Lewis & Ashworth are former prosecutors with 26+ combined years of experience and 250+ jury trials in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. The resources below are designed to make it easier for the professionals around our clients—and clients themselves—to navigate the Texas criminal justice system. Select your audience above or scroll to explore.
For Referring Attorneys
Family, Civil & Other Practice-Area Attorneys
Criminal charges surface inside family law, probate, and civil matters every day. Here’s how to recognize when a shared client needs criminal defense counsel—and what to expect when you refer to Lewis & Ashworth.
When to Refer a Family Law Client
- Client was arrested or charged while a family law case is pending
- A protective order (EPO, MOEP, or final PO) was issued against your client
- Opposing counsel is leveraging a criminal allegation in custody or divorce proceedings
- Client has a prior record eligible for expunction or non-disclosure
- Client received a grand jury subpoena or is under criminal investigation
- Client made statements to police without counsel and needs immediate representation
When to Refer a Civil / Business Litigation Client
- Client faces a parallel criminal investigation alongside the civil suit
- Client received a target letter from a DA or federal prosecutor
- Employees were arrested in connection with a white-collar investigation
- Corporate records were seized by law enforcement
- Client needs a Fifth Amendment assertion strategy during a civil deposition
- Business partner or co-defendant faces embezzlement, fraud, or theft charges
Texas Statutes & Court Resources
Official statutes for all criminal offenses in Texas
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
Procedural rules governing all Texas criminal cases
Texas Family Code — Protective Orders (Ch. 85)
Governs the issuance of POs and their intersection with criminal charges
Texas State Bar — Ethics & Referral Rules
Guidance on attorney referral fees and co-counsel disclosures
DFW County Court Links
Dallas County — Criminal Courts
Case status and court information for Dallas County
Collin County District Clerk — Case Records
Criminal case search for Collin County matters
Case records and schedules for Denton County
Tarrant County Criminal District Courts
Criminal court information for Fort Worth / Tarrant County
Referral Coordination
Lewis & Ashworth welcome co-counsel conversations and will communicate status updates with referring attorneys who have a signed authorization from the shared client. Same-day consultations available. Call 214-239-8007 or contact us online.
For Substance Abuse Counselors & Treatment Providers
Supporting Clients Through the Criminal Process
Treatment providers are often the first professionals a client contacts. Your documentation and testimony can materially affect bond hearings, plea negotiations, and sentencing outcomes.
How Treatment Providers Support a Criminal Defense
- Document treatment engagement promptly. A letter on clinical letterhead confirming enrollment, attendance, and progress is powerful mitigation evidence at bond hearings and plea negotiations.
- Understand court-mandated standards. Texas deferred adjudication for drug offenses often requires a CSATP-compliant assessment. Courts accept documentation meeting this standard.
- Support DWI program referrals. Courts frequently mandate a DWI Education Program or DWI Intervention Program. Knowing approved providers ensures client compliance.
- Protect confidentiality correctly. 42 CFR Part 2 governs substance abuse record confidentiality. Releases must be specifically worded. Lewis & Ashworth can provide a compliant release form.
- Coordinate with probation requirements. Clients on community supervision must meet treatment conditions. Communicate proactively with CSCD officers.
Referral Checklist: Client Facing Criminal Charges
- Confirm client has retained or been appointed criminal defense counsel
- Obtain a properly worded 42 CFR Part 2 release before sharing any records
- Document the date treatment began—pre-charge enrollment is viewed more favorably
- Prepare a progress letter (attendance, compliance, prognosis) if requested by defense counsel
- Assess whether client meets criteria for drug court diversion referral
- Flag any court-mandated treatment conditions to avoid probation violations
- Be available to testify as a mitigation witness at sentencing if requested
Note: Texas offers Drug Court programs in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties that may allow clients to complete intensive treatment in lieu of incarceration. Lewis & Ashworth can assess eligibility.
Key Resources for Texas Treatment Providers
Texas HHS — Substance Use Disorder Services
State-funded treatment directory and provider certification information
SAMHSA Treatment Locator (Texas)
Find certified treatment programs in the DFW area
Dallas County Drug Court Program
Eligibility and enrollment for Dallas County adult drug courts
Dallas County Drug Court Program
Eligibility and enrollment for Dallas County adult drug courts
Texas DSHS — Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensing
LCDC licensing requirements and renewal resources
42 CFR Part 2 — Substance Use Record Confidentiality
Federal rules governing disclosure of substance abuse treatment records
Texas DWI Education & Intervention Programs
State-approved DWI education program directory
Texas DWI Education & Intervention Programs
State-approved DWI education program directory
For Bail Bondsmen
Protect Your Investment With Coordinated Representation
Clients with competent legal representation appear in court. Referring clients to experienced criminal defense counsel is one of the most effective risk-management tools a bondsman has.
Texas Bond Conditions: What Bondsmen Need to Know
- Magistrate warnings: After arrest, a magistrate sets bond and attaches conditions—no-contact orders, GPS monitoring, substance testing. Know them before writing the bond.
- PR bonds: Dallas and Tarrant county judges increasingly issue personal recognizance bonds. Monitor your pipeline for impact on premium revenue.
- Forfeiture timelines: Texas CCP Art. 22.02 requires bond forfeiture the day of an FTA. You then have 180 days (the “scire facias” period) to locate and surrender the defendant before final judgment.
- New arrest = bond revocation: A client arrested on new charges while on bond almost always has the original bond revoked. Notify defense counsel immediately.
Bail Bondsman Quick-Reference Checklist
- Confirm defendant has retained criminal defense counsel before writing bond
- Review magistrate’s bond order for all attached conditions
- Verify next court date and confirm with defendant’s attorney
- Obtain signed indemnitor agreement with current contact information
- Set up automated court-date reminders (text/email) for defendant
- Know the scire facias deadline — 180 days from FTA under TX CCP Art. 22.06
- If client misses court, contact Lewis & Ashworth — attorneys can sometimes resolve FTAs before forfeiture is final
- Know your licensing obligations under TX Occ. Code Ch. 1704
Texas Bail Bond Resources
Texas Department of Insurance — Bail Bond Licensing
Licensing requirements, forms, and renewal for Texas bail bondsmen
Texas CCP Ch. 22 — Bond Forfeiture
Complete statutory rules on bond forfeiture and scire facias proceedings
Texas Occupations Code Ch. 1704 — Bail Bond Sureties
Licensing and regulatory requirements for professional bondsmen
Dallas County Magistration Center
Bond setting and initial appearance procedures for Dallas County
Collin County Pretrial Services
Bond conditions monitoring and pretrial services
Texas Professional Bail Agents Association
Industry advocacy, education, and licensing resources
Quick Referral Line
When a client needs criminal defense counsel immediately after release, call Lewis & Ashworth at 214-239-8007. Same-day consultations are available and attorneys can often appear at the initial hearing within 24 hours.
For Probation & Community Supervision Officers
Defense Counsel as a Partner in Supervision
When communication is clear and coordinated, outcomes improve for clients, officers, and the community. Lewis & Ashworth routinely work with CSCD offices throughout DFW to resolve compliance issues before they escalate to revocation.
How Defense Attorneys Support Supervision Caseloads
- Defense counsel can reinforce conditions and legal obligations, reducing officer time on basic compliance calls.
- Attorneys facilitate access to treatment, employment, and counseling resources that keep clients compliant and reduce recidivism.
- When a violation is being considered, defense counsel can negotiate graduated sanctions (TX CCP Art. 42A.751) that avoid a full revocation hearing.
- Lewis & Ashworth appear at CSCD hearings throughout DFW and can expedite scheduling when requested.
Graduated Sanctions: Texas CCP Art. 42A.751 allows courts to impose sanctions short of revocation for technical violations—increased reporting, curfew, electronic monitoring. Lewis & Ashworth pursue these options first in every violation case.
Community Supervision Violation: Defense Checklist
- Client received notice of alleged violation — retain counsel immediately
- Review original conditions of supervision order in full
- Gather documentation of compliance in other conditions (payments, classes, service)
- Contact treatment providers for progress letters on substance-related violations
- Request a pre-hearing conference with supervising officer and CSCD supervisor
- Assess graduated sanctions as an alternative to revocation
- If client tested positive, confirm chain-of-custody and request lab confirmation
- Prepare mitigation evidence for revocation hearing if warranted
Texas CSCD & Probation Resources
TDCJ — Community Justice Assistance Division
Oversight agency for all Texas community supervision departments
Conditions, reporting, and compliance for Dallas County probation
Community supervision and corrections for Tarrant County
Texas CCP Ch. 42A — Community Supervision
Full statutory framework for Texas community supervision
Probation and community supervision services for Collin County
Community supervision services for Denton County defendants
CJAD — Evidence-Based Supervision Programs
Approved intervention and treatment programs for Texas probationers
For Mental Health Providers
Mental Health & Criminal Defense in the DFW Courtroom
Mental health professionals are increasingly vital partners in criminal defense. Lewis & Ashworth work with LPCs, LCSWs, psychologists, and psychiatrists at every stage of the criminal process.
How Providers Contribute to Criminal Cases
- Mitigation letters & reports: Clinical summaries documenting diagnosis, treatment history, and prognosis are powerful at sentencing and plea negotiations, especially for domestic violence, assault, and DWI cases.
- Competency evaluations: If you have concerns about a client’s ability to understand proceedings or assist in their defense, notify defense counsel immediately. Texas CCP Art. 46B governs incompetency proceedings.
- Insanity defense support: Expert testimony regarding a defendant’s mental state at the time of the offense can be the cornerstone of an affirmative insanity defense (TX Penal Code § 8.01).
- Diversion program advocacy: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties all have mental health court or co-occurring disorder court programs. Providers can facilitate referrals and provide required clinical documentation.
- Probation compliance support: Progress letters and condition-compliance documentation directly affect violation outcomes.
Checklist: When a Patient is Involved in a Criminal Matter
- Verify client has criminal defense counsel — if not, refer to Lewis & Ashworth immediately
- Obtain a HIPAA-compliant release before communicating with any attorney
- Document diagnosis and treatment timeline — pre-charge treatment is viewed more favorably
- Assess for competency concerns and flag to defense counsel if present
- Prepare a clinical mitigation report if requested (diagnosis, treatment, prognosis)
- Assess eligibility for mental health court diversion program
- Coordinate with probation officer if client is on community supervision
- Be available to testify as expert or fact witness at sentencing or revocation hearings
Forensic Collaboration: Lewis & Ashworth regularly retain mental health experts for mitigation, competency, and insanity matters. Contact us to discuss our collaboration process.
Mental Health Resources for DFW Providers
TDCJ — Community Justice Assistance Division
Oversight agency for all Texas community supervision departments
Conditions, reporting, and compliance for Dallas County probation
Community supervision and corrections for Tarrant County
Texas CCP Ch. 42A — Community Supervision
Full statutory framework for Texas community supervision
Probation and community supervision services for Collin County
Community supervision services for Denton County defendants
CJAD — Evidence-Based Supervision Programs
Approved intervention and treatment programs for Texas probationers