Criss & Rousseau Law Firm LLP

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YOUR WINNING TEAM

Attorneys Serving Bell County, Coryell County, Galveston County, Fort Hood, And Throughout Texas.

Our firm has the decades of experience necessary to help our clients obtain results that make a difference in their lives.

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CRISS & ROUSSEAU

LLP

SUSAN CRISS

PARTNER

Areas of Practice

  • Criminal Law
  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Refinery Accidents

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1993

Bar Admissions

  • Texas, 1986

Education

  • South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
    • Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.) - 05/1986
  • The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
  • University of Texas, Austin, Texas
    • Bachelor of Arts - 1982
    • Major: Government
  • Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
  • La Marque High School, La Marque, Texas

Published Works

  • “Consumer privacy protection laws are needed” Galveston County Daily News June 29, 2020
  • “Cops must speak up to be considered among the good” Galveston County Daily News June 16, 2020
  • “Protecting bad police undermines law and order” Galveston County Daily News June 3, 2020
  • “Patriotic duty must overcome the temptation to deny mental illness” Galveston County Daily News June 10, 2017
  • “Henry is violating open meetings law” Galveston County Daily News March 26, 2017
  • “Severance decision muddled law” Galveston County Daily News August 24, 2014
  • “Facts for a candid world” Galveston County Daily News July 11, 2016
  • “Invest wisely in Texas future” Galveston County Daily News September 21, 2014
  • “Nothing but the truth” Galveston County Daily News April 16, 2017
  • “No one has secrets anymore” Galveston County Daily News January 22, 2017
  • “Bias has no place in the justice system” Galveston County Daily News January 1, 2017
  • “May we never forget what today really means” Galveston Daily News May 29, 2017
  • “I done been where you are going” Galveston County Daily News October 31, 2016
  • “Community policing is what is missing in today’s police force” Galveston County Daily News August 15, 2016
  • “Judge Neves comments were out of line” Galveston County Daily News July 25, 2016
  • “Who is actually Not Innocent here” Galveston County Daily News June 20, 2016
  • “There is no such thing as a perfect judge” Galveston County Daily News May 29, 2016
  • “DOJ taking the lead on protecting rights” Galveston County Daily News April 17, 2016
  • “Morton Act protects accused from win at all costs prosecutors” Galveston County Daily News March 28, 2016
  • “Science can bring justice too” Galveston County Daily News March 6, 2016
  • “Everyone must be treated fairly” Galveston County Daily News October 19, 2014
  • “Judge’s role isn’t to be rubber stamp” Galveston County Daily News March 24, 2006
  • “Speak your truth at all times” Galveston County Daily News June 22, 2015
  • “Criminal justice system must evolve” Galveston County Daily News January 18, 2016
  • “Pope reminded us about hope, love and humility” Galveston County Daily News October 5, 2015
  • “Many arrests in Waco shootings weren’t justified” Galveston County Daily News June 1, 2015
  • “USW strike is about worker safety” Galveston County Daily News February 16, 2015
  • "Thanks for Support in Time of Trial" Galveston County Daily News November, 2004
  • "Mother Nature Proved Me Wrong" Galveston County Daily News August, 2003
  • "Cuts to Budget Will Cost Taxpayers More" Galveston County Daily News April, 2003
  • "Far Too Many Mentally Ill Are Incarcerated" Beaumont Examiner July, 2002
  • "Time To Respond To Mental Illness Crisis" Galveston County Daily News June, 2002
  • "Conference Shows Resolve of NYC Justice System" Galveston County Daily News November, 2001
  • "Legislators Give Children a Chance" Galveston Daily News August, 1997
  • "Equal Protection Under The Law For All Citizens" Galveston Daily News

Classes/Seminars

  • Mental Health Legislative Forum, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Task Force & Gulf Coast MHMR Center, 2005
  • National Association of Women Judges, New Judges School, Texas Center for the Judiciary
  • Judges and the Media, NAWJ Annual Conference
  • "Emergency Preparedness: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Ike", Winter Regional Conference for the Texas Center for the Judiciary, San Antonio, Texas, 01/26/2009
  • "Emergency Preparedness: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Ike", Winter Regional Conference for the Texas Center for the Judiciary, El Paso, Texas, 02/24/2009
  • "Handling High Profile Cases and Dealing with the Media", Houston Bar Association, 01/09/2009
  • "The Arrival of Blogs and Online Journalism", Panel Member, National Judicial College, Reno NV, 11/18/2008
  • "Gag Orders, Sealed Records and Open Courtrooms" Panel Member, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Houston, Texas, 06/27/2008
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, Lecturer "Domestic Violence", 2003
  • "Jail Diversion Services in Texas" Panel Member Houston, TX, 18th Annual Texas Community MHMR Center Staff and Trustee Training Conference, 2003

Honors and Awards

  • State Bar of Texas Honorary Resolution for producing the Color of Justice Video
  • Gulf Coast National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Honoree
  • Outstanding Young Lawyer of Galveston County
  • 26th Annual Telly Award winner 2005, along with Stonefilms of Texas, Inc. for "the Color of Justice" video, Executive Producer
  • Fred C. Johnson Foundation "People Who Make A Difference" Honoree

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas, Trial Judges Legislative Committee, 2004 to 2006
  • The Gulf Coast Center MHMR Jail Diversion Task Force, Chairperson, 2002
  • The Mental Health Task Force of Galveston County, Member, 2004
  • The National Association of Women Judges, Member, 2001 to Present
  • NAWJ Board of Directors, District 11 Director, 2004 to 2006
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Member, 1998
  • Judicial Section of the Texas State Bar, 1999
  • Galveston County Bar Association, Past President, 1996 to 1997
  • Galveston County Bar Association, Member, 1986 to Present
  • Galveston County Community Supervision & Corrections Board, 1999
  • Galveston County Juvenile Probation Board, 1999
  • Galveston County Pre-Trial Release Board, Chair, 2003 to 2004
  • Galveston County Pre-Trial Release Board, Member, 1999
  • Galveston County Criminal Justice Board, 2002
  • Galveston County Purchasing Board, 2002
  • League of Women Voters of Galveston County, Historian, 2005
  • Galveston County Genealogy Society, 2002
  • College of the State Bar of Texas
  • Galveston County Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Advisory Board
  • Galveston County Young Lawyers Association, 1987 to 1997
  • Galveston County Young Lawyers Association, Secretary, 1992 to 1993
  • Galveston County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, 1995 to 1997
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Texas District and County Attorneys Association, 1987 to 1996
  • Galveston County Child Abuse & Neglect Task Force, Founding Member
  • Galveston County Child Death Review Task Force, Founding Member
  • NAWJ Board of Directors, District 11 Director (Texas, Oklahoma & Arkansas), 2004 to 2005
  • Trial Judges Legislative Committee, Judicial Section of the State bar of Texas, 10/2004 to 2005
  • Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, 2014 to Present
  • Harris County Criminal Attorneys Association, 2014 to Present
  • Galveston County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, 1998, 2014 to Present
  • Bell County Bar Association

Past Employment Positions

  • 212th District Court Galveston, Texas District Judge, 1999 to 2013
  • Law Offices of Susan Criss Galveston, Texas, Attorney, 1996 to 1998
  • Galveston County Criminal District Attorney's Office
    • Assistant Criminal District Attorney, 1987 to 1996
    • Child & Elder Abuse, Special Prosecutor, 1993 to 1996
    • Felony Trial Attorney, 1989 to 1993
    • Chief Misdemeanor Division, 1988 to 1989
  • Law Clerk, 1985 to 1986
  • The Office of the Attorney General of Texas Environmental Protection Division, Austin, Texas, Law Clerk, 1983 to 1984
  • University of Texas Austin, Texas, Assistant Ombudsman, 1981 to 1982

CONTACT INFO

EMAIL ME

Attorney Susan Criss, of Criss & Rousseau LLP, specializes in criminal law, personal injury, wrongful death, and refinery accidents.
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42

 

YEARS

OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE AS A TEXAS DISTRICT JUDGE

At Criss & Rousseau Law Firm LLP, our attorneys bring an incredible wealth of experience from their public service work that gives us an advantage in serving our clients.

A JUDGE ADVOCATE

MAKE US A FORMIDABLE TEAM.

 

 

&

MORE ABOUT US

“Judge Susan Criss is a brilliant, well established attorney. She dedicates herself to best outcome of her clients. You cannot go wrong by hiring this firm. They will take care of your needs.”

-J.C.D

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK

“ I am very happy with the service and attention that I received at this firm. Mr. Richard Rousseau was friendly and always easy to get in touch with when I had questions. Overall I rank this as an excellent experience.”

–A.W.

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Rick Rousseau and his team at the Criss & Rousseau Law firm handled my affairs and legal needs in a timely and professional manner. I very much appreciated the attention to detail and the warm and inviting atmosphere. If you are a veteran it would be well worth your time to visit with this retired JAG officer.

-S.B.

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Rick Rousseau was a life saver for me… He guided me through all of the stumbling blocks of putting together a Power of Attorney and educated me on Medicare and Medicaid. My trip to Texas was quick and efficient thanks to his guidance – if it hadn’t been for his help there would have been many wasted hours and expense. I would strongly recommend Rick and his firm to anyone in a similar set of circumstances.

– R.W.

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SUSAN E. CRISS

MEET ATTORNEY

Attorney Susan E. Criss spent 15 years serving as a Texas District Judge. She is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is also a former prosecutor who served almost a decade in the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Her experience as a prosecutor and judge allow her to understand how the other key players in the courtroom may approach your case. This understanding helps her build highly effective and proactive defenses for her clients.

 

RICHARD W. ROUSSEAU

MEET ATTORNEY

Attorney Rick Rousseau is a retired Colonel with 27 years of active duty experience as a Judge Advocate (JAG). He formerly served as the Staff Judge Advocate for Fort Hood. Rick’s extensive experience in the military allows him to offer real help to those facing issues related to military law and veterans disability benefits.

 

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