NACDL Cross-A-Palooza: Techniques for Winning with Effective Cross Location: Chicago, IL / August 4, 2023 Topic: Cross-Examination of the Snitch
ACDLA Criminal Law Series Location: Austin, TX / September 22, 2023 Topic: Pre-Trial Investigation
HCCLA’s 14th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence Location: Houston, Texas / June 30, 2023
NACDL Defending Modern Drug Cases Seminar Location: Las Vegas, NV / September 30, 2022 Topic: Cross-Examination of the Snitch
HCCLA’s 13th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence Location: Houston, Texas / July 1, 2022
HCCLA’s 12th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence Location: Houston, Texas / July 2, 2021
HCCLA’s 11th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence Location: Houston, Texas / July 2, 2020
39th Annual Prairie Dog Advanced Criminal Law Seminar Location: Lubbock, Texas / January 9, 2020 Topic: Ending Debtors Prison: Bail Bond Reform
Harris County Public Defenders 8th Annual Continuing Legal Education Seminar Location: Houston, Texas / October 4, 2019 Topic: Creative Use of the Courtroom
HCCLA’s 10th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence Location: Houston, Texas / July 3, 2019 Topic: Securing Liberty for All Americans
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Location: Houston, Texas / May 23, 2019 Topic: Receipt of Torch of Liberty Award
HCCLA’s 9th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence Location: Houston, Texas / July 3, 2018 Topic: Protecting Our Liberty
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Location: Houston, Texas / May 17, 2018 Topic: Pretrial Investigation
Harris County Public Defenders Location: Houston, Texas / August 31, 2017 Topic: Final Arguments
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Location: San Francisco, California / July 28, 2017 Topic: Cross-Examination of Snitches
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Statewide / June 30, 2017 Topic: Organized Reading of Declaration of Independence across Texas
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Statewide / July 1, 2016 Topic: Organized Reading of Declaration of Independence in ALL Texas Counties
Maine Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Freeport, Maine / June 19, 2015 Topic: Cross-Examination of Informants
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Statewide / July 3, 2015 Topic: Organized Reading of Declaration of Independence in 139 Texas Counties
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Location: Las Vegas, Nevada / September 6, 2014 Topic: Cross-Examination of Snitches
National Reading of the Declaration of Independence by The Criminal Defense Bar Location: Nationwide / July 3, 2014 Topic: Organized Readings by Defense lawyers in 74 counties across Texas.
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Houston, Texas / March 6, 2014 Topic: Federal Law Seminar (Course Director)
National Reading of the Declaration of Independence by The Criminal Defense Bar Location: Nationwide / July 4, 2013 Topic: Organized national reading of Declaration of Independence by Criminal Defense Bar
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Location: Houston, Texas / May 29, 2013 Topic: Pretrial Investigation
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Annual Banquet Location: Houston, Texas / May 9, 2013 Topic: Presentation of HCCLA Torch of Liberty Award to Michael Morton and Anthony Graves.
Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee Location: State Capitol, Austin, Texas / March 12, 2013 Topic: (a) Testifying in support of bill expanding exonerated defendant’s rights to grieve prosecutors (b) Testifying in favor of bill requiring county transparency on court appointed caseloads.
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Memorial Plaque Rededication Speech Location: Houston, Texas / February 7, 2013 Topic: Remembering Past Defense Lawyers
Harris County Public Defenders Continuing Legal Education Location: Houston, Texas / January 31, 2013 Topic: Defending Criminal Cases: Trial Preparation
Civil Courthouse Dedication Speech Regarding United States Constitution Location: Houston, Texas / November 16, 2012 Topic: Dedication of placement of United States Constitution in Civil Court Foyer
Jury Assembly Room Dedication Speech Regarding United States Constitution Location: Houston, Texas / October 26, 2012 Topic: Dedication of placement of United States Constitution in Jury Assembly Room.
National Reading of the Declaration of Independence by The Criminal Defense Bar Location: Nationwide / July 4, 2012 Topic: Organized national reading of Declaration of Independence by Criminal Defense Bar
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Annual Rusty Duncan Seminar Location: San Antonio, Texas / June 7-8, 2012 Topic: Investigation and Cross Examination of Snitches and Informants
Metropolitan Transit Authority Location: Houston, Texas / April 26, 2012 Topic: Abuse of Citizens Rights by Metro and TSA
The State Sunset Commission Location: Austin, Texas / April 10, 2012 Topic: Commission on Judicial Conduct
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Memorial Plaque Rededication Speech Location: Houston, Texas / September 8, 2011 Topic: Remembering Past Defense Lawyers
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Galveston, Texas / September 9, 2011 Topic: Ethics for Defense Lawyers
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Sugarland, Texas / August 18, 2011 Topic: Ethics for Defense Lawyers
Harris County Criminal Justice Center Location: Houston, Texas / July 1, 2011 Topic: Participated in the Public Reading of Declaration of Independence
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Location: Houston, Texas / April 21, 2011 Topic: Trial Preparation
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Location: Las Vegas, Nevada / November 19, 2010 Topic: Investigation and Cross Examination of Snitches and Informants
City Hall Location: Houston, Texas / July 13, 2010 Topic: Demand Chief of Police Retract Order Limiting Interviews of Officers
Harris County Criminal Justice Center Location: Houston, Texas / July 2, 2010 Topic: Organized Public Reading of Declaration of Independence
Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Location: Pensacola, Florida / June 19, 2010 Topic: Investigation and Cross Examination of Snitches and Informants
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Location: Memphis, Tennessee / April 30, 2010 Topic:Investigation and Cross Examination of Snitches and Informants
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Memorial Plaque Rededication Speech Location: Houston, Texas / April 22, 2009 Topic:Remembering Past Defense Lawyers
Juvenile Courthouse Dedication Speech Regarding United States Constitution Location: Houston, Texas / December 10, 2008 Topic:Dedication of placement of United States Constitution in Juvenile Justice Center
Harris County Commissioner’s Court Location: Houston, Texas / June 4, 2008 Topic:Urge Commissioners to allow HCCLA to display Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution and Bill of Rights in Juvenile Justice Center
33rd Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course Location: Houston, Texas / July 26, 2007 Sponsored by: State Bar of Texas Topic: Cross-Examination
37th Annual Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Banquet and Meeting Location: Houston Texas / May 10, 2007 Topic: Outgoing President’s Speech
Criminal Courthouse Dedication Speech Regarding United States Constitution Location: Houston Texas / February 21, 2007 Topic: Dedication of Placement of United States Constitution in Courthouse Foyer
City Hall Speech Location: Houston Texas / September 19, 2006 Topic: Calling on City to Fully Fund Investigation into Police Crime Lab
36th Annual Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Banquet and Meeting Location: Houston Texas / May 11, 2006 Topic: Incoming President’s Speech
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Memorial Plaque Dedication Speech Location: Houston Texas / May 8, 2006 Topic: Remembering Past Defense Lawyers
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Corpus Christi Texas Location: Corpus Christi Texas Date: January 27, 2006 Topic: Ethics for Attorneys
City Hall Speech Location: Houston Texas / July 12, 2005 Topic: Calling on City Hall to Fully Fund Access Houston
Past Host of “Reasonable Doubt”-Live Call-in Show Sponsored by: Harris County Criminal Lawyer Association
The client, a Houston area medical assistant, was accused by her estranged husband of assaulting her in her family home. The defense showed that the complainant had a history of alcohol abuse and violence. The defense demonstrated that the police failed to conduct an adequate investigation of the initial charge, No charges should have ever been accepted.
The client believed to be facing potential Wire Fraud Charges related to SBA PPP loan applications. Investigation of applications for PPP loans and PPP forgiveness demonstrated that the Client had at all times acted in a lawful manner. Investigation demonstrated no fraud was committed by the client. Case closed.
Client was charged by Federal Indictment with making a social media post that threatened Malicious Damage and Destruction of a Building by Means of Fire and Explosives in violation of Federal law. The Defense showed that Client was a law-abiding citizen. The Defense further showed that the alleged threat was not made with any criminal intent.
The client, a public official with a long history of public service, was accused by a former girlfriend of engaging in non-consensual sexual relations. The Defense investigation and analysis showed through a detailed timeline that the allegation made absolutely no sense. Phone records, including calls and texts, were relied on to help establish an accurate timeline. The Defense met with law enforcement and reviewed a detailed package that exonerated the accused.
Client, a Houston area professional who frequently travels for work, was accused by his wife of assaulting her in his family home. Defense showed that wife’s story lacked credibility and there was no physical evidence in support of the wife’s allegation.
The client, a young Black male, was driving his car when police pulled him over for no apparent reason. It looked to be a profile stop. The client was accused of possessing a controlled substance in his vehicle. The Defense showed that there was no lawful basis for the police to stop the Client’s car. The Defense also showed that there was no lawful basis for the search of the Client’s car. It was a bad search, so the seized evidence was not admissible.
FEDERAL CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE AND CONSPIRACY TO MONEY LAUNDER
Not Guilty (C.R.)
Client charged in Federal Indictment In “Operation Wrecking Ball” with 55 named co-defendants. Client faced seven charges. Client was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering. Client was also charged with four counts of Distribution of Cocaine and one count of Money laundering.
Allegations involved client’s alleged use of his home to distribute cocaine. Government’s lengthy investigation involved numerous wiretaps, surveillance, video, pole cams, search warrants, vehicle stops and use of cooperating co-defendants.
Client went to trial with four remaining defendants. After a two-week trial, Judge granted Motion for Acquittal on four of the seven charges. Jury found Client Not Guilty of remaining three charges.
Client charged in Federal Court with two counts of Wire Fraud related to Five SBA EIDL loan applications. The Government alleged the client, a Houston professional, defrauded the Small Business Administration out of over $150,000. The Government also found the intended loss was over half a million dollars. The Client faced up to 20 years in prison on each count. The Defense investigated the case and negotiated a deal that included the Government not opposing a probation. The Federal Guideline calculation was for a prison sentence and the Probation Department recommended a prison sentence. Attorney Fickman submitted a 90 page Defense Sentencing Memorandum asking for Probation.
Client was retired professional. Client was accused of being involved in a road rage incident in 1960 Area. Defense put together a 100 page memorandum that demonstrated complainant was actual aggressor.
Client was accused of touching child. Case involved thousands of pages of psychiatric and Child Protective Services records as well as investigations by multiple police departments. After three- year fight, case dismissed.
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