Houston, Harris County Sexual Assault, Indecency, Exposure, Child Injury Endangerment Cases > Recent Results

If you’ve been accused of, have a warrant, or are under investigation for:

• Sexual Assault of an Adult
• Aggravated Sexual Assault
• Sexual Assault of a Child [14-17]
• Sexual Performance by a Child
• Indecency with Child
• Indecent Exposure
• Prostitution
• Injury to Child
• Child Endangerment
• Child Abandonment
• Injury to Disabled Person
• Injury to Elderly

Call us to speak with top winning

HOUSTON SEX OFFENDER / CHILD CRIMES DEFENSE ATTORNEY

CARL D. HAGGARD

The Haggard Law Firm

“JUSTICE DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN”

Carl Haggard’s sterling reputation for integrity makes him one of Harris County’s most-respected criminal defense attorneys.

Clients rely on Carl Haggard’s expertise:

• Former Harris County District Court Chief Prosecutor
• Nationally Certified Mediator-Arbitrator –  Triple Certification
• Nationally-Known Author and Speaker on Civil Rights
• Washington, DC Speech-Maker on Constitutional Issues
• Licensed to Practice in the United States Supreme Court
• Honors Graduate from Law School – Cum Laude
• Former UH Adjunct Professor of Law
• Thousands of Cases and Trials Handled

RESULTS ARE WHAT COUNT

Houston Sex Crimes / Child Crimes Defense Attorney Carl Haggard is at the forefront of Harris County Criminal Defense Attorneys with a proven track record of winning results for clients charged with Sexual Assault, Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault of Child [14-17], Sexual Performance of a Child, Indecency with Child, Indecent Exposure, Prostitution, Child Endangerment, Child Abandonment, Injury to Disabled Person, Injury to Elderly or related offenses.

SAMPLE HARRIS COUNTY SEX OFFENDER / CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN CASE VICTORIES*

Case Synopses and Testimonials included with some of these cases; clients have given written permission for use of Testimonial.

Actual Dismissals only are listed, not “Dismissals” granted after  Deferred Adjudication.

Dismissals and “Not Guilty” verdicts may be verified for accuracy using the listed case numbers through the County Clerk’s office except for those noted as expunged in civil actions filed by Mr. Haggard.

Our Latest “Not Guilty” Verdict
INDECENT EXPOSURE
Case No. 1474752 – Daniel M.
JURY TRIAL VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
Dan had a prior probation for the same offense. Dan’s professional plans could not support a second offense of the same type so we tried the case. Through skillful argumentation and cross-examination Carl Haggard was able to prove the inconsistencies in Complainant’s testimony.

Just before receiving my doctoral degree, I was wrongfully accused of Indecent Exposure. Mr. Haggard’s prior experience as a Chief Prosecutor and many years experience as a defense attorney proved invaluable to getting my “Not Guilty” verdict. The energy and determination he exhibited in the courtroom against an aggreessive prosecution were instrumental to the successful outcome of the case. His final arguments in the case were electrifying and clearly brought out the important points leaving the jury no choice but to return a “Not Guilty” verdict.

Carl was exactly what we needed for my husband’s case. He is professional & very knowledgeable about the law but more importantly he understood our emotions and helped calm our fears. Regarding the actual trial, Mr. Haggard helped us prepare by explaining what to expect. Not knowing is often more fear-provoking than anything – Carl told us at each step in the process what would happen and he counseled us on how to respond. I have no doubt that Carl Haggard won our case because of his years of experience in the DA’s office especially as Chief Prosecutor.

SEXUAL ASSAULT OF AN ADULT
Case No. 1300842 – Franklin N.
GRAND JURY NO-BILL  July 14, 2011
Franklin was dealing with a lying, conniving ex-wife in this case.  At the time of the incident, they were still going through a divorce (for a marriage that she had conned him into by pregnancies which always seemed to “miscarry”).   Motivated by jealousy over a new woman on the scene, she went to police with an allegation of rape and then to the hospital for the necessary medical forensics testing.  Franklin submitted to a DNA sample which was found to match.  Moreover, the Prosecutors and Grand Jury had access to a half-hour recorded audio conversation between Franklin and the Complainant in which he admitted to forcing himself on her.  We exploited several factors to secure this early No-Bill to prevent an Indictment:  Although the tape had incriminating evidence against Franklin, it also held – for the careful listener [which we were] – other statements of Complainant which tended to exculpate Franklin and which we carefully pointed out to the Prosecutors and the Grand Jury; we secured umpteen pages of texts showing a non-hostile relationship in the weeks and days preceding the alleged assault; we obtained and presented many financial records showing Franklin had paid many bills on her behalf even after the alleged assault - and yet she was obviously not afraid to accept his help.  Our biggest stumbling block was without a doubt the recorded audio tape of Franklin admitting to using violence.   Mr. Haggard carefully and ethically advised Franklin, in writing, as to how exactly to testify before the Grand Jury without perjuring himself or telling any lies.  Our persuasive presentation of our evidence and our meticulous preparation of Franklin for this all-important testimony succeeded brilliantly and we obtained our desired outcome – a No-Bill by the Grand Jury. 
in this case.  At the time of the incident, they were still going through a divorce (for a marriage that she had conned him into by pregnancies which always seemed to “miscarry”).   Motivated by jealousy over a new woman on the scene, she went to police with an allegation of rape and then to the hospital for the necessary medical forensics testing.  Franklin submitted to a DNA sample which was found to match.  Moreover, the Prosecutors and Grand Jury had access to a half-hour recorded audio conversation between Franklin and the Complainant in which he admitted to forcing himself on her.  We exploited several factors to secure this early No-Bill to prevent an Indictment:  Although the tape had incriminating evidence against Franklin, it also held – for the careful listener [which we were] – other statements of Complainant which tended to exculpate Franklin and which we carefully pointed out to the Prosecutors and the Grand Jury; we secured umpteen pages of texts showing a non-hostile relationship in the weeks and days preceding the alleged assault; we obtained and presented many financial records showing Franklin had paid many bills on her behalf even after the alleged assault – and yet she was obviously not afraid to accept his help.  Our biggest stumbling block was without a doubt the recorded audio tape of Franklin admitting to using violence.   Mr. Haggard carefully and ethically advised Franklin, in writing, as to how exactly to testify before the Grand Jury without perjuring himself or telling any lies.  Our persuasive presentation of our evidence and our meticulous preparation of Franklin for this all-important testimony succeeded brilliantly and we obtained our desired outcome – a No-Bill by the Grand Jury.�

2 COUNTS OF RAPE [SEXUAL ASSAULT OF AN ADULT]
Case No. 1119360, 1119361 – Daniel H.
DISMISSED
The DA’s were confident in their evidence of violence and physical force in these two rape cases but we were able to prove otherwise, although a prior consenting relationship between Dan and Complainant complicated matters. Eyewitness evidence, two impregnable alibis, plus incriminating impeachment evidence showing Complainant to be a mentally-ill and jealous individual [Dan had reconciled with an old girlfriend just prior to these allegations] were among some of the legal maneuvers we used to clear Dan of these false accusations. 

DID YOU KNOW… ?    If a victim of sexual assault tells the examining physician who did it, this hearsay testimony can be admitted [into evidence at Trial]. How? Under a little-known rule called “the diagnosis and treatment hearsay exception“. In some cases, the ID of the alleged assailant is construed as “a statement made for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment” and therefore, in these cases, falls under this exception. Guzman v. State, _S.W.3d_, 2008 WL 383438 (Tex. App. No. 10-06-00315-CR–Waco Feb 13, 2008)

SEXUAL ASSAULT OF AN ADULT
Case No. 720091 – Charles O.
COURT TRIAL VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
This was a one-witness rape allegation, but the relationship was consensual. A very difficult decision was to waive a jury trial and try the case to the Judge. Mr. Haggard in his cross-examination brought a number of important discrepancies in the Complainant’s story to light through his keen Cross-Examination, relieving our client of the risk of testifying.

During a time when my legal issues placed me in an all or none situation, Carl Haggard was there for me. He guided me through and represented me in a professional and personal way, always being honest and informative with me. Thanks to Mr. Haggard I got 15-20 years – with my family!
~ Charles O.

AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT
Case 884107 – Angel H.
DISMISSED WHILE SET FOR TRIAL

SEXUAL ASSAULT OF AN ADULT
Case No. 752352 – Richard A.
DISMISSED 

DID YOU KNOW…  ?   Whether or not to allow a child victim to testify at Trial is at the discretion of the Judge (with an abuse of discretion standard applied) and depends on these four factors.

SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD [14-17]
Case No. 1163148 – Harless A.
GRAND JURY NO BILL
The Complainant in this case was the 15-year-old stepdaughter of our client, Harless. Complainant had a history of mental disturbance. Prior to the alleged molestation she had shown many well-documented behavioral anomalies indicating mental illness. This, combined with adroit lying and sexual precocity, led her to vow to get her stepfather “out of the house” – which her own mother testified to as a witness. Harless had become the default disciplinarian – but a good one – due to diabetes which prevented him from working while his wife, Complainant’s mother, was away working long hours. The triggering incident was Harless’ appropriate confiscation of Complainant’s cell phone for repeated violations of its rules of use. Complainant immediately fabricated an outlandish story but shot herself in the foot by making the date of the alleged assault several weeks prior to her outcry. Our vigorous defense included documenting several incidents proving Complainant’s modus operandi of making allegations of sexual abuse for various ulterior motives such as accusing a classmate of sexual harassment because she was angry at him and a separate claim of rape by another Defendant during the pendency of this case. The officer who took the report of this rape was a very good witness for us – he stated he “didn’t quite believe her”. The time lag between the alleged molestation and the outcry to school counselors was significant. CPS got involved and polygraph tests were taken by our client and Complainant. We interviewed witnesses and reviewed all CPS and police video and audio statements. Other evidence which helped our case was irrefutable documentation of Complainant’s story changes on this and the rape incident. As one witness put it and as Mr. Haggard so ably proved, in getting her stepfather arrested she “acted as if she had won a game” – a game that she was playing with everyone’s lives. In several meetings with Prosecutors we put together a compelling presentation of the evidence in favor of our client’s innocence. Mr. Haggard moved to get this case before the Grand Jury as soon as feasible and obtained a No-Bill prior to setting the case for Trial.

DID YOU KNOW….?  The fact that a minor lies convincingly about their age is NOT a defense. This was formerly an affirmative defense but no longer… Learn more.

INDECENCY WITH CHILD – 2nd Degree Felony
Case No. 1273982 – Fred T.
DISMISSED October 26, 2010
Fred was the innocent victim of an outrageous lie concocted by his teenaged stepdaughter that he had been making improper advances to her repeatedly over time culminating in her outcry of indecent touching several months later after she unwittingly set him up. Typically for such cases, her motive was jealousy of her new baby brother and hatred of her new stepfather. Complicating the abnormal psychology of it was her own obvious but unstated attraction to her stepfather – despite her strange desire to be rid of him – and her awareness of her mother’s jealousy. Threads of truth, both stated and unstated, ran through her first statement and her second, retracting statement. We prevailed with the DA’s office to accept the retraction, an acceptance helped in part by her bizarre background: Previous to this case, she had made puerile attempts to kill the baby and stepfather and then a more serious attempt to kill herself. Medical, psychiatric, counseling and CPS records after this suicide attempt abounded to prove the jealousy motive as well as her unbalanced mental and emotional state. 

DID YOU KNOW… ?  If you decide to plead guilty to a 3g offense, we can probably obtain deferred adjudication for you [limitations apply]; the minimum term is five years … and … if the victim was a child you will be required to receive sex offender counseling. See our FAQ for more information.

INDECENCY WITH CHILD
Case No Expunged by HLF – James C.
DISMISSED WHILE SET FOR TRIAL
The teenaged daughter of our client’s girlfriend made some quite compelling allegations against our client and resolutely maintained them throughout a lengthy prosecution involving CPS. Mr. Haggard was able to exonerate our client by proving, among other legal defenses, the Complainant’s motivations to fabricate and to persist in such outrageous lies. All criminal records were later successfully expunged by Mr. Haggard after a civil court trial that was hotly contested by various government agency lawyers. James was a police cadet at the time of this false charge. At the writing of this testimonial, client is a police officer.

I was a police officer cadet with a bright future, then lightning struck. I was looking at a 2nd degree felony that might have destroyed my life and ruined my law enforcement career; but Mr. Haggard, like a knight in armor, came to my rescue. With unstoppable dedication & professionalism, he fought for me. I’ll be forever grateful.
~ Gilbert C.

INDECENT EXPOSURE
Case No. 1554521- Robert E.
DISMISSED
Robert was walking in public and, although not indecent according to the the letter of the statute, was told by a police officer to put on more clothing, which he did. A second officer, overstepping his authority and the bounds of the law, then arrested Robert in violation of his rights saying, “I don’t know if what you’re doing is illegal – but let’s find out.” He managed to get charges filed but Mr. Haggard, always zealous to defend against unconstitutional prosecution, prevailed in the courtroom.

Mr. Haggard went above and beyond in his hard work. He got my case dismissed despite repeated delays. His ability is without peer. His experience with my kind of case proved invaluable.
~ Robert E.

INDECENT EXPOSURE
Case No. 9825271 – Matthew M.
JURY TRIAL VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
Our client was accused of indecently exposing himself to an off-duty HPD robbery detective. Mr. Haggard utilized the services of his investigator/expert to impeach the testimony of the arresting officer.

Mr. Haggard was more nervous than I was during the final deliberation because he cared.
~ Matthew M.

Dear Mr. Haggard and Staff: We would like to sincerely thank you for the great outcome of Matt’s case. It was such an unpleasant situation, but the final result made the insult, inconvenience and expense pale in comparison. Mr. Haggard, you are such a good attorney! We have such admiration and respect for your professionalism and skill (what great cross-examination!!) You are so thorough & tenacious and as we remember watching you FIGHT for Matt it is apparent why you have the successful record you have.
~ Client’s Mother

INDECENT EXPOSURE
Case No. 9826338 – Alfred L.
JURY TRIAL VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
Client was accused of exposing himself in front of a female high school student across from a school.

Mr. Haggard got the investigator to gather information, prepared me well for testifying, coordinated a lot of character witnesses, and had total great preparation. Mr. Haggard was tremendous in trial and the Jury appeared to like him because he moved the case along fast to show I was innocent. The Jury came back very quickly in my favor. I thank Mr. Haggard for clearing my name and giving me my life back.
~ Alfred L.

INDECENT EXPOSURE
Case No. 9538867 – Joseph R.
DISMISSED WHILE ON PROBATION
After a contested hearing Mr. Haggard obtained a Dismissal of the Indecent Exposure and our client was able to remain on probation and return to his home state to finish it.

If it were not for Mr. Haggard, I would be in prison. He arranged it so I could leave Texas & not be in prison 10 years. I am convinced Mr.Haggard SAVED MY LIFE!
~ Joseph R.

PROSTITUTION
Case No. 1686218 – Estevan C.
DISMISSED WHILE ON HARRIS CO. FELONY PCS PROBATION – August 10, 2010
This was a sting operation in which Estevan was approached by a wired undercover police officer. He asked, “Are you a cop?” She said, “No, I’m not a cop. Are you?” He replied, “No – I’m on probation”. She then proceeded to solicit him and to try to entrap him by making himsay the right words to be able to arrest him under the statute. Particular attention was paid to whether Estevan actually said “yes” or only nodded assent – we argued the latter – and whether the other statutory requirements were met, such as agreeing to a price. We argued that he was not caught on tape sufficiently, agreeing only to “go over there and talk.” After this the arresting officer told him they had him on tape but ensuing discussion among the officers indicated confusion as to whether or not they had enough and the right kind of evidence to get a conviction. Estevan asked to hear the tape for himself but the response was, “You can hear it in court”. Charges were filed but we fought the case on the evidence and won a Dismissal despite the fact he was on felony probation for PCS.

PROSTITUTION
Case No Expunged by Mr. Haggard – Zephia R.
INSTRUCTED VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY
A jury trial was waived and trial was to the Judge because Mr. Haggard noted that the D.A.’s charging instrument was faulty. An Instructed Verdict of “Not Guilty” was entered when Mr. Haggard pointed out the faulty charging instrument to the Judge.

I was falsely charged with prostitution by undercover “Vice Officers”…Mr. Haggard calmed our fears by teaching us court etiquette & procedure as well as prosecution and defense manner of questioning. After the Judge had heard the prosecution side only, Mr. Haggard got the charges dismissed due to his attention to detail & knowledge of the law.
~ Zephia R. 

DID YOU KNOW… ?  Injury to Child, Child Abandonment, or Child Endangerment cases are INELIGIBLE to be sealed after a deferred Dismissal.  Moreover, if you have ever pleaded guilty to an Injury to Child, Child Abandonment, or Child Endangerment case you thereby render yourself INELIGIBLE to have any FUTURE case, no matter what the offense, sealed. [TEX. GOV'T CODE Sec.411.081 (e)(1)-(4).]

INJURY TO CHILD UNDER 15 – 3RD DEGREE FELONY
Case No. 1242215 – Laura M.
DISMISSED while set for Jury Trial December 2, 2010
This case involved emotionally-disturbed – yet manipulative – stepchildren, (which we had to sufficiently prove), a nasty divorce and ongoing custody proceedings, and a jealous, scheming ex-wife. The Complainant was Laura’s stepdaughter, who told her things like, “I don’t like you; I want my mom and dad back together.” All of this was a set-up for disaster when, while Christmas shopping in the mall in 2009, the seven-year-old Complainant/stepdaughter went to the bathroom on herself. Laura took her into the store bathroom to clean her up and gave her a spanking: she had a frequent history of acting out and doing such things on purpose when she didn’t get her way. The other stepdaughter overheard the crying during the spanking and both told their mother Laura had slammed her face into the bathroom wall. A bruise appeared later on Complainant’s cheek the size of a quarter of which the prosecution claimed they possessed “indisutable photographic evidence”. The children told CPS Laura put make-up on her face to cover it the same day. Laura admitted to the makeup – but not for camouflage. Complainant’s younger sister, with a known school record for aggression, had hit her in the car on the way home after the bathroom episode – and we had witnesses to this as well – but we weren’t out of the woods yet. The 3 stepchildren lied to police detectives and to CPS in several taped interviews, saying Laura had told them to “beat each other up”, so whether Laura inflicted the wound or the sibling had – either way it was Laura’s fault. Overall, there were just too many disturbing lies told by the stepchildren for a facile resolution of this case. We struggled valiantly nevertheless to overcome them all. We supoenaed surveillance video from the store which provided clear evidence only that Laura and Complainant entered and exited the bathroom and that Complainant’s hand was hovering near her face as they exited. The DA’s exclaimed, “There; she’s rubbing her bruised cheek!“ We had several eyewitnesses to the event, including one of Laura’s own children, who testified that her hand went to her face to wipe away tears with a tissue after her deserved spanking – not to rub her “smashed face”. Due to the lies, the machinations of the mother over visitation, the ongoing custody proceedings in family court, and the number of witnesses involved, this complex case lasted over a year. In our policy of omitting nothing that could help our defense, we filed Briefs on a No Contact Order, worked with Amended Conditions of Bond issues, a civil court Protective Order, obtained certified copies of the divorce and custody proceedings in preparation for Trial, filed Evidence, Witness and Expert Disclosures, Discovery and a slough of other Trial Motions. The mother denied visitation during the pendency of the case and so we had to work with the family and criminal law courts to obtain Temporary Orders for Visitation; unstoppable, she then tried to get CPS to revoke vistation on the basis of her children’s lies… A major breakthrough in the case happened when Mr. Haggard shrewdly advised Laura’s husband to bring the stepchildren to our office and successfully and ethically obtained written confessions from them which we planned to use in Court in admissible form. We thought we had victory in our hip pocket when, after we arranged a meeting between prosecutors and the Complainant, the Complainant reverted to her former lies; the DA’s quite naturally said it had been coerced. Weakened but not prostrated, we continued the fight continued until better heads prevailed in the DA’s office who declined to go against Mr. Haggard at Trial fearing his cross-examination would give the lie to the lies.

Mr. Haggard and his staff have been praised over and over again at our home. When I was notified by police conecerning the case my heart sank. I was in total shock and very scared. I didn’t hesitate when I read Mr. Haggard’s website. I contacted the office and immediately decided to retain him to help prove these allegations were completely false. Dealing with children, stepchildren, spouses, Mr. Haggard must have a great amount of patience, wisdom and understanding for the family unit and tis great importance. He accepted my case and helped to keep our family from being torn apart by a jealous, angry ex-spouse. We did exactly as Mr. Haggard instructed: ‘Take a deep breath and understand this is a process…’ When things got rough Mr. Haggard and staff were always there to explain and calm the situation. Without their guidance and great experience and knowledge of the criminal and family court systems, I’m not sure how things would have ended. But it is just that – THE END – my case was dismissed !!! with the persistence and guidance of Mr. Haggard, who never backed down or wavered before the Harris County DA’s Office. He is a wonderful and very knowledgeable attorney.

Thank you God for leading us to Mr. Haggard and blessing him with the knowledge and wisdom to guide his clients and protect them to the very end.
~ Laura M. [via email]

INJURY TO CHILD
Case No. 1153203 – Shacresha R.
DISMISSED
Shacresha opened the door to police holding a knife in her hand in self-defense from her teenaged son who had attacked her. Police, angered by her statement that they had not helped her despite several prior calls to them on similar incidents, wrote in the Offense Report that she said she was going to kill her son. We presented sufficient evidence to the Grand Jury – injuries to our client and her home from her son, eyewitness testimony to this and prior violent incidents, documentation of her son’s history of violent acts – that they found our client not guilty.

INJURY TO CHILD
Case No. 1105664 – Ulises A.
DISMISSED
Our client was accused of spanking his 6-year-old stepson with a belt in punishment for his disruptive behavior at school. Police observed marks on the child’s back and arm consistent with a belt, which was tagged into evidence after photographs were taken and the child stated that the blows had caused him pain. Mr. Haggard was able to obtain a Dismissal using evidence, among other legal defenses, that the punishment had been appropriate and some blows fell on the child’s back due to the child’s squirming.

INJURY TO CHILD
Case No. 1067182 – Ejaeta T.
GRAND JURY NO-BILL
Our client was babysitting a boy having trouble walking; at the ER he was found to have a spiral fracture of the thigh and our client was accused. Although doctors and the prosecutors did not believe our client, the evidence did not add up, which Mr. Haggard skillfully proved. Further, Mr. Haggard obtained medical testimony supporting the probability that the injury was older than claimed. Mr. Haggard also made the right call in allowing our client to testify before the Grand Jury, something he does not always recommend, even though most defendants are eager to do so. Finally, Mr. Haggard used his experience to carefully prepare our client for the Grand Jury.

Mr. Haggard believed in my case and that I was telling the truth. He encouraged me to go before the Grand Jury. And the outcome was so successful.
~ Ejaeta T.

INJURY TO CHILD
Case No. 1057260 – Faraz S.
DISMISSED
Faraz was a good and concerned stepfather who used judiciously-administered corporal punishment, which he also uses on his own children, treating all equally. However, the stepson had emotional problems and played the victim game off his mother’s sympathies as well as to police. Mr. Haggard, having had a great deal of experience with manipulative children in cases like this, informed Farza about the best way to deal with CPS, and what to do to increase our chances of a Dismissal. Faraz followed Mr. Haggard’s instructions wihch helped him to obtain a Dismissal prior to setting it for trial.

INJURY TO CHILD
Case 885401 – Reginald J.
DISMISSED AT PRE-TRIAL MOTION HEARING
Reggie was a gentle individual who often played with his girlfriend’s young child. After the child was found by doctors to have very serious injuries, he was charged with this offense so completely out of line with his character. Reggie maintained his innocence so we aggressively pursued a Pre-Trial Dismissal. We were ready to take the case to Trial but Mr. Haggard won a Dismissal during Motions based in part on his proving that there was a lack of sufficient evidence, medical and otherwise, to find beyond a reasonable doubt that our client had injured the child. 

DID YOU KNOW… ?  Injury to Child, Child Abandonment, or Child Endangerment cases are INELIGIBLE to be sealed after a deferred Dismissal.  Moreover, if you have ever pleaded guilty to an Injury to Child, Child Abandonment, or Child Endangerment case you thereby render yourself INELIGIBLE to have any FUTURE case, no matter what the offense, sealed. [TEX. GOV'T CODE Sec.411.081 (e)(1)-(4).]

ENDANGERING A CHILD
Case No. 1271814 – Brandt J.
NO-BILLED BY GRAND JURY Oct. 15, 2010
When our client went to buy his wife her second wedding anniversary present, she asked if he would take their infant daughter along so she could have some free time. A very loving dad, he happily agreed. He was supremely grateful for the shopper who noticed his daughter left alone in the car at the toney shopping center – but not for the welcome the police gave him when he frantically returned to his car after remembering her some thirty minutes later. The windows were rolled up, the engine was off, and worse – the door beside the baby had been left unlocked. He had unwittingly exposed his precious baby to both heat stroke and kidnapping. Fortunately she was unharmed but was fair-skinned; her red color after being in the heat was alarming. She was transported to Texas Children’s Hospital while her distraught father was arrested. CPS came to the hospital and again to the home to decide whether this was an instance of a truly abusive parent or an almost unbelievable memory lapse. We proved the latter by demonstrating evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that Brandt was a good father but unaccustomed to child care because he works all the time. We provided testimony from such witnesses as a Sr. Captain with the Houston Fire Dept, a licensed social worker, and his pastor. ironically, the HFD captain testified that Brandt had attended a certified class to learn the safest way for his daughter to be protected when in a vehicle. He also testified of the number of times this happens each day in Houston and that based on his experience and knowledge, this incident was not an act of culpable neglect. We were able to obtain a No-Bill without the requirement of a parenting class as we sufficiently demonstrated that Brandt was an excellent father who simply got distracted.

ENDANGERING A CHILD
Case No. 1258530 – Bill L.
DISMISSED July 7, 2010
Bill was accused of endangering his young son due to reckless driving. He was spinning his four-wheel drive vehicle in an off-road area when it flipped over. Police and ambulance arrived at a confused accident scene to find several people in various stages of injury and intoxication exiting the vehicle and a young boy standing near the vehicle. There was confusion among the witnesses as to whether the child had been inside the vehicle. The child was found to have sustained minor injuries to the chest. Our defense included proving that the child could not have been inside the vehicle when it actually rolled but injured himself in another manner in the aftermath.

ENDANGERING A CHILD
Case No. 1240698 – Carlton N.
DISMISSED February 25, 2010
Carlton’s rambunctious two-year old boy crawled under a hole in the fence dug by the dog twice in two days. The first time neighbors found him without incident but the second time the police were called. The story looks bad on the face of it but there were reasonable explanations for everything. CPS recommended safety measures which were implemented but the case was indicted and the State prosecuted. We made recommendations which based on our experience with such cases we felt would enhance our chances of a Dismissal. Carlton did everything perfectly including paying for several private Christian parenting classes. We presented evidence from friends, day-care owners, and doctors of Carlton’s history as an exemplary, involved parent, as well as showing the unlikely series of events that converged on the day of the incident to allow two escapes to happen in as many days.

ENDANGERING A CHILD
Case No. 1207931 – Aarich M.
NO-BILLED BY GRAND JURY April 20, 2009
CPS got involved after Aarich’s precocious two-year-old son was found wandering in the middle of a busy street after unlocking his front door and getting out without his father’s knowledge. A comedy of errors was behind the escape, which we carefully documented by several Affidavits. However, police and prosecutors made their case for neglect, the endangerment of the child’s life, and lack of concern on the part of Aarich for his son’s welfare. CPS made several family members move out while they did a full-scale investigation – although the child’s mother herself is a CPS caseworker. We successfully dealt with CPS, ensured safety modifications were made to the home and prepared our side of the story and evidence to be presented to the Grand Jury.

ENDANGERING A CHILD
Case No. 1198382 – Michael L.
NO-BILLED BY GRAND JURY April 2, 2009
Michael was living with an aunt whose mental and physical illnesses caused her to allow her house to fall into a dangerous and unhealthy condition. When one of her children called 911 after she had a seizure, Michael was charged with responsibility for the conditions in the home which had endangered the children since he had been living there and had paychecks coming to him at that address. We presented extensive documentation, including the testimony of several relatives, that Michael’s stay could not be considered permanent under the law – despite the paychecks – & proved there was no legal or other binding documentation making him responsible for his cousins’ well-being.

ENDANGERING A CHILD
Case No. 1160133 – Dorian H.
DISMISSED
Dorian left her young daughter alone before her brother, who was to babysit, had arrived, in order to be on time for work. A hostile neighbor, who overheard Dorian tell her daughter goodbye and not to answer the door, called police, who noted several factors in the home which required explanation. The daughter was taken by CPS and placed with relatives during the pendency of the case while we overcame objections to Dorian’s parenting skills and the living conditions she provided for her daughter. Dorian was resigned and on the verge of pleading guilty but Mr. Haggard urged her to hang in there, that he knew how to work these cases and defuse CPS and the prosecution.

I was ready to plead guilty but with his wisdom and experience Mr. Haggard was able to return my child to me without a conviction. I got my daughter back. God bless Mr. Haggard.

ENDANGERING A CHILD
Case No. 928717 – Manjit S.
DISMISSED
Manjit was discovered by the police in an intoxicated state while the sole caretaker for an infant in the crawling stage. The infant was found on a sofa which was near a glass table upon which was a sharp knife. Mr. Haggard obtained a Dismissal after using his extensive experience dealing with CPS to successfully defuse them and the prosecution.

ABANDONING/ENDANGERING CHILD WITH INTENT TO RETURN
Case No. 12571890 – Tasha D.
DISMISSED BY FIRST COURT APPEARANCE April 23, 2010
Tasha was an insurance adjuster/busy mom who picked up her two children, ages three and five years, from daycare before stopping at the store. She left them inside the car with the windows cracked. Knowing exactly where the two items she intended to purchase were located, she knew she would not be long. She afterwards estimated it was not over ten minutes. [We were able to prove using cell phone records, receipt information, and drive time from daycare to store that she was inside the store for approx. eight minutes.] Upon returning to her car she discovered that she had parked next to an undercover police officer who was now standing beside it. He proceeded to throw her on the ground and threaten her with resisting arrest as she tried to call her husband to come get the children so they wouldn’t be given to CPS. These latter two events did not transpire but she was charged with Child Abandonment. We researched then argued the several strong points in the case which were in our favor, factors which we have learned over the years to be aids to a Dismissal, and combined this with an impressive array of character and professional references.

I searched and interviewed many attorneys. At my meeting with Mr. Haggard, he advised me what he felt would help me obtain the desired outcome. I listened to his advice and my case was dismissed on our first appearance. Mr. Haggard is worth every dollar.
~ Tasha D.

INJURY TO DISABLED PERSON
Case No. 1094304 – Stacey G.
GRAND JURY NO-BILL
Stacey had a prior record of probation for Injury to Child. Her own daughter was the disabled person, taken to the hospital for a seizure, after which she died. After doctors informed police Stacey’s daughter had not died of natural causes, police questioned her extensively and detained her at the hospital while they searched her home in spite of her refusal to give written consent. CPS got involved, taking our client’s four other children for investigation. Mr. Haggard obtained and evaluated the evidence of injury, which included the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report and medical records from five treating physicians, as well as school records, and prepared an extensive Brief for the Grand Jury. He then made the critical decision to allow Stacey to testify before the Grand Jury after carefully and thoroughly preparing her for this difficult testimony.

INJURY TO ELDERLY PERSON
Case No. 853936 – Melva B.
DISMISSED
Melva was charged with injuring her elderly mother. We disputed both the presence and extent of any alleged injuries as well as that of malicious intent and negligence on the part of our client.

Mr. Haggard is a good lawyer but a friend also.
~ Melva B.