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Joseph Hoelscher

Joseph Hoelscher

Vigilant representation for Texas families - CPS, Child Welfare, and Criminal
  • Family Law, DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence ...
  • Texas, Federal Western District of Texas
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Biography

Joe Hoelscher is an award-winning criminal and family law trial lawyer whose dedication to vigorously defending his clients has earned him national recognition. Having been involved with the legal system since his mother's disappearance and murder in 1986, Joe knows how tough court is on clients and families in need of legal assistance. As a result, he has dedicated his law practice to helping his clients navigate the legal system so they can gain closure and find peace. Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda PLLC's holistic approach to client services frequently involves the use of experts and counselors to help clients develop their case while overcoming the problems that led them to be involved with the legal system, whether in civil, criminal, or CPS court. Hoelscher has deliberately staffed his office with successful professionals who share in the experience of having been in court as litigants, victims, and witnesses so they can better understand their clients' needs. As a result, he has successfully represented clients in high-profile civil and criminal cases, as well as precedent setting cases. Joe is a published author, frequent speaker at legal seminars, and media commentator on legal matters. He advocates a client-centered approach to legal representation and aggressive trial-oriented approach to the law. Joe is a native San Antonian, graduate of MacArthur High School, with three graduate degrees from St. Mary's University and Baylor Law School. While practicing throughout Texas, he lives in San Antonio with his wife, Melissa, and three kids, Louisa, Cecilia, and Wolfgang. He supports a variety of social causes through his pro bono legal work which focuses on children's issues, the rights of indigent accused persons, and First and Second Amendment issues.

Practice Areas
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
DUI & DWI
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Juvenile Law
Additional Practice Area
  • Child Protective Services cases
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Free consultations offered for criminal and DWI cases. Consultations for CPS investigations and CPS legal cases require a $250 consultation fee.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Texas
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Federal Western District of Texas
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Managing Member
Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda PLLC
- Current
Trial counsel for criminal, DWI, child welfare, and family cases.
Managing Member
Hoelscher Gebbia PLLC
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Attorney/Owner
Hoelscher Law Office
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Owner of a small law firm focused on DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) Defense, Criminal Defense, Trial Advocacy, and Family Law.
Law Clerk
54th District Court of Texas
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Law clerk for Judge George Allen. Performed legal research related to felony trials and suppression issues, briefed issues related to various major felonies, including capital cases. Coordinated with criminal attorneys for expenses and motions. Handled DNA exoneration claims and prisoner correspondence.
Law Clerk
Goldstein Goldstein & Hilley
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Legal research and writing for an internationally recognized criminal defense law firm. Cases included state and federal criminal trial preparation and significant research, writing, and exhibit preparation related to Capital writs. Performed work for both named partners and the senior appellate associate.
Assistant Director of Forensics
St. Mary's University
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Instructed nationally recognized students in speech and debate, including world championship preparation. Guest lectured in Persuasion and Public speaking courses. Conducted proprietary research in the area of layperson decision making between adversarial parties. Developed educational materials for use in university-level courses.
Director of Forensics
Texas Military Institute
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Lead a nationally competitive speech and debate team, placing a student in the Top 10 in the USA 2 years in a row. Awarded Texas State Champion Coach by the Texas Forensics Association. Taught classes in logic, rhetoric, and public speaking.
Education
Baylor Law School
J.D. (2006) | Law
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Honors: Dean's Academic Scholarship, Order of Barristers, 2nd Place National Criminal Procedure Tournament
Activities: Advocacy Program
Baylor Law School Logo
St. Mary's University
M.A. (2002) | Communication Studies, International Relations
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St. Mary's University
B.A. (1998) | Political Science
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Awards
Texas Super Lawyers - Criminal Defense
Texas Monthly Magazine
Texas Super Lawyers - Family Law
Texas Monthly Magazine
Texas Super Lawyers - Family Law
Texas Monthly Magazine
DWI Trial Warrior
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Client Service - Gold
Martindale-Hubbel
Top DWI Lawyers
SA Scene Magazine
San Antonio's Top Lawyers
SA Scene Magazine
Criminal Defense, DWI, and White Collar Defense categories
Top 100 - Criminal Defense
National Trial Lawyers
Top 30 DWI Lawyers
SA Scene Magazine
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers
Top 30 DWI lawyers
SA Scene Magazine
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers
Top 30 Criminal Lawyers
SA Scene Magazine
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers
Top Family Lawyers
SA Scene Magazine
Client Distinction
Martindale Hubbel
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers
Best Lawyers of 2014
SA Scene Magazine
Top 30 Criminal Lawyers in San Antonio
SA Scene Magazine
Best Lawyers of 2013
SA Scene Magazine
Professional Associations
Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys
Member
- Current
Activities: Legislative Committee
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Texas Association of Cannabis Lawyers
Founding Member
- Current
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Pro Bono College of The State Bar of Texas
Member
- Current
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Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Board of Directors
- Current
Activities: Judicial Conduct Committee (2020-Present), Media Relations Committee (2020-Present), Vice-Chair Cannabis Committee (2022-Present), Board of Directors (2020-Present)
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College of the State Bar of Texas
Member
- Current
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
- Current
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San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Texas Drunk Driving Law
LexisNexis/Matthew Bender
Texas Drunk Driving Law
LexisNexis/Matthew Bender
Texas Drunk Driving Law
LexisNexis
Texas Drunk Driving Law
Lexis Nexis/Matthew Bender
Texas Drunk Driving Law
LexisNexis
Speedy Trial: Punishing the State for Making Us Wait
Voice For The Defense Magazine(Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association)
Sealing Criminal Records
San Antonio Defender Magazine
Speaking Engagements
Call to Action: Opening Statements and Closing Argument, Journey to Justice CLE, Corpus Christi, Texas
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Expunging and Sealing Criminal Records in Texas, Criminal Records and Background Checks, Online
MyLaw CLE
Game Day Ready: Technology in the Courtroom, Game Day CLE, Waco
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Client Interview: Information Gathering, Written Contracts, Ascertaining Goals, and Ethics, Handling a DWI in Texas, Online
MYLaw CLE
Keep Your Head in the Game: Mental Health Law, Game Day CLE, Laredo, Texas
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Rules of the Game/Penalties: Client Relationships & Communications, Game Day CLE, Victoria, Texas
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Mental Health Law, Battling the Resistance, Fredricksburg, Texas
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Playoffs?: Appeals, We Make Champions CLE, San Angelo, Texas
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Discovery and Evidentiary Issues in Child Abuse Cases, Against All Odds, Bexar County Courthouse
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Asymmetrical Discovery: Tactics For Making the State Fight Itself, Monthly CLE Series
San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Elements of Storytelling in Criminal Trial, Monthly CLE Series
San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Communicating With Clients With PTSD, PTSD: The Elephant in the Courtroom
San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Cops As Witnesses: Friend or Foe?, Plaintiff's Litigation INSIGHT
Cowen Mask Blanchard Trial Attorneys
Unsinking the Ship: What to Do When Your Client Has Confessed, Monthly CLE
San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Marijuana Laws in Texas
Bexar County Republican Liberty Caucus
Contract Systems for Indigent Defense
Bexar County Task Force on Indigent Defense
Changing Lanes: New Directions in Vehicle Search Law, Monthly CLE Series
San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association
Certifications
Legal Aspects of Analytical Testing in Intoxication Cases in Texas
Education Forensics, LLC
Websites & Blogs
Website
Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda PLLC
Blog
Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda, PLLC blog
Legal Answers
18 Questions Answered
Q. Hi i wanna know if my ex wife can take my son to another country with out my permission
A: Hi Cristian,

The answer depends on your Final Decree or child custody order, if y'all have been to court before. In Texas, many orders contain a geographic restriction, which limits where a child may be moved to. However, many orders are silent on travel that doesn't establish a new residence. So, whatever order controls your custody controls travel and residency. If y'all don't have an order at all, then you probably need to go to court to get orders and request that neither spouse may take your son outside the United States without the other spouse's permission.
Q. my girlfriend beat her minor daughter during an argument the younger one called the police and my girlfriend faces charg
A: The Bexar County District Attorney's Office does NOT have to drop charges just because a victim changes her story or asks them to dismiss. In fact, when the victim is a child, they are unlikely to do so. Worse, some of our prosecutors are aggressive in pursuing individuals they believe are intimidating witnesses, whether it happened or not. They will want to know why she is asking for the charges to be dismissed.

If the child is recanting because the incident didn't occur, the State will generally be more likely to dismiss. However, if they believe the child is being coerced or intimidated, they can file new charges or, more likely, seek a bond increase for the defendant. In your question, you suggest that there are multiple child witnesses, which makes it even more unlikely that the Bexar County prosecutor will want to dismiss just because the victim doesn't want to move forward.

Really, this an issue to run by your girlfriend's attorney. Her lawyer needs to know if the witness has doubts or has changed her story. Another possibility is to hire a lawyer to represent the child or ask the court to appoint one. Whatever you do, do not pressure this child to change her story or refuse to testify because that could make everything much worse.
... Read More
Q. Can you get an EPO dropped off someone in jail?
A: Inmates can be served in Texas. The policies vary by penal institution and by county for jails. An experienced process server may be able to help, but we find service through the Sheriff's Office to be the best way in our county. The court clerks can explain how to get citation and request service by your Sheriff's Office. The fees are usually reasonable, although a lawyer can definitely help.
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Contact & Map
HGC Law
SAN ANTONIO
909 NE LOOP 410
STE 500
San Antonio, TX 78209
Telephone: (210) 222-9132
Fax: (888) 519-8229
Monday: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed (Today)
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Appointments may be made after hours or on weekends depending upon availability.