Criminal Defense

Comprehensive Criminal Defense Experience

During my career, I have represented clients in over two hundred criminal jury trials. These trials have involved charges ranging from DWI and drug possession to aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, burglary, and murder. I have handled cases in state courts, federal courts, and have pursued appeals at both the state and federal levels.

My criminal defense experience includes:

The courtroom is where cases are ultimately decided when negotiations fail to produce acceptable outcomes. My extensive trial experience means I am comfortable in the courtroom and prepared to take cases to verdict when that serves my clients’ interests.

I have tried cases before juries in county courts, district courts, and federal courts. I have handled bench trials before judges. I have defended clients in probation revocation hearings, bond hearings, and other court proceedings.

This trial experience is not just a number. Each trial has taught me something about how juries think, how prosecutors present cases, what defenses resonate with fact-finders, and how to effectively cross-examine witnesses. This accumulated knowledge informs everything I do, from initial case evaluation through final resolution.

While every case is different and past results do not guarantee future outcomes, my track record demonstrates the effectiveness of thorough preparation, aggressive defense, and strategic decision-making.

I have obtained dismissals in cases involving serious felonies including continuous sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and drug possession charges. These dismissals have resulted from various factors including successful motion practice, effective negotiation with prosecutors, and thorough investigation that revealed weaknesses in the state’s cases.

I have obtained not guilty verdicts in jury trials involving aggravated sexual assault, DWI, and other charges. These acquittals have resulted from effective trial advocacy, compelling presentation of evidence, and successful challenges to the state’s proof.

I have negotiated favorable plea agreements that have helped clients avoid lengthy prison sentences, obtain probation instead of incarceration, and minimize the long-term consequences of their cases. In many instances, I have been able to structure plea agreements to protect clients’ professional licenses or minimize impact on their careers.

Healthcare professionals facing criminal charges are not just worried about jail time. They are worried about losing their licenses and careers. They need an attorney who understands both the criminal justice system and how criminal outcomes affect professional licensing.

My thirty-five years of criminal defense experience means I understand:

How prosecutors build cases.

I know what evidence prosecutors need to prove their cases and where their cases may be weak. This knowledge allows me to identify defenses and negotiate from positions of strength.

What defenses are available.

Criminal cases can be defended in many ways: challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, filing motions to suppress evidence, attacking witness credibility, presenting alternative explanations for events, and many other approaches. My experience allows me to identify which defenses are most likely to succeed in each case.

How to negotiate favorable outcomes.

Not every case should go to trial. Sometimes negotiated resolutions serve clients better than the risks and expenses of trial. But effective negotiation requires knowing what outcomes are achievable and how to structure agreements that protect clients’ interests.

When to take cases to trial.

Sometimes the only way to achieve a just outcome is to take a case to verdict. My trial experience means I am prepared to do this when it serves my clients’ interests.

How criminal outcomes affect licensing.

This is where my practice differs from most criminal defense attorneys. I understand that for healthcare professionals, the criminal case is only part of the problem. The licensing consequences must also be addressed. My practice focuses heavily on coordinating strategy between criminal defense and license defense to protect clients in both proceedings.

My experience extends beyond trial to include appeals and post-disposition proceedings. I have appealed cases the Texas Courts of Appeals and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and also to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Post-disposition, I have helped clients obtain expunctions of arrest records, non-disclosures to seal court records, early termination of probation, and other relief that helps minimize the long-term consequences of criminal cases.

For healthcare professionals, obtaining expunction or non-disclosure after successful case resolution can be critical to obtaining a license or protecting their licenses and careers.

My criminal defense practice is not separate from my healthcare license defense practice. The two are deeply interconnected.

Every healthcare professional I represent in licensing matters either has criminal charges or allegations of criminal conduct underlying the licensing case. My ability to defend them effectively in licensing proceedings depends on my understanding of criminal law.

When I represent a nurse facing Board of Nursing discipline after a DWI arrest, I need to understand DWI law, how to defend the criminal case, and how the criminal outcome will affect the licensing case.

When I represent a pharmacist accused of drug diversion, I need to understand drug laws, search and seizure issues, and how to structure criminal resolutions that preserve the possibility of keeping the pharmacy license.

When I represent a physician assistant facing allegations related to prescribing practices, I need to understand the Controlled Substances Act, prescription fraud laws, and how to defend against both criminal charges and licensing discipline.

This is why my criminal defense experience is not just a credential. It is an essential foundation for my ability to represent healthcare professionals effectively.