While most criminal offenses are prosecuted in state court, the United States federal courts also have jurisdictions over certain types of criminal offenses.
In the federal courts in and around Harris County, Texas, the prosecuting attorneys with the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) prosecute criminal offenses.
Jurisdiction to prosecute the case within the federal criminal justice system can occur because the crime impacts interstate commerce, the crime occurred on land owned by the federal government or an Indian reservation, or the allegations involve a loss or harm to the federal government.
Criminal defense attorneys in federal court fight serious felony charges, minor federal offenses, petty felony offenses, and infractions.
Cases in the federal criminal justice system can include everything from tax evasion to drug or firearm charges, to civil rights violations.
Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges.
TCDLA has a proud history of supporting and educating criminal defense lawyers in the the state while advocating for the rights of the accused. Many of the top criminal defense attorneys in Texas are active within this organization.
The HCCLA was established in 1970 to support criminal defense attorneys practicing in Houston and Harris County, TX. Today the organization has grown to more than 400 members. The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association provides networking opportunities and quality CLE seminars to its members. Many of the top local attorneys fighting to defend clients on misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Harris County, Texas, belong to this respected organization.
Houston Lawyer Referral Service - The HLRS is a non-profit service established in 1958 by the Houston Bar Association and nine other local bar associations. More than 200 local attorneys participate in the community based service that helps individuals and businesses find an attorney in the greater Houston Metropolitan area including Harris County, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County and Galveston County.