Introduction
David Pendleton spent years as a Chief Prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office: the office responsible for prosecuting some of the largest criminal caseloads in the United States. He built and presented the cases that put defendants behind bars. He understands precisely how prosecutors construct a case, what evidence they prioritize, how they evaluate weaknesses, and where a defense can find openings. That specific, inside knowledge of the prosecution process is the foundation of the defense practice he now runs from downtown Houston.
The Law Office of David Pendleton handles serious criminal matters: DWI and DUI, violent crimes, felony drug charges, sex crimes, white collar offenses, murder, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, theft, fraud, weapons charges, federal cases, and sexual assault. The office is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for arrest and investigation situations.
Phone: 713-224-9800
Fax: 713-237-8385
Website: attorneydavidpendleton.com/
Address: 1018 Preston, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002
Practice Areas
DWI and DUI
DWI charges in Texas carry consequences that range from fines and license suspension for first offenses to felony charges and extended incarceration for subsequent convictions or cases involving injury. The prosecution of DWI cases involves specific procedures: the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, chemical testing: each of which must be conducted within legal constraints. An attorney with prosecution experience knows where in those procedures errors occur and what those errors mean for the case.
David Pendleton handles DWI and DUI matters from initial arrest through trial if necessary, applying his knowledge of how prosecutors build these cases to identify the arguments and evidence that can challenge them.
Violent Crimes
Violent crime charges: including aggravated assault and murder: represent the most serious prosecutions the Harris County courts handle. Cases of this type involve significant evidence collection, expert witnesses, and prosecutors who bring substantial resources. Defense of violent crime charges requires an attorney who can match that level of preparation and who understands the specific evidentiary and procedural landscape of Harris County courts.
Felony Drug Charges and Drug Trafficking
Drug offenses at the felony level and drug trafficking charges carry mandatory minimum sentences in many cases, limiting the discretion courts have in sentencing even after conviction. The defense of these matters requires thorough investigation of how the evidence was obtained, whether search and seizure procedures complied with constitutional requirements, and how the prosecution plans to establish the elements of the offense.
Sex Crimes and Sexual Assault
Sex crime accusations carry consequences that extend beyond any criminal penalty: registration requirements, employment consequences, and social effects that persist long after a case is resolved. Defense of sex crime charges requires rigorous analysis of the evidence and of how the investigation was conducted.
White Collar Offenses, Fraud, and Theft
White collar criminal matters involve document-heavy evidence and financial analysis. Fraud charges can arise from business transactions, insurance claims, or financial dealings, and the prosecution of these matters typically involves substantial document review. Theft charges at the felony level require the same careful attention to how evidence was gathered and how the elements of the offense are being established.
Weapons Charges
Texas firearms law intersects with federal weapons statutes in ways that create specific legal complexity. Weapons charges can arise as standalone offenses or in connection with other allegations, and their handling requires familiarity with both state and federal law.
Federal Cases
Federal criminal charges involve different rules of procedure and evidence than state court matters, and they are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office rather than the district attorney. Federal sentences can be substantial, and the federal system’s resources available to prosecution are significant. David Pendleton handles federal criminal defense, applying his prosecutorial background to federal proceedings.
Attorney Profile
David Pendleton
David Pendleton’s career as a Chief Prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office gave him access to the inner workings of criminal prosecution at one of the nation’s busiest prosecutor offices. Harris County processes more criminal cases annually than most states. The experience Pendleton accumulated there: building cases, evaluating evidence, assessing which cases are strong and which are vulnerable: translates directly into defense strategy.
Former prosecutors who transition to defense work bring a specific advantage: they do not need to reconstruct how the prosecution thinks from the outside. They were part of it. Pendleton’s defense practice is built on that knowledge.
The firm maintains bilingual office personnel: English and Spanish: ensuring that clients who are more comfortable in Spanish can communicate fully with the office throughout their case.
Location and Service Area
The office is at 1018 Preston, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002: a downtown Houston location within the court community that handles Harris County criminal matters. The firm handles cases in Harris County criminal courts and in state and federal courts.
The 24/7 availability for arrest and investigation situations allows clients who have been arrested at any hour to reach the office immediately. In criminal cases, early legal involvement can affect what statements are made, what evidence is preserved, and how the case develops from the start.
Client Focus
The firm’s clients face serious criminal exposure. DWI arrests, drug charges, violent crime accusations, federal investigations: these are not matters where a person can afford representation that is anything other than deeply experienced and specifically knowledgeable about how Harris County prosecution works.
David Pendleton’s background makes him particularly effective for clients whose cases are being prosecuted by the same office he once worked for. He knows how that office operates, what its priorities are, and where cases can be challenged. The bilingual staff ensures that Spanish-speaking clients have full access to legal communication throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does having a former prosecutor as a defense attorney matter?
A former prosecutor has direct experience constructing the type of case now being brought against the client. That means understanding how evidence is prioritized, where investigative errors typically occur, what arguments resonate with Harris County judges and juries, and how the prosecution office evaluates cases for plea negotiations versus trial. That knowledge comes from having been inside the process, not observing it from the outside.
Is the office available if I am arrested at night or on the weekend?
Yes. The office is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for arrest and investigation situations. Clients can call 713-224-9800 at any time.
Does the firm handle federal criminal cases?
Yes. David Pendleton handles federal cases in addition to state court matters in Harris County.
Does the firm have Spanish-speaking staff?
Yes. The office maintains bilingual personnel in English and Spanish.
What types of criminal charges does the firm handle?
The firm handles DWI and DUI, violent crimes, felony drug charges, sex crimes, white collar offenses, murder, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, theft, fraud, weapons charges, federal cases, and sexual assault.
Closing
Harris County’s criminal courts are demanding venues. The prosecutors who appear in them are experienced and well-resourced. Against that backdrop, having a defense attorney who spent years building prosecution cases for the same office: who understands precisely how cases are assembled and where they can be taken apart: is a meaningful advantage.
The Law Office of David Pendleton is available around the clock for arrest and investigation situations. The office is at 1018 Preston, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002. Call 713-224-9800 or visit attorneydavidpendleton.com/.