
• Texas Roots: Raised in Wilson County, Texas. local, trusted, and connected to the community
• B.A. in Philosophy, University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
• J.D., St. Mary’s Law School
• Made the Dean’s List
• Wrote for The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice
• Interned for U.S. Fifth Circuit Judge Emilio Garza
• 1st Place and Best Speaker, St. Mary’s 1L Moot Court Competition
• Top San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney, SA Scene | 2022
• Perfect 10.0 AVVO Rating
• Began career at Bracewell & Giuliani in the firm’s trial section, national-caliber experience
• Founded His Own Firm | 2008
• Built a reputation as a go-to trial lawyer in the region
• Served as a part-time Judge. This gave me a are insight from both sides of the courtroom, Wilson County
• Trial Experience Across Serious Charges
• Known as one of the best criminal trial attorneys in Central and South Texas

Fighting Serious Criminal Accusations

Born and raised in Wilson County, Texas, Stephen Barrera is a trusted local advocate with deep roots in the community and a reputation as one of the most skilled criminal trial lawyers in Central and South Texas. With degrees from UTSA (Philosophy) and St. Mary’s Law School—where he made the Dean’s List, served as a law review writer, and won first place in the 1L Moot Court Competition—Stephen’s academic and courtroom excellence has always stood out.

Stephen began his legal career in the national trial section of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, gaining big-firm experience before returning home to launch his own practice in 2008. Since then, he has built a powerhouse reputation, recognized as a Top San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney by SA Scene and holding a perfect 10.0 AVVO rating.

His experience is unmatched: from serious felony trials to record-clearing work, Stephen has fought and won in courtrooms across the region. As a former part-time judge in Wilson County, he brings rare insight from both sides of the bench—an asset that gives his clients a powerful advantage.

Clients turn to Stephen when the stakes are high and results matter. He’s not just a lawyer; he’s a fighter, a strategist, and a pillar of the local legal community.


Charges We Fight

Barrera Defense Practice Areas

Criminal Mischief

Property damage during an argument is a criminal offense in Texas. Barrera Defense defends criminal mischief charges in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Assault

Domestic violence defense lawyers serving San Antonio, Floresville, La Vernia, Jourdanton, Pleasanton, Boerne, Poteet, Karnes City, & Kenedy. Barrera…

Family Violence

Arrested for family violence in Wilson, Atascosa, or Karnes County? There are steps that can be taken in the first 24 hours. Barrera Defense acts…

Indecency with a Child

Indecency with a child is a second-degree felony in Texas. Barrera Defense represents the accused from the investigation stage forward in South Texas.

Evading Arrest or Detention

On foot it is a misdemeanor. In a vehicle it is a felony. Barrera Defense defends evading arrest charges across Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes counties.

Deadly Conduct

Deadly conduct does not require anyone to be injured. Barrera Defense defends reckless endangerment and firearm discharge allegations in South Texas.

Juvenile Cases

Barrera Defense represents minors accused of criminal offenses across San Antonio, Floresville, La Vernia, Jourdanton, Pleasanton, Boerne, Poteet,…

Obstruction / Interference with Public Duties

Stepping in to stop a loved one's arrest is itself an offense. Barrera Defense defends interference with public duties charges across South Texas.

Escape

Leaving a court-ordered inpatient facility is an escape charge, not just a condition violation. Barrera Defense defends escape cases in South Texas.

Public Intoxication

The standard is danger to self or others, not simply being intoxicated. Barrera Defense fights public intoxication charges in Wilson, Atascosa, and…

Manslaughter

Manslaughter turns on recklessness, not intent. Barrera Defense holds the state to exactly what it claims was reckless in Wilson, Atascosa, and…

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Paraphernalia charges often appear when the substance amount is too small to charge. Barrera Defense defends these cases across South Texas.

Theft

A first theft offense can be a felony in Texas regardless of value. Barrera Defense defends theft and shoplifting charges in Wilson, Atascosa, and…

DWI with a Child Passenger

A passenger under 15 makes a DWI a state jail felony, even on a first offense. Barrera Defense defends these charges across South Texas.

Forgery

Forgery in Texas requires only intent to mislead, not actual gain, and there is no misdemeanor version. Barrera Defense defends forgery charges in…

Fraud & Identity Theft

Identity theft charges often start as petty theft. Barrera Defense defends fraud and identifying information cases in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Criminal Trespass

You do not have to be told to leave to be trespassing in Texas. A fence or a posted sign is notice. Barrera Defense defends trespass charges in South…

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Possession means care, custody, or control. Being near drugs is not enough. Barrera Defense defends possession cases in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Resisting Arrest

Resisting arrest can quickly become assault on a peace officer, a felony. Barrera Defense defends these charges in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Disorderly Conduct & Riot

A public fight can bring both an assault charge and a disorderly conduct charge. Barrera Defense defends these cases across South Texas.

Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child

Continuous sexual abuse carries 25 to 99 years with no parole eligibility. Barrera Defense defends these allegations in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Credit/Debit Card Abuse

Credit or debit card abuse is a felony at any amount in Texas. Barrera Defense defends card abuse allegations in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Gun rights are not restored after five years in Texas. Barrera Defense defends unlawful possession of a firearm charges in Wilson, Atascosa, and…

Kidnapping & Unlawful Restraint

Most kidnapping cases are not stranger abductions. Barrera Defense defends restraint and kidnapping allegations across South Texas.

Terroristic Threat

A terroristic threat charge can turn on how words were received, not what was meant. Barrera Defense defends these cases in South Texas courts.

Interference with Child Custody

Refusing to return a child in violation of a court order is a state jail felony. Barrera Defense defends custody interference charges in South Texas.

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance

Intent to deliver bumps a drug case up a full felony level. Barrera Defense defends delivery and intent cases in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Drug Cases

Floresville drug crime defense lawyers serving Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes counties. Barrera Defense fights possession, delivery, and trafficking…

Burglary

Burglary of a habitation is a second-degree felony carrying two to twenty years. Barrera Defense defends burglary charges across South Texas.

Robbery & Aggravated Robbery

Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony, the same offense level as murder. Barrera Defense defends robbery charges in Wilson, Atascosa, and…

DWI

A DWI arrest does not automatically cost you your license. You have 40 days to contest it. Barrera Defense defends DWI across Wilson, Atascosa, and…

Violation of a Protective Order

Reconciling while an order is in place is still a crime. Barrera Defense defends protective order violations in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes counties.

THC/Vape Pen Cases

Vape pen and green-leaf THC are now charged as felonies in Texas. Barrera Defense defends THC possession cases in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Failure to Identify

Giving a relative's name to avoid a warrant can become a felony. Barrera Defense defends failure to identify charges in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes…

Sexual Assault & Aggravated Sexual Assault

Sexual assault allegations require counsel from the first phone call. Barrera Defense represents the accused in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes counties.

Felony DWI

Facing a Felony DWI in South Texas? Barrera Defense challenges the stop, testing procedures, and evidence to protect your future.

Probation Violations

Accused of violating probation or deferred adjudication in South Texas? Barrera Defense moves fast to protect your freedom.

Deadly Weapon Enhancements

A deadly weapon finding bars regular probation and pushes parole eligibility to half the sentence. Barrera Defense fights these findings in South…

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

A pistol in the console can add a Class A misdemeanor to a DWI or possession stop. Barrera Defense defends weapons charges across South Texas.

Injury to a Child, Elderly, or Disabled Individual

This statute reaches from a discipline dispute to serious abuse. Barrera Defense defends injury allegations in Wilson, Atascosa, and Karnes counties.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is a second-degree felony in Texas, and first-degree with certain aggravators. Barrera Defense defends these cases in South Texas…

Arson

Arson charges in Texas are always felonies and often overlap with insurance fraud allegations. Barrera Defense defends arson cases across South Texas.

Failure to Stop and Render Aid

Leaving an accident scene turns a non-offense into a felony. Barrera Defense defends failure to stop and render aid charges across South Texas.

Murder & Capital Murder

Charged with murder or capital murder in Bexar, Wilson, Atascosa, or Karnes County? Barrera Defense builds the defense from the first interview…