While studying at the University of Houston Law Center, Casey Garrett began working as an intern at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. After becoming licensed to practice law in 1993, she continued working as a prosecutor until 2006 reaching the level of Felony District Court Chief Prosecutor. Her duties as a Chief Prosecutor involved supervising other lawyers as well as handling her own trial docket, which included all felonies including capital murder cases in which the death penalty was sought. She was also assigned as the Chief Prosecutor and legal advisor to the Harris County Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force, handling complicated investigations and prosecutions of large drug trafficking organizations. As an experienced prosecutor, Casey Garrett tried over 100 first chair jury trials. When determining the level of experience of a criminal defense attorney, nothing compares to the trial experience one gains while working as a prosecutor. Moreover, a former prosecutor has learned how to evaluate cases, determining strengths and weaknesses in evidence, interviewing and questioning all types of witnesses and ultimately putting everything together in front of a jury.

In 2006, upon leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Casey Garrett began practicing criminal defense law with longtime colleague Kirk Oncken. Kirk Oncken has practiced criminal law for almost 25 years (see Attorney Profile). 100% percent of their practice is criminal law and trial work.

In the years since becoming licensed, she has participated in numerous training opportunities of other lawyers. Some of the seminars at which she has lectured and trained are the following: Basic Trial Skills Course, Advanced Trial Skills Course, Intoxication Manslaughter Course, Sexual Assault Jury Selection, Narcotics Jury Selection, Annual Civil and Criminal Law Update, Regional Training on Jury Selection in four different counties across Texas including Jacksonville, Midland, Amarillo and Bryan/College Station, DWI Investigation and Prosecution. Casey Garrett was awarded the C. Chris Marshall Award for Excellence in Training by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association.

In 2007, Casey Garrett became Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This is a distinction that is acquired after a lengthy application process, which is subjected to exhaustive peer review by judges and fellow lawyers. The certification is complete upon passing a lengthy written examination testing the lawyer’s skill, knowledge and expertise in a specialty area, such as criminal law in this case.

As a former prosecutor and practicing criminal lawyer, I believe every person is entitled to a highly skilled attorney to defend their rights under the U.S. and Texas Constitutions. I believe in the equally important right of all people to get a fair trial. The criminal justice system only works properly when both sides are represented by a qualified and skilled attorney.