George Altgelt
Criminal Defense Attorney | Laredo, TX
George Altgelt
His entire law practice is dedicated to criminal defense and family law. Most of his clients are those with occupational licenses or law enforcement credentials. At the unique crossroads of criminal defense, Altgelt has found his niche. Winning the criminal case is just the start, saving one’s career, livelihood, and family are the next vital steps.
As a former prosecutor for the Webb and Zapata County District Attorney’s Office Altgelt successfully prosecuted DWI/DUI and drug distribution cases. More importantly, he learned his craft from the inside out and now puts that inside knowledge to work for the benefit of his clients.
Altgelt has successfully defended the Second Amendment and the right to self-defense & defense of others and has extensive experience in handling all types of cases involving firearms and use of force and is a fierce advocate for local law enforcement whenever there is a critical incident or use of force event. He is a Union Representative and a Panel Attorney for the National Border Patrol Council – Local 2455, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, the Texas Municipal Police Officer’s Association, Texas/US Law Shield and has extensive law enforcement contacts throughout south Texas. He represents members of the Texas State Teachers Association and the Texas Classroom Teachers Association. He is the one to call when you or someone you love is arrested and needs to fight the criminal case and consequences that follow.
Altgelt was admitted to practice law by the Texas State Bar in 2004, the federal Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, the Fourth Court of Appeals, as well as the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also been admitted into the College of the State Bar of Texas.
He formally represented District VII on the Laredo City Council. He was elected to the office in May 2015 and won re-election in November 8, 2016. He has worked to reform the city’s wasteful spending practices, to serve the needs of District VII and the city as a whole and has always put people before politics.
Altgelt was born in Austin, raised in Wimberley and on the family ranch in San Ygnacio. He is a graduate of Zapata High School and Texas A&M International University. He earned a doctorate of jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2004, is fluent in Spanish and is an avid outdoorsman.
Altgelt knows the border. He has ancestral ties to Guerrero Viejo. He is a 13th generation Texan on his mother’s side (Guerra), and 8th generation Texan on his father’s side. Both of his grandparents were WWII Veterans, ranchers and businessmen in the San Ygnacio, Hebbronville, and Hallettsville areas. His mother is a journalist who published LareDOS for over 20 years, and his father is an Austin businessman and entrepreneur.
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
History & Expertise
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
- Federal Defense
- Family Law
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2004
Education
-
St. Mary's University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas
J.D. - 2004 -
Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas - 1999
Major: Political Science
Honors and Awards
- Top 5 Local Best Law Firm in Laredo - 2019
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Excellent Rated Attorney - AVVO 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Better Business Bureau
- Texas Municipal Police Officers Association
- Laredo Webb County Bar Association, President, 2011-2012
- Texas State Bar and State Bar College
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- National Border Patrol Council
- Peace Officers Research Assocation of California
- US and Texas Law Shield
Past Employment
- Webb & Zapata County Attorney's Office, Assistant District Attorney, 2004-2006
Pro Bono Activities
- St. Mary's Criminal Law Clinic, 2003-2004
- Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, 2006-2008
Languages
- English (Primary)
- Spanish