About Kelly A
Kelly A Carter is a Texas-based criminal defense attorney who moved from public prosecution into private practice. She built a legal pathway that crosses both courtroom work and academic study. Her record shows steady progression through law school and local government practice to running her own firm.
She completed a Bachelor of Arts in political science at Harding University in 2003. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in political science from the University of North Texas in 2006. Carter then earned her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in 2019. Those degrees framed a transition from political science into the practice of law.
After law school she took a position as an Assistant Criminal District Lawyer in 2019 at the Rockwall County District Lawyer s Office. In that role she worked on criminal matters for the county and handled responsibilities typical of a prosecutor, including courtroom appearances and case management. The post gave her direct exposure to trial procedures and local criminal practice, and it placed her on the front lines of the county’s criminal docket.
In 2022 she left public office and opened Carter Criminal Defense. The move shifted her role from prosecuting cases to defending people charged with crimes. In private practice she has managed client intake, negotiated resolutions and taken matters through trial. Her practice has emphasized practical courtroom work and the kinds of client counseling that come from handling cases at both the county and local level.
Carter is licensed to practice in Texas and has continued to work within the state since completing her law degree. Her educational background in political science informs how she approaches legal questions, blending policy awareness and procedural understanding. She is known for engaging directly in courtroom work rather than staying behind the scenes.
Her current practice at Carter Criminal Defense centers on criminal defense in Texas. She handles cases that span from initial appearances to trials and post-conviction matters, and she remains active in the local legal community. Her office focuses on representing individuals facing criminal charges in Texas courts.
