Jessica Shaye Freud Austin Criminal Lawyer

An attorney exclusively practicing criminal defense - trial, appeals, and post-conviction - Jessi represents Accused Central Texans and visitors to the area in McLennan and Travis Counties, and select surrounding counties including Hays, Williamson, Coryell, and Hill. As a resident of Austin, and with a main law office in Waco, Jessi and Freud Law P.C. are uniquely positioned to serve a wide geographic region of Central Texas. Jessi has represented clients in McLennan, Hill, Bell, Coryell, Comanche, Lampases, Travis, Williamson, Dallas, Tarrant, Parker, Hidalgo and Bexar Counties.

Since being admitted to the Texas Bar in 2015, Jessi has tried over 30 misdemeanor and felony cases before juries, including first-degree felonies such as murder, aggravated sexual assault, and aggravated robbery. Jessi is approved by the Third Administrative Judicial Region of Texas to act as assistant court-appointed trial counsel in death penalty cases. In 2018, she was selected for membership to the National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 in Texas criminal defense. National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. Jessi is also a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and McLennan County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. In 2017, online legal resource Avvo.com recognized Jessi with a Clients’ Choice Award, which is based on verified reviews by former clients. She was also recognized by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in 2019. Jessi's work has been covered in both local and national publications and media, such as The Waco Tribune, The New York Times Magazine, 20/20, Washington Post, and The Marshall Project, among others.

Prior to practicing law, Jessi was a cable news production assistant, and junior speechwriter and legislative aide to a governor. Following the completion of her master’s degree in public administration, Jessi graduated from Baylor Law School with a degree concentration in criminal law. While at Baylor, Jessi began working with the Innocence Project of Texas. In late 2018, she joined the organization as an assistant staff attorney where she focuses on post-conviction DNA litigation and other special litigation projects, as well as co-teaches an innocence clinic at a regional law school.

Jessica Shaye Freud, a dedicated criminal lawyer in Austin, is committed to protecting clients and defending their rights.