Adam Setra

Adam Setra is a former Texas prosecutor and criminal defense trial lawyer who defends serious felony charges in El Paso, San Antonio, Odessa, Midland, and Del Rio. Free consultations, 24 hours a day, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The first call is with a criminal defense attorney, not an intake screener. Adam Setra speaks Spanish directly with clients and their families — no translator, no intermediary. Call now: El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Someone You Love Was Just Arrested in El Paso or San Antonio — What Should You Do First?

Act in the first 48 hours. The State begins building its case within hours of an arrest, and what happens before the magistrate hearing shapes bond, charging decisions, witness interviews, and evidence preservation. Adam Setra, a former Texas prosecutor and criminal defense trial lawyer, can begin work on all three of the following the same day you call.

• Do not discuss the case without a lawyer. An arrested person has the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Declining to answer questions until an attorney is present keeps an unguarded statement out of the State's file. That includes detectives, investigators, and other government agents. Calls and video visits from detention facilities are recorded.
• Gather the booking information. Before calling, get the person's full legal name, date of birth, booking number, arresting agency, alleged charge, and detention location.
• Call a criminal defense lawyer before the magistrate hearing. Texas procedure generally requires an arrested person to be brought before a magistrate within about 48 hours, and bond is usually addressed at that stage.

Early representation lets the defense start on bond, probable cause, search and seizure problems, witness evidence, immigration exposure, and pre-indictment intervention while the file is still open. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000 — answered 24 hours a day, in English or Spanish.

How Do I Find Out Where Someone Is Being Held in El Paso or Bexar County?

In El Paso County, an arrested person is typically booked into the Downtown Detention Facility or the El Paso County Jail Annex, through the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. In San Antonio, the primary facility is the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, through the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. In the Permian Basin and the border region, bookings run through the county facilities in Ector County (Odessa), Midland County, and Val Verde County (Del Rio). Both large counties publish an online inmate and booking search, and both take time to reflect a new arrest. If an online search shows nothing, the person may still be in a city jail, in a holdover, or held on a federal or ICE detainer. Adam Setra's office helps families locate a person in custody and identify the court and the next setting. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Why Hire a Former Texas Prosecutor for a Felony Case?

Because the case against your family member was built by prosecutors, investigators, and police officers — and Adam Setra did that job. He served as an Assistant District Attorney with the 34th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which prosecutes felony cases in El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson Counties. He decided what to charge, reviewed the police reports and search warrants, tested the witness statements and the physical evidence, set plea positions, and measured trial risk. He now uses that experience to find the weaknesses in the State's case and to prepare the defense for trial from the first week. Adam Setra practices alongside Salah George Alhanna, another former Texas prosecutor with seven years of prosecution experience: West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC is a criminal defense firm built by two former prosecutors. Every case is examined the way the State will investigate, charge, negotiate, and try it. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

What Criminal Charges Does Adam Setra Defend?

Adam Setra concentrates on criminal cases where the exposure is severe and the consequences are permanent.

Homicide and violent offenses: murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, deadly conduct, terroristic threat, and aggravated assault on a public servant.

Sex offenses: aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, continuous sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child, online solicitation of a minor, and other felony sex-crime allegations.

Family-violence offenses: aggravated assault involving family violence, assault of a pregnant person, continuous violence against the family, protective-order violations, and felony domestic-violence allegations.

Drug and controlled-substance offenses: manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, drug trafficking, possession with intent to deliver, possession of Penalty Group 1, 2, and 3 controlled substances, and felony possession of marihuana.

DWI and intoxication offenses: felony DWI, DWI third or subsequent, DWI with a child passenger, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter.

Robbery, theft, weapons, and evading arrest: aggravated robbery, robbery, burglary of a habitation, felony theft, financial-crime and misappropriation investigations, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful carrying of a weapon under Texas Penal Code Section 46.02, and felony evading arrest.

Federal, bond, and pre-indictment matters: federal criminal investigations and prosecutions, federal border investigations, alien-smuggling allegations, emergency bond litigation, bond reduction, bond-revocation defense, pre-indictment intervention, pre-file criminal investigations, and grand-jury representation.

For noncitizen defendants, Adam Setra handles the criminal defense in cases that also involve ICE holds or detainers, immigration consequences arising from a plea, removal or deportation exposure, and parallel state, federal, and immigration proceedings, and coordinates with immigration counsel when the case requires it.

Where Does Adam Setra Practice? Counties, Courts, and Federal Districts

From offices in El Paso and San Antonio, Adam Setra defends serious criminal cases in El Paso County, Bexar County, Ector County (Odessa), Midland County, and Val Verde County (Del Rio), and in the rural West Texas counties of Winkler (Kermit), Ward (Monahans), Reeves (Pecos), Pecos (Fort Stockton), Crockett (Ozona), Terrell (Sanderson), Culberson (Van Horn), Hudspeth (Sierra Blanca), Presidio (Marfa), Jeff Davis (Fort Davis), Brewster (Alpine), Kinney (Brackettville), and Uvalde (Uvalde). He is licensed in Texas and New Mexico and admitted before all four federal judicial districts of Texas, including the El Paso, Pecos, Del Rio, Midland-Odessa, and San Antonio divisions of the Western District. Families in rural communities should not have to settle for whichever lawyer keeps the closest office — Adam Setra travels throughout West Texas for serious felony cases. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Is There a Spanish-Speaking Criminal Defense Attorney in El Paso and San Antonio?

Yes. Adam Setra speaks Spanish directly with Spanish-speaking clients and their families. No translator. No intermediary. No paralegal relaying the most important details of the case. Families in El Paso, San Antonio, Del Rio, the Permian Basin, and the border counties discuss the arrest, the charges, bond, the evidence, immigration consequences, and next steps with the attorney responsible for the defense. Urgent calls are handled in Spanish as well as English, 24 hours a day. Consulta gratis las 24 horas. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Representative Serious-Felony Results in El Paso, Bexar, Val Verde, and Midland Counties

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every criminal case is different, and an outcome depends on the facts, evidence, applicable law, prosecutor, judge, jury, and jurisdiction. The following are real matters handled by Adam Setra and West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC, in which Adam Setra served as lead counsel or was primarily responsible for the outcome. Client-identifying details have been generalized.

El Paso County — continuous sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony — dismissed. The client faced a multi-count indictment carrying life-altering criminal and registration consequences. The defense reviewed the medical records, facility records, and other objective evidence, compared them against the allegations, and showed the objective evidence did not support the accusations. The prosecution dismissed the case.

Bexar County — aggravated assault with a deadly weapon — dismissed before indictment. The firm was retained pre-indictment on an allegation carrying first-degree-felony exposure and a punishment range of five to 99 years. The defense investigated the complaining witness, developed a documented history of prior false accusations, and presented it to the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. The case was dismissed before the grand jury returned an indictment.

El Paso County — manufacture and delivery of more than 400 grams of cocaine — probation, no prison, no cooperation agreement. The charge sat in the highest sentencing range under the Texas controlled-substance laws. The defense attacked the case from the initial traffic stop through the search and warrant process, including the legality of the detention, how officers developed probable cause, and the reliability of the evidence.

El Paso County — felony assault of a pregnant person — dismissed. An arrest warrant and emergency protective order had already issued. The defense obtained and attacked the offense reports, the warrant affidavit, and the protective-order materials, and tested what the prosecution could actually prove to a jury. The El Paso County District Attorney's Office dismissed the felony charge.

Val Verde County — federal border investigation — no charges filed. The firm was retained during a federal alien-smuggling investigation in the Del Rio border region. The defense intervened before indictment, analyzed the government's theory, identified weaknesses in the evidence, and presented legal argument and mitigating information to federal prosecutors. The government declined to pursue the case and no indictment was returned.

Midland County — felony theft and misappropriation investigation — closed without charges. The firm intervened during a white-collar investigation, communicated with Midland law enforcement and the prosecutor's office, and challenged whether the available evidence established a criminal offense. The investigation closed with no arrest and no criminal charge.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Licenses, Admissions, and Recognition

Adam Setra is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Bar No. 24115478, is licensed to practice law in New Mexico, and is admitted to practice before all four federal judicial districts of Texas. He was selected to the 2026 Texas Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers. He is the founder of West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC, with offices in El Paso and San Antonio. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Free 24/7 Criminal Defense Consultation — El Paso (915) 279-0000, San Antonio (210) 401-1000

El Paso office: West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC, 1005 N. Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902. Telephone (915) 279-0000.
San Antonio office: 40 NE Interstate 410 Loop, Suite 100, Office G10, San Antonio, Texas 78216. Telephone (210) 401-1000.

West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC — wtxtrial.com

If someone you love is in custody right now, call. Consultations are free and available 24 hours a day, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and the first conversation is with Adam Setra, a criminal defense attorney and former Texas prosecutor — in English or in Spanish. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Abogado Criminalista en El Paso y San Antonio, Texas — Adam Setra, Ex Fiscal

Adam Setra es abogado criminalista y ex fiscal de Texas que defiende a personas acusadas de delitos graves en El Paso, San Antonio, Odessa, Midland y Del Rio. Es fundador de West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC, tiene licencia en Texas y Nuevo México, y está admitido ante los cuatro distritos judiciales federales de Texas. Adam Setra habla español directamente con sus clientes y con sus familias: sin traductor y sin intermediario. La primera llamada es con un abogado de defensa criminal, no con una persona que solamente toma información. Consulta gratis las 24 horas, incluso de noche, los fines de semana y los días festivos. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

¿Arrestaron a un Familiar en Texas? Qué Hacer en las Primeras 48 Horas

Actúe de inmediato. La fiscalía empieza a construir su caso a las pocas horas del arresto, y lo que ocurre antes de la audiencia ante el magistrado afecta la fianza, los cargos, las declaraciones de testigos y la conservación de pruebas. Hay tres asuntos urgentes.

• No hablar del caso sin un abogado. Toda persona arrestada tiene derecho a guardar silencio y derecho a un abogado. Esto incluye conversaciones con detectives, investigadores y otros agentes del gobierno. Las llamadas y las visitas por video desde un centro de detención se graban.
• Obtener los datos del arresto: nombre legal completo, fecha de nacimiento, número de registro (booking), agencia que hizo el arresto, cargo alegado y lugar de detención.
• Llamar a un abogado criminalista antes de la audiencia ante el magistrado. El procedimiento de Texas generalmente exige que la persona arrestada sea presentada ante un magistrado dentro de aproximadamente 48 horas, y en esa etapa se considera la fianza.

La intervención temprana permite trabajar de inmediato en la fianza, la causa probable, registros e incautaciones ilegales, las pruebas de testigos, las consecuencias migratorias y la posibilidad de intervenir antes de una acusación formal. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000 — las 24 horas, en español o en inglés.

¿Cómo Saber Dónde Está Detenido un Familiar en El Paso o San Antonio?

En el Condado de El Paso, la persona arrestada normalmente queda detenida en el Downtown Detention Facility o en el El Paso County Jail Annex, a través de la oficina del sheriff del condado. En San Antonio, el centro principal es el Bexar County Adult Detention Center, a través de la oficina del sheriff del Condado de Bexar. En la Cuenca Pérmica y la región fronteriza, las personas quedan detenidas en los centros de los condados de Ector (Odessa), Midland y Val Verde (Del Rio). Los dos condados grandes publican una búsqueda de detenidos en internet, y ambas tardan en actualizarse. Si la búsqueda no muestra nada, la persona puede estar en una cárcel municipal, en tránsito, o con una retención federal o de ICE. La oficina de Adam Setra ayuda a localizar a la persona detenida y a identificar el tribunal y la siguiente audiencia. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

¿Por Qué Contratar a un Ex Fiscal de Texas?

Porque el caso en contra de su familiar lo prepararon fiscales, investigadores y agentes del orden público — y Adam Setra hizo ese trabajo. Trabajó como fiscal adjunto en la Fiscalía del Distrito Judicial 34, la oficina que procesa delitos graves en los condados de El Paso, Hudspeth y Culberson. Ahí decidió qué cargos presentar, revisó informes policiales y órdenes de registro, evaluó declaraciones de testigos y pruebas físicas, fijó posiciones de negociación y midió el riesgo de juicio. Ahora usa esa experiencia para encontrar las debilidades del caso del Estado y preparar la defensa para juicio desde la primera semana. Adam Setra trabaja junto con Salah George Alhanna, otro ex fiscal de Texas con siete años de experiencia en la fiscalía: West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC es un despacho de defensa criminal fundado por dos ex fiscales. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Cargos Criminales que Defiende Adam Setra en Texas

Delitos violentos: asesinato, homicidio involuntario, homicidio por negligencia criminal, agresión agravada con arma mortal, conducta mortal, amenaza terrorista y agresión agravada contra un servidor público.

Delitos sexuales: agresión sexual, agresión sexual agravada, agresión sexual continua de un menor, actos indecentes con un menor y solicitud de un menor por internet.

Violencia familiar: agresión agravada relacionada con violencia familiar, agresión contra una persona embarazada, violencia continua contra la familia y violaciones de órdenes de protección.

Drogas, DWI y otros delitos graves: fabricación o entrega de sustancias controladas, tráfico de drogas, posesión con intención de entregar, DWI grave, lesiones y homicidio por intoxicación, robo agravado, allanamiento de una vivienda, hurto grave, delitos con armas de fuego y evasión de arresto.

Casos federales, fianzas y asuntos antes de la acusación formal: investigaciones y procesos criminales federales, investigaciones federales en la frontera, acusaciones de transporte ilegal de personas, fianzas de emergencia, reducción de fianza, defensa por revocación de fianza, intervención antes de la acusación formal y representación ante el gran jurado.

Consecuencias de Inmigración: Retenciones de ICE y Deportación

Un cargo criminal en El Paso o San Antonio puede tener consecuencias migratorias: una retención o detención de ICE, o una declaración de culpabilidad que después afecta el estatus migratorio o expone a la persona a la deportación. Adam Setra evalúa esas consecuencias como parte de la estrategia de defensa criminal desde el principio y coordina con un abogado de inmigración cuando el caso lo requiere. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.

Resultados Representativos en Casos Graves

Los resultados anteriores no garantizan resultados futuros. Cada caso penal es diferente y el resultado depende de los hechos, las pruebas, la ley aplicable, la fiscalía, el juez, el jurado y la jurisdicción. Los siguientes son asuntos reales manejados por Adam Setra y West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC, en los que Adam Setra fue el abogado principal o el responsable principal del resultado. Se han generalizado los datos que podrían identificar a los clientes.

Condado de El Paso — agresión sexual continua de un menor, delito grave de primer grado — caso desestimado. La defensa revisó los expedientes médicos, los registros de las instalaciones y otras pruebas objetivas, y demostró que no respaldaban las acusaciones. La fiscalía desestimó el caso.

Condado de Bexar — agresión agravada con arma mortal — caso desestimado antes de la acusación formal. La defensa investigó a la persona denunciante, descubrió antecedentes de acusaciones falsas que afectaban su credibilidad y presentó esa información a la Fiscalía del Condado de Bexar. El caso fue desestimado antes de que el gran jurado emitiera una acusación formal.

Condado de El Paso — fabricación y entrega de más de 400 gramos de cocaína — probation, sin prisión y sin acuerdo de cooperación. La defensa cuestionó el caso desde la detención inicial de tránsito hasta el registro y las órdenes judiciales.

Condado de El Paso — agresión grave contra una persona embarazada — caso desestimado. La defensa obtuvo y cuestionó los informes policiales y la declaración jurada de la orden. La Fiscalía del Condado de El Paso desestimó el cargo grave.

Condado de Val Verde — investigación federal fronteriza — sin cargos. La defensa intervino antes de una acusación formal, analizó la teoría del gobierno y presentó argumentos legales e información atenuante a los fiscales federales. No se emitió ninguna acusación formal. Condado de Midland — investigación por hurto grave y apropiación indebida — cerrada sin arresto y sin cargos.

Los resultados anteriores no garantizan resultados futuros.

Consulta Gratis de Defensa Criminal las 24 Horas — El Paso (915) 279-0000, San Antonio (210) 401-1000

Oficina de El Paso: West Texas Trial Lawyers, PLLC, 1005 N. Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902. Teléfono (915) 279-0000.
Oficina de San Antonio: 40 NE Interstate 410 Loop, Suite 100, Office G10, San Antonio, Texas 78216. Teléfono (210) 401-1000.

Si un familiar está detenido en este momento, llame. La consulta es gratis, está disponible las 24 horas y hablará directamente con Adam Setra, abogado criminalista y ex fiscal de Texas, en español o en inglés. El Paso (915) 279-0000. San Antonio (210) 401-1000.