The County Court at Law handles primarily misdemeanor cases.  These include cases of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Theft, Assault, Violation of Protective Orders, drug offenses and the like.

A person accused of a crime has the right to a jury trial although the vast majority of misdemeanor (and felony) cases are concluded by a plea agreement (a "plea bargain").  In County Court at Law the jury consists of six (6) people, as compared to the twelve (12) person juries in district court.  The rules governing a criminal trial in the County Court at Law are virtually identical to that in district court.

While the punishment for misdemeanors (typically fine and probation or up to a year in jail) is not as severe as the punishment for felony cases, the consequences of a misdemeanor conviction can be very serious.  For example, even after a person pleads guilty, pays his fine and completes probation or a jail sentence in a DWI case, there is often a license suspension, surcharges and significant increases in insurance costs.  In some types of misdemeanor cases, a conviction may result in a person being prohibited by federal law from ever possessing a firearm again.

In addition to his courtroom duties, judges, including County Court at Law judges, are frequently asked to review and approve search warrants for items such as drugs, child pornography or illegal weapons.  Generally speaking, under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, police may not search a person's home or business without a search warrant.  A judge must carefully review the search warrants to ensure they comply with the requirements of the law.

It is imperative that a County Court at Law judge be knowledgeable in criminal law and have significant experience in handling such cases. Bill has worked as a prosecutor in multiple offices including serving as Special Prosecutor for Drug Task Force and as Lamar County First Assistant County Attorney for two County Attorneys.  He was also appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to prosecute gun and violent crime cases.  Bill is Board Certified in Criminal Law and in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has personally tried over 100 criminal jury trials in state and federal courts as both a prosecutor and defense attorney.  He has written appeals and argued cases for both the State of Texas or the United States as well as individuals charged with crimes before several appellate courts including the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.  Bill has taught criminal law and procedure to prosecutors, defense attorneys and police officers statewide.