BOARD CERTIFICATION & SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR DWI ATTORNEYS

DWI Attorney Representation in Houston, Texas since 1992

Texas Board of Legal Specialization

What is a Criminal Law Board Certified Attorney?

The consumer can identify a Criminal Law Board Certified attorney in one of many ways. A Criminal Law Board Certified attorney is entitled to indicate certification on business cards and letterhead by stating "Board Certified - Criminal Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization." The attorney may also display the Certificate of Special Competence awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and list the certification in legal directories and telephone listings under "Attorneys - Board Certified." Initial certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain certified, an attorney must apply for re-certification every five years and meet practice, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the specialty field. An attorney who is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law must have experience in the preparation and trial of serious criminal matters. The attorney must also have extensive knowledge of state and federal constitutional law, evidence, procedure and penal laws involved in the trial of these matters. A relatively small percentage of all Texas lawyers are board certified in a particular area of specialization.

To become Board Certified in Criminal Law, an attorney must have:

• Been licensed to practice law for at least five years
• Devoted a required percentage of practice to criminal law for at least three years
• Handled a wide variety of criminal law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement
• Attended criminal law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date
• Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges
• Passed a day-long written examination covering state & federal criminal law

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization was created by, and operates under the authority of, the Supreme Court of Texas. Its members are appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas. The Board administers the program by which an attorney may earn a certificate of special competence in a particular field of law. The program is voluntary and is funded entirely by fees imposed on participating attorneys.

Unfortunately, the board does not have a certification specific to the field of drinking and driving. However, rest assured that a board certified Houston DWI lawyer will provide you with the finest representation available in the State of Texas. Tad Nelson has been a board certified defense attorney since December 1996, and is committed to upholding the standards and guidelines set forth by the board.

RECENT SPECIALIZED TRAINING

2004	National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)	The 24 hour course taken by the police to detect and testify in DWI prosecution.
2006	Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Battery	The 24 hour course with additional materials for attorneys who defend DWI cases.
2007	TCDLA Cowtown Bill of Rights Review	Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)—Behavioral & Vision Science Perspectives
2007	Evidentiary Breath Alcohol Technician Denver	Received certification in the operation of the Intoxilyzer 5000; the Breath test machine used in Texas.
2007	NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor Certification Course	National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-Received certification as an Instructor of the 24 hour SFST Course.
2008	NHTSA/IACP Drug Evaluation & Classification Program	Received certification as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
2008	Scientific Issues in Judging Intoxication & SFST Research	Science training course to further understand to SFST on the average person.
2008	Forensic Blood & Urine Forensic Laboratory Seminar	Advanced seminar that concentrated on the methods of blood and urine testing in DWI
2009	The Intoxilyzer 8000 Operator's Course	Advanced course to operate the Intox. 8000. The next generation Breath Testing Device.

SPECIALIZED DWI SEMINARS

Multiple years	Mastering Scientific Evidence in DWI cases	Seminar that provides training in the science and technology of DWI defense.
Multiple years	The National College for DUI Defense - Summer Session	The ultimate training in DWI defense.
Multiple years	TCDLA Cowtown Bill of Rights Review	A one-time examination of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Multiple years	NACDL Annual DWI Seminar- Las Vegas	Intensive DWI training by The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer
Multiple years	Top Gun DWI - Houston	Training in Houston that follows the DWI case from start to finish
Multiple years	Stewart Kinard Advanced DWI Seminar	Seminar on Advanced DWI defense techniques in Texas

For more information please write to: Texas Board of Legal Specialization
P.O. Box 12487
Austin, Texas 78711-2487

Or visit their website:
http://www.tbls.org

Or call:
(512) 463-1454
(800) 204-2222 ext. 1454
Fax: (512) 477-7719

Meet
Tad Nelson

Attorney Tad Nelson, a native Texan and a lifelong resident of the Houston/ Galveston area, was born on Galveston Island and graduated from the local public high school, Galveston Ball, in 1983. After graduation, Mr. Nelson traveled to Austin to attend the University of Texas. Read More >>>