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John T. Floyd

Dallas / Fort Worth Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

A Skilled Texas Defense Attorney for your Dallas/Fort Worth Criminal Charges

 

Dallas Federal Courthouse

Mr. Floyd Travels to State Courts Throughout Texas and Federal Courts Nationwide. Principal Office located at 4900 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas 77056.  All other locations by appointment only.

 

When the world thinks of Dallas, one of two things most likely come to mind: America’s Team – the Dallas Cowboys – or President John F. Kennedy’s assassination there in 1963. Ft. Worth is the other half of the largest metropolitan area in the South, and is better known as Cowtown because it was a center for trade and cattle along the Old Chisholm Trail.

 

But longtime citizens of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex also know that the area is home to the world-class Kimbell Art Museum and Dallas Museum of Art, the Ft. Worth Zoo – one of the top 10 zoos in the United States – The Cotton Bowl, North Park Center, and expansive White Rock Lake.

 

Despite it being such a bustling Metroplex, the crime rate in Dallas-Ft. Worth is actually relatively low. The rate has been on a steady decline for the past 12 years, reducing the number of crimes by over half.

 

The Washington Post reported in January of last year that Dallas’s 2014 murder rate was the lowest since 1930.

 

Post columnist Radley Balko said the Dallas Police Department, led by Chief David Brown, has a policy of openness, is First Amendment friendly to street protests, maintains a community-oriented style of policing, and is transparent when the department uses excessive or lethal force.

 

But a Dallas Morning News editorial in March 2015 expressed concern about startling increases in crime in several of the 10 highest crime hot spots identified by Chief Brown. The newspaper said increased patrols, surveillance cameras, and high-tech gadgetry has failed to decrease serious and violent crime in those areas. The editors pointed out that the area around the city’s Love Field, exhibited the highest crime increase with a 55 percent jump during the first three months of 2015.

 

The editorial ended with the observation that the “city should be unified around higher-quality-of-life factors that emphasize safer communities everywhere.”

 

These numbers should not be startling. Dallas has a history of high crime and vigorous criminal prosecutions.

 

Law enforcement from both Dallas and Ft. Worth want to ensure that their crime numbers not only continue to dwindle but also that criminal elements get their “tough on crime” message. For that reason, getting charged with a crime in Dallas-Ft. Worth is serious business. Not only do police officers take their job of catching criminals seriously, but prosecutors are also just as hungry to lock you up and throw away the key.

 

For those reasons, if you are facing criminal charges here in DFW, you need the expertise and legal counsel of an experienced Board Certified Texas criminal lawyer. John T. Floyd has been practicing criminal law and helping his clients successfully beat criminal charges for over two decades. With Mr. Floyd, you can trust that both your case and your life are in good hands. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what kind of charges you are up against, Mr. Floyd will help you navigate the complex judicial system and fight for your rights.

 

Federal Prosecutions

 

Dallas/Fort Worth are in the Northern District of Texas. The District’s Criminal Division focuses its prosecution on a wide array of crimes: violent crime, organized crime, financial crimes, drug and human trafficking crimes, and an assortment of special prosecutions. More than 80 Assistant U.S. Attorneys stand ready in the district to handle these prosecutions. They are all skilled and resourceful prosecutors.

 

Fort Worth Federal Courthouse

In 2014, the U.S. Attorneys involved in the massive 2009 City Hall corruption case were acknowledged with the Director’s Award presented by the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director Monty Wilkinson. All sixteen of the city officials, including former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill, indicted in the case either pleaded guilty or were convicted following jury trials.

 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with local law enforcement to bring cases against child pornography defendants under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the U.S. Justice Department, to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

 

For example, in December 2015, a defendant was sentenced to 20 years by U.S. District Judge John  McBryde following a guilty plea to just one count of transportation of child pornography.

 

In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office places emphasis on the prosecution of terrorism and cybercrime cases.

 

State Prosecutions

 

Susan Hawk is the Dallas County District Attorney and has personally tried more than 150 cases, seven of which were capital murder cases in which she received guilty verdicts in all of them. During her ten-year tenure as a criminal court judge, Hawk presided over more than 35,000 cases that earned her a reputation as being tough of violent crime defendants.

 

Sharon Wilson became Tarrant County District Attorney in January 2015. She immediately began to clean house of the employees of former District Attorney Joe Shannon. One of her first casualties was a 14-year veteran investigator who suffers from muscular dystrophy and whose mother died the same week he was terminated by Wilson.

 

Also a former judge, Wilson had campaigned on a platform to trim the budget with staff cuts, streamline operations, and pursue more efficient prosecutions. She got rid of 46 full or part-time employees, including 26 full-time prosecutors.

 

Wilson began her tenure by notifying area criminal defense attorneys throughout North Texas about her discovery of 22 binders containing handwritten notes made by former prosecutors questioning the credibility of police testimony. The 6,000 handwritten notes dated back to 1993.

 

Earlier this year DA Hawk saw a lawsuit challenging her mental competency to be district attorney dismissed by Judge David Peeples. The lawsuit had been filed by former Dallas County prosecutor Cindy Stormer who had sought to have Hawk removed from office.

 

The lawsuit was filed shortly after Hawk became district attorney and was hospitalized in a psychiatric facility for depression. Her hospitalization was brought about after a series of bizarre behaviors in the district attorney’s office and the firing of employees for controversial reasons.

 

Clearly, the offices of both district attorneys have serious problems, and these problems have a direct bearing on criminal cases prosecuted by them.

 

Fight Dallas-Ft. Worth Charges with the Texas Defense Lawyer the Experts Turn To

 

Reunion Tower Dallas Texas

For more than 20 years, John T. Floyd has been honing his expertise in criminal law, dispensing sound legal advice and guidance, and offering his distinct perspective on judicial issues to his clients, peers, the legal community, and news and media outlets throughout the United States. Mr. Floyd has contributed to the legal conversation and been featured as a criminal law expert and authority figure on endless legal matters both in print and on air.

 

Print Articles

 

Chron – Featured in article in 2015

The Huffington Post – Featured in article in 2013

CNSNews – Featured in article in 2012

Victoria Advocate – Featured in article in 2011

HGExperts – Featured in article in 2008

 

On Air Interviews

 

BBC – criminal law expert

Fox News – criminal law expert on multiple occasions

Hannity and Colmes – criminal law expert

NPR –criminal law expert

 

Along with his media contributions, Mr. Floyd has also received attention for his excellence in the practice of criminal law from fellow lawyers, the legal community, and satisfied clients. Some of his most distinguished achievements include:

 

Avvo – 10/10 Rating, Clients’ Choice Award 2008-2015

H Texas Magazine – Houston’s Top Lawyers 2007-2015

National Trial LawyersTop 100 Trial Lawyers 2015

Newsweek – Leading Criminal Defense Attorneys 2014

State Bar of Texas – Top 10 Blog Posts 2015

SuperLawyers – 2014-2015

 

Although Mr. Floyd has many accomplishments to his name, the one he is most proud of is his dedication to successfully defend his clients to the very end. He is known for turning “hopeless” cases into winners, a reputation supported by his clients’ testimonials and his glowing track record. When you hire John T. Floyd as your attorney, you are not only getting an experienced legal professional, but also a tireless advocate.

 

The Consequences of a State Criminal Record

 

There are also many collateral consequences for having been convicted of a criminal offense in Texas.

 

Employment. Many occupations (such as barber, plumber, nurse, etc.) require a license to work. Section 53.021 of the Texas Occupations Code authorize Texas licensing authorities to revoke, suspend, or deny a license to anyone convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Education: Any student convicted of the possession or sale of a controlled substance can lose or be denied financial assistance under the Federal Student Loans and Grants program, or the forfeiture of a prepaid scholarship.

Asset forfeiture: Serious drug and white collar convictions can result of forfeiture of cash, vehicles, homes, personal property, and businesses.

Firearm: A conviction of more than one year will result in loss of the right to own or possess a firearm or ammunition.

Housing: Federal housing policies permit the exclusion of drug offenders from federally subsidized or funded housing. Most rental applications ask if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony.

Civil rights: A felony conviction results in the loss of the right to vote, run for public office, be appointed to a public office, or serve on a jury.

 

Because of the wide range of criminal penalties associated with state felony convictions in Texas, any one charged with a criminal offense in either Dallas or Fort Worth needs an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney.

 

The Consequences of a Federal Criminal Record

 

Federal felony convictions can also lead to civil forfeitures that result in the loss of personal property, including cash, homes, vehicles, planes, and other personal belongings

 

The proceeds from forfeited property go into the coffers of law enforcement agencies, not the government treasury. Thus, the police have an incentive to seize and forfeit as much property as possible, regardless of whether it is actually tied to an offender’s offense-related activity.

 

Beyond these serious to severe penal consequences, federal felony convictions have significant personal collateral consequences. They can disqualify you for a job in the health care industry, government, private security, law enforcement, many areas of the criminal justice system, and any other job requiring a security clearance.

 

They can, and most likely will, have adverse impact on your employment prospects with companies that routinely run criminal background checks prior to their decision to hire. They can also have a serious impact on your ability to rent a suitable residence as property owners also frequently run background checks, refusing to rent or lease to ex-felons.

 

Skillful  Counsel from an Experienced Texas Criminal Attorney Who Can Handle All Kinds of DFW Charges

 

Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth

If you are facing criminal charges, you want to have a seasoned attorney by your side who has in-depth knowledge of both Texas state and federal law. John T. Floyd has dedicated his career to criminal law, which provided him with the opportunity to gain experience in all types of serious offenses, such as:

 

Assault

Criminal Appeals

Domestic Violence

Drug Crimes

DUI/DWI

Federal Crimes

Fraud

Health Care Fraud

Immigration Crimes

Murder/Homicide

Sex Crimes

White Collar Crimes

 

Regardless of your offense, you want the best defense possible, and you want to work with a lawyer you can trust. Instead of leaving your case up to chance, let Mr. Floyd build a strong and aggressive defense strategy that is tailored to fit your individual needs and the specific details of your case. With his assistance, you have the best chance of getting your charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed.

 

Contact Texas Defense Attorney John T. Floyd to Fight your DFW Charges

 

When you’re up against criminal charges, you go through the full range of emotions – fear, confusion, stress, anxiety, anger, and maybe even shame. That’s to be expected, though. Getting charged with a crime will be one of the toughest and most trying times in your life. But you can’t let your emotions paralyze you and keep you from contacting a qualified Texas criminal defense attorney and getting much-needed help and guidance for your case.

 

An experienced defense lawyer will be able to give you an honest assessment of your charges and lay out all of the possible options available to you in order to get the best possible outcome for your case. But time is your biggest enemy. If you don’t reach out now, you could miss out on crucial opportunities to build your defense, collect timely evidence, and get a head start on the prosecution. And if you don’t take action at all, you greatly increase the likelihood that you will be convicted.

 

Contact The John T. Floyd Law Firm today to see how we can help you get back to your life. All you have to do is call 713-224-0101, email jfloyd@johntfloyd.com, or complete our quick and easy confidential online case review form.