John Floyd is a criminal law expert, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and has been included in Thomson Reuters distinguished list of Super Lawyers. He has over twenty years experience representing individuals and businesses accused of serious crimes in state courts in Texas and Federal Courts Nationwide. Mr. Floyd Travels to State Courts Throughout Texas and Federal Courts Nationwide. Principal Office located at 4900 Woodway Dr., Ste. 725 Houston, Texas 77056. All other locations by appointment only.
Although Mr. Floyd principal business address is in Houston, Texas, he is often called to represent clients under investigation or charged with serious federal crimes across the State of Texas, including Beaumont. Mr. Floyd represents white collar individuals, businesses, professionals and high profile individuals accused of serious criminal activity.
The Port of Beaumont is the largest military port in the world. The Golden Triangle of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange is a huge industrial center. Beaumont is a big time oil town whose cowboy culture blends quite well with its Cajun flair.
But Beaumont also has a troubled side. Crime statistic reports have it ranked as the eighth most dangerous city in Texas and among the bottom 4% among cities in the U.S, meaning that 96% of American cities are safer than Beaumont.
In response to these shocking statistics, both federal and state governments have launched serious anti-crime campaigns to combat the problem. As experienced criminal defense attorneys, we know that when law enforcement gets tough, a lot of innocent people are caught up in the criminal justice system, falsely accused of crimes they did not commit.
Beaumont is in the federal Eastern District of Texas. The Criminal Division is the largest of the Eastern District’s divisions. This division has 40 prosecutors in Beaumont, Lufkin, Tyler, Texarkana, Plano, and Sherman. Last year the U.S. Justice Department recognized the Eastern District as “one of the very best” the Justice Department has to offer. This also means they are one of the toughest.
The Department of Justice said the District’s prosecution efforts produced “remarkable results” that were “nothing short of exceptional.” The Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering unit has either dismantled or disrupted gangs like the Solid Wood Solders, Aryan Brotherhood, and the Aryan Circle.
Eastern District federal prosecutors have focused their attention on the following crime categories:
The Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas has gained a reputation for investigating and prosecuting massive drugs conspiracies with components throughout the United States and outside the country into Latin America.
The Beaumont Division’s Capital Crimes Unit also investigates the numerous crimes committed at the two large federal prison complexes located in the Eastern District.
John T. Floyd has represented criminal defendants in federal courts throughout the State of Texas, including Beaumont, Texas. He understands the federal court system: its discovery procedures, its motion practice, strict rules of evidence, and rigid rules of appellate procedure. With over twenty years experience representing businesses and individuals accused of serious federal crimes in Texas and throughout the United States, Mr. Floyd understands the federal courts and how to successfully represent his clients to the best possible outcome.
Mr. Floyd represents individuals under investigation for serious crimes in Beaumont Texas.
At the state level, Jefferson County prosecutors are focusing on drugs crimes and the violence associated with them. Law enforcement authorities now say that methamphetamine poses the greatest drug threat in Southeastern Texas.
Senior District Judge Larry Gist, who presides over the county’s Drug Impact Program told the Beaumont Enterprise in June 2014 that “we’re seeing a lot of these cases.”
The Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory detected methamphetamine in 246 drug tests in 2013, compared to 97 in 2009.
The Jefferson County Narcotics Task Force said methamphetamine produced in the bathtubs in rural areas in the county is cheaper and purer than the meth mass-produced in Mexico.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department says that its traffic stops account for most of the drug arrests in the county.
And arrests are up.
In October 2015, the DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals Service joined forces with the Beaumont Police Department’s Special Assignment Unit, its Narcotics/Vice Unit, and its SWAT Unit to execute 115 felony warrants for narcotics and weapons violations. 40 individuals were arrested in the raids.
In March 2014, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and the Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Office formed a multi-jurisdictional Task Force to investigate and prosecute major crimes, particularly violent crimes and crimes affecting public trust.
Less than a year later, the former Assistant Superintendent of the Beaumont Independent School District and two ISD employees were indicted on federal charges involving several schemes to defraud the school system.
Shortly after taking office in 2014, Jefferson County District Attorney Cory Crenshaw announced he was going to restore “law and order” in the country “by holding criminals accountable.”
He added that he is the only district attorney in the state who is a “deputized federal prosecutor” and that he plans to raise the “cost of crime” for criminals in Jefferson County.
“We are increasing our fines that criminal defendants are facing,” DA Crenshaw was quoted in The Examiner in a May 2015 article. “We are reevaluating our guidelines for cases we accept for prosecution. At the same time, we’re also trying to be more aggressive in cases involving children who are sexually abused and other violent offenders. We are moving away from any type of probation on those cases and trying to make sure that when the facts and circumstances warrant it, those offenders are receiving lengthy prison sentences.”
Crenshaw also said “when … it comes to public corruption and violent crime through the use of programs like the task force and a potential civil gang injunction in Port Arthur, again we’re just trying to raise the bar and make criminals out there understand that the cost of doing business for criminals in Jefferson County is going up.”
John T. Floyd has extensive experience in trying criminal cases in Texas state district courts. This includes an impressive record of acquittals, dismissed charges, deferred adjudications, probation, and reduced sentences.
It is abundantly clear that both state and federal prosecutors are serious about raising the “cost of crime.”
If you or someone you love is arrested or charged with a crime in Beaumont, it is vitally important for you to exercise your rights.
You should contact an experienced Texas defense attorney who has a track record of success in cases just like yours.
John T. Floyd has been representing individuals and businesses for more than 20 years, and securing positive outcomes for them in both state and federal courts. He believes that everyone deserves a strong defense – regardless of the charges or accusations against them.
Being arrested or charged with a either a state or federal criminal offense in Beaumont can change the course of your entire life. Some mistakenly believe that felonies are “serious” while misdemeanors no big deal.
That is definitely not the case. Both types of charges can come with potential jail or prison time; both may carry big fines and other penalties; both can do serious damage to the reputation of a business; and both will earn you a criminal record.
There are also many collateral consequences for having been convicted of a criminal offense in Texas.
Employment: Many occupations (such as barber, plumber, nurse, etc.) require a license to work. Section 53.021 of the Texas Occupations Code authorize Texas licensing authorities to revoke, suspend, or deny a license to anyone convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
Education: Any student convicted of the possession or sale of a controlled substance can lose or be denied financial assistance under the Federal Student Loans and Grants program, or the forfeiture of a prepaid scholarship.
Asset forfeiture: Serious drug and white collar convictions can result of forfeiture of cash, vehicles, homes, personal property, and businesses.
Firearm: A conviction of more than one year will result in loss of the right to own or possess a firearm or ammunition.
Housing: Federal housing policies permit the exclusion of drug offenders from federally subsidized or funded housing. Most rental applications ask if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony.
Civil rights: A felony conviction results in the loss of the right to vote, run for public office, be appointed to a public office, or serve on a jury.
Because of the wide range of criminal penalties associated with state felony convictions in Texas, any one charged with a serious criminal offense in Jefferson County needs an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney.
Federal felony convictions can also lead to civil forfeitures that result in the loss of personal property, including cash, homes, vehicles, planes, and other personal belongings
The proceeds from forfeited property go into the coffers of law enforcement agencies, not the government treasury. Thus, the police have an incentive to seize and forfeit as much property as possible, regardless of whether it is actually tied to an offender’s offense-related activity.
Beyond these serious to severe penal consequences, federal felony convictions have significant personal collateral consequences. They can disqualify you for a job in the health care industry, government, private security, law enforcement, many areas of the criminal justice system, and any other job requiring a security clearance.
They can, and most likely will, have adverse impact on your employment prospects with companies that routinely run criminal background checks prior to their decision to hire. They can also have a serious impact on your ability to rent a suitable residence as property owners also frequently run background checks, refusing to rent or lease to ex-felons.
How do you fight back and give yourself the best chance at a positive outcome when facing serious charges.
Hire a serious criminal lawyer.
John T. Floyd’s relentless pursuit of justice and aggressive defense strategies have helped individuals and businesses alike battle charges and obtain positive results in cases that others deemed “hopeless.” Sometimes this means getting charges reduced. Other times, it means getting the charges dropped completely. He has succeeded for his clients by taking every case seriously and exploring every possible angle to fight the prosecutors’ arguments.
John T. Floyd’s ability to do this stems from his vast knowledge of criminal law and meticulous instinct for detail. He understands both the law’s complexities and nuances, and understands what it takes to go up against all the resources both state and federal prosecutors use against criminal defendants.
Over more than two decades of practicing law, John T. Floyd has built a reputation as a criminal law expert. He has been featured on national media outlets, including NPR, Fox News, Hannity and Colmes, and even the BBC, and he is trusted around the country.
Mr. Floyd understands the legal landscape in Beaumont. Violence, drugs, sex offenses, and corruption are now the focus of state and federal prosecutors. Task Forces for both governments have made these crimes a top priority for investigation. It takes a skilled attorney with years of experience fighting abusive law enforcement tactics and government overreach in criminal cases to craft a viable, successful defense to criminal charges.
Mr. Floyd has been certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is able to focus his practice in a number of different areas, including:
Beyond his status as a national criminal law expert and his Texas Board Certification, John L. Floyd has earn a number of awards and accolades both from clients and peers.
National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers 2015
State Bar of Texas – Top 10 Blog Posts 2015
SuperLawyers – 2014-2015
Avvo – 10/10 Rating, Clients’ Choice Award 2008-2015
H Texas Magazine – Houston’s Top Lawyers 2007-2015
Newsweek – Leading Criminal Defense Attorneys 2014
Prosecutors start building their case against you immediately; the longer you wait to hire a criminal defense lawyer, the more difficult your battle will be.
A knowledgeable attorney can keep you from making mistakes and saying things that could harm your case.
Certain kinds of evidence are time-sensitive and need to be obtained and recorded fast, or you won’t be able to use them in your defense.
Get in touch with The John T. Floyd Law Firm today, and start crafting your defense. Fill out our confidential online case review form, or contact us using one of the following methods:
Phone: 713-224-0101
Email: jfloyd@johntfloyd.com
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