J. Celeste Blackburn

If you are the subject of a criminal investigation or if you have a pending federal or state criminal case, you deserve an attorney who is experienced, respected, and tested in the law. Celeste focuses her practice exclusively on criminal law matters. As a former Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, a former Assistant United States Attorney, and as a criminal defense attorney Celeste has gained extensive knowledge of the judicial system to provide you the best representation available. Celeste’s experience, respect in the legal community, and proven knowledge of criminal law are reflected by her board certification in criminal law. Board Certification is a mark of excellence and a distinguishing accomplishment. Celeste Blackburn Celeste was named a Dean’s List honors student multiple times, Received the “Highest Grade Award” in Juvenile Law and Legal Research & Writing, Celeste graduated early, completing the three year law school program in two-and-a-half years, and Interned for the Child Abuse Division of the Harris County District Attorney’sOffice. After graduation, Celeste worked at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney in the trial, post-conviction writ, and appellate divisions. She handled: Jury trials for offenses ranging from driving while intoxicated to assault to theft to aggravated robbery to aggravated sexual assault, Prosecuting serious offenses such as murder, large scale drug offenses, and large scale theft offenses, and Presenting cases to grand jury. While at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Celeste also worked in specialized units: Family Criminal Law Division, for offenses involving domestic violence allegations, Juvenile Division, where she handled serious offenses alleged to have been committed by juveniles, including certification hearings, Appellate Division, where she wrote appellate briefs and presented oral arguments to the Texas Court of Appeals, Post-Conviction Writs Division, where she handled death penalty capital murder writs and Chapter 64 DNA motions After leaving the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Celeste became an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Western District of Texas. As an AUSA, she Learned how the Department of Justice conducts investigations, grand jury presentations, jury trials, criminal forfeitures, and habeas proceedings, Prosecuted large-scale narcotics offenses (multi-kilo cocaine, marijuana, and heroin cases), human smuggling, bulk-cash smuggling, and criminal immigration offenses, and She tried a jury trial involving a multiple defendant conspiracy to defraud the United States with a false claims offense. After leaving the United States Attorney’s Office, Celeste began Celeste Blackburn, PLLC, a boutique criminal defense law office. She handles all types of state and federal criminal law matters. Since 2011, Celeste has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization due to her experience, continuing education credits, references, documented trial and appellate work, and after passing a comprehensive, daylong exam. Celeste is currently licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the Southern District of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit. Additionally, Celeste has been asked to present lectures for the National Advocacy Center, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer’s Association, and the Montgomery County Bar Association. Celeste has also served as an adjunct professor with the Lone Star College System teaching Court Systems & Practices. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer’s Association, Montgomery County Bar Association, and the Harris County Defense Lawyer’s Association.