Prominent Texas defense lawyer Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube will represent Houston-area midwife Maria Rojas against felony charges of performing an illegal abortion.
Hochglaube, of Hochglaube & DeBorde P.C.,filed a notice of appearance Thursday, Waller County court records show.
“We are confident that a fair and thorough investigation will reveal the truth and exonerate my client,” Hochglaube said in a statement Friday. “We ask that the media and the public allow this process to occur without further fueling the flames of sensationalism.”
Rojas was arrested Monday and remains jailed on two counts each of performing an illegal abortion and practicing medicine without a license. The abortion charge, which appears to be the first in Texas under the state’s post-Roe laws, is a second-degree felony carrying a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Two employees at Rojas’ clinics were also charged in connection to the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) through a referral from local prosecutors in Waller County.
Rojas’ “reputation is being tarnished by innuendo and speculation,” Hochglaube said.
Hochglaube, a former Harris County prosecutor, transitioned to defense more than 20 years ago. Before starting her own firm, she partnered with decorated defense lawyer Kent Schaffer, with whom she served as a special prosecutor in Paxton’s felony securities fraud indictment.
Paxton cut a deal before trial last year, long after Hochglaube quit the case.
(Updated with statement from lawyer)
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