PRO
also known as Shane Phelps Law
I am a former Marine, having served on active duty from 1977-80. I graduated from Rice University in Houston in 1983 and the University of Texas School of Law in Austin in 1987. I was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1987. I served as an assistant district attorney in Houston from 1987 to 1990, when I left to accept a position as a special prosecutor for the Texas Attorney General's Office in Austin. After two years there, I was promoted to head a division of special prosecutors, investigators, and staff at the Attorney General's Office. In that role, I traveled all over Texas handling complicated and high-profile criminal cases and grand jury investigations at the request of District Attorneys, County Attorneys, and Judges. In 1995, I left the Attorney General's Office and went into private practice with a private insurance defense firm in Austin where I practiced insurance defense and criminal defense work. In 1999, after John Cornyn was elected Texas Attorney General, he appointed me his Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice. In that position, I managed 100 attorney, numerous investigators and paralegals, and staff. I also served as the Attorney General's advisor on criminal justice matters. In 2001, I left the Attorney General's Office and accepted a position in Brazos County as First Assistant District Attorney for the Brazos County District Attorney's Office, where I served until leaving for that office to start my own law firm.
Since leaving the DA's office in Brazos County, my practice has exploded. I practice criminal defense almost exclusively, but accept other family law and civil cases on a case-by-case basis. I am a board-certified criminal law specialist (by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization) and have been designated by the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific organization, as a Forensic Lawyer Scientist in recognition of my completion of extensive coursework in gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and the chemistry and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects of alcohol and controlled substances on the human body. This training is critical in my extensive DWI practice.
I currently am the owner, founder, and lead attorney at Shane Phelps Law. I have three associate attorneys working for me.
I am married to Jean Ricciardello Phelps. Jean is an attorney and a Certified Public Accountant and serves as the chief financial officer (CFO) of my law firm She is also a trained and certified mediator. Jean's expertise in financial matters is a huge help to me in handling white collar criminal cases.
We have a very smart and strong-willed daughter, Mary Claire, who is the most important thing in our lives. We live in College Station, Texas with two rescue dogs and three rescue cats.
4
Practice Areas
16 years
16 years
14 years
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: Arkansas
Acquired: 2025
No misconduct found
State: Texas
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Shane online.
Showing 11 - 12 of 12 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by William | November 05, 2012 | Appeals
A Lawyer the believes in High Standards Fair Representation with Good Integrity
Shane, represented me in a Appeal Case in Burleson County, Texas, which involved a building contractor. When I first met Shane he told me what to expect (pros and cons) I felt Shane done some extensive research before discussing any stratagies. He was very up front with each stratagy and cost of my c...
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Poor communication and lackluster performance
Hired Mr. Phelps for a DUI charge. He was very professional and knowledgeable, but overall the communication with Mr. Phelps was very poor. Trying to get in contact was extremely difficult, and information changed on every conversation. It felt like he was just quickly browsing over my file before ev...
I'm sorry you walked away from your experience with my office with anything other than a completely positive experience. As your comment is anonymous, it is difficult for me to address your specific issues, however I can unequivocally state that I do everything in my power to achieve the very best result for all of my clients (I have a reputation among prosecutors across the state as never giving up trying to get a better deal for my clients, all the way up to the point that we are actually in front of the judge). I never settle for the first offer from a prosecutor. As I almost certainly advised you from the beginning, as I do all my clients, I strive to respond to calls from my clients as quickly as I can. However, there are times that I am in trial when I am tunnel-visioned on helping that particular client at that particular time. If I did not respond as timely as you expected when you left messages, I apologize. I will also say that my cell number is on my business cards and on my website and I speak to clients all the time, including nights and weekends. Once again, I am sorry that your experience with me was not completely positive. I wish you the best in the future.
"I endorse this lawyer. Shane is an excellent litigator and his knowledge of the law is top notch. I would recommend him to anyone looking for representation in the Brazos Valley."
"Shane Phelps is an excellent attorney. I have known him as both the First Assistant in the Brazos County District Attorney's Office and as an attorney in private practice. He is an effective, results oriented and ethical advocate who is seldom rivaled."
"I endorse this lawyer. If you need an attorney in Houston, Shane is your man."
"Shane is a very experienced and competent attorney. We have tried cases together as a prosecutor and defense attorney and Shane is always well prepared and understands the most complex legal issues."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I worked with Shane when he was the first assistant DA. He is an excellent attorney and one of the very few attorneys whom I routinely turn to for advice. I would recommend Shane without reservation on any criminal matter."
"Shane Phelps is a first rate lawyer. He is highly intelligent, a skilled advocate, and extremely knowledgeable in criminal law matters. I recommend Shane without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Shane for my entire legal career and he is knowledgeable, hard working and passionate about what he does. He is my "go to" guy in the Bryan/College Station area of Texas and I would also endorse him for work throughout the State."
"I consider working with Shane to be a privilege. He has a wealth of legal knowledge and he uses it to his clients benefit. I see first hand the time and hard work he puts into each and every one of his clients cases. I certainly recommend Shane for your legal needs."
"I have known Shane for the entire time he has practiced here in the Brazos County. He was a prosecutor with the district attorney and has now seen the light and gone out to hang his own shingle in the criminal defense area as well as other general areas of practice. As a prosecutor, Shane had a passion for the law and victims and I have seen him carry that passion over to his private practice. I would have no problems referring anyone to Shane on whatever legal matters they may have."
"I have known Shane Phelps professionaly as a practicing attorney in the Brazos County area for over 10 years. He is a consumate professional who approaches each case with an eye toward what is best for his client. Shane is aggressive, well prepared, and thorough. He is also highly respected for his skills as a criminal attorney. I recommend Shane without reservation."
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Business lawyer
Business lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Family lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Atticus Finch Award, Brazos County Bar Association
2017
Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, American Chemical Society/Chemistry and Law Division
2000
Outstanding Dedication to Texas Children, Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
1992
Board Certified - Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
1984
Best Team, Oral Advocacy and Brief Writing, UT School of Law
2011 - Present
Owner, Shane Phelps Law
2001 - 2011
First Assistant District Attorney, Brazos County District Attorney's Office
1999 - 2001
Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice, Office of the Texas Attorney General
1996 - 1998
Attorney, De Leon, Boggins, & Icenogle
1990 - 1996
Chief, Prosecutor Assistance and Special Investigations Division, Office of the Texas Attorney General
1987 - 1990
Assistant District Attorney, Harris County District Attorney's Office
1977 - 1980
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
2019 - Present
Brazos County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationFormer President
2019 - Present
Bryan/College Station Chamber of CommerceFormer Board of Directors
2012 - Present
DUI-Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)Founding Member
2009 - Present
College of the State Bar of TexasFellow
Member
Member
Director
All charges dismissed.
2010
1987
Doctor of Jurisprudence
1983
B.A.
2022
Online Solicitation of a Minor
2012
The Role of the District Attorney
2011
Search and Seizure, Confessions, and Report Writing
2010
Presenting the White Collar Case
2007
Advanced Voir Dire
2006
Grand Jury
2006
The Decision to Seek Death
2005
Creative Sentencing
2022
2003
English
Legal Answers
Is rubbing someone’s arm without permission sexual assault in Texas?
10 Feb 2023
So I was arrested for having Delta eight in Texas, the lab results for the testing of the pen came back negative. What now?
10 Feb 2023
MAN DEL CS PG 3/4 <28G UNL CARRYING WEAPON POSS MARIJ >2OZ<=4OZ THEFT OF FIREARM
11 Feb 2023