Anna Summersett

Anna Summersett is Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. This means she has achieved the highest designation possible for a criminal defense attorney, and she has been recognized as one of very few attorneys who can call themselves experts in the area of criminal law.

Anna Summersett is an experienced criminal trial attorney who has personally handled over 100 jury trials ranging from misdemeanor DWIs to Capital Murder.

As a partner at Varghese Summersett PLLC, Anna primarily handles State Criminal Cases from post-arrest investigation through jury trial. She is rated a top attorney in client satisfaction.

Anna graduated from Baylor University as a member of the Baylor Debate Team with a BA in Political Science and Minor in Argumentation Rhetoric. She then attended Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (which became Texas A&M University School of Law) where became nationally recognized as a Moot Court Advocate.

After completing internships with the United States Attorneys Office, United States Federal Magistrate Charles Bleil, Texas Attorney General's Office, and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, Anna became a criminal prosecutor at the Cameron County District Attorney's Office and ultimately an Assistant District Attorney with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.

Practice Areas include:
Sexual Assault: https://goo.gl/z6QWzc
DWI: goo.gl/zqfRL1
Criminal Defense: https://tinyurl.com/ybns55ym

To see some of Anna Summersett's results, visit https://www.versustexas.com/results/

Criminal Law

Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

DUI & DWI

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

• Sexual Assault Defense
• Homicide Defense

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Texas

Since 2009

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2014

Partner

Varghese Summersett PLLC

2014 - Current

With over thirty years of combined experience, our lawyers handle state criminal charges and federal criminal defense cases ranging from DWI arrests to Capital Murder trials. We are Tarrant County criminal defense attorneys you can trust with the most serious charges. Whether you were just investigated, arrested, charged, indicted or convicted, we are here to help.

Assistant District Attorney

Tarrant County District Attorney's Office

2010 - 2014

As a former Tarrant County prosecutor Anna handled over 100 jury trials ranging from misdemeanor DWIs to Capital Murder.

Assistant District Attorney

Cameron County District Attorney's Office

2010 - 2010

Post-Bar Intern

Tarrant County Judicial Staff Counsel

2009 - 2010

Extensive legal research for memos to advise Tarrant County Judges on legal issues pre and post conviction.

Post-Bar Intern

Tarrant County District Attorney's Office

2009 - 2009

Assisted numerous Assistance District Attorneys with pre-trial investigation, plea negotiation preparation, and trial work.

Post-Bar Intern

Tarrant County District Attorney's Office

2009 - 2009

Assisted numerous Assistance District Attorneys with pre-trial investigation, plea negotiation preparation, and trial work.

Intern

Office of the Attorney General of Texas

2008 - 2008

Assisted Assistant Attorney Generals with various legal research issues.

Intern

United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas

2008 - 2008

Assisted numerous federal prosecutors with various legal research tasks.

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law - Texas Wesleyan University

J.D. (2009) | J.D.

2006 - 2009

Honors: Order of the Barristers, Best Oralist Upper-Level Moot Court Competition, Best Oralist 1L Moot Court Competition, Regional Moot Court Caption, 2nd Place Appellate Brief National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition, 3rd Place Oralist National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition, Law Fellowship Award, Advocacy Scholarship

Activities: Moot Court, Mock Trial, Board of Barristers

Baylor University

B.A. (2006) | Political Science & Argumentation Rhetoric

2003 - 2006

Honors: Blake Withrow Best Public Speaker Award, Outstanding Student in Political Science, Presidential Scholarship Award

Activities: Baylor Debate Team, Kappa Kappa Gamma

Client's Choice Award for DWI Defense

Top DWI Lawyers

2016

Advocacy Scholarship

Thompson & Knight, LLP

2009

Blake Withrow Best Public Speaker Award

Baylor University

2006

Best Oralist

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law

Upper-Level and 1L Moot Court Competition

Fort Worth DWI Lawyer

Varghese Summersett

Litigation Counsel of America

Member

2016 - Current

National Association Of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Member

2015 - Current

Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Board Certified Attorney

2014 - Current

Activities: There are over 70,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas. Only 7,000 have earned the right to be publicly recognized as Board Certified specialists in one of 21 select areas of law. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization was established in 1974 by the Supreme Court of Texas at the request of State Bar of Texas and is the only governing board authorized to certify attorneys in legal specialty areas.

State Bar of Texas  # 24066813

Member

2009 - Current

Tarrant County District Attorney's Association

Member

2010 - 2014

Aggravated Assault in Texas

Varghese Summersett

Corporal Punishment: Is it illegal to spank a child in Texas?

Varghese Summersett

Driving Under the Influence | What is a DUI in Texas?

Varghese Summersett

Driving Under the Influence | What is a DUI in Texas?

Varghese Summersett

Driving While Intoxicated and Involuntary Intoxication

Varghese Summersett

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist

Texas Board Of Legal Specialization

Q. Im a student following a case. A man accused of 1st degree felony for sexual abuse to a child

August 23, 2017

A: This can happen for any number of reasons. First, both the State and the Defense have a right to a jury trial. If the State chooses not the waive that right, then the defendant is set for jury trial regardless of whether he desires to plead guilty or not guilty. Jury trials are generally high-risk, high-reward situations; especially in sexual assault cases where children are involved as a finding of guilt could result in serious pen time and registration as a sex-offender. Before a jury trial, a defendant may go through a number of pre-trial settings where the State can make plea bargain offers. Such offers can be low to encourage a defendant to plead a weaker case, offering less time than they could expect to receive from a jury if convicted; or such offers can be high because the State believes a certain punishment should be reached given the severity of the case and strength of their evidence. In cases where a plea offer is made by the State, defendants and their attorneys may choose to go to trial because they believe the evidence is insufficient to result in a finding of guilt, but they may also choose to proceed to trial because they believe, even if found guilty, their punishment will be less severe from a jury than it would be if they accepted the plea offer. For example, if someone is charged with a First Degree offense, their punishment range, if convicted, would be 5 years to 99 years or LIFE. This punishment range can go even higher depending upon the specific allegations or prior criminal history of the defendant. So, if a prosecutor offered 4 years, to a reduced offense, that would encourage a defendant to plead rather than try their luck with a jury. On the other hand, if a prosecutor offered 50 years, the defendant would be encouraged to proceed to trial and try their luck with a jury, regardless of how strong or weak their case may be. Sometimes, things can happen during the trial phase of a case, such as pre-trial motions or voir dire where a jury is selected, that encourage one side or the other to adjust their expectations and resolve a case. Because the State has the burden of proof in all criminal cases, preparing for trial, calling witnesses, paying experts, gather exhibits, can be time-consuming and expensive. As such, it is unlikely that the State will "fold" and make a reduced offer once a trial has started. They would be "pot committed" as some may say. If a case is pled during trial, it could be because the trial has taken an unexpected turn, for one reason or another, that could cause the State to question their confidence in the outcome; whether it be the verdict or ultimate punishment. Ever heard, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?" A plea bargain guarantees an outcome for both sides and avoids what can be a lengthy and difficult trial for witnesses, attorneys, and jurors alike.

Q. My son is in jail on a $50,000.00 bond. How do I go about getting him a bond reduction.

July 18, 2017

A: Generally, a magistrate sets the initial bond. This may or may not be writhing the bond schedule proposed by local District Judges. Once the case is filed, your attorney can present a Motion to Reduce the bond down to the bond schedule or in line with what the defendant can afford. The bond should be high enough to produce a financial incentive for the defendant to appear in court but not so unreasonable that the defendant could not afford it under any circumstances. The Judge will consider the defendants ties to the community, severity of pending charge, criminal history, and any other risk that could lead to flight. Contact a local, experienced defense attorney for assistance.

Q. a 14 year old girl gets pregnant by her 16 year old boyfriend and he turns 17 in a couple of months will he be charged

July 11, 2017

A: This will question will come down to consent. A 14 year old and 16 year old can be in a consensual relationship in Texas as their ages are within the 3-year allowance. If, however, this relationship was not consensual, prosecution could be appropriate. You can learn more about this offense here: https://www.versustexas.com/sexual-assault-child-17-texas/