Brianna Berry had only recently begun representing criminal defendants when she became a defendant in two felony cases herself.
HOUSTON, Texas — The Harris County Public Defender’s Office is weighing the employment implications surrounding a newly hired lawyer who now faces felony charges herself, while emphasizing that she remains entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.
Brianna Berry, 25, is charged with burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault of a family member after authorities accused her of forcing her way into a Humble-area residence and attacking her ex-boyfriend. The charges have created an unusual situation for an office whose lawyers ordinarily represent people accused of crimes who cannot afford their own attorneys.
Berry was relatively new to both the profession and the county office. District clerk data cited by ABC13 showed she had handled a handful of misdemeanor cases after obtaining her law license in April. The Houston Chronicle reported that she graduated from Texas Southern University’s law school in 2025, while FOX 26 reported she had worked full time at the public defender’s office for less than a month when she was arrested.
The Public Defender’s Office said its priority is maintaining the trust and confidence of employees and clients and that any employment decision involving Berry would be made with those concerns in mind. At the same time, the office stressed that Berry has the same due-process protections and presumption of innocence afforded to any person accused of a crime.
That principle is central to the work of public defenders, who represent people facing prosecution regardless of the allegations against them. Berry’s own case now moves through that same criminal justice system, with prosecutors required to prove the charges rather than relying on the accusations contained in initial court records.
According to those records, Berry went to the home of her former boyfriend’s aunt, where the man was staying, while seeking to reconcile the relationship. Authorities allege he tried to lock her out and told her to leave but that she forced entry and damaged two doors.
Authorities further allege Berry obtained a hammer from the garage during the confrontation and struck her former boyfriend in the arm and back two or three times. She is also accused of biting his hand. A neighbor told ABC13 that he and another resident called police after seeing the dispute unfold outside with several people present.
Berry’s professional background became part of the court proceedings when she requested appointed representation during a probable cause hearing. The Houston Chronicle reported that she declared no income or assets and was assigned a court-appointed attorney. Prosecutors sought a higher bond, but bail was set at $4,000 on each of the two charges, according to local reports.
No final disciplinary or employment action by the Public Defender’s Office was announced in the reports reviewed. ABC13 said Berry’s lawyer did not respond to its request for comment before publication, and the station also was unable to obtain comment from Berry or her former boyfriend.
The case remains pending, and the allegations have not been proven in court. Any decision about Berry’s county employment is separate from the criminal process, where she retains the legal protections that public defenders routinely assert on behalf of their own clients.
Author note: Last updated September 12, 2026.