Adam Setra, Founding Attorney and Former El Paso County Prosecutor
Adam Setra
Founding Attorney
Adam Setra is the founding attorney of West Texas Trial Lawyers. Before he defended people accused of crimes, he prosecuted cases for the State of Texas at the 34th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which covers El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties. Today he handles state and federal criminal cases from the firm's El Paso and San Antonio offices.
At a glance
Detail
Role
Founding attorney, West Texas Trial Lawyers
Texas Bar No.
24115478
Federal courts
Four Texas districts; District of New Mexico
Recognition
Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2026
Languages
English and Spanish
Was Adam Setra a prosecutor?
Yes. Adam Setra prosecuted criminal cases for the State of Texas as a member of the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in El Paso. He served there long enough to see how the sausage is made, but not so long that it turned into a career.
Every lawyer at West Texas Trial Lawyers prosecuted cases for the State of Texas before defending them. Adam built the firm on that idea. He has reviewed police reports, decided which cases could go forward, and prepared cases for trial.
What does a prosecutor's background mean for your defense?
It means Adam knows how the State builds a case, because he used to build them. No background can promise an outcome, but it tells him where to look first. He starts with the questions a prosecutor must answer before a case moves forward:
Does the offense report match the video, the 911 call, and the witness statements?
What evidence must the State turn over under the Michael Morton Act (Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 39.14), and has it been requested?
Can the State prove every element of the charge?
Were any statements taken in a way that follows the recording and warning rules of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 38.22?
The DA’s office is already working on the case. Our number one goal is to get it dismissed. In Texas, a dismissal is a one-page motion signed by a prosecutor who has decided the case cannot be proven. Adam works to show the State where its case falls short, and prepares for trial if it does not end there.
What kinds of cases does Adam Setra handle?
Adam concentrates on state and federal criminal defense across Texas. He leads the firm’s criminal defense practice and handles cases including:
01
DWI and DUI charges in El Paso and San Antonio, including ALR license hearings
02
Assault and family violence cases and protective orders
Education, bar admissions, and recognition
Credential
Detail
Law school
University of Minnesota Law School
Undergraduate
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), biochemistry
State bar
State Bar of Texas, Bar No. 24115478
Federal admissions
U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas; U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
Prosecution experience
34th Judicial District Attorney's Office
Recognition
Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars by Super Lawyers, 2026
Memberships
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA); Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA); American Bar Association, committee member; San Antonio Bar Association (SABA)
In his words
“Before anyone hires us, I ask one question: Do you actually want to fight your case, or are you looking for someone to dress up like a lawyer and show up to your hearings? If you want to fight, you are in the right place. If you just want someone to stand next to you and repeat what the prosecutor says, there are cheaper options, and you can save yourself the money.”
How do you talk to Adam Setra about your case?
Call the El Paso office at (915) 279-0000 or the San Antonio office at (210) 401-1000. Calls are answered 24/7. The first consultation is free and confidential, and payment plans are available. Le atendemos completamente en español.
You can also request a free consultation online or read client-reported case results. Those results are as reported by clients in public Google reviews. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Frequently asked questions about Adam Setra
Was Adam Setra a prosecutor?
Can Adam Setra handle a federal criminal case?
Does Adam Setra take cases in San Antonio?
How do I schedule a consultation with Adam Setra?
Talk to a former prosecutor about your case today
Call Adam Setra and the team at West Texas Trial Lawyers for a free, confidential consultation. El Paso: (915) 279-0000. San Antonio: (210) 401-1000. Calls answered 24/7.
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