At Barbieri Law Firm, P.C., we defend professionals in Plano whose careers, licenses, and standing are on the line at the same moment their freedom is. Our firm has tried serious criminal cases since 2000, with 55+ years of combined team experience and more than 260+ client reviews.
Criminal defense covers what you say to police, what evidence prosecutors can use, what a charge is reduced to or dismissed, and what remains searchable afterward. In Plano, that last part matters as much as the first, because a charge reaches an employer or a licensing board long before a courtroom resolves it.
Plano arrests are handled in Collin County, and most cases move through the courts in McKinney. The prosecutors, judges, and local practices there are not the same as Dallas County, and neither is the pace. Demonstrated experience in Collin County courts matters more than a general DFW presence.
Our approach is early intervention: engaging before charges are filed when possible, with an in-house investigation team and in-house reputation management working alongside the legal defense.
What Clients Say About Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
“From the top down everyone here is professional and 100% engaged in assisting you and fighting for you until the end.” Josh H.
Clients work directly with the full team, not a hand-off to junior staff.
“They care about you and your reputation and will not back down.” Lisa G.
Reputation protection is part of the defense, not an afterthought.
“She was extremely helpful through the whole process. I was clueless on what to do and felt I had nowhere to turn.” Lydia S.
First-time defendants get a clear explanation of every step, not legal jargon.
“As a fellow criminal defense attorney, I’m consistently impressed by their dedication and results.” Angelica C.
Peer recognition from within the defense bar carries weight that marketing cannot buy.
Understanding Criminal Charge Levels in Texas
| Texas Charge Level | General Punishment Range | What It Can Mean |
| Class C Misdemeanor | Fine of up to $500 | Typically no jail sentence, but a conviction can still create a criminal record |
| Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180 days in county jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000 | Includes certain first-time DWI and other misdemeanor offenses |
| Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000 | The most serious misdemeanor classification in Texas |
| State Jail Felony | 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000 | The lowest felony classification, but still carries felony-level consequences |
| Third-Degree Felony | 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 | Can apply when certain offenses are enhanced by prior convictions or other circumstances |
| Second-Degree Felony | 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 | Generally involves more serious felony allegations |
| First-Degree Felony | 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 | One of the most serious categories of criminal charges in Texas |
Why Work With Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. in Plano
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Heather Barbieri has held Board Certification in Criminal Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005. Fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys hold this credential, and it is verifiable through the State Bar of Texas.
In-house investigation from day one
Our investigator brings decades of high-stakes criminal experience and works with the legal team from the first meeting. The team reconstructs timelines, analyzes digital and forensic evidence, and finds gaps in police work faster than firms that outsource the work.
In-house reputation management
We defend the case and the life around it. Our in-house PR support manages media coverage, controls the narrative, and protects professional standing during and after the matter, including cases involving domestic violence defense in Plano, where exposure moves quickly.
Early intervention before charges are filed
When we are retained during an investigation, we shape it rather than react to it. That window is often the difference between a filed charge and no charge at all.
Limited caseloads, direct attorney access
We intentionally cap the number of cases we accept so clients speak with their attorney, not a junior handler. Discretion is a structural part of how the firm operates.
25 Years in Collin County Courts
The firm has practiced since 2000, and the team brings more than 55 combined years to Collin County courtrooms in McKinney.
Our Criminal Defense Services in Plano
- Felony charge defense
- Misdemeanor defense
- Violent crimes defense
- Sex crimes defense
- Assault defense
- Federal criminal defense
- White collar crime defense
- DWI and driving offense defense
- Domestic violence defense
- Juvenile criminal defense
- Drug charge defense
- Criminal appeals representation
Facing charges? Talk to a Frisco defense attorney today.
Can A Criminal Defense Attorney In Plano Help Get Charges Reduced Or Dismissed?
Yes. Depending on the facts, a defense attorney can negotiate a reduced charge, seek dismissal on procedural or evidentiary grounds, pursue deferred adjudication or a diversion program, or try the case to a verdict. No lawyer can guarantee an outcome, but the strategy you choose in the first weeks often decides which of those doors stays open.
Under the Texas Penal Code, the tier your case falls into, from Class B and Class A misdemeanor up through state jail felony and first-degree felony, sets the punishment range and the collateral consequences that follow: professional licensing review, employment disclosure obligations, housing, and immigration status.
Enhancements, including prior convictions, a weapon, or the status of the complaining witness, can move a charge up a tier before you ever see a courtroom.
Our in-house investigation team reconstructs timelines and examines the evidence from day one, identifying enhancement vulnerabilities and gaps in police work while the case is still forming. The same analysis applies to federal white collar defense in Plano, where charge structure drives everything.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Decennial Census, Collin County’s population surpassed 1.1 million residents. The volume moving through the McKinney courts means prosecutors respond to preparation, not volume.
Get to Know Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. has defended criminal cases in North Texas since 2000.
Our firm focuses on high-stakes, high-visibility cases for professionals, executives, and public figures whose freedom and reputation are both at risk. That focus is supported by 55+ years of combined team experience, an in-house investigation team, and in-house reputation management.
Headquartered in Frisco, the firm serves the DFW Metroplex, including Plano and Collin County courts in McKinney. Caseloads are intentionally limited so clients work directly with their attorney.
What Actually Happens After an Arrest in Plano
After an arrest in Plano, you will typically be taken to the Plano City Jail, where officers complete the booking process. This can include fingerprinting, photographs, collecting personal information and property, checking for outstanding warrants, and formally recording the alleged offense.
Being booked does not mean you have been convicted, but anything you say during or after the arrest can potentially affect the case, which is why it is generally important to exercise your right to remain silent and request an attorney.
Texas law requires an arrested person to be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and generally no later than 48 hours after the arrest. During this appearance, the magistrate advises you of the accusation and important constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
If you are released on bond, the court may impose conditions designed to ensure that you return to court and address safety concerns. Depending on the charge, those conditions could affect where you can travel, who you can contact, whether you may possess firearms, or whether you must comply with monitoring or testing requirements.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Plano, Texas
1. Confidential Consultation
We assess the charges, your exposure, and the timeline in a private meeting. You will hear an honest read on where the case stands and what the professional consequences look like.
2. Early Intervention
When possible, we engage before charges are formally filed so we shape the investigation instead of reacting to it. Getting counsel in place early is often what keeps options open.
3. In-House Investigation Activates
Our investigation team, embedded with the legal team from day one, reconstructs the timeline, reviews digital and forensic evidence, and identifies gaps in the police work. Nothing is outsourced.
4. Defense Strategy Built
We analyze the case charge by charge, identify evidence that can be suppressed, and build negotiation leverage. Heather Barbieri holds Board Certification in Criminal Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by under 1% of Texas attorneys.
5. Reputation Management Engaged
Our in-house reputation management team coordinates narrative control and handles media response when a case draws attention. Very few defense firms offer this in-house.
6. Direct Attorney Access Throughout
Caseloads are intentionally limited, so you communicate with your attorney, not a junior handler. Discretion is built into how we operate.
7. Resolution
We pursue dismissal, reduction, acquittal, or the strongest available outcome with the full team aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Plano
How Soon Should I Contact A Criminal Defense Attorney After Being Charged In Collin County?
Immediately, and ideally before your first court setting in McKinney. Evidence like surveillance video and witness memory degrades within days, and prosecutors begin building their file long before your first appearance.
What Is The Difference Between A Felony And A Misdemeanor In Texas, And How Does It Affect My Career?
Misdemeanors in Texas carry up to one year in county jail, while felonies carry a year or more in state prison and strip rights like firearm possession.
Can Charges Be Dismissed Before A Case Ever Reaches Trial In Texas?
Yes. Charges can be rejected at intake, no-billed by a grand jury, or dismissed by the prosecutor when the evidence is weak or unlawfully obtained.
Does Barbieri Law Firm Handle Cases In Collin County Courts?
Yes. The firm regularly appears in the Collin County courts in McKinney and knows how local prosecutors and judges handle charge filing, bond conditions, and pretrial negotiation.
What Does Board Certification In Criminal Law Actually Mean?
Heather Barbieri holds Board Certification in Criminal Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, first granted in 2005 and recertified in 2010, 2015, and 2020.
Will A Criminal Charge Affect My Professional License Or Employment In Texas?
Often, yes. Many Texas licensing boards require self-reporting of charges, not just convictions, and employment contracts frequently carry the same duty.
What Is Early Intervention, And Can It Help Before Charges Are Filed?
Early intervention means engaging counsel during the investigation, before a prosecutor decides whether to file. That window allows the firm’s in-house investigation team to develop facts, present them to the state, and sometimes influence whether charges are filed at all.
Local Resources in Plano for Criminal Defense
- Collin County Courthouse
The main judicial facility in McKinney where felony and misdemeanor cases originating in Plano are heard. - Plano Municipal Court
Handles Class C misdemeanor citations and ordinance violations issued within city limits. - Collin County District Attorney’s Office
The prosecutorial office responsible for filing and litigating felony charges across Collin County. - Plano Police Department
The primary law enforcement agency that makes arrests and investigates offenses within the city. - Collin County Detention Center
The county jail facility where individuals arrested in Plano are booked and held pending bond or release. - Collin County Clerk’s Office
Maintains official court records, filings, and case dockets for all county-level proceedings. - Collin County Bail Bond Board
Regulates licensed bail bondsmen operating throughout the county. - Collin County Community Supervision & Corrections
Oversees probation services and supervises individuals placed on community supervision by the courts. - Plano City Hall
The municipal government hub where city ordinances are enacted and administrative matters are processed. - Collin County District Clerk’s Office
Manages felony case records, jury summons, and formal court documents at the district court level. - 380th District Court – Collin County
One of the district courts in Collin County that presides over serious felony matters from Plano.
Facing Criminal Charges in Plano? Contact Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
A criminal charge in Collin County moves on its own schedule, and so does the risk to your career, your professional license, and your standing in the community. The earlier you have counsel in place, the more options you have, including the chance to shape an investigation before charges are formally filed.
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. represents clients throughout Plano and Collin County with Board Certified criminal defense, an in-house investigation team, and in-house reputation management built for people whose freedom and name are both on the line. Caseloads are intentionally limited, so you speak directly with your attorney.
Call us for a confidential consultation, or send a message through the contact form.
