Susannah E. Prucka is a criminal defense trial and appellate attorney dedicated to skillful representation of the accused. Susannah has extensive experience in state and federal court. For thirteen years, Susannah served as a criminal prosecutor. As a former Assistant District Attorney in both Midland County and Ector County, Susannah has considerable firsthand experience with criminal matters and the courts in West Texas. As a former Assistant United States Attorney who worked in the Appellate Division for the Southern District of Texas, Susannah is familiar with the sentencing guidelines and fast-paced, high-stakes practice of federal court.
Over the course of her career, Susannah has successfully handled hundreds of criminal cases to resolution and more than 500 appeals and post-conviction matters. As a proven courtroom litigator and prosecutor, Susannah handled a wide breadth of cases involving felony drugs, domestic violence, theft, fraud and other white collar matters, DWI, homicide, sexual offenses, handguns, and burglary.
Susannah has in-depth knowledge of the law and the criminal justice system. In private practice, Susannah serves individuals and businesses facing criminal investigation or criminal charges and is cognizant of the collateral consequences that often accompany a criminal conviction and works tirelessly to understand and resolve those issues while also fighting for a favorable outcome of the criminal charges.
Susannah specializes in three areas of criminal law: criminal defense, criminal appeals and post-conviction proceedings.
A Criminal Defense Attorney – Federal & State
Susannah has firsthand experience with how criminal cases are investigated, prosecuted, resolved, and brought to trial. The State has its resources, but with Susannah representing you, so do you.
A Criminal Appeals Attorney – Federal & State
Susannah has handled over 450 state and federal appeals and has participated in over 75 oral arguments thus far in her career.
A Post-Conviction (Habeas) Attorney
Susannah is also experienced in post-conviction writs/petitions in federal court under 28 U.S.C. 2254 and 28 USC 2255 and in state court under Article 11.07 of the Texas Rules of Criminal Procedure. These motions are filed after all avenues of direct appeal have been exhausted.
Susannah is Board Certified in the areas of Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is currently only one of 87 attorneys in Texas who hold both certifications simultaneously.
Raised in Midland, Susannah now resides in Midland with her family. She is involved in the community through soccer coaching and refereeing as well as by serving on the Boards of REACH Network, Junior League of Midland, City of Midland Parks & Recreation Commission, and Centers for Children and Families. Susannah lends her financial and personal support to numerous other nonprofit organizations throughout the Permian Basin.
Education
- J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 2006
- B.A., Southwestern University, 2003
Law Review
- Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, Symposium Issue Editor
- Maryland Law Review, Associate Editor
Professional Experience
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Patrick L. Woodward, Maryland Court of Special Appeals
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Clayton Greene, Jr., Midland Court of Appeals
- Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Appeals Division, Maryland Attorney General
- Assistant District Attorney, Brazos County District Attorney’s Office
- Assistant United States Attorney, Appellate Division, Southern District of Texas
- Assistant District Attorney, Ector County District Attorney’s Office
- Assistant District Attorney, Midland County District Attorney’s Office
Bar Admissions
- Maryland, 2006 (Inactive)
- Texas, 2011
- United States Supreme Court, 2013
- District of Maryland, 2014
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2017
- Southern District of Texas, 2017
- Western District of Texas, 2022
- Northern District of Texas, 2022
Board Certifications
- Criminal Appellate Law, 2018
- Criminal Law, 2021
