Plea negotiations resolve most felony cases—estimated at 90 to 95 percent nationwide. With approximately 85,000 criminal cases filed annually in Harris County, plea agreements are essential for maintaining the efficiency of the justice system.
Despite their prevalence, the process of
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WHAT TO EXPECT IN A TEXAS CRIMINAL TRIAL
Most criminal trials in Texas are bifurcated, meaning they are divided into two distinct phases: a guilt-or-innocence phase and, if there is a conviction, a punishment phase. Both phases are structured by strict rules about what evidence can be presented
FEDERAL HUMAN, COMMERCIAL SEX TRAFFICKING CHARGES
On November 7, 2025, Clemente Melendez Gutierrez, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to 120-months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Alfred H. Bennett in a Houston courtroom. Gutierrez pled guilty to forcing an 18-year-old victim, beginning in
WHAT IS A GEOFENCE SEARCH WARRANT?
Before a search warrant will issue, Fourth Amendment jurisprudence requires that it be supported by a probable cause affidavit—a sworn written statement that 1) identifies a specific offense that has been or is being committed; 2) identifies the particular place
REQUIREMENTS FOR A VALID FEDERAL GUILTY PLEA
While there are many legitimate complaints about overuse of guilty pleas in federal court, it remains the fact that roughly 98 percent of all federal criminal cases end with a plea bargain. A guilty plea is tantamount to a jury
Motion to Suppress in Texas: Purpose, Objectives, Impact, and Benefits
A motion to suppress is one of the most powerful pretrial tools available in a Texas criminal case. Authorized under Chapter 28 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a motion to suppress asks the court to exclude evidence that
Harris County Sex Assault Case Dismissed Week Before Trial
Our client, a respected physician, was facing what we believed to be false allegations of sexual assault of a patient. After being arrested at his clinic, posting bond, and fighting this case in court for nearly a year, the District
Federal Immigration Crime Defense: Illegal Reentry and Document Fraud
Federal immigration crimes carry serious consequences beyond deportation. If you’re facing charges for illegal reentry or document fraud in Houston, you need defense attorneys who understand federal criminal law and immigration consequences.
At John T. Floyd Law Firm, we defend
How Federal Plea Agreements Differ from State Criminal Deals
In the criminal justice system, defendants facing charges may resolve their cases through a plea agreement rather than proceeding to a full trial. While plea agreements are common in both federal and state courts, there are important differences in their
What is Securities Fraud?
Securities fraud occurs when someone provides false information, omits key facts, or uses deceptive practices to manipulate financial markets or mislead investors. This can happen in various ways, but the goal is usually the same—personal financial gain at the expense