Harris County Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan

Houston Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan

Harris County criminal lawyer James Sullivan represents and fights for those who have lost their way in life. So many people have been misled by culture, media and advertising that happiness can only be obtained by buying stuff and surrounding themselves by meaningless materialism. They live above their means and go into debt that they cannot hope to ever repay. Their mindless quest for happiness ends in increased stress, anxiety and even divorce. Others steal and swindle to get their stuff.

Sullivan defends those who have fallen short of perfection from the wrath of those who believe they have attained it.

Houston and Harris county criminal defense attorney James Sullivan often represents adults and juveniles on theft related offenses. Last week, he represented two different juveniles in JP court on class C theft cases for shoplifting less than $50 worth of items from stores. Last year, he represented a woman who took advantage of her position as an accountant to embezzle over $150,000 from her employer. This year, he represented a man who stole over $90,000. No matter the amount of the theft, a conviction for theft can ruin your life and negatively affect you for a lifetime.

It is better to be a child of God than king of the whole world. ~St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Italian Jesuit, 16th century

Attorney James Sullivan works to resolve theft cases so that a person can later get their criminal record expunged or sealed (non-disclosure) to the public. 

If you need a Houston criminal lawyer to represent you, call James Sullivan at 281-546-6428.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

Harris County Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan Solves Problems

Houston Criminal Lawyer

Houston criminal defense trial attorney James Sullivan fights to solve legal problems for his many clients in criminal and juvenile court. Each client has a story to tell and a legal problem to solve. Some clients are charged with serious felony offenses, others with misdemeanor offenses. No matter the level of offense, each client faces prosecution from the government and needs legal help. Sullivan approaches each legal problem with the mindset of obtaining the best possible result. Can the State prove their case at trial?  Is their evidence persuasive? What is the risk versus the reward? Can the client afford to take the risk of a conviction when the State is agreeable to a deferred adjudication probation or possible pretrial diversion? Depending on the case, the client and the evidence, the best possible result may vary from a not guilty verdict at trial, a dismissal by the State, a pretrial diversion contract, a deferred adjudication probation or some other resolution. 

James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.

James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States. 

If you have a legal problem to be solved in the criminal court or juvenile court arena, call Houston Criminal Trial Lawyer Jim Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free consultation.

A problem well stated is a problem half solved. ~Charles F. Kettering, inventor and engineer (1876-1958)

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

Harris County Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan Gets Felony Cases Dismissed by Grand Jury

Houston Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan has a proven record (see below) in getting serious felony cases no billed (dismissed) by the Grand Jury. 

When a person is accused of a felony offense, there may be the possibility of his defense attorney winning his felony case at the Grand Jury level.  Depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, this may or may not be a viable option, so it is important to talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney.  By utilizing this strategy, the accused in effect has two opportunities to win his case before a jury:

1. Grand Jury and, if indicted,
2. Jury Trial

If the Grand Jury votes that probable cause (i.e. a probability) does not exist to believe that the accused committed the offense, the case is no billed (dismissed).  If the Grand Jury votes that probable cause does exist, then the case is true billed (indicted).  If a case is no billed, the accused has the immediate legal right to seek an expunction of his criminal record.  If a case is indicted, then the accused may have to have a Jury Trial in order to get the best result.   A Jury Trial is more expensive and involves much more time and legal work.

Because prosecutors generally seek to present felony cases to the Grand Jury between the first and second court setting, it is extremely important to hire a defense attorney right away.  Unless a defense attorney requests that the prosecutor hold the case from the Grand Jury in order to prepare a defense packet, the prosecutor will seek an indictment from the Grand Jury soon after the felony charge is filed.

Once an accused is indicted, this option is no longer available.  Therefore, time is of the essence in retaining a knowledgeable defense attorney.

Since 1994, Houston Criminal Lawyer Jim Sullivan has worked to get countless felony cases no billed by the Grand Jury.  These felony cases include Sexual Assault of a Child, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant, Aggravated Assault, Injury to a Child, Forgery and Burglary of a Habitation among others.  The graph below lists just the 20+ felony cases that have been no billed between November 2008 to September 2012.  Each client then had the right to get his case expunged.

This strategy is underutilized by other attorneys. Some lawyers do not understand the process or how to construct a persuasive defense packet.  Jim Sullivan knows lawyers who have practiced criminal law for over 20 years but have never fought a felony at the grand jury level.  Other attorneys do not do so because they know that they can charge much more money to go to trial.   Court-appointed lawyers are paid by each court appearance they make, so the longer the case lasts the more money they make.  Therefore, very few are willing to do this.  James Sullivan cares about his clients and wants to get them the best result in as short amount of time as possible while charging a reasonable fee, so he considers this option on all of his felony cases.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

Range of punishment for felonies include: 1° Felony (5 yrs to Life in prison), 2° Felony (2-20 yrs in prison), 3° Felony (2-10 yrs in prison) and SJF (6 months to 2 yrs in state jail).

PROVEN RESULTS

DATE	CASE #	CT #	TEXAS FELONY OFFENSE	ACTUAL RESULT
09/21/12	1356656	180TH	ASSAULT FAMILY  MEMBER BY IMPEDING BREATHING (3° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of choking his girlfriend during an argument)
08/17/12	1340646	184TH	INJURY TO A CHILD (1° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of breaking his infant son’s leg and 3 ribs.)
05/30/12	1336650	351ST	ASSAULT FAMILY  MEMBER BY IMPEDING BREATHING (3° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of choking his wife during an argument)
05/25/12	1341002	183RD	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of intentionally trying to drive into and strike her girlfriend)
05/18/12	1338389	339TH	EVADING BY MOTOR VEHICLE (3° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of evading police in her car when she drove about ½  mile after the officer switched on his strobe lights)
04/19/12	1332791	185TH	SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of having sex with 16 year old girl who falsely claimed she was 18)
12/07/11	1321679	184TH	BURGLARY OF A HABITATION (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused breaking into home while homeowner was home, however client had credible alibi witnesses at the time of the alleged burglary)
07/15/11	1302447	232ND	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of intentionally driving into and striking the new girlfriend of her ex-boyfriend)
05/27/11	1302814	232nd	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of hitting man in head with beer bottle outside a bar;  client claimed self-defense)
05/20/11	1291937	263RD	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANT (1° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Police Officer shot at 4 unarmed teenagers in a truck and claimed that client pointed a gun at him)
01/06/11	1281977	174TH	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of hitting other woman in head with metal pole)
01/05/11	1281428	174TH	ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE 2nd OFFENDER (Felony Habitual)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of hitting wife multiple times after both had been drinking. Client faced 25 years to a lifetime in prison)
12/03/10	1283460	232nd	SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of consensual sex with underage female)
10/21/10	1275771	180TH	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of injuring another man, using knuckles)
09/23/10	1270564	176TH	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client was accused of using a knife to threaten another man who the client accused of stealing his property from his apartment)
08/24/10	1264919	232ND	SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of consensual sex with underage female)
04/08/10	1252585	262ND	FORGERY OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT (3° FELONY)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of knowingly passing a counterfeit $100 bill at store)
02/24/10	1241754	177TH	AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT CHILD (1° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of molesting his sister-in-law)
02/24/10	1241755	177TH	AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT CHILD (1° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of molesting his sister-in-law)
11/23/09	1231727	179TH	SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client accused of consensual sex with underage female)
05/20/09	1203539	337TH	AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (2° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY
11/13/08	1182231	179TH	BURGLARY OF A HABITATION WITH INTENT TO COMMIT ASSAULT (1° Felony)	NO BILLED BY GRAND JURY (Client was accused of breaking into an apartment and attacking the occupants after a drug deal went bad)

Harris County Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan Can Represent You

Houston Criminal Lawyer

Houston, Texas & Harris County Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan represents people accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including all 3g offenses. If you need a serious Harris county criminal defense trial attorney, call Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free consultation.

What Are “3g Offenses” under Texas Criminal Law?

“3g offenses” are those felony offenses listed in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 42.12 Sec. 3(g).  The Texas legislature in its collective wisdom decided that these felony offenses deserved harsher punishment–murder, capital murder, indecency with a child, aggravated kidnapping, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, offenses under the Controlled Substances Act involving use of a child or a second drug free zone offense, injury to a child, injury to an elderly person, injury to a disabled person, sexual performance by a child, or offenses where there is a finding of a deadly weapon.

How are 3g offenses different?

3g offenses are different in several ways–

• Judges cannot grant regular probation to those convicted of 3g offenses, however they can still in many cases grant deferred adjudication.  At trial, only a jury can give regular probation.
• Judges cannot reduce bail on a 3g offense without giving notice to the district attorney and having a hearing.
• If a person is sentenced to prison time on a 3g offense, he is not eligible for parole until he serves at least one-half of the sentence or 30 years, whichever is less.  Furthermore, the person cannot be released on parole until he has served two complete years even if the original sentence was for less than four years.
• Regardless of the length of the prison sentence, the person is not eligible for bail if he decides to appeal the decision of the trial court.

Relevant Statutes

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42.12 Sec. 3g.

Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 405, Sec. 1

(a) The provisions of Section 3 of this article do not apply:

(1) to a defendant adjudged guilty of an offense under:

(A) Section 19.02, Penal Code (Murder);

(B) Section 19.03, Penal Code (Capital murder);

(C) Section 21.11(a)(1), Penal Code (Indecency with a child);

(D) Section 20.04, Penal Code (Aggravated kidnapping);

(E) Section 22.021, Penal Code (Aggravated sexual assault);

(F) Section 29.03, Penal Code (Aggravated robbery);

(G) Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, for which punishment is increased under:

(i) Section 481.140 [Use of Child in Commission of Offense], Health and Safety Code; or

(ii) Section 481.134(c), (d), (e), or (f), Health and Safety Code [Relating to Drug Free Zones], if it is shown that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense for which punishment was increased under any of those subsections;

(H) Section 22.011, Penal Code (Sexual assault);

or

(I) Section 22.04(a)(1), Penal Code (Injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual), if the offense is punishable as a felony of the first degree and the victim of the offense is a child; or

(2) to a defendant when it is shown that a deadly weapon as defined in Section 1.07, Penal Code, was used or exhibited during the commission of a felony offense or during immediate flight therefrom, and that the defendant used or exhibited the deadly weapon or was a party to the offense and knew that a deadly weapon would be used or exhibited. On an affirmative finding under this subdivision, the trial court shall enter the finding in the judgment of the court. On an affirmative finding that the deadly weapon was a firearm, the court shall enter that finding in its judgment.

Houston, Texas criminal defense attorney James Sullivan has represented many defendants accused of 3g offenses, including several accused as being a felony habitual, facing 25 years to Life in prison.  If you want a reputable Harris county criminal defense lawyer, call Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free consultation.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

Harris County Criminal Lawyer for Silent or Abusive Calls to 911 Service

Houston Criminal Lawyer

Harris County Criminal Defense Trial Attorney James Sullivan represents people charged will all kinds of criminal offenses, including Silent or Abusive Calls to 9-1-1 Service. 

James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.

James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The 1,150 graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States. 

If you need a Harris county criminal defense lawyer, call James Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free consultation.

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Sec. 42.061.  SILENT OR ABUSIVE CALLS TO 9-1-1 SERVICE.  (a)  In this section “9-1-1 service” and “public safety answering point” or “PSAP” have the meanings assigned by Section 772.001, Health and Safety Code.(b)  A person commits an offense if the person makes a telephone call to 9-1-1 when there is not an emergency and knowingly or intentionally:(1)  remains silent;  or(2)  makes abusive or harassing statements to a PSAP employee.(c)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly permits a telephone under the person’s control to be used by another person in a manner described in Subsection (b).(d)  An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

Houston Prostitution Lawyer

Harris County Prostitution Lawyer

Houston, Texas & Harris County Criminal Lawyers James Sullivan represent real people charged with all kinds of crimes, including Prostitution whether you are the alleged prostitute or the alleged john.  It is common for undercover female police officers posing as prostitutes to be much better looking than the real women plying their trade. 

James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.

James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The 2,000 graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States.

If you need a Harris county criminal defense trial attorney, call Sullivan at 281-546-6428.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

You May Need a Harris County Criminal Lawyer

Harris County Criminal Lawyers

 

Houston, Texas Criminal Defense Trial Attorney James Sullivan represents people charged with all kinds of crimes, including Theft. If you need a Houston, Texas criminal defense attorney, call Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free consultation.

James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.

James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States.

The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. ~Matthew 13:23

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

Houston Domestic Violence Attorney James Sullivan

Harris County Domestic Assault Lawyer

Houston Domestic Violence Attorney James Sullivan represents people accused of serious criminal offenses, such as Aggravated Assault. To get the best result, hire an experienced Houston domestic violence lawyer. Sullivan gets proven results.

James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.

James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States.

If you need a Houston Criminal Lawyer, call Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free consultation.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.