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THE CORRUPTION OF FISA
Government Avoids 4th Amendment Requirement of Probable Cause
By: Houston Criminal Lawyer John Floyd and Paralegal Billy Sinclair
In 1970 it was discovered by a gentleman named Christopher H. Pyle that the U.S. Army Intelligence Command had 1500 commissioned officers whose duty it was to spy on any known protest or demonstration in this country involving 20 or more people. While Pyle’s eventual revelations about this stunning information captured the attention of the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights, Sen. Sam Ervin, the great Watergate truth-seeking champion, had little authority to do anything about the “spying on Americans” scandal.
But in 1975 a younger, and lesser known, Democratic senator from Idaho named Frank Church put the Pyle information to good use. In the wake of President Richard Nixon’s resignation for the massive criminal corruption associated with Watergate, Senator Church used a December 1974 report by New York Times columnist Seymour Hersh concerning widespread CIA warrantless surveillance to bring Pyle’s information before the senator’s U.S. Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities.
Thanks to courageous Americans like Pyle, Hersh, and Sens. Church and Ervin, the people of this country learned that its executive branch of government had been violating their civil and constitutional rights at such a mind-numbing scale that many lost their faith in “honest government.” It was out of the ashes of this governmental lawlessness that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”) was signed into law by former President Jimmy Carter in 1978. A central feature of the Act was the creation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court(“FISA Court”) which allows the executive branch to secretly obtain warrants for electronic surveillance but only with strict judicial review (18 USC 36 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance)
The eleven members (originally the number was seven) of the FISA Court are designated by the Chief Justice of the United States. These judges have the authority to entertain ex parteapplications for electronic surveillance “for the purpose of obtaining foreign intelligence information.” FISA defines “foreign intelligence information” as:
(1) information that relates to, and if concerning a United States person is necessary to, the ability of the United States to protect against –
(A) actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power;
(B) sabotages, international terrorism, or the international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; or
(C) clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power; or
(2) information with respect to a foreign power or foreign territory that relates to, and if concerning a United States person is necessary –
(A) the national defense or the security of the United States; or
(B) the conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States.
In order to issue a FISA warrant for electronic surveillance, a FISA Court judge must believe there is “probable cause” that the subject of the surveillance is a “foreign power or an agent of a foreign power” and that the place where the surveillance will occur are “being used, or … about to be used by a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power.”
In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City, Congress enacted the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (“PATRIOT Act”). This legislation substantially changed the nature of FISA, which had been enacted as a “reform” measure to control lawlessness in executive branch initiated intelligence-gathering, by granting unto the executive branch greater powers to conduct surveillance against not only suspected “terrorists” but against anyone who may ever spoken the word terrorism.
Former President Bill Clinton unfortunately paved the way for the abuses FISA would experience in the wake of 9/11. His administration was confronted with the far-reaching and scandalous revelations in 1994 that CIA agent Aldrich Ames was a Russian spy responsible for scores of deaths of CIA undercover operatives. FISA at the time only authorized electronic surveillance. Since FISA did not authorize “physical searches” in such cases, the former president usurped the law by ordering then Attorney General Janet Reno to conduct warrantless searches of Ames’ residence. The Administration argued it didn’t need a warrant because the suspect was believed to be the agent of a foreign power. Faced with intense criticism from civil libertarians, President Clinton eventually agreed to a revision of FISA authorizing the Justice Department to obtain warrants from the FISA Court, rather than a traditional federal district court, before conducting physical searches. The end result, according to James Bovard, is that the FISA Court became “a bunch of lapdogs in the federal government,” approving virtually all (99%) the 15,000 requests for search warrants between 1978 and 2002.
National security expert James Bamford put it this way: “Like a modern Star Chamber, the FISA court meets behind a cipher-locked door in a windowless, bug-proof, vault-like room guarded 24 hours a day on the top floor of the Justice Department building. The eleven judges (increased from seven by the Patriot Act) hear only the government’s side.”
President George W. Bush’s “war on terror” proved to be a perfect opening for the executive branch to once again entrench itself, more often than not lawlessly, in the intelligence gathering process. For example, Bovard said that in 2002 alone former Attorney General John Ashcroft “personally issued” more than 170 “domestic spying warrants” allowing federal agents to “carry out wiretaps and search homes and offices for as many as 72 hours before the feds requested a search warrant from the FISA court.” Ashcroft used this power “almost a 100 times as often as attorneys general did before 9/11.” The FISA Court itself would say in a 2002 decision that this power allows the FBI to simultaneously conduct telephone, microphone, cell phone, e-mail and computer surveillance of the target person’s home, workplace and vehicle. Attorney General Ashcroft praised the FISA Court as revolutionizing “our ability to investigate terrorists and prosecute terrorist acts.”
Following a New York Times report, President Bush in December 2005 proudly conceded to the nation that in 2002 he had personally ordered the National Security Agency to conduct warrantless wiretaps and email intercepts on everyday Americans. He vowed to continue the practice regardless of the FISA provisions prohibiting such executive actions. In 2008, in the middle of an election season which prominently featured the potential of “terror threats,”Congress overhauled FISA to bring it more line with Bush’s secret policies. In effect, the executive branch, not the FISA Court, now controls both the “checks and balances” of the sensitive intelligence gathering process in this country.
But not everyone is prepared to fall in line with lawless wiretapping/email interceptions policies practiced under the Bush administration. Last April U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled in favor of the now defunct Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, Inc. by concluding that the Bush administration’s warrantless foreign email interceptions of Al-Haramain’s employees violated the provisions of FISA (Al-Haramain v. Obama). Judge Walker’s ruling was an unmistakable indictment of the NSA warrantless wiretapping program ordered by Bush.
But Judge Walker’s ruling is a rare victory in the federal courts who have demonstrated a proclivity to kowtow to the government demands associated with the “war on terror.” This was evidenced last month by a Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision in United States v. Hassan Abu-Jihaad. Abu-Jihaad’s birth name was Paul Raphael Hall, He changed his name to Abu-Jihaad, which means the “Father of Jihad.” In January 1998 he enlisted in the United States Navy. At the time the Navy was aware the United States had become a target of terrorists. This stark reality was evidenced by the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1995 discovery of plots to bomb American passenger planes en route from Asia, and the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. The Navy, nonetheless, gave Abu-Jihaad security clearance to receive classified information between 1998 and 2002, despite his “Father of Jihad” name.
Sometime in August 2000Abu-Jihaad developed an email relationship with the London-based “Azzam Publications,” an organization that reportedly glorified jihad martyrdom and the violence of Islamic mujahedeen around the world (Azzam Publications has been shut down and has been accused of being part of a conspiracy to provide material support to people engaged in terrorism). Abu-Jihaad allegedly conveyed to Azzam, or persons associated with them, classified information about Navy ship movements to the Persian Gulf in 2001.
In December 2003 British authorities were searching the residence of Babar Admad, an individual with alleged ties to Azzam who has been in a British prison awaiting extradition to the U.S since 2004, and discovered a computer disk which, according to the Second Circuit, “contained a three-page unsigned document describing the anticipated Spring 2001 deployment of ten U.S. Navy ships carrying 15,000 sailors and Marines from the Pacific coast of the United States to the Persian Gulf.” The document concluded by highlighting the vulnerabilities of the naval battle group. A subsequent investigation determined that this particular document had been created by an Azzam employee named Syed Talha Ahsan, a British citizen.
The Government case against Abu-Jihaad as the person responsible for conveying this classified information to Azzam was premised on three points: first, he had access to the information (one of 40 sailors with access); second, he had a relationship with Azzam (an exchange of 11 emails between August 2000 and September 2001); and, third, he made implicit admissions in a 2006 recorded conversation that he had conveyed classified information during his service in the Navy.
Abu-Jihaad was living in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006. He had four telephone calls with a friend and another person who turned out a confidential informant. During these conversations Abu-Jihaad expressed concerned about “tapped” telephones; protecting himself from a Kafir (“infidel”); instructed the persons to whom he was talking not to refer to associates by their real names; discussed martyrdom operations; and referred to military intelligence as “meals” (“hot meals” current information, “cold meals” out of date information),
Abu-Jihaad was subsequently indicted for providing material support to terrorists, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2339A, and with disclosing classified information to unauthorized persons under the Espionage Act, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 793(d). A jury found him guilty of both charges in March 2008 but in March 2009 the trial judge granted Abu-Jihaad’s motion for judgment of acquittal on the providing material support to terrorist count and then sentenced him to ten years on the disclosing the classified information count.
On appeal Abu-Jihaad challenged the 2006 recorded telephone conversations which had been intercepted under an authorized FISA warrant. His challenged was premised on the theory that (1) FISA violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution; and (2) the FISA requirements were not adhered to in his case. The Second Circuit rejected both challenges, deferring to two FISA Review Court decisions rendered in 2002 and 2008 respectively which rejected challenges similar to the ones raised by Abu-Jihaad: In re Sealed Case and In re FISA Section 105B Directives. Interestingly, besides these two cases, the FISA Review Court, which was set up to review FISA Court determinations, has only convened one other time to hear FISA-related matters emanating from the FISA Court; hardly confidence inspiring oversight.
When FISA was enacted in 1978, the sole purpose of a warrant request by a high-ranking member of the executive branch was strictly to obtain “foreign intelligence information”—nothing more. But the 2001 Patriot Act amendment relaxed this narrow requirement by allowing the FISA Court to issue a warrant if the executive branch certifies that procuring foreign intelligence information is a “significant purpose” of the requested surveillance. Abu-Jihaad argued that this 2001 amendment essentially undermined the constitutional intent and purpose of FISA: the sole acquisition of foreign intelligence information. He argued that the Government can now use FISA to conduct “criminal investigations,” as it did in his case, without demonstrating the Fourth Amendment probable cause requisite that “an individual is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a particular offense” and that “particular communications concerning that offense will be obtained” through electronic surveillance.
We agree. We recently posted a piece about how the “war on terror” has significantly, and quite dangerously, blurred the lines between intelligence gathering and crime fighting. The Second Circuit offered up this flimsy reasoning for abdicating its constitutional responsibility to protect the longstanding “probable cause” requirement in criminal investigations: “… the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement demands a showing of probable cause reasonable to the purpose being pursued. Thus, the identification of the purpose is necessary to assess the reasonableness of the probable cause standards at issue. Where multiple purposes are significant, however, the Fourth Amendment does not require the government to identify a purpose or limit its ability to secure a warrant to the satisfaction of the standards for that purpose. Rather, the government may secure a warrant under the probable cause standards applicable to any purpose that it pursues in good faith. Thus, we identify no constitutional defects in FISA’s certification requirement of ‘a significant’ rather than a primary ‘purpose … to obtain foreign intelligence information.”
Abu-Jihaad in 2006, when the FISA Court authorized “electronic surveillance” of him, was not involved with either “foreign agents” or a “foreign power.” He was an ex-sailor who had exchanged 11 emails with an organization that supposedly had terrorism ties. He certainly was not providing “material support to terrorists” in 2006 as evidenced by the trial judge acquitting him on that charge. He was talking to a friend named Derrick Shareef and a government informant with only “implicit” references that he had given classified information to suspected terrorists. The informant conveyed this information to his handlers. At that point the FBI had sufficient probable cause to apply for wiretapping warrant from a federal judge or magistrate. But the FBI did not have any legitimate basis for turning what was no more than a criminal investigation into a “foreign intelligence” case by securing a FISA warrant.
It is cases like the Abu-Jihaad case, and the Second Circuit’s cavalier response to it, that has us concerned about our government’s comingling of criminal investigations with intelligence-gathering investigations. Legitimate foreign intelligence gathering requires much lesser standards of probable cause for surveillance than internal criminal investigations. And it is maintaining distinct constitutional lines between these two divergent governmental objectives that protects our private lives from lawless governmental intrusion and spying so prevalent under the Republican administrations of Richard M. Nixon, George W. Bush, and to a lesser extent, under the Democratic administration of Bill Clinton.
As has been said many times by those fighting for our civil liberties and the integrity of our great Constitution, if the terrorist have forced us to voluntarily give up our fundamental constitutional protections and liberties as free people, then they have won a might battle indeed.
We do not like “government spooks” in our private lives. We had enough of that from the CIA in the 1960s and early 1970s; and we detest even more those cops like the late J. Edgar Hoover who used unlawfully obtained surveillance information to maintain his corrupt hold on power for decades. Unfortunately, the spying days of the panty-wearing Hoover, the rogue electronic surveillance of our intelligence agencies against Americans and the “communists brain-washing of our children” of those like Joseph McCarthy are back in vogue—and too few courts seem willing to halt this cavalier trampling upon the civil and constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens spawned by the overzealous fear-mongering “war on terror” advocates similar to those of bygone eras.
By: Houston Criminal Attorney John Floyd and Paralegal Billy Sinclair
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Testimonials
John T. Floyd Law Firm
3730 Kirby Drive # 750, Houston
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I had a great experience with this Law Firm, the kind staff helped me locate a Lawyer even though they were unable to take my case.
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I’ve never been one to write reviews but this time I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to say something. I had some serious legal questions I needed answers to concerning Texas laws. … More Being I’m from another state, I found and reached out to Attorney John Floyd for the answers. Mr Floyd listened to to my requests and told me what he need from me and went out of his way to get me the answers. Very polite, straightforward and professional, I can’t thank him enough for all he’s done. Whatever your legal case may be, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mr Floyd.
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Mr. Floyd is both ethical and loyal to his clients; two qualities that are hard to find specially in lawyers. I'd definitely recommend him to anyone.Positive
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Mr. John was very helpful and truly was the reason why my case was dismissed. Thank you so much Mr. John I truly recommend everyone in need to work with him.
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This law firm is diligent, responsive and succeeded in getting my case dismissed. 10/10 would recommend.
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John is an amazing person and lawyer who is actually very understanding of how anxious I got and although it was hard to reach him sometimes because of his schedule, but never worry … More he is on top of things. He is very organized, very smart. I had the experience to go through a trial with him, and he always plans ahead well and is actually open and receptive to any ideas and comments I had and he was quick to decide which is right to use at the moment. I really appreciated working with him and Chris. Great lawyers and great people. As I was reminded by John, I am adding that the Jury reached a not guilty decision on the original charge and on a lesser charge in just 25 minutes. It took more time to write the charge and instructions for the jury than it took them to reach a decision.
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Highly recommend John T Floyd law firm, great response time and demeanor.I was researching an on-going criminal case, when I found an informative article written by John Floyd (about … More the perils of expert testimony). I called his office, and was very pleased to receive a timely call back. Not only was Mr. Floyd candid and helpful, but he had the kindest demeanor of any attorney that I've dealt with. I am so glad to have found this firm.
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Although I am not a client, John Floyd contacted me the same day I sent an email requesting advice, answered my questions and even when further to assist with my issue and communicated … More with me the next day. A true credit to his profession and I can only imagine how well he provides services to his actual clients!
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I give Mr. Floyd 10 Stars if they were available so I'm giving him five that's all that's available. The first time I left a message for him it was on a Friday after … More 5 p.m. and within 15 minutes he called me back I told him I needed to buy a lotto ticket because that has never happened. I knew from our chat and him calling me back that he was different from any attorney I've tried to talk to left messages never got called back they didn't even know what I needed and neither did Mr. Floyd but he did call me back. I was very interested in meeting with mr. Floyd about my case because I felt he was very transparent honest and genuine. If you've ever dealt with attorneys they don't have those traits but Mr. Floyd does. He was very honest with me told me what I could and could not do with my case. He is not egotistical he's very compassionate and he actually reads the documents you sent him unbelievable that's never happened. He will be the only lawyer I refer to anyone that needs his expertise. If you're in need of a criminal defense attorney please give John T Floyd a call you will not be disappointed.
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Mr John is a great human being and a very knowledgeable attorney. He has always called me back promptly,advised me very clearly and never rushed our conversation. i was wrongfully accused … More and Mr John had my case DISMISSED!! on the day of trial after fighting for me for two years. I am very thankful to the John T. Floyd Law Firm. You will not go wrong with John. Mr John you deserve way more then 5 stars.Thank youShaikh.
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John Floyd Law Firm is highly recommended for your legal needs. He and his staff are highly professional in every aspect. Easy and comfortable feeling talking with him, and he understands … More your needs and explains your legal advice in a way you can understand. Enough just cant be said. Thank You Sir.Positive
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John was kind enough to assist me with legal advise on my firearm gun rights restoration. I highly recommend him and his firm. Very professional and knowledgeable. If I need assistance … More in the future I will definitely go back to him.
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What I liked the most was that he actually returned my phone after leaving a message unlike pretty much everyone else I called prior. He listened and answered my question with the best … More advice that would benefit me the most. I was actually lost from moving to Texas from a different state we’re laws vary and he pointed me toward the right direction to get a understanding of if I need to do business with him now or after I contact a lawyer in my home state.
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John T Floyd handled my sons case & got a dismissal for us! He is great to work with, gets back to you promptly & knows what he’s doing. Definitely one of the best we have had … More to deal with!Positive
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John is honestly the best! The whole team is. He answered me in a timely manner and helped me when my friend was going through a situation in Houston, Texas as an inmate. He was so … More thorough, honest, and without charging me sent me so much information because I was out of the loop. He never once tried to take you for your money, he did all that he could to. help me and I can't thank him enough.
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I have used John on two occasions and found him to have full knowledge of Texas law, diligent, creative in plan, and aggressive in defense. He is the best criminal defense attorney … More in the State of Texas. No reason to look elsewhere.
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I have been calling to get some legal advice pertaining to gun rights. A few legal offices would not even take my call because quote " your not a client and Im losing money. … More I I called John T. Floyd Law Firm and they were not only able to answer my question, but gave great detail information, and further elaborated on their answer. I hope I do not have to use them in the future, but if I do need to, they will be my first call.
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Great lawyer! Needed some advice and gave me a Consultation, and advice for steps to take, without any hassle l, Was a honest guy and actually wanted to help me and not just take my … More money! Highly recommend!!Positive
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Attorney Floyd replied very timely to my inquiry and he provided practical advice. I will not hesitate to contact him in the future if I need additional legal counsel.
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Highly recommend, down to earth lawyer. Talked to me about my legal issues without being super money hungry and genuinely wanted to help me with my legal problems. 5 stars ⭐️.
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Very knowledgeable and professional. I called and left a message Friday morning and before end of business that day I received a call back.Positive
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Very helpful highly recommended for any Question / case will definitely keep he's name and number for any other legal advice
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Excellent service and a lawyer that doesn't lie. He does what he says. JW recommends him.
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One of the best services Ive used in awhile. Thank you for all the help and answers. You got my life back. Thank youPositive
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Im impressed. This guy was polite and professional and most important...he listened.
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Good experience and very good lawyer
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It was a pleasure speaking with John. He is knowledgeable and has a true desire to help the people of society. I turned to him for some guidance of a long-standing issue. He never … More rushed our conversation and went out of his way to look into the details to provide the right answer as well as assist me anyway he could. Thank you for our conversations and I wish your and your firm the best. If you need a lawyer, John Floyd is your guy!
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John represented me in court for roughly 2 years. I won't (and shouldn't) get into any serious details, but let me tell you that I couldn't have chosen anyone better. … More Seriously.Every appearance in court I felt very comfortable. The judge and DA's had a high regard for his reputation. There is a time I recall where simply his presence greatly impacted the court's interpretation of my case and persons. We were in front of the stand and the judge could not stop talking about John's prestige and past accomplishments and how that took in relation to my case. I kept silent in front of the judge, but I observed then that John's popularity and reputation within the court had already given me a better looking rapport with the judge. Let me tell you, I never had more confidence then, knowing that the judge held him in such high regard.This is not to mention how personable John is. I'll be honest that during the stress of court, sharing a laugh with your lawyer helps a lot. This may sound a lot, but I really appreciated the relationship we had then. This is also not to mention that he was able to deal very well with any DA that rotated over the years. Seriously, John was great, prompt with information and very hands on with my case. I had great peace those 2 years until everything wrapped up.If you're looking for a lawyer, I highly, HIGHLY recommend the John T. Floyd Law Firm. He IS nationally renowned, you know. He'll get the job done to the utmost confidence. He's very experienced and has a great record to boot. I am glad to have had him represent me in court and trust me that I never thought I'd ever say that (and whoever does?). We explored every avenue of victory together and I personally enjoyed the experience, despite the seriousness of the accusation.If you have a case that needs to be represented at the highest levels, choose John T. Floyd. He's a good man and very good at what he does. Him and his team has the experience you need to make the best decisions and options to get the best outcome for your case. We got the best result I could possibly ask for, thank God.Seriously. Hire John. He knows what he's doing.Seriously.
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One of the few honest lawyers I have ever talked to. His complimentary consultation was knowledgeable and thorough. He knew exactly what the issue was and how to handle it. His candid … More appraisal of the situation and how to proceed saved me thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you have a case requiring expertise in John's area of practice, look no further. Hire this man!
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I had the opportunity to read an article that Mr. Floyd wrote and it was very interesting. I called him about the article and advice concerning a similar situation. He not only gave … More me excellent advice, he pointed out not just what I wanted to hear but what I needed to hear concerning my situation. The Good, The Bad and The ugly in a manner or speaking. He spoke with an open and honest heart with information to help me and not just to get a client.
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He gave me one of the most honest answers I have received in a very long time about any issue I was having with anything. Legal or not legal. I highly recommend giving him a call and … More will be referring him to friends and family if they have any issues in the future.Positive
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He took time out of his day to answer my legal questions and didn’t even charge me. I would definitely recommend him to you.
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Gave free consultation on getting gun rights back. He truly cares about gun rights and getting you the help you deserve. 100% worth a callPositive
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Very professional, great quality work, and very friendly and helpful. Overall, their service is phenomenal. I recommend Mr. Floyd to anyone.
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Mr. Floyd took the time to explain his experience with the law to me in layman's terms. Definitely give him a call.Positive
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He was honest , knowledgeable , and professional about what we talked about. Most lawyers are just about the money , but not john.Positive
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He was very truthful and honest with us very great man I would recommend him and we would use him again
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Very professional honest and works hard currently working my husband’s appeal I pray he does his best workPositive
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I contacted John T. Floyd Law firm and I was very satisfied with service extremely helpful and friendly thank you Mr. FloydPositive
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This law frim was informative,great response time ,and the attorney called back not some secretary or legal assistant thank u guys for all your help wish it was more like youPositive … More
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I would highly recommend Mr Floyd. He was very helpful and knowledge with a legal question I had.Positive
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He explained my case better then any other lawyerPositive
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Very informative
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Had the pleasure speaking with John Floyd on a personal matter, he was very responsive, nothing but exceptional, and he really cares about you with sincerity and most importantly knows … More what is he talking about! No games or bs, his approach to my situation even though I knew it was probably way smaller then what he normally takes on, he was extremely helpful and didn't care about the size of the matter like other attorneys do. He really looked out for my best interests. You can tell he has decades of experience doing what he does just by chatting with him. I would highly recommend him.
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Words can’t describe how grateful I am for working with John, he went above and beyond my expectation. I was wrongly accused and hired many lawyers before hiring John Floyd but they … More all disappointed me, I had lost hope until a friend of mine referred me to John. From the start he had my best interest in mind and gave helpful advice, he explained the process and guided me. He put more work and time than all my previous lawyers that cost me thousands of dollars. He was constantly communicating with court and defended me more than all lawyer i had hired before him. Don’t waste your time and money like I did, believe me when I say I hired countless lawyers before him and no one came close to John. I’m forever thankful for him for fighting for my innocence and getting my case dismissed. Thank you so much🙏🏼🙏🏼
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I called Mr Floyd and left a message, with in the hour I received a call back with much more information then I could have ever expected. Mr Floyd was very informative on every question … More I had for him. He seemed like he cared, instead of like most attorneys that you talk to that are just out for a quick buck. If you want someone that is going to shoot strait with you, and has your best interest in hand, this is you guy. This was the best experience that I have ever had with an lawyer.
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I can state with confidence that Mr. Floyd and his team are the most competent and professional lawyers one can hope for. My case was quite complex and I admit that as a law student … More I was not the most patient client. Mr. Floyd did a phenomenal job of managing the bench, prosecution and myself! The result was above expectation, and I will never hesitate to recommend this firm regardless of the caliber of the case at issue.
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It was a pleasure working with Mr. Floyd. I contacted him regarding a legal matter and he was extremely knowledgeable about the law, and responded in a timely manner. I appreciated … More the fact I did not feel rushed, and he made sure he thoroughly answered all questions I had. I would highly recommend him!Positive
Responsiveness, Professionalism …More -
Spoke with John Floyd about a 45 year old criminal case I was involved in. I had very little information about the case and John helped me search what records were available and gave … More me guidance to find more information. He was very professional and took his time helping me. I may need to hire a lawyer on this case and Mr. Floyd will be the man.Thanks John.
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Very professional and straight forward. He's not going to waste your time or money. Very knowledgeable in a large range of possible matters one could face living in these days … More and times. If ever you need legal assistance, this is who I would suggest. Awesome!Positive
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I called about some legal questions I needed to get clarified and John was able to give me clarification and sound advice. I will definitely contact John for all future legal questions … More and issues.Thank you John!Positive
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Knows his stuff and well respected with DA and judges. I have referred him a couple times and every client has been satisfied
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John is beyond knowledgeable! If I decide to pursue my case any further I would only have him represent me.
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What a great attorney, this guy really took time out of his day to answer my questions and explain my case to me. Very grateful, thank you so muchPositive
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Absolutely a very professional lawyer. Very well read in the current law and more than willing to help if needed.
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Mr. John he’s a professional he knows what he’s doing and he’s patient they recommend Him stronglyPositive
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Great service, very knowledgable and happy to help with any questions I had
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Quick to action and helpful and knowledgeable with entertainment industry based issues!
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Responded on a holiday week. Very knowledgeable and reassuring.
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Very professional
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I want to thank John T. Floyd and all of his team. He is the best lawyer who cares aboutHis clients and fights really hard to get the best outcome. He is a fighter and he is awesome!!!I … More recommend if any one needs criminal defense , he is the BEST. We had a really serious caseAnd we are very thankful for the outcome. Thank you John!!!!! God bless you!!!!!!
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The attorneys at John T. Floyd Law Firm work diligently to achieve the best possible results for their clients. They are caring and knowledgeable professionals. Their expertise in the … More law and their experience as trial attorneys makes them the right choice as a defense attorney. I recommend this law firm highly.
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From beginning to end this firm handled my case like the top tier professionals they are. I would not trust ANYONE else with my legal needs after having less than stellar experiences … More with other teams. Thank you Floyd!!!
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I really felt like the team cared about my case and am super satisfied with the outcome. Would not recommend anyone else!
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These guys do amazing work and have phenomenal service! Hands down best in the Houston area!!
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John and Chris are true professionals! Love those guys like family!
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Mr. Floyd and his team are very knowledgeable, informative, and helpful.
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A team you can depend on to stand up and fight for you to prove the truth the whole truth!
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Mr. John T. Floyd represented me.I couldn't be happier with the outcome he managed to achieve on an VERY Important case that was dismissed the day of Trial. He is patient & … More very knowledgeable of the legal system. I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone in need of a lawyer!John, I am forever grateful & satisfied with the effort you put forth & all you did for me. Thank you isn't enough!God bless you & your family!
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The John T. Floyd Law Firm assisted me, and I can tell you that the attorney took the time to answer my questions, and I didn't feel rushed or dismissed as I have experienced in … More the past with attorneys. The attorney was very nice and extremely knowledgeable. Initial impressions and continued excellent customer service are big factors for me and as such I would highly recommend this firm.
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I thank you for your efforts to help Felons regain their Civil rights, and for the information on possession , I am A convicted Felon, no violent history. I am an expert shot, I am … More 76 yoa, and very concerned about the present lake of Security in our State and Country. God Bless and Prosper you in your efforts, Your friend, Sonny Bivens
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I really appreciated both Chris and John helping with my legal questions and concerns. Both are good guys and I would not hesitate to recommend them.
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Extremely helpful!!! Helping me understand the law.
John T. Floyd is Board Certified in Criminal Law By the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
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