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OUR SURVEILLANCE STATE

Mar 28 2012
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Technology allows Government to Cheat Constitutional Protections
By: Houston Criminal Lawyer John Floyd and Paralegal Billy Sinclair

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision inU.S. v. Jones,finding that the attachment of a GPS device to a suspect’s car is a search triggering Constitutional protections,has caused some interesting discussion regarding technology and law enforcement and doubts about what the Founding Fathers intended when drafting our Country’s greatest document. What is not in doubt is that technology will surely continue to press the capability and intent behind the Constitution of the United States.

Technology from the beginning always tempted man with its boundless potential to serve the good of mankind. But, with every technological advance, society encumbered a disadvantage. Technology has made George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty Four “Big Brother” society an acceptable reality today. The technology of surveillance has made all of us prisoners in cells without bars. Our conversations are no longer private, our habits (good and bad) are monitored, our thought-processes are mined to develop a “profile” on each of us, and virtually every movement we make in the public arena are digitally stored in either a or corporate database.

On December 16, 2005, James Risen and Eric Lichtblau informed the country in a New York Times headline that read:Bush Lets U.S. Spy on Callers without Courts. The two reporters began their article with this lead: “Months after the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying, according to government officials.”

The “9/11” attacks created the “war” on terror. Law enforcement, intelligence and military agencies, with the blessing of President Bush and high-level congressional leaders, launched covert surveillance of virtually every aspect of American society. The right to privacy, on our person and in our homes, may as well have been lynched in Times Square. The constitution, the very document that separates this country from rogue nations that sponsor terrorism, slowly wasted away as the Government mined every nook and cranny for more and more information, false or otherwise, and obtained by any means necessary—torture, secret prisons, kidnapping, killing of innocents, etc—in the name of the “war on terror.”

Risen/Lichtblau provided these hints: “Under a presidential order signed in 2002, the intelligence agency (NSA) has monitored international telephone calls and international e-mails of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people inside the United States without warrants over the past three years in an effort to track possible ‘dirty members’ linked to Al-Qaeda, the officials said. The agency, they said, still seeks warrants to monitor entirely domestic communications.

“The previously undisclosed decision to permit some eavesdropping inside the country without court approval was a major shift in American admitted intelligence-gathering practices, particularly for the National Security Agency, whose mission is to spy on communications abroad. As a result, some officials familiar with the continuing operations have questioned whether the surveillance has stretched, if not crossed, constitutional limits on legal searches.”

TheTimesreport generated enough public and congressional consternation to force Congress to legalize the Government’s previous illegal surveillance activities. In response to this growing congressional concern led by Senators Patrick Leahy and Arlen Spector, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in January 2007 informed the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that the Government would conduct a Terrorist Surveillance Program under the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) with “complex” and “innovative” court approval.

That same year the full body of Congress joined ranks with the President passing a temporary amendment to FISA bestowing upon the President the power to eavesdrop on conversations when intelligence officials believe that at least one party in the conversation is outside the United States. This was a precursor of what was to come.

In July 2007, New York City officials announced plans to set up thousands of cameras in Lower Manhattan, the home of the 9/11 attacks, to monitor individual and vehicle movements. Writing in the 2008-09Minnesota Law Review, Yale Law School professor Jack M. Balkin, in a treatise titled “ The Constitution in the National Surveillance State,” described the surveillance program and its inspiration: “Some cameras will be able to photograph and read license plates and send out alerts for suspicious cars. The system of cameras will link to a series of pivoting gates installed at critical intersections, giving government officials the ability to block off traffic through electronic commands. New York’s new plan—called the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative—is based on London’s ‘Ring of Steel,’ a security and surveillance system around London’s central core that features thousands of surveillance cameras. New York is hardly alone; the Department of Homeland Security has been channeling millions of dollars to local governments around the country to create hi-tech camera networks that can be linked with private surveillance systems.”

To keep pace in building this National Surveillance State, one that puts “Big Brother” to shame, Congress in 2008 amended FISA several more times giving the President unprecedented authority to conduct electronic surveillance without a warrant while simultaneously, as Professor Balkin pointed out, giving telecommunications companies immunity from civil liability for having “participated in the secret NSA program.”

Nestled in obscurity, most Americans are not aware that the National Surveillance State began long before Bush declared the “war on terror.” Some commentators believe it commenced with the Welfare State, which is often traced back to Roosevelt’s “New Deal” but which actually evolved in the 19th century with pensions for Civil War veterans and their families, as pointed out by Theda Skocpol in her book Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States(Belknap Press, Nov. 1992). What Roosevelt did—and whose actions were influenced greatly by the populist railings of Louisiana Governor and U.S. Senator Huey P. Long—was ingrained the social concept into our political system that Government has a fundamental responsibility to assist its disabled, elderly, and dependent citizens.

Against the historical backdrop of the suffrage movement, unions, political parties, women’s organization, and “reform-minded” cultural values that led to the creation of the Welfare State, a Government need was spawned for gathering, collating, and storing information about its citizenry involved in “social programs”: spending and transferring revenues to entitlements (welfare-food stamps-social security-medicare/medicaid), public works, licenses, ethnic-gender-age equality, and a host of other social programs. As 20th century technology improved the methods of gathering and disseminating this vast store of information, the parallel need to monitor, and ultimately, to keep under perpetual surveillance became an integral component in the Government machine. In his book Electronic Eye: The Rise of Surveillance Society(U. Minn. Press 1994), David Lyon observed:

“[T]he surveillance systems of advanced bureaucratic nation-states are not so much the repressive machines that pessimists imply, but the outcome of aspirations and strivings for citizenship. If government departments are to treat people equally … then those people must be individually identified. To exercise the right to vote, one’s name must appear on the electoral roll; to claim welfare benefits, personal details must be documented. Thus … the individuation that treats people in their own right, rather than merely as members of families or communities, means ‘freedom from specific constraints but also greater opportunities for surveillance and control on the part of a centralized state.’”

Today we have become almost exclusively an information-driven society: social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, identification numbers, credit card numbers, even our own generated “ID/passwords”—all of which create unimaginable opportunities for Government, and, yes, corporations to track our every move. Google knows more about us than we know about ourselves.

An article in the New York Times in 2002 reported there were at least 2 million closed-circuit television systems in the United States. Since 9/11 there has been even more Government security cameras put in place. Cell phone camera technology, with the embracing arm of YouTube and Facebook, have strained the concept of individual privacy for us, our children, and, yes, our adorable pets. In fact, Facebook and Twitter market our trivial thoughts, feelings, and aspirations to make us feel “connected” or “engaged” with the larger society. What people eat for breakfast, how much booze they drank the night before, who their “best friends” are, and when their love life took a downward spiral used to be privately-held information. Now, people surrender so much private information to “social media” that Government intelligence geeks and law enforcement snoops are there watching, gleaning, and, yes, salivating.

Professor Balkin describes the kind of society we have degenerated to with The National Surveillance State:

“Increased focus on surveillance and prevention becomes inevitable once digital information technologies become widely dispersed. Criminal organizations and terrorist groups can use many of the same information and surveillance technologies that governments and legitimate businesses do. Terrorist groups that lack fixed addresses can use new information technologies to communicate and plan assaults. Hackers can attack networks afar. A new breed of criminals employs digital networks to commit old-fashioned crimes like embezzlement and to commit new crimes like identity theft and denial of service attacks. Cyber attacks can not only bring down financial institutions, they can also target the nation’s defense systems. Digital technologies simultaneously pose new problems for governments and create new opportunities for identifying threats and meeting them in advance.

“Older models of law enforcement have focused on apprehension and prosecution of wrongdoers after the fact and the threat of criminal or civil sanctions to deter future bad behavior. The National Surveillance State supplements this model of prosecution and deterrence with technologies of prediction and prevention. Computer security tries to identify potential weaknesses and block entry by suspicious persons before they have a chance to strike. Private companies and government agencies use databases to develop profiles of individuals who are likely to violate laws, drive up costs, or cause problems, and then deflect them, block them, or deny them benefits, access, or opportunities. The government’s ‘No Fly’ and ‘Selectee’ watch lists and its still-planned Secure Flight screening program collect information on passengers and create profiles that seek to block dangerous people from boarding plans. Governance in the National Surveillance State is increasingly statistically oriented,ex anteand preventive, rather than focused on deterrence andex postprosecution of individual wrongdoers. Such tendencies have been around for at least a century, but new technologies for surveillance, data analysis, and regulation by computer code and physical architecture have made them far easier to put into effect.

“The National Surveillance State seeks any and all information that assists governance: electronic surveillance is not its only tool. Governments can also get information out of human bodies, for example, through collection and analysis of DNA, through locational tracking, and through facial recognition systems. The Bush administration’s detention and interrogation practices seek to get information out of human bodies through old-fashioned detention and interrogation techniques, including techniques that are tantamount to torture. In the National Surveillance State, bodies are not simply objects of governance; they are rich sources of information that governments can mine through a multitude of different technologies and techniques.”

That’s scary stuff. Really is. And where does the Constitution fit into all these different kinds of assaults on personal privacy in this National Surveillance State? No one really knows. The U.S. Supreme Court has instructed the lower courts to tread lightly through the maze of information technology versus individual privacy. If Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas have their way, these complex issues will be decided on what our Founding Father intended with the 1789 document. And that’s a dangerous notion. The Framers could not have even fathomed GPS, much less Google or Facebook. The need, and the demand, for Government surveillance is cascading like an avalanche to the point where the Fourth Amendment is “right of privacy” will be obsolete and unenforceable.

We do not feel it’s time to tread lightly. It’s time for bold action to protect the right of individual privacy from both Government and business surveillance. If the courts do not vigorously step up to the plate and check the insatiable desire of the executive and legislative branches of Government to monitor and snoop into every facet of our lives, we will lose our precious freedoms—all of them, just as we have virtually lost our right to privacy.

By: Houston Criminal Attorney John Floyd and Paralegal Billy Sinclair
John Floyd is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

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  • Avatar Jeannette Young ★★★★★ 2 weeks ago
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    Mr. Floyd is an incredible attorney and human being. He cares about your case, the facts, the law, and your life! I am sorry for whatever situation you are going through, but choosing … More Mr. Floyd, his firm, and their professional experience to help you, will be the best decision you ever make!
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    I asked the Law Office of John T. Floyd a very important question regarding the legal aspects of purchasing a firearm with a deferred adjudication charge. They answered the question … More very professionally and accurately and I was quite pleased with the information that was shared. I recommend this law firm because they are very honest and will work for you and with you.
  • Avatar Mark J ★★★★★ a year ago
    I’ve never been one to write reviews but this time I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to say something. I had some serious legal questions I needed answers to concerning Texas laws. … More Being I’m from another state, I found and reached out to Attorney John Floyd for the answers. Mr Floyd listened to to my requests and told me what he need from me and went out of his way to get me the answers. Very polite, straightforward and professional, I can’t thank him enough for all he’s done. Whatever your legal case may be, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mr Floyd.
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    John & Chris helped my family member get a reduced charge and acceptable plea agreement in place. Their compassion, attention to every detail was what helped carry the day.Truly … More the best of the best.P
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    Mr. Floyd is both ethical and loyal to his clients; two qualities that are hard to find specially in lawyers. I'd definitely recommend him to anyone.Positive
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    Mr. John was very helpful and truly was the reason why my case was dismissed. Thank you so much Mr. John I truly recommend everyone in need to work with him.
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    His service to the community and diligence to helping his clients speaks for its self! Not to mention the many articles, papers and TV appearances that speak to his intellect
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    John has given Excellent service and have been very friendly and extremely helpful to us. I highly recommend this law firm
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    This law firm is diligent, responsive and succeeded in getting my case dismissed. 10/10 would recommend.
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    super knowledgeable, good attitude, would definitely recommend him
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    Very helpful, knowledgeable and honest.
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    John is an amazing person and lawyer who is actually very understanding of how anxious I got and although it was hard to reach him sometimes because of his schedule, but never worry … More he is on top of things. He is very organized, very smart. I had the experience to go through a trial with him, and he always plans ahead well and is actually open and receptive to any ideas and comments I had and he was quick to decide which is right to use at the moment. I really appreciated working with him and Chris. Great lawyers and great people. As I was reminded by John, I am adding that the Jury reached a not guilty decision on the original charge and on a lesser charge in just 25 minutes. It took more time to write the charge and instructions for the jury than it took them to reach a decision.
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    Highly recommend John T Floyd law firm, great response time and demeanor.I was researching an on-going criminal case, when I found an informative article written by John Floyd (about … More the perils of expert testimony). I called his office, and was very pleased to receive a timely call back. Not only was Mr. Floyd candid and helpful, but he had the kindest demeanor of any attorney that I've dealt with. I am so glad to have found this firm.
  • Avatar Joffre Cross II (Jeff) ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    Although I am not a client, John Floyd contacted me the same day I sent an email requesting advice, answered my questions and even when further to assist with my issue and communicated … More with me the next day. A true credit to his profession and I can only imagine how well he provides services to his actual clients!
  • Avatar jeannette young ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I give Mr. Floyd 10 Stars if they were available so I'm giving him five that's all that's available. The first time I left a message for him it was on a Friday after … More 5 p.m. and within 15 minutes he called me back I told him I needed to buy a lotto ticket because that has never happened. I knew from our chat and him calling me back that he was different from any attorney I've tried to talk to left messages never got called back they didn't even know what I needed and neither did Mr. Floyd but he did call me back. I was very interested in meeting with mr. Floyd about my case because I felt he was very transparent honest and genuine. If you've ever dealt with attorneys they don't have those traits but Mr. Floyd does. He was very honest with me told me what I could and could not do with my case. He is not egotistical he's very compassionate and he actually reads the documents you sent him unbelievable that's never happened. He will be the only lawyer I refer to anyone that needs his expertise. If you're in need of a criminal defense attorney please give John T Floyd a call you will not be disappointed.
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    Mr John is a great human being and a very knowledgeable attorney. He has always called me back promptly,advised me very clearly and never rushed our conversation. i was wrongfully accused … More and Mr John had my case DISMISSED!! on the day of trial after fighting for me for two years. I am very thankful to the John T. Floyd Law Firm. You will not go wrong with John. Mr John you deserve way more then 5 stars.Thank youShaikh.
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    John Floyd Law Firm is highly recommended for your legal needs. He and his staff are highly professional in every aspect. Easy and comfortable feeling talking with him, and he understands … More your needs and explains your legal advice in a way you can understand. Enough just cant be said. Thank You Sir.Positive
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    John was kind enough to assist me with legal advise on my firearm gun rights restoration. I highly recommend him and his firm. Very professional and knowledgeable. If I need assistance … More in the future I will definitely go back to him.
  • Avatar Reginald Bell ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    What I liked the most was that he actually returned my phone after leaving a message unlike pretty much everyone else I called prior. He listened and answered my question with the best … More advice that would benefit me the most. I was actually lost from moving to Texas from a different state we’re laws vary and he pointed me toward the right direction to get a understanding of if I need to do business with him now or after I contact a lawyer in my home state.
  • Avatar Debby Griffin ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    John T Floyd handled my sons case & got a dismissal for us! He is great to work with, gets back to you promptly & knows what he’s doing. Definitely one of the best we have had … More to deal with!Positive
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    John is honestly the best! The whole team is. He answered me in a timely manner and helped me when my friend was going through a situation in Houston, Texas as an inmate. He was so … More thorough, honest, and without charging me sent me so much information because I was out of the loop. He never once tried to take you for your money, he did all that he could to. help me and I can't thank him enough.
  • Avatar Randy Rich ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I have used John on two occasions and found him to have full knowledge of Texas law, diligent, creative in plan, and aggressive in defense. He is the best criminal defense attorney … More in the State of Texas. No reason to look elsewhere.
  • Avatar Robert Robinson ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I have been calling to get some legal advice pertaining to gun rights. A few legal offices would not even take my call because quote " your not a client and Im losing money. … More I I called John T. Floyd Law Firm and they were not only able to answer my question, but gave great detail information, and further elaborated on their answer. I hope I do not have to use them in the future, but if I do need to, they will be my first call.
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    Great lawyer! Needed some advice and gave me a Consultation, and advice for steps to take, without any hassle l, Was a honest guy and actually wanted to help me and not just take my … More money! Highly recommend!!Positive
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    Attorney Floyd replied very timely to my inquiry and he provided practical advice. I will not hesitate to contact him in the future if I need additional legal counsel.
  • Avatar Huey B ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    Highly recommend, down to earth lawyer. Talked to me about my legal issues without being super money hungry and genuinely wanted to help me with my legal problems. 5 stars ⭐️.
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    Very knowledgeable and professional. I called and left a message Friday morning and before end of business that day I received a call back.Positive
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    Very helpful highly recommended for any Question / case will definitely keep he's name and number for any other legal advice
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    Excellent service and a lawyer that doesn't lie. He does what he says. JW recommends him.
  • Avatar Cord Ary ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    One of the best services Ive used in awhile. Thank you for all the help and answers. You got my life back. Thank youPositive
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    Im impressed. This guy was polite and professional and most important...he listened.
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    Good experience and very good lawyer
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  • Avatar Tylor St. Clair ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    It was a pleasure speaking with John. He is knowledgeable and has a true desire to help the people of society. I turned to him for some guidance of a long-standing issue. He never … More rushed our conversation and went out of his way to look into the details to provide the right answer as well as assist me anyway he could. Thank you for our conversations and I wish your and your firm the best. If you need a lawyer, John Floyd is your guy!
  • Avatar Andrew Vo ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    John represented me in court for roughly 2 years. I won't (and shouldn't) get into any serious details, but let me tell you that I couldn't have chosen anyone better. … More Seriously.Every appearance in court I felt very comfortable. The judge and DA's had a high regard for his reputation. There is a time I recall where simply his presence greatly impacted the court's interpretation of my case and persons. We were in front of the stand and the judge could not stop talking about John's prestige and past accomplishments and how that took in relation to my case. I kept silent in front of the judge, but I observed then that John's popularity and reputation within the court had already given me a better looking rapport with the judge. Let me tell you, I never had more confidence then, knowing that the judge held him in such high regard.This is not to mention how personable John is. I'll be honest that during the stress of court, sharing a laugh with your lawyer helps a lot. This may sound a lot, but I really appreciated the relationship we had then. This is also not to mention that he was able to deal very well with any DA that rotated over the years. Seriously, John was great, prompt with information and very hands on with my case. I had great peace those 2 years until everything wrapped up.If you're looking for a lawyer, I highly, HIGHLY recommend the John T. Floyd Law Firm. He IS nationally renowned, you know. He'll get the job done to the utmost confidence. He's very experienced and has a great record to boot. I am glad to have had him represent me in court and trust me that I never thought I'd ever say that (and whoever does?). We explored every avenue of victory together and I personally enjoyed the experience, despite the seriousness of the accusation.If you have a case that needs to be represented at the highest levels, choose John T. Floyd. He's a good man and very good at what he does. Him and his team has the experience you need to make the best decisions and options to get the best outcome for your case. We got the best result I could possibly ask for, thank God.Seriously. Hire John. He knows what he's doing.Seriously.
  • Avatar Banning Lary ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    One of the few honest lawyers I have ever talked to. His complimentary consultation was knowledgeable and thorough. He knew exactly what the issue was and how to handle it. His candid … More appraisal of the situation and how to proceed saved me thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you have a case requiring expertise in John's area of practice, look no further. Hire this man!
  • Avatar Larry Green ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    I had the opportunity to read an article that Mr. Floyd wrote and it was very interesting. I called him about the article and advice concerning a similar situation. He not only gave … More me excellent advice, he pointed out not just what I wanted to hear but what I needed to hear concerning my situation. The Good, The Bad and The ugly in a manner or speaking. He spoke with an open and honest heart with information to help me and not just to get a client.
  • Avatar Jackie Cohen ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    If you are in trouble and need a lawyer, contact the John T. Floyd law firm. Some of the best lawyers in Texas work there! Understanding and helpful lawyers and staff that will do all … More they can to help you 😊
  • Avatar It’s Me ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    He gave me one of the most honest answers I have received in a very long time about any issue I was having with anything. Legal or not legal. I highly recommend giving him a call and … More will be referring him to friends and family if they have any issues in the future.Positive
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    He took time out of his day to answer my legal questions and didn’t even charge me. I would definitely recommend him to you.
  • Avatar Tad Nieschwietz ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Gave free consultation on getting gun rights back. He truly cares about gun rights and getting you the help you deserve. 100% worth a callPositive
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    Very professional, great quality work, and very friendly and helpful. Overall, their service is phenomenal. I recommend Mr. Floyd to anyone.
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    Mr. Floyd took the time to explain his experience with the law to me in layman's terms. Definitely give him a call.Positive
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    He was honest , knowledgeable , and professional about what we talked about. Most lawyers are just about the money , but not john.Positive
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    He was very truthful and honest with us very great man I would recommend him and we would use him again
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    Very professional honest and works hard currently working my husband’s appeal I pray he does his best workPositive
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    I contacted John T. Floyd Law firm and I was very satisfied with service extremely helpful and friendly thank you Mr. FloydPositive
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    This law frim was informative,great response time ,and the attorney called back not some secretary or legal assistant thank u guys for all your help wish it was more like youPositive … More
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  • Avatar Dana Adkison ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    I would highly recommend Mr Floyd. He was very helpful and knowledge with a legal question I had.Positive
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    He explained my case better then any other lawyerPositive
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    Very informative
  • Avatar Ismael Flores ★★★★★ 3 years ago
  • Avatar Haley Danielle Lummus ★★★★★ 3 years ago
  • Avatar Eddie Villarreal ★★★★★ 3 years ago
  • Avatar Neil Productions ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Had the pleasure speaking with John Floyd on a personal matter, he was very responsive, nothing but exceptional, and he really cares about you with sincerity and most importantly knows … More what is he talking about! No games or bs, his approach to my situation even though I knew it was probably way smaller then what he normally takes on, he was extremely helpful and didn't care about the size of the matter like other attorneys do. He really looked out for my best interests. You can tell he has decades of experience doing what he does just by chatting with him. I would highly recommend him.
  • Avatar S A ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Words can’t describe how grateful I am for working with John, he went above and beyond my expectation. I was wrongly accused and hired many lawyers before hiring John Floyd but they … More all disappointed me, I had lost hope until a friend of mine referred me to John. From the start he had my best interest in mind and gave helpful advice, he explained the process and guided me. He put more work and time than all my previous lawyers that cost me thousands of dollars. He was constantly communicating with court and defended me more than all lawyer i had hired before him. Don’t waste your time and money like I did, believe me when I say I hired countless lawyers before him and no one came close to John. I’m forever thankful for him for fighting for my innocence and getting my case dismissed. Thank you so much🙏🏼🙏🏼
  • Avatar Gary Watch ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    I called Mr Floyd and left a message, with in the hour I received a call back with much more information then I could have ever expected. Mr Floyd was very informative on every question … More I had for him. He seemed like he cared, instead of like most attorneys that you talk to that are just out for a quick buck. If you want someone that is going to shoot strait with you, and has your best interest in hand, this is you guy. This was the best experience that I have ever had with an lawyer.
  • Avatar Saman Daftarian ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    I can state with confidence that Mr. Floyd and his team are the most competent and professional lawyers one can hope for. My case was quite complex and I admit that as a law student … More I was not the most patient client. Mr. Floyd did a phenomenal job of managing the bench, prosecution and myself! The result was above expectation, and I will never hesitate to recommend this firm regardless of the caliber of the case at issue.
  • Avatar calvin robinson ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    It was a pleasure working with Mr. Floyd. I contacted him regarding a legal matter and he was extremely knowledgeable about the law, and responded in a timely manner. I appreciated … More the fact I did not feel rushed, and he made sure he thoroughly answered all questions I had. I would highly recommend him!Positive
    Responsiveness, Professionalism …More
  • Avatar Alan Howk ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Spoke with John Floyd about a 45 year old criminal case I was involved in. I had very little information about the case and John helped me search what records were available and gave … More me guidance to find more information. He was very professional and took his time helping me. I may need to hire a lawyer on this case and Mr. Floyd will be the man.Thanks John.
  • Avatar CMCustom Cycles ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Very professional and straight forward. He's not going to waste your time or money. Very knowledgeable in a large range of possible matters one could face living in these days … More and times. If ever you need legal assistance, this is who I would suggest. Awesome!Positive
    Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value …More
  • Avatar Greg Page ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    I called about some legal questions I needed to get clarified and John was able to give me clarification and sound advice. I will definitely contact John for all future legal questions … More and issues.Thank you John!Positive
    Responsiveness, Professionalism, Value …More
  • Avatar Kristen Rankin ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Knows his stuff and well respected with DA and judges. I have referred him a couple times and every client has been satisfied
  • Avatar Kedar Puranik ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    John is beyond knowledgeable! If I decide to pursue my case any further I would only have him represent me.
  • Avatar Joseph Sivadon ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    What a great attorney, this guy really took time out of his day to answer my questions and explain my case to me. Very grateful, thank you so muchPositive
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  • Avatar Lex Strider ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Absolutely a very professional lawyer. Very well read in the current law and more than willing to help if needed.
  • Avatar karim khalifa ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Mr. John he’s a professional he knows what he’s doing and he’s patient they recommend Him stronglyPositive
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  • Avatar James Haggard ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Great service, very knowledgable and happy to help with any questions I had
  • Avatar David Sustaita ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Quick to action and helpful and knowledgeable with entertainment industry based issues!
  • Avatar Chad Groves ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Responded on a holiday week. Very knowledgeable and reassuring.
  • Avatar Mark Fein ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Very professional
  • Avatar Bthomason903 Bthomason903 ★★★★★ 4 years ago
  • Avatar Anton Jasser ★★★★★ 4 years ago
  • Avatar Alma Garza ★★★★★ 4 years ago
  • Avatar Victory 2020 ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    I want to thank John T. Floyd and all of his team. He is the best lawyer who cares aboutHis clients and fights really hard to get the best outcome. He is a fighter and he is awesome!!!I … More recommend if any one needs criminal defense , he is the BEST. We had a really serious caseAnd we are very thankful for the outcome. Thank you John!!!!! God bless you!!!!!!
  • Avatar Alma Garcia Cunningham ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    The attorneys at John T. Floyd Law Firm work diligently to achieve the best possible results for their clients. They are caring and knowledgeable professionals. Their expertise in the … More law and their experience as trial attorneys makes them the right choice as a defense attorney. I recommend this law firm highly.
  • Avatar Rajiv Patel ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    From beginning to end this firm handled my case like the top tier professionals they are. I would not trust ANYONE else with my legal needs after having less than stellar experiences … More with other teams. Thank you Floyd!!!
  • Avatar Jose Tapia ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    I really felt like the team cared about my case and am super satisfied with the outcome. Would not recommend anyone else!
  • Avatar Sagar Patel ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    These guys do amazing work and have phenomenal service! Hands down best in the Houston area!!
  • Avatar RAYNINN ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    John and Chris are true professionals! Love those guys like family!
  • Avatar Virginia Martin ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    Mr. Floyd and his team are very knowledgeable, informative, and helpful.
  • Avatar Darla Latham ★★★★★ 6 years ago
    A team you can depend on to stand up and fight for you to prove the truth the whole truth!
  • Avatar Veronica Elorza ★★★★★ 6 years ago
  • Avatar Karetta Lux ★★★★★ 7 years ago
    Mr. John T. Floyd represented me.I couldn't be happier with the outcome he managed to achieve on an VERY Important case that was dismissed the day of Trial. He is patient & … More very knowledgeable of the legal system. I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone in need of a lawyer!John, I am forever grateful & satisfied with the effort you put forth & all you did for me. Thank you isn't enough!God bless you & your family!
  • Avatar GM ★★★★★ 8 years ago
    The John T. Floyd Law Firm assisted me, and I can tell you that the attorney took the time to answer my questions, and I didn't feel rushed or dismissed as I have experienced in … More the past with attorneys. The attorney was very nice and extremely knowledgeable. Initial impressions and continued excellent customer service are big factors for me and as such I would highly recommend this firm.
  • Avatar Sandra Bivens ★★★★★ 8 years ago
    I thank you for your efforts to help Felons regain their Civil rights, and for the information on possession , I am A convicted Felon, no violent history. I am an expert shot, I am … More 76 yoa, and very concerned about the present lake of Security in our State and Country. God Bless and Prosper you in your efforts, Your friend, Sonny Bivens
  • Avatar Mike Kittelson ★★★★★ 8 years ago
    I really appreciated both Chris and John helping with my legal questions and concerns. Both are good guys and I would not hesitate to recommend them.
  • Avatar Robert Hair ★★★★★ 8 years ago
    Extremely helpful!!! Helping me understand the law.

John T. Floyd is Board Certified in Criminal Law By the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

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