Board Certified Criminal Lawyers in San Antonio: What Does Board Certified Mean?

In Texas there are over 90,000 lawyers admitted to practice to the State Bar of Texas. All licensed lawyers are entitled to practice any type of law that they wish. However, law has been getting more and more specialized over the years and, usually, a lawyer will tend to practice a specific type of law.

In the 1970s, the Texas State Bar adopted certain areas of specialization. Criminal law is one of the areas of specialization offered. There are 63 lawyers in Bexar County, Texas that are board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Just because a lawyer is not Board Certified in Criminal law does not mean they are not very capable of handling your DWI, or DUI, defense.

TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION STANDARDS FOR ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION

PART II
SPECIFIC AREA REQUIREMENTS

These are specific requirements that apply the specialty area listed below. The specific requirements include the definitions, substantial involvement, reference, and other certification and recertification requirements for the specialty area. You will also need to refer to the Standards for Attorney Certification, Part I - General Requirements for requirements that apply to all specialty areas.

SECTION I CRIMINAL LAW

A.    DEFINITION.

Criminal law is the practice of law dealing with, by way of definition not limitation, matters involving:

  1. legal aspects of pretrial release;
  2. examining trial, indictment, information and complaint;
  3. change of venue; continuance;
  4. severance;
  5. discovery;
  6. speedy trials;
  7. jeopardy;
  8. immunity;
  9. confessions;
  10. search and seizure;
  11. identification;
  12. competence to stand trial and culpable mental state;
  13. jury voir dire;
  14. rules of evidence- state and federal (e.g., impeachment, extraneous offenses, etc.);

B.    SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT.

Applicant must show substantial involvement and special competence in Texas criminal law practice by providing such information as may be required by TBLS.

1. Certification.

a.    Percentage of Practice Requirement. Applicant must have devoted a minimum of 25% of his or her time practicing criminal law in Texas during each year of the 3 years immediately preceding application as defined in Section I,A of the Specific Area Requirements for Criminal Law.

b.    Task Requirements. Applicant shall provide information concerning Texas criminal law matters as described in the definition. In evaluating experience, TBLS may take into consideration the nature, complexity, and duration of the tasks handled by applicant in criminal law.

Standards for Attorney Certification Specific Area Requirements for Criminal Law

  1. procedure and rules of evidence at punishment hearings;
  2. U. S. sentencing guidelines;
  3. law of sentences;
  4. legal aspects of plea bargaining and guilty pleas;
  5. motions for new trial;
  6. motions for arrest of judgment;
  7. appeals;
  8. post conviction remedies;
  9. probation and parole granting;
  10. probation and parole revocation;
  11. executive clemency;
  12. death penalty;
  13. other substantive criminal offenses; and
  14. juvenile crimes.

Bexar County DWI Attorneys are experienced criminal defense attorneys that serve the entire San Antonio Area.

Serving clients throughout Southern Texas, including Alamo Heights, Atacoosa, Balcones Heights, Bandera, Blanco, Boeme, Brackettville, Calaveras, Castle Hills, Castroville, China Grove, Cibolo, Comfort, Converse, Devine, D Hanis, Elmendorf, Fair Oaks Ranch, Floresville, Gonzales, Grey Forest, Helotes, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Hondo, Kerrville, Kirby, Leon Valley, Live Oak, Lockhart, Olmos Park, Pearsall, Rio Medina, Rocksprings, Saint Hedwig, San Antonio, San Marcos, Schertz, Seguin, Selma, Shavano Park, Somerset, Tarpley, Terrell Hills, Universal City, Uvalde, Von Ormy, Windcrest and other communities in Bexar County.