Samuel E. Bassett
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Austin, Texas
Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey, P.C.
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1988
Education: The University of Texas School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2026 Call today:
512-628-7715
Free Consultation Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey, P.C.
1100 Guadalupe StreetAustin, TX 78701 Visit website
With over three decades of experience under his belt, Samuel E. Bassett, partner at Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey, P.C., in Austin, Texas, has established himself as a leading attorney primarily focusing on criminal defense. Having practiced both criminal defense and family law, he advocates for clients in cases involving white collar crimes, felonies, homicides, sexual assault, fraud, major drug charges and DWIs. He predominantly serves in the Austin metro area, including Travis, Hays, Williamson and the surrounding counties.
Mr. Bassett graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Austin in 1985. Before gaining his licensure in 1988, he earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. A standout in his field, he is board-certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization – a distinction held by a small percentage of Texas attorneys – recognizing his trial experience and extensive legal knowledge.
Mr. Bassett has earned multiple accolades and awards, reinforcing his reputation as an advocate for criminal defense clients. He won the Presidential Award from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. In the years 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2023, he was titled “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the legal domain. Additionally, he was awarded the Ambassador Award by the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in 2010.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Bassett has left an indelible mark through his community service. From 2004 until 2010, Mr. Bassett served on the State Bar of Texas District Nine Grievance Panel, upholding the ethical standards of the Texas bar. For his work as the chair of the Texas Forensic Science Commission in ensuring high standards of scientific integrity, he was nominated as a finalist for Texan of the Year. Formerly president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, he presently serves on the board of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Family LawFocus areas
Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Divorce, Misdemeanor, Murder
- 60% Criminal Defense
- 40% Family Law
First Admitted: 1988, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.mbfc.com/our-attorneys/samuel-bassett/
Bar / Professional Activity
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2005
- Travis County Bar Association, Criminal Law and Procedure Section; President (2000-2001)
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1991
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1989
- Texas, 1988
- National College of DUI Lawyers, 2005 – Present; Member
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1992 – 1994; Legislative Committee
- Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association; Charter Member
- Travis County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section; Member
- Williamson County Bar Association; Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Member
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; Member
- Travis County Bar Association, Family Law Section; Member
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association; Board of Directors (2002-Present)
- Travis County Bar Association; Board of Directors (2000-2003)
- Travis County Bar Association; Member
- State Bar of Texas District 9A Grievance Panel; Panel Chair – 2009-2010
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Certified, Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1994
Pro bono / Community Service
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Austin, 1990 – 1997; Big Brother
- Texas Forensic Science Commission, 2005-2009, Member; Chairman – 2007-2009
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Austin, 1993 – 1994; Board of Directors
Educational Background
- University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1985
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- April, 2010 – Keynote Speaker – National Defense Investigators Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada; “Junk Science & An Execution in Texas”
- February, 2010 – Speaker – TCDLA President’s Retreat, Napa Valley, California; “Civil and Criminal Aspects of Family Violence Cases”
- January, 2010 – Speaker – “Obstacles to Forensics Science Reform” – Sixth Annual National Forensic Science Seminar – San Diego, California
- December, 2009 – Course Director and Speaker on Ethics – TCDLA Defending Sexual Assault Seminar, Houston, Texas
- July 2009 – Speaker: The Rules of Evidence – CDLP Seminar, South Padre Island, Texas
- May 2009 – Speaker – Indigent Defense Seminar – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Dallas, Texas – Civil and Criminal Law Topics
- Law & Clergy Conference – Austin, Texas, February 2009: Speaker – Criminal Law Issues Concerning Clergy
- Operation Texas Freedom, Speaker, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Project, July, 2007
- Client Relationships, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Project, McAllen, Texas, April 1, 2005
- Course Director, DWI 2001 Seminar, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association
- Luncheon Speaker, Criminal Defense Practice and Personal Life, University of Texas Law School, 2001
- Family Violence, Civil & Criminal Issues, Texas Criminal Def. Lawyers Seminar, College Station, Texas, 2004
- Adjunct Professor, Criminal Defense Clinic, University of Texas School of Law, (1996-1997)
- December, 2015: “Ethics and the Initial Client Interview”
- July, 2010 – Speaker – Ethics and The Practice of Law – Criminal Defense Lawyers‘ Project, South Padre Island, Texas
- September, 2010 – “The Art of War – Trial Tactics Seminar” Kerrville, Texas; Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- January, 2011 – University of Texas at Austin, Quest Program Speaker – “Forensic Science Reform in Texas”
- September, 2011 – Course Director – Defense of Sexual Assault Cases Austin, Texas – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; Speaker – Ethics
- May, 2013: Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals; University of Texas School of Law The Scientific Method and Expert Testimony in Criminal Cases
- September, 2013 – Jury Selection in Intoxication Cases TCDLA – Arlington, Texas
- January, 2014: State Bar of Texas – Sex, Drugs and Surveillance Seminar; Houston, Texas Speaker – 5th Amendment Issues in Family and Criminal Law Cases
- June, 2014: Advanced Criminal Law Seminar (Rusty Duncan); Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association “Don’t Roll The Dice With Your Law License – Ethics in 2014” – Speaker
- October, 2014: State Bar of Texas: “Prosecuting or Defending a Domestic Violence Case” Speaker – Austin, Texas
- March, 2015: “Taste of Voir Dire” – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Voir Dire Demonstration/Instructor
- December, 2015: Austin, Texas – Defending Sexual Assault Cases Seminar, TCDLA Speaker: Ethical Issues and the Initial Client Interview
- June, 2016: Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, San Antonio, Texas Topic: Ethics in the 21st Century
- January, 2017: Prairie Dog Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, Lubbock, Texas, Civil and Criminal Aspects of Domestic Violence Cases
- December, 2017: Defending Accusations of Sex Crimes, TCDLA Course Director and Speaker (Topic: Ethics)
- TCDLA Defense of Sexual Assault Allegations Seminar – Austin, Texas
Honors
- 2018 – Awarded Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense by Best Lawyers in America
- Robert W. Calvert Chapter – American Inns of Court, 1999 – 2001; Member
- State Bar of Texas Foundation – Fellow – 2012
- 2010 – Ambassador Award – Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- 2010-2013 – Presidential Award – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Recognized as a member of “The Best Lawyers In America”
- Recognized as a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine
Industry Groups
- Family Law Section And Criminal Law Section
- Federal Bar Association
- State Bar Of Texas
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2026
