Ryan Patrick Brown

Ryan Brown is a solo practitioner focusing a criminal defense at all levels from indictment through post conviction in state and federal court with a primary practice location in Amarillo, Texas. Ryan also takes select civil cases such as civil forfeitures, civil rights, and catastrophic truck wrecks.

Before moving to Amarillo, Ryan was a staff lawyer with the Innocence Project of Texas. While working with the Innocence Project, Ryan was part of a number of big projects from helping to secure the first posthumous pardon in the history of Texas, to co-authoring a report debunking Fort Bend County Sherriff Deputy Keith Pikett’s extensive history of perjured court testimony, resulting in his early “retirement.” Ryan also headed a statewide review of arson cases which resulted in the passage of the junk science writ law, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 11.073, the first of its kind in the country.

At the end of 2012, Ryan moved to Amarillo to fight for the citizens of the Texas Panhandle. Ryan has handled hundreds of state and federal criminal cases ranging from Class C misdemeanors to murder cases, to multi-defendant federal drug conspiracies and complex white collar fraud cases. Ryan specializes in representing clients charged in free speech protest and protest cases.

A frequent contributor to local, regional, and state news, Ryan’s opinion is sought often to clarify the latest legal issues affecting people in the Texas Panhandle and around Texas. Ryan has also taught CLEs on jury selection.

To Ryan, practicing law is about more than fighting and winning against the government. Criminal defense in particular is about getting to know the client and always tailoring a defense goal and defense strategy that is unique and fit for each client. At its core, the work of criminal defense is caring about people and telling their story. This approach has led to many dismissals and reductions and hearing “not guilty” in most cases he’s tried to a jury.

Texas

State Bar of Texas

ID Number: 24073967

Since 2010

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2014 - Current

Amarillo Area Bar Association

Member

2012 - Current

Panhandle Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2012 - Current

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2011 - Current

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2011 - Current

National College for DUI Defense

Member

2011 - Current

Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2011 - Current

State Bar of Texas  # 24073967

Member

2010 - Current

Get Rid of ‘Em- Strikes For Cause in Criminal Cases, Game Day Ready, WIchita Falls

October 2021

TCDLA/CDLEI

Q. Can the sheriff keep my truck that they seized for drugs? My friend borrowed it and got stopped and they found drugs.

March 8, 2023

A: You have a right to fight for the truck in forfeiture proceedings. However, it is best to lay low until their deadlines blow. If this is a state forfeiture, the government’s deadline is 30 days to serve forfeiture paperwork. If they haven’t served you within that timeframe, you should be able to get your truck back. It is best to have a lawyer handle this because forfeitures can get complicated, especially with deadlines and discovery rules.

Q. Need info on unlawful possession of firearm by felon and would an affidavit from the owner of the vehicle help any?

January 10, 2023

A: The affidavit could be crucial to your spouse’s defense. Whether it will result in a dismissal depends on facts I don’t and you may not know right now. However, this has to be handled carefully. You have to get a lawyer to handle the case and that lawyer has to get an investigator to get a sworn and recorded statement. This keeps everyone out of trouble and protects against any story changes at a trial or other proceeding. The handling of this statement has to be done strategically also by someone who knows the battlefield and the enemy well.

Q. Why am I still being charged?

November 8, 2022

A: I agree with Penny. What matters as far as the state proving possession is actual care, custody, and control. Who has actual care, custody, and control is a very fact specific question which may need to be litigated. More than one person can possess the same thing. You need to get a lawyer.

View More Answers ›