About The Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz
I’m Charles T. Ganz, an award-winning criminal defense attorney representing clients throughout Texas from offices in Houston and Coldspring. Admitted to practice in Texas in 2004, I spent more than eight years as a criminal defense lawyer at the Houston-based law firm Trichter & Murphy, P.C., before opening my own practice in 2013. I founded my firm on the belief that everybody deserves fair, high-quality representation in the criminal justice system. I work directly with my clients – they get my number and can reach me anytime. Countless clients over the years have turned to me for reliable, honest and determined advocacy when it matters most.
Over the course of my career, I’ve practiced law in more than 50 counties throughout Texas, primarily in southeastern Texas. Not many lawyers can claim that wide breadth of experience. For the right client, there is not a county in Texas too far to defend the freedom of someone in need. I handle not only criminal charges but also clients accused of sexual misconduct through Title IX proceedings.
Learn more about my background by clicking the link below:
Work With One Of Houston’s Most Formidable Award-Winning Defenders
I come through for my clients when the stakes are high, and that shows in my excellent reputation in the Texas legal community. I’ve earned awards such as:
- Recognized as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers by H-Texas Magazine, Houstonia Magazine and the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list for several years, beginning in 2008
- Listed as one of H-Texas Magazine’s Top Lawyers for the People from 2009 through 2013
- Named as one of H-Texas Magazine’s Professionals on the Fast Track in 2005, 2006 and 2009
I’m also an active participant in the National College for DUI Defense, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and I continue to build strong relationships with organizations across the Houston region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions I hear from people inquiring about my services. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for more information.
Someone I know was just arrested, what should I do now?
First, call a lawyer you can trust, not one that Google suggests. A lawyer will have a recommended bondsman. A bondsman is no different than anything else; there are good ones and bad ones, so buyer beware of paying the first one you find. Also, in certain cases, the bond will be set too high. A good lawyer will know the amount is too high and advise the individual to wait so a bond reduction can be requested.
Do you charge for a consultation?
No. If you are serious about defending your case, I will meet with you at no charge to discuss it in detail.
How much do you charge?
Every case is different: different facts, different court, different county, different criminal history, etc. There is no set fee for any case. A fee depends on the work involved in the particular case. I DO NOT quote fees over the phone or without a consultation. If the cost of representation is your biggest concern, I am probably not the lawyer for you. I run a low-volume, result-oriented practice and cannot offer the discounted rates of the high-volume practitioners.
Do you offer payment plans?
Everything is negotiable on an individual basis. I do not have a set payment plan, but I am willing to discuss an individual payment schedule depending on the circumstances.
Do you represent Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes, I have represented several individuals who did not speak any English. My full-time assistant is bilingual.
What counties do you take cases in?
I will take a case in any county in the great state of Texas. I have handled cases in over 50 different counties in Texas, from as far north as Parker County and as far south as Cameron county.
I am guilty or it is my first arrest, should I hire a lawyer?
Absolutely! No one should ever enter a criminal courtroom with the idea of representing themselves. Abraham Lincoln said it best: He who represents himself has a fool for a client. Prior to being elected the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln was a criminal defense lawyer. His statement was true then and even more so today because of the collateral consequences that come with a criminal arrest, charge, or conviction on your record. In the modern day, computer databases keep records of everything and everyone. What does not seem like a big deal today may end up being your worst nightmare in the future.
Whether you made a mistake or not, understand that the criminal justice system is not about whether you did or did not, BUT whether the state can prove you did beyond a reasonable doubt! A guilty conscience should have no bearing on whether you hire a lawyer!
What should I look for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer?
There is not an easy answer, much less a definitive one; however, here are some suggestions of things one may want to consider when hiring a criminal defense lawyer:
- Think of a lawyer as you would a doctor. Ask yourself, would I trust this person to operate on me, e.g., cut open your chest? It may seem like a drastic comparison, but your freedom is as important as your life. Life without liberty is not a healthy life. You are your own best judge of character or if you are undecided, bring your family to meet with the lawyer.
- One of the critical times to judge a lawyer’s character is in your first in-person meeting. How much of his time did he or she devote to you free of charge to discuss your situation? How many questions were asked about your background and future? How many detailed questions were asked about the events leading up to your arrest?
- Never hire a lawyer over the phone unless you have already met the lawyer. It is difficult, if not impossible, to truly evaluate someone without being face-to-face. I would not cross-examine a witness over the phone because, without seeing a person’s demeanor and body language, I cannot tell if they are credible.
- You should ask the lawyer about their experience with the charge, with the county, with the district attorney’s office and with the judge. You can also do your own research about a lawyer by using the internet. See details below.
- Lawyer referrals from friends or past clients are one of the best ways to find a lawyer. First, you will know whether the lawyer got the case dismissed, whether the lawyer tried the case to a jury, whether there was a reduction, or whether the lawyer just settled with the first offer from the district attorney. Second, you will have private and personal feedback about the lawyer.
- Do not fall for the case records listed on a lawyer’s website. The case results tab that claims wins and/or dismissals on a lawyer’s website is cheap advertising. Lawyers pick and choose what cases to post, and there is no verification that the case ever existed or that the circumstances of the case led to the dismissal or win. For example, I had a .32 blood test DWI case that involved an accident dismissed because, sadly enough, the police officer was killed in the line of duty. Now, that is not something to boast about, not something I am proud of, and certainly not something I am going to advertise on a website. In another example, a lawyer claims three dismissals on the case results page but fails to mention they were dismissed because that unnamed client pled guilty to a felony charge. The bottom line is that case results are cheap advertising and nothing more; do not be fooled!
- Ask about a lawyer’s caseload and decide whether you want a lawyer that carries 100 cases at a time. It does not mean a lawyer cannot effectively handle 100 cases pending at one time, but everyone has the same amount of time in a given day or week, how much time will be given to your case. Generally speaking, the more a lawyer advertises, the more cases they carry at one time. Ask yourself, does the lawyer care about me or making as much money as possible? Finally, can you afford the lawyer? What financial arrangements is the lawyer willing to make with you? Are they manageable? As with everything in life, if the price is too good to be true, be careful what you are buying.
How do I research a lawyer’s background or previous cases?
You should ask the lawyer about their experience with the charge, with the county, with the district attorney’s office and with the judge. You can also do your own research about a lawyer by using the internet. You can find a lawyer’s state bar number on the Texas State Bar website. You can see if the lawyer has been disciplined. You can also use the lawyer’s bar number to search their case history in some counties. For example, on the Harris County District Clerks page, you can search a lawyer’s case history by clicking the Criminal tab and entering the lawyer’s bar number. Note that cases that have been expunged will no longer show up as being handled by the lawyer. Arrest records of a charge can be erased if the person was found not guilty or if the charges were dismissed. An expunction erases or destroys the records of that person’s arrest.
Why don’t you have a case results page with previous cases?
Do not fall for the case records listed on a lawyer’s website. The case results tab that claims wins and/or dismissals on a lawyer’s website is cheap advertising. Lawyers pick and choose what cases to post, and there is no verification that the case ever existed or that the circumstances of the case led to the dismissal or win. For example, I had a .32 blood test DWI case that involved an accident dismissed because, sadly enough, the police officer was killed in the line of duty. Now, that is not something to boast about, not something I am proud of, and certainly not something I am going to advertise on a website. In another example, a lawyer claims three dismissals on the case results page but fails to mention they were dismissed because that unnamed client pled guilty to a felony charge. The bottom line is that case results are cheap advertising and nothing more; do not be fooled!
Talk To Me About Your Case
If you are looking for high-quality, high-stakes criminal defense, look no further. Call 713-364-0953 today to set up your first consultation with me or reach out online to get started.