When people learn that I spent several years as a prosecutor before becoming a criminal defense attorney, they often ask the same question: "Why did you switch sides?"

The answer is simple. I never saw it as switching sides.

Working as a prosecutor taught me how the criminal justice system operates from the inside. It also showed me something equally important. Every person accused of a crime deserves an advocate who is prepared to challenge the evidence, question assumptions, and make the State prove its case.

Today, I use what I learned as a prosecutor to defend clients in McKinney, Collin County, and Dallas County. That experience influences how I evaluate cases, prepare for trial, and advise clients from the moment they walk into my office.

What I Learned as a Prosecutor

My years in the Collin County District Attorney's Office gave me opportunities that continue to shape the way I practice law.

I prosecuted a wide variety of criminal cases. I worked with law enforcement officers, reviewed investigations, prepared cases for trial, and presented evidence to juries.

That experience taught me how prosecutors analyze evidence, how charging decisions are made, and what they look for when deciding whether to negotiate or proceed to trial.

Just as important, it taught me what happens when an investigation falls short.

A prosecutor wants to believe the investigation is complete and reliable. Most of the time, the information available comes from law enforcement reports, witness statements, and physical evidence collected during the investigation. As I gained experience, I began to recognize that not every investigation was as thorough as it should have been.

That realization ultimately influenced my decision to become a criminal defense attorney.

Why I Chose Criminal Defense

People sometimes assume that criminal defense attorneys spend their careers trying to help guilty people avoid responsibility.

That is not how I view my role.

Our criminal justice system is designed to be adversarial. Prosecutors represent the State. Defense attorneys represent the individual. The system only works when both sides do their jobs.

Every person accused of a crime deserves someone whose sole responsibility is protecting that person's rights.

Sometimes, after carefully reviewing the evidence, the appropriate outcome is accepting responsibility and negotiating the best possible resolution.

Other times, the evidence is weak, the investigation is incomplete, or constitutional protections were ignored.

In either situation, every client deserves an attorney who is prepared to evaluate the facts independently rather than assuming the accusation is correct.

That perspective grew out of my experience as a prosecutor.

Understanding How Prosecutors Think

One advantage of having served as a prosecutor is understanding how criminal cases are evaluated inside a prosecutor's office.

Before making recommendations to a client, I ask many of the same questions a prosecutor is likely asking:

• Is the evidence reliable?

• Can the witnesses be believed?

• Are there weaknesses in the investigation?

• Will this evidence hold up before a jury?

• Are there legal issues that could limit what evidence is admitted?

Understanding how prosecutors analyze cases allows me to identify strengths and weaknesses earlier in the process.

That experience also helps me anticipate arguments the State is likely to make if the case proceeds to trial.

Experience Trying Cases Matters

Many criminal cases resolve before trial.

That does not mean trial preparation is optional.

One lesson I learned as a prosecutor is that courtroom experience changes the way lawyers evaluate cases. Prosecutors know which defense attorneys are prepared to try cases and which attorneys are likely to recommend a plea regardless of the evidence.

Over the years, I tried numerous criminal cases against experienced defense lawyers. Some were exceptionally prepared. Others were not.

Watching successful trial lawyers work taught me valuable lessons about preparation, credibility, and persuasion.

Today, every case I handle is prepared as though it could ultimately be presented to a jury.

Preparing thoroughly from the beginning often improves negotiations because the State knows the defense is ready if trial becomes necessary.

Recognizing Weak Investigations

Perhaps the greatest benefit of my prosecutorial experience is my ability to recognize when an investigation was not completed properly.

Police officers work under difficult conditions, and many perform their jobs professionally. At the same time, no investigation should be accepted at face value simply because an arrest was made.

I have reviewed countless investigations over the years. I know what a thorough investigation looks like, and I know what important steps are sometimes overlooked.

When reviewing a criminal case, I look for questions such as:

• Were all available witnesses interviewed?

• Was physical evidence collected and documented?

• Did investigators visit the scene and preserve relevant evidence?

• Were alternative explanations considered?

• Does the objective evidence support the allegations?

These questions often reveal issues that are not obvious from reading a police report alone.

Domestic Violence Cases Show Why Investigation Matters

Domestic violence cases provide a good example of why careful investigation is so important.

In many situations, officers must make decisions quickly based on limited information.

That reality is understandable.

However, after an arrest is made, the investigation should not stop with one person's statement.

Photographs, scene documentation, witness interviews, video recordings, medical records, and electronic communications may all help establish what actually occurred.

Sometimes those additional steps confirm the allegations.

Sometimes they tell a very different story.

My job is to determine whether the available evidence supports the accusation or whether important facts were overlooked.

Every Client Deserves an Independent Review

An arrest is not proof that a crime occurred.

It is the beginning of a legal process.

One reason I became a criminal defense attorney is because I believe every person deserves an independent review of the evidence before decisions are made about their future.

That means looking beyond assumptions.

It means reviewing reports, video, witness statements, and physical evidence with a critical eye.

Most importantly, it means holding the State to its burden of proof.

What You Should Look for in a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges in McKinney, Collin County, or Dallas County, experience matters.

When evaluating a criminal defense attorney, consider questions such as:

• Has the attorney handled cases like yours?

• Does the attorney have courtroom experience?

• Does the attorney prepare cases for trial?

• Does the attorney understand how prosecutors evaluate evidence?

• Will the attorney independently investigate your case rather than relying solely on police reports?

These questions can help you make an informed decision about your representation.

Talk With a McKinney Criminal Defense Attorney

My years as a prosecutor gave me valuable experience, but they also reinforced something fundamental about our justice system. Every person deserves an advocate who is willing to examine the evidence carefully, challenge unsupported assumptions, and prepare every case as though it could be tried before a jury.

If you have been charged with a crime in McKinney, Collin County, or Dallas County, I will evaluate your case based on the facts, the evidence, and the law. I will explain your options honestly and develop a strategy based on your specific circumstances.

Call my office for a confidential consultation.

Citations

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/criminal_justice/standards/DefenseFunctionFourthEdition/

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/criminal_justice/standards/ProsecutionFunctionFourthEdition/