John T. Floyd Law Firm
Board Certified Houston Criminal Lawyer

“Serious Criminal Defense Throughout Texas”

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist
Experienced Criminal Trial Lawyer
Federal And State Criminal Defense

Phone # (713) 224-0101
Toll Free 1-866-374-1327
E-mail jfloyd@JohnTFloyd.com

Board Certified-Criminal Law-Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Top Lawyers: Criminal Defense - 2008, 2009, 2010 HTexas

HOUSTON CRIMINAL LAWYER
BOARD CERTIFIED-CRIMINAL LAW
STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Houston Criminal Lawyer John T. Floyd stands ready to advise and defend individuals and businesses who are under criminal investigation or have been accused of serious crimes before State and Federal Courts in Houston, throughout Texas and the United States.

January 29, 2012

CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVATE

Evidentiary Privileges in the American Legal System

By: Houston Criminal Lawyer John Floyd and Paralegal Billy Sinclair

Writing in the Pittsburgh Law Review, University of California Law Professor Edward J. Inwinkelried discussed in detail the history and legal parameters of evidentiary privileges. He opened his treatise with this observation: “From society’s perspective, the rules governing privileged communications, such as those between a client and his or her attorney are arguably the most important doctrines in evidence law.”

The importance of these doctrines can be measured by the fact that since the adoption of the Federal Rules of Evidence, the U.S. Supreme Court has dealt with evidentiary privilege law more than any other part of the Federal Rules of Evidence, as pointed out by Professor Inwinkelreid.

The sources for Texas evidentiary privileges are grounded in the state’s Constitution, statutes, rules of evidence, or other rules established pursuant to statute. Rule 501 of the Texas Rules of Evidence defines an evidentiary privilege as a limitation on the admissibility of evidence. It is apparent that the Texas Rules of Evidence (Rules) do not favor privileges. They are viewed as harmful to evidence admissibility and therefore inhibit full disclosure of evidence; therefore, the Rules instruct trial courts to view claimed privileges with “close scrutiny.”

“Unlike almost all other rules of evidence, the rules creating privileges are not designed to enhance the truth-finding function of court proceedings…They acknowledge that other societal values such as privacy, the desire to encourage effective medical care or legal counsel, and governmental efficiency sometimes take precedent over the goal of ascertaining the truth in legal proceedings.” Texas Rules of Evidence Handbook, Jones McClure Publishing, 7th edition, Cochran).

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Mr. Floyd is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, has been selected as one of the best and brightest attorney’s practicing criminal law with his recognition as Houston’s Top Lawyers for the People (2008,2009), Top Lawyers: Criminal Defense (2008, 2009, 2010) and has earned a “Superb” rating from AVVO, scoring 10/10. John Floyd has appeared on national and local television and radio programs as a criminal law expert and has been quoted in major newspapers and web-based news outlets throughout the country.

Houston criminal defense lawyer John Floyd is an experienced attorney who has dedicated his practice exclusively to defending individuals and businesses suspected or accused of committing serious crimes in State and Federal courts in Houston, throughout the State of Texas and before federal court nationwide.

As a natural complement to his practice, Mr. Floyd represents clients before state and federal regulatory agencies. Most often this means defending clients accused of violating state and federal regulations, subsequent attempts to revoke licenses and permits to conduct certain business activities, and the related civil or criminal asset forfeitures that may accompany these cases. In addition, the firm represents lawyers, doctors and other licensed professionals before their respective Boards regarding disciplinary actions alleging violations of law or codes of professional responsibility.

Houston Criminal Lawyer: Mr. Floyd has over fifteen years experience representing businesses and individuals accused or suspected of committing violations of state and federal law. While the firm’s practice is primarily focused upon representation of those considered “white collar” targets and their businesses, Mr. Floyd also represents individuals accused of serious State and Federal crimes.

The Law Firm provides clients with the individualized attention so prized by clients desiring the personal attention of a “boutique” law firm, along with significant contacts throughout the state and country to assemble a serious legal team any large firm would find formidable. The organizational approach the firm takes with each client is determined by the special needs, goals and budget of the particular client, as well as, the seriousness of the issues and facts surrounding the case.

The Firm’s practice includes, but is not limited to, the following types of offenses:

SERIOUS FEDERAL AND STATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE
TRIALS, SENTENCINGS, AND APPEALS

Appeals
Bank Fraud
Conspiracy
Corporate Crimes
Corruption
Computer Crimes
Drugs
DWI Crimes
Environmental Crimes
Extradition
Federal Crimes
Insurance Fraud
Health Care Fraud
Homicide
Immigration

Mr. Floyd has dedicated his career to the personal and professional belief that every individual, or business, suspected of or charged with criminal activity is entitled to the best criminal defense resources can provide. The Firm remains dedicated to this vision strives for excellence in defending individuals and businesses accused of committing serious crimes in all State and Federal Criminal Courts in Houston and the State of Texas.

Houston Criminal Lawyer John T. Floyd's practice is dedicated exclusively to criminal defense work and providing protection and faithful legal service to his clients. The Firm proudly represents clients charged with serious criminal offenses before State and Federal courts in Houston, Galveston, Richmond, Angleton, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio, Waco, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Tyler, Sherman, Del Rio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Mc Allen, El Paso, and all counties throughout the State of Texas. The law firm of John T. Floyd is located in the historic Kirby Mansion in Houston, Texas; however, Mr. Floyd often travels to Criminal Courts across the State of Texas, as well as, Federal Criminal Courts across the United States.

Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer John T. Floyd adamantly believes in the rights of all individuals to have equality and justice under the law and vigorously fights to protect these most cherished and valuable rights. The Firm is dedicated to providing faithful protection and skilled criminal defense work to its clients and protecting them from the awesome powers of the state and federal governments.

Houston Criminal Lawyer: Mr. Floyd also understands that a criminal allegation or indictment inflicts devastating personal, professional, and financial consequences on the individual, or business, charged with wrongdoing. Therefore, the John T. Floyd Law Firm focuses on protecting the rights, privacy, and dignity of businesses and individuals suspected or accused of committing these serious crimes.

At both federal and state levels, the government has overwhelming budgets and unlimited powers to prosecute its criminal indictments. The full resources of the Firm are a stalwart against these governmental prosecutions.

Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer John T. Floyd has over fifteen years of intensive experience defending businesses and individuals accused or suspected of committing serious criminal violations of State and Federal law. While the John T. Floyd Law Firm is primarily focused upon criminal defense of those being investigated or suspected of federal criminal violations, John Floyd also represents individuals accused of serious State crimes.

Mr. Floyd believes the quality of a legal system measures the value of the society it serves. “The heart and soul of the American legal system are its criminal defense lawyers who stand before the courts and demand the rule of law for their clients, no matter how unpopular or heinous their cause may be.” John T. Floyd is one of those dedicated criminal defense lawyers. The John T. Law Firm is absolutely committed to protecting the rights and interests of its clients.

Since the tragedy of 9-11, Mr. Floyd has represented dozens of individuals and entities regarding terrorism investigations and related criminal acts in the State of Texas and Washington D.C.

We are pleased that you have taken this time to consider our firm. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your case with us, please contact Mr. Floyd by phone at 713-224-0101 or by e-mail at jfloyd@johntfloyd.com

John T. Floyd
Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer
Houston, Texas and Throughout the United States

HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONTACT INFORMATION
HOUSTON, TEXAS

Harris County District Courts:

174th Criminal Court

Judge Ruben Guerrero