CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — San Patricio County assistant county attorney Allison Skipper and her husband, local attorney Shaun Skipper, were arrested Tuesday following a grand jury indictment on felony barratry charges.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, both were taken into custody by the Texas Rangers and booked into the San Patricio County Jail. DPS spokesperson Sgt. Rob Mallory confirmed the arrests and noted that the investigation remains active, with no additional details available at this time.
San Patricio District Attorney Margie Silva declined to comment, citing the pending nature of the case.
The Skippers each face charges under Texas Penal Code 38.12, which defines barratry — often referred to as “ambulance chasing” — as the unlawful solicitation of clients for personal or financial gain. The law aims to prevent attorneys or their representatives from exploiting potential clients or interfering with the justice system.
A conviction for felony barratry is a third-degree felony and can result in up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $10,000. The statute also permits civil penalties, including voiding contracts or fees obtained through illegal solicitation.
State Bar of Texas records show that Allison Skipper has been licensed to practice law since November 7, 2008. Shaun Skipper, licensed since May 4, 2006, practices family and juvenile law in Corpus Christi. Public records indicate neither attorney has any prior disciplinary history.
The San Patricio County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that James Reeves, a special prosecutor from Lavaca County, has been appointed to oversee the case.
Information regarding bond amounts or initial court appearances had not been released as of Wednesday.
