Joseph A. Esparza, admitted to bar, 1994, Texas; also admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Western District; United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Preparatory Education: University of Texas San Antonio (B.A. 1991); legal education: University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1994). Board Certified, Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Certified, Criminal Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Esparza represents civilian clients throughout Texas and military clients worldwide.

Mr. Esparza has trial and legal experience in high-profile capital murder cases and felony level sex crimes and is a former felony prosecutor for Bexar County. He has tried and handled all levels of civilian criminal offenses on behalf of clients from misdemeanor DWI cases up to and including death penalty cases. Some representative samples of past successes: In February 2016, he obtained a summary court martial for an USAF client originally facing a special court-martial and charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct against civilian police; case resolved with no convictions for client. In November 2015, he won a "Not Guilty" for an USAF enlisted Airmen accused of rape. In October 2015, his pretrial motion practice and case work up convinced a civilian District Attorney to agree to a "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity" plea in a capital murder case resulting in an acquittal. Also in October 2015, he discovered multiple evidence defects in a civilian DWI case resulting in the prosecution dropping the charge against his client. In September 2015, he won a "Not Guilty" for an USAF officer accused of abusive sexual contact and conduct unbecoming. As recently as August 17, 2015, he obtained a dismissal on an aggravated sexual assault of a child case. On June 2015, he convinced the Navy to withdraw discharge action against a Hospital Corpsman despite prior Capt's Mast and other alleged misconduct and permit continued military service and in a different case, obtained an Honorable discharge for an Army officer facing a contested Board of Inquiry over multiple 15-6 investigations and a GOMOR. On April 2015, he won a verdict of "No Misconduct" and retention for service in an administrative discharge board and saved his Navy client's military career regarding an accusation of drug abuse. On July 2014, he won a "Not Guilty" for an Army officer medical doctor charged with sexual assault and abusive sexual contact. On March 2014, he won a "Not Guilty" for an USAF NCO Medic charged with use of a controlled substance, false official statement, and being absent without leave. On February 2014, he won a "Not Guilty" for a enlisted soldier charged with Rape by force, aggravated assaults, damaging property, and interference with a 911 call. As recently as January 2014, his pretrial motion practice led to dismissal of injury to a child charges for his client. Also in January 2014, his pretrial investigation in another case led to the dismissal of aggravated kidnapping and theft charges for his client. On December 2013, he pursued a Motion to Suppress contesting the illegal arrest and search of his client and forced the civilian prosecutor to drop the drug charge against his client. In October 2013, he won a 4 year sentence for a high profile federal client who was originally charged with Racketeering and multiple murders with possibility of facing the death penalty, before a later deal was made for a guilty plea to a lesser charge and a 15 year cap. In September 2013, he won a murder appeal and got the conviction reversed and a new trial granted. In July 2013, he won no confinement and no punitive discharge at a general court-martial for a USAF NCO instructor accused of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a female trainee. As recently as April 8, 2013, he won "Not Guilty" verdicts for an enlisted soldier on charges of larceny and false official statement. On March 21, 2013, he won a "Not Guilty" verdict for an enlisted trainee charged with indecent exposure. On December 14, 2012, he won a "Not Guilty" for all assault and conduct unbecoming an officer charges at a general court-martial for an Army officer. On October 9, 2012, he obtained a dismissal of all sex assault charges at a general court-martial on the first day of trial. On July 28, 2012, he convinced an Article 32 investigating officer to reject the referral to a general court-martial of rape charges and drug charges against an NCO. On August 10, 2011, he assisted in convincing a military judge to dismiss the referral of charges to a general court-martial resulting in the convening authority dismissing all charges against a senior officer. On December 3, 2010, he convinced a federal judge after a writ hearing to reverse an aggravated sexual assault conviction on a client who had been in prison for more than five years. On August 2010, Mr. Esparza obtained a grand jury no bill in an online computer solicitation of a minor case after investigating the case and filing a motion for an examining trial. On November 14, 2009, Mr. Esparza investigated a criminal felony case involving a U.S. Marine in Seattle, Washington and obtained a dismissal of all charges against the Marine on December 9, 2009. On March 25, 2009, he obtained a "Not Guilty" in two hours in a capital murder trial. On May 21, 2008, he obtained a "Not Guilty" in less than thirty minutes in a two count felony indecency of a child case. His appellate work and writ of habeas corpus work are both at the State and Federal level. Mr. Esparza’s military defense experience includes all levels of courts-martial, administrative discharge boards, and other adverse actions, to include representations at Art 15 and Art 32 proceedings. Just as recently as August 29, 2008, for example, Mr. Esparza defended a senior NCO recruiter (charged with sexual harassment) in an Art 15 proceeding resulting in the charge being dropped. His military experience includes representation for violent offenses, drugs, and sex crimes, particularly allegations involving sexual assault or alleged indecency with children. Mr. Esparza has a strong record as a military defense counsel and has successfully defended military clients in the South and throughout the Eastern Coast of the United States. Just as recently as April 16-17, 2008, for example, Mr. Esparza defended a senior NCO (charged with indecent language against a female NCO subordinate) in a special court-martial resulting in an acquittal of the charge and all specifications.

Named:

AVVO Rating 10.0 - Superb (Criminal Defense, Military Law); A Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine (2011-2015); A Top DWI/DUI Lawyer in San Antonio in S.A. Magazine (2015); A Top San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney in S.A. Scene Magazine (2015); A Top 30 Criminal Defense Lawyer in San Antonio in S. A. Scene Magazine (2013); The Best Lawyers in San Antonio by Scene in San Antonio Magazine (2010-2015);

Member:

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (Director 2011-2015); National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Military Service:

• Captain, United States Air Force (2002-2006). Former judge advocate and former decorated military defense counsel.