Criminal Defense

The Stornello Law Firm defends clients charged with violating the criminal laws of the State of Texas.

Criminal Defense

• Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
• Appeals
• Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
• Environmental Violations
• Felonies
• Grand Jury Proceedings
• Juvenile Crimes
• False Identification
• Truancy
• Misdemeanors
• Parole
• Probation
• Perjury
• Plea Negotiation
• Search & Seizure
• Victims' Rights

Abuse

• Animal Abuse
• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Elder Abuse

Automotive

• DUI
• Felony Auto Accidents
• Traffic - Moving Violations
• Open Container
• Driving with a Suspended License
• Driving without a License
• DWI

Computer Crimes

• Hacking
• Malicious Code
• Unauthorized Access

Criminal Records

• Expungement or Expunction

Drugs

• Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
• Drug Possession
• Intent to Distribute Drugs
• Intent to Sell Drugs

Firearms & Weapons

• Constitutional Rights Defense
• Illegal Possession or Transportation
• Other Weapons & Devices

Fraud & Financial Crimes

• Bank Fraud
• Checks & Credit Cards
• Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
• Embezzlement
• Extortion
• Forgery
• Identity Theft
• Insider Trading
• Insurance Claims
• Money Laundering
• Public Offerings
• Racketeering & RICO
• Securities Fraud
• Smuggling
• Tax Evasion & Fraud
• Trade Secrets
• Wire Transfer

Property Crimes

• Arson
• Burglary
• Embezzlement
• Larceny
• Shoplifting
• Theft
• Trespass
• Vandalism

Sex Crimes

• Abduction
• Child Abuse
• Child Pornography
• Indecent Exposure
• Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
• Rape
• Sexual Assault
• Stalking
• Trafficking in Women

Violent Crimes

• Assault & Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Extortion
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
• Murder
• Robbery

TX, Nov 1998
Bar Number: 24008095

Supreme Court of Texas and Southern District of Texas.

State Bar of Texas, Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, Fort Bend County Criminal Lawyers Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, National Italian American Bar Association, Justinian Society of Houston Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

An Attorney in Texas is required to take 15 hours a year of CLE. I routinely take 30 or more hours a year. To stay prepared one must continue to learn. I also teach criminal law seminars to the Justinian Society of Houston Lawyers.

My client was charged with Sexual Assault of a Child. My client was 20 years old and the girl, my client's girlfriend, was age 15. She lied to him about her age she admitted to telling my client she was 18. Her parents found out they were having sex and called the police. The State refused to dismiss the case. We took the case to the grand jury and convinced them to no bill and dismiss the felony charges against my client.

On a second case my client was charged with felony assault of his girlfriend. During my investigation I generated evidence to prove that in reality she assaulted my client but the police believed her because my client had a prior assault. The State decided to dismiss the case on the day of trial with the jury in the hall, proving my philosophy that to defend clients you have to be willing to go to trial with the State.

1

Texas

I am committed to representing any individuals charged with violating the criminal laws of the State of Texas.

If you are facing the prospect of being accused of a crime, you could face the most stressful and challenging battle of your life. The government at every level is a relentless opponent, and when you find yourself coming under scrutiny from local, state, or federal prosecutors, you only have one choice in terms of how to react.

You need to fight back aggressively by building a strong defense, and this is your Constitutional right. Simply sitting and hoping that the problem will solve itself is exactly the opposite of what you should do.

As a former prosecutor and now a defense attorney I have worked on and have experience handling all kinds of criminal cases from possession of drugs to DWI to assault and murder and everything in between. My clients hire a professional with the experience to fight for their rights and liberty. I negotiate hard with the State and I am willing and capable of fighting hard at trial. I pride myself that all of my clients receive an ethical and zealous defense.

After departing the Harris County District Attorney's Office in 2006, I created The Stornello Law Firm.

After law school I worked as a prosecutor for the Henderson County District Attorney's Office from 1998 to 2000 prosecuting felony crimes. In 2000 I started at the Harris County District Attorney's Office where I tried hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases until 2006. While I was in law school, I was a legal intern at the prominent criminal defense law firm of Zimmermann & Lavine for two years where I learned to handle high profile criminal cases.

Who's Who in the legal profession, Cambridge Who?s Who among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs, and South Texas College of Law Mock Trial Team.

Rose Stornello

(281) 920-5600

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday by appointment.

Yes

Italian and Spanish.

I charge a fixed fee for any criminal offense. The fee amount depends on the type of crime charge. I require a half the fee as a down payment and will do a payment plan with a credit card. I split my fees into pre-trial and trial fees. The general pre-trial fee range for misdemeanor offenses is $1,000 to $3,000. The general pre-trial fee range for felony offenses is $3,500 to $15,000. I do charge a separate trial fee, which allows the client to decide whether trial is in his or her best interest. You should not pay for a trial unless you need a trial. I do not charge a per court setting fee, I do not believe it is a good practice. I will attend as many or as few court appearances as it takes to successfully resolve my client's case. I always inform the client prior to securing the services of an expert or investigator. Sealing probation records and expunction of criminal records range from $1,000 to $1,500.

My philosophy is to charge more so I can take fewer cases and work hard and devote the most time and attention to all my cases. You get what you pay for. There are cheaper lawyers out there but they have to take on a high volume of cases to make a living. This diminishes the quality of the individual representation given to the client, in my opinion. There are only so many hours in the day to handle cases. My feeling is take on a reasonable case load and be able to give high quality ethical and zealous representation to each of my clients.

In the rare occasion I have charged hourly rates, I charged $300/hour.

Initial phone consultation is free. An office consultation is $250 but if you mention you found me on NOLO you get a 50% discount.

I require 50% of my quoted fee upon signing the contract as a retainer/down payment. I do have payment plans available and I accept all major credit cards.