Jim Wheat Law

Signature Practice

San Antonio's Juvenile Defense Specialist

No top-ranking San Antonio criminal defense attorney has built a deeper, more dedicated practice around juvenile justice than Jim Wheat. With board certification, 30+ years in Bexar County juvenile courtrooms, and experience as both prosecutor and judge, he is uniquely positioned to protect your child's future — including sealing and expunction of juvenile records.

All Practice Areas

Juvenile Defense

San Antonio juvenile defense attorney — protecting your child's future

When your child is facing criminal charges in San Antonio, the stakes couldn't be higher and the window to act is narrow. A juvenile record can follow your son or daughter into adulthood, affecting college admissions, military service, and employment opportunities for years to come. As a San Antonio juvenile defense attorney with decades of experience in Bexar County courts, Jim Wheat understands how the Texas juvenile justice system works and how to navigate it strategically, whether that means pursuing diversion, fighting the charges outright, or ensuring a record remains sealed.

Not every attorney who handles criminal cases has deep experience in juvenile law, and the differences matter enormously. Juvenile proceedings operate under different rules, different timelines, and different standards than adult criminal court, and the goal isn't just winning today, it's protecting your child's future. If your family is dealing with a juvenile arrest in San Antonio, contact the Law Office of Jim Wheat for a free consultation before speaking with investigators or entering any plea.

State Criminal Defense

Felonies, misdemeanors, and everything in between — Bexar County courts

If you've been charged with a felony or misdemeanor in Bexar County, you need a criminal defense attorney who knows these courts, not just the law in the abstract. Jim Wheat has represented clients across the full spectrum of Texas criminal charges, from Class B misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, in the same San Antonio courtrooms where he previously served as a judge and prosecutor. That firsthand experience on both sides of the bench gives his clients a meaningful strategic advantage when it matters most.

State criminal charges in Texas carry serious consequences including jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record that can limit your housing, employment, and professional licensing opportunities for life. The right defense strategy depends on the specific charges, the court, the prosecutor, and the evidence, and it needs to be built early. If you've been arrested or are under investigation for a state criminal offense in San Antonio or the surrounding Bexar County area, call Jim Wheat before you make any statements to law enforcement.

Federal Criminal Defense

Western District of Texas — where San Antonio federal cases are heard

Federal criminal charges are a different category of legal jeopardy entirely. Unlike state prosecutions, federal cases are investigated by agencies like the FBI, DEA, or IRS, often for months or years before an arrest is made, and are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys who carry extraordinary resources and leverage. Cases in the Western District of Texas, where San Antonio federal matters are heard, move through a distinct court system with stricter sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimums that can put decades of your life at risk.

Jim Wheat is licensed to practice in the Western District of Texas and has the experience federal cases demand. From white-collar offenses and drug trafficking charges to firearms violations and conspiracy allegations, federal defense requires meticulous preparation, a thorough understanding of federal procedure, and the credibility to negotiate effectively with federal prosecutors. If you or a family member is under federal investigation or has been indicted in San Antonio, do not wait. Contact Jim Wheat immediately for a confidential consultation.

DWI Defense

You have 15 days from arrest to protect your license — act now

A DWI arrest in Texas sets off a two-track legal process that most people don't realize: the criminal case in court, and the administrative license suspension hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing and fight to keep your license. After that deadline, your right to contest the suspension is gone. An experienced San Antonio DWI defense attorney can challenge the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, the breathalyzer calibration, and the arrest procedure itself, but only if you act quickly.

Jim Wheat has defended DWI clients throughout Bexar County and understands every stage of the process, from the initial stop to trial. A DWI conviction in Texas carries fines, potential jail time, mandatory surcharges, and a permanent criminal record that can impact your career, your insurance rates, and your driving privileges for years. Whether this is your first offense or you're facing enhanced DWI charges, the outcome of your case depends heavily on the quality of your legal representation. Call Jim Wheat today. The sooner you have an attorney, the more options you have.

Violent Crimes Defense

When decades of freedom are on the line, experience is everything

Violent crime charges, including assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, robbery, and homicide, carry some of the most severe penalties in the Texas Penal Code, including lengthy prison sentences and consequences that follow you for the rest of your life. These cases often hinge on witness credibility, forensic evidence, and the prosecution's narrative of events, all of which can be challenged by a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney. In San Antonio, where prosecutors in Bexar County courts aggressively pursue violent crime convictions, having board-certified legal representation is not optional. It's essential.

Jim Wheat is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys, and has handled high-stakes violent crime cases across all levels of severity. When decades of your freedom are on the line, experience and preparation matter more than anything else. Jim will conduct an independent investigation, scrutinize the evidence against you, challenge any constitutional violations, and build the most aggressive defense strategy possible. If you or a loved one has been charged with a violent crime in San Antonio, contact the Law Office of Jim Wheat immediately for a confidential consultation.

Expunction & Record Sealing

Clear your record — many who assume they don't qualify actually do

A criminal record, even for an arrest that never led to a conviction, can quietly close doors for the rest of your life. Background checks conducted by employers, landlords, licensing boards, and educational institutions routinely surface arrest and charge records that people assume have been forgotten. Under Texas law, many individuals are eligible to have their records expunged or sealed through an Order of Nondisclosure, but the eligibility rules are complex and vary depending on the offense, the outcome of the case, and how much time has passed.

Many San Antonio residents who assume they don't qualify for expunction or record sealing actually do. They simply haven't had an attorney review their specific situation. Jim Wheat has guided clients through the Texas expunction and record sealing process for both adult and juvenile records, helping them move forward without the burden of past charges limiting their opportunities. If you were arrested but not convicted, completed deferred adjudication, or had a charge dismissed, you may be entitled to a clean record under Texas law. Contact the Law Office of Jim Wheat to find out exactly what your options are.

Former Prosecutor. Former Judge.

Now Fighting for You.

(210) 224-9300

Available 24/7 · Free Consultation · Bexar County

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Criminal Defense Across Every Charge. In Every Court.

San Antonio's Juvenile Defense Specialist

Former Prosecutor. Former Judge.

Now Fighting for You.

Practice Areas

Resources

Contact