Leadership

LEADERSHIP

Contributions to the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) & the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA).

HCCLA POSITIONS (current)
Active member of the HCCLA Strike Force, coming to the aid of other defense lawyers

HCCLA POSITIONS (past)
Board Member
Vice President
President Elect
President (2006-07)
Immediate Past President
Chair of HCCLA Strike Force
Host of association’s show “Reasonable Doubt”

TCDLA POSITIONS (current)
State-wide organizer of the defense bar’s Declaration of Independence readings
Active member of the TCDLA Strike Force

TCDLA POSITIONS (past)
Board Member
Co-chair of the Prosecutorial Misconduct Committee

HCCLA’S DISPLAY OF DECLARATION, CONSTITUTION, & BILL OF RIGHTS:
In 2006, promoted the idea of displaying the Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights in the Criminal Courthouse, Juvenile Courthouse, Civil Courthouse, & Jury Assembly Room. HCCLA donated historic replicas of these documents, and Robert led the ceremony with the help of others in dedicating these documents.

HCCLA & TCDLA JUDICIAL COMPLAINTS:
As President of HCCLA, filed the first judicial ethics complaint on behalf of HCCLA’s against Judge Joan Campbell.

Gathered signatures in support of the Complaint against Judge Sharon Keller.

Drafted HCCLA’s judicial ethics complaint against Judge Robert Jones. As a result of this complaint, Judge Jones was privately sanctioned for illegally revoking a defendant’s bond.

Drafted TCDLA’s judicial misconduct complaint filed in the “WACO Biker Case”. The complaint was filed against the Justice of the Peace who set $1,000,000 bonds for 170 accused citizens.

HCCLA AND COMMUNITY ISSUES:
As President of HCCLA, led the fight at City Hall to complete the funding of the Bromwich HPD Crime Lab investigation. The investigation was fully funded.

Led the fight at City Hall to challenge the Police Chief’s policy requiring the defense to get prosecutor permission to interview officers. The Chief’s policy was rescinded.

Led the fight at Metro challenging TSA’s search of passengers. TSA suspended the searches.

Led over 50 lawyers to Edna to protest the District Attorney’s indictment of a regional public defender. Ultimately the charges against the public defender were dismissed.

HCCLA/ TCDLA AND SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATION:
Opposed reciprocal discovery and promoted the Morton Act. He organized meetings between key figures in an effort to bolster support for the Morton Act.

Testified with others before the Sunset Commission regarding the Commission on Judicial Ethics lack of action against unethical judges.

Testified before the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee in favor of expanding the ability of exonerees to file complaints against bad prosecutors.

Testified before the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee in favor of a bill requiring counties to be more transparent in their appointment systems.

AMICUS BRIEFS:
Drafted & filed HCCLA’s amicus brief in opposition to castration as a condition precedent to probation on sex offenses.

HCCLA/TCDLA JULY 4th READINGS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE:
Organized the defense bar reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of the Harris County Criminal Courthouse.

• Since 2010, has continued to organize readings across Texas and in other states.
• In 2015, organized defense bar readings of the Declaration in 139 Texas Counties.
• In 2016, organized defense bar readings of the Declaration in all 254 Texas Counties.

The most recent reading in Harris County was held on July 3, 2018.