Achmed Defreitas | Houston Criminal Lawyer

I attended the State University of New York at Albany, graduating cum laude in 2000. This earned me a scholarship to attend Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law, in Dallas, Texas. While attending Southern Methodist University, I was an Associate and Executive Board member of the Board of Advocates; member of the Corporate Law Association; Howie & Sweeney Moot Court Competition (Semi-Finalist); named to the Dean’s List Spring 2002; and clerked two semesters for the Mulligan Law Firm, P.C., a national firm specializing in mass tort litigation.

After graduating from law school, I moved to Houston to join the Harris County District Attorney's Office. As a prosecutor, I tried numerous cases to Harris County judges and juries. I then left the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to venture into transactional and civil litigation practices. The vast majority of this time was spent, working as an in-house counsel for one of the largest insurance companies in the United States. During this time, I garnered experience as a lead counsel trying civil litigation matters to both juries and judges. I have worked on matters ranging in value and complexity, from the simple auto accidents to wrongful deaths to complex multimillion dollar construction defect cases. Additionally, I have been able to work and garner experience in a number of different fields, including but not limited to products liability, personal injury, criminal law, employment law, insurance law, lien law, construction law, and business law.

I am also a Certified Attorney/Guardian Ad Litem and licensed to practice in the Southern District of Texas.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
In-house Counsel	Farmers Insurance Group - Acosta & Soule	Houston, Texas	March 2007 – August 2010
Attorney at Law	J Diamond & Associates	N/A	2010 – 2012
Associate	Kennedy Hodges LLP	Houston, Texas	2006 – 2007
Assistant District Attorney	Harris County	Houston, Texas	2004 – 2005

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University	J.D.	Law School	2003
State University of New York	Bachelor of Arts	Political Science	2000

State / Court	Date
Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court	2012
Texas	2003

• Chapter Member | The Arc of Texas | December 2012 – Present | Social Services
  Co Chair | IDEA Committee | 2009 – 2010 | Children
  Committee | IDEA Committee | 2008 – 2009 | Children
  Committee Member | Lawyers Against Waste | 2008 – 2009 | Environment
  Committee Member | Administration of Justice Committee | 2008 – 2009 | Civil Rights and Social Action
  Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association        
  ARC of Texas - Houston        Chapter Member        
  Latino Business Professionals' Network                
  Houston Bar Association's IDEA Committee                        
  Houston Bar Association        
  State Bar of Texas        

• 10 Best | Client Satisfaction Award | American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys | 2015
  Top Lawyers 2015 | Houstonia Magazine | 2015
  Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2015
  Top 100 Trial Lawyers | The National Trial Lawyers | 2014
  "10 Best Texas" | Client Satisfaction | AIDUIA | 2014
  Top Lawyers 2014 | Houstonia Magazine | 2014
  Top Lawyers 2013 | Houstonia Magazine | 2013

• MARSHALL, CHERRIE vs. TRAN, VINH (Court 165)
  Practice Area: Personal Injury
  Date: Apr 26, 2010
  Outcome: Judgment entered in favor of my client based on Jury Verdict
  Description: Defense counsel for a young man in his early twenties, who Plaintiff alleged had rear-ended her vehicle and caused a significant amount of pain and suffering to her person. The police report and an independent witness provided evidence that my client caused the accident. The case went to trial. The jury found that my client did not cause the accident and returned a verdict in his favor.
  
  IBANEZ SANDY PLAINTIFF VS. MEDINA MARIA DELOURDES DEFENDANT
  Practice Area: Personal Injury
  Date: Oct 12, 2007
  Outcome: Jury Verdict in favor of my client
  Description: This was a automobile accident case, in which Plaintiff sued my client for allegedly running a stop sign and causing her severe pain and injury as a result thereof. My client did not speak English. The investigating Texas DPS Trooper found that my client had caused the accident and he came down to testify in support of his conclusion. Plaintiff also had her sisters in the car who testified against my client as well. This case went to trial twice, which is always a possibility when in litigating a matter. The first trial ended in a hung jury and the second trial ended with a verdict in favor of client, the defendant, on liability.
  
  CAMARA, IBRAHIMA vs. FRANKLIN, GWENDOLYN and COURVILLE, JAMAIL (Court 234)
  Practice Area: Personal Injury
  Date: Jun 23, 2009
  Outcome: Dismissal in favor of my client
  Description: This case arose out of a two car accident. The plaintiff was a passenger in one of the vehicles and brought suit against both drivers for extensive injuries to his right knee. The other party settled and all allegations against my client were dismissed without any money having to be paid by either him or his insurance company.
  
  MENDOZA, MARIA (IND AND A/N/F OF JESSICA vs. MORENO, RUBEN (Court 334)
  Practice Area: Personal Injury
  Date: May 06, 2008
  Outcome: Client friendly settlement
  Description: This was an auto-mobile accident case that went to jury trial. After voir-dire, the process by which a jury is selected, Plaintiff's accepted our last offer. Apparently, the medical provider who was to come and testify for the Plaintiff, was familiar with me from my handling of the Ibanez case and refused to come down to testify.
  
  SHAW HELENA et al. VS. SAMUELS SYLVIA et al.
  Practice Area: Commercial
  Date: Sep 22, 2008
  Outcome: Motion for Summary Judgment Granted in favor of my client and co-defendant
  Description: My client purchased a house from the Plaintiff. Certain disagreements arose with regard to responsibility for certain property. Plaintiff alleged that my client's actions and to a lesser extent led to her sustaining damages.
  
  State of Texas vs. G.W. (182nd)
  Practice Area: Criminal Defense
  Date: Mar 01, 2013
  Outcome: Jury Hung - Charges Reduced from Felony to Misdemeanor on Plea
  Description: Co-counsel in case involving Aggravated Assault charges against our client. The client was initially alleged to have injured the complainant by firing his gun at her head. Complainant claimed to have sustained an injury as a result. After a four day trial, the jury was unable to agree on a verdict and the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor A.
  
  State of Texas vs. T.S. (Ct. 4)
  Practice Area: Criminal Defense
  Date: Sep 27, 2013
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: Client was charged with Interference w/ an Emergency Phone Call, over several settings I was able to negotiate a dismissal.
  
  State of Texas vs. M.F. (248)
  Practice Area: Criminal Defense
  Date: Oct 28, 2013
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: I was able to get a Motion to Adjudicate on the deferred adjudication my client received for Assault Family Member (Impeding Breath), a third degree felony. Previous counsel was discussing a plea for 2 years TDC with him.
  
  L.M. vs. W.M.; C Inc.; & GG LLC
  Practice Area: Wrongful Termination
  Date: May 06, 2013
  Outcome: Default Judgment - $57.5 million plus interest (in collections). If there is a recovery, client is currently entitled to 60% of recovery minus $1,000.00 in expenses and attorney is currently entitled to 40% of recovery.
  Description: Generally speaking wrongful termination, breach of contract, and fraud causes of action. My client entered into an employment agreement based on certain misrepresentations. The contract was breached and she was terminated by the employer(s). The result was a $57.5 million dollar default judgment which is currently in collections. Should any funds be collected on the judgment the client is currently entitled to 60% of the recovery minus $1,000.00 in expenses. Mr. Defreitas is currently entitled to 40% of the recovery.
  
  State of Texas vs. J.M.
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Jun 14, 2013
  Outcome: Pre-trial Diversion
  Description: Client was arrested for DWI after allegedly driving the wrong way on a highway and having a breath test was over .15. I was able to get the client into the Pre-trial Diversion program, after successful completion and a 2 year waiting period, we will move the case to have the case removed from the client's record.
  
  State of Texas v. Z.B.
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Sep 10, 2013
  Outcome: Deferred Adjudication and a Dismissal
  Description: Client charged with DUI and then picked up a minor in consumption a month later. The minor in consumption case was dismissed at trial and my client was given a Deferred Adjudication on the DUI. Upon completion of the Deferred Adjudication and necessary waiting period we will move to have the DUI removed from his record.
  
  Texas DPS vs. ZB
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Aug 12, 2013
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: Department of Public Safety was going to suspend my client's license as a result of a DUI arrest. I quickly requested an ALR hearing and was able to get the case dismissed.
  
  Texas DPS vs. J.M.
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Apr 08, 2013
  Outcome: Reinstated
  Description: My client's security license was suspended due to his arrest for DWI. I scheduled a hearing and was able to get his license reinstated so that he could keep his job.
  
  Texas DPS vs. V.P.
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Nov 06, 2013
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: DPS was moving to suspend my client's license.
  
  State of Texas vs. T.R.
  Practice Area: Criminal Defense
  Date: Nov 04, 2013
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: Client charged with Second Degree Felony - Burglary of a Habitation
  
  State of Texas vs. A.S.
  Practice Area: Criminal Defense
  Date: Dec 02, 2013
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: Felon In Possession of a Firearm
  
  Texas DPS vs. C.A.
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Feb 05, 2014
  Outcome: DPS suspension denied by Judge
  Description: Licenses Suspension Hearing - Officer did not properly complete the affidavit
  
  State of Texas vs. T.G.
  Practice Area: Criminal Defense
  Date: Feb 10, 2014
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: Failure to Stop and Give Information
  
  State of Texas vs. A.H.
  Practice Area: Criminal Defense
  Date: Feb 04, 2014
  Outcome: Dimissed
  Description: Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon
  
  State of Texas vs. C.A.
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Mar 27, 2014
  Outcome: Dismissed
  Description: DWI 2nd under 5 year period
  
  State of Texas v.s. MM
  Practice Area: DUI & DWI
  Date: Jun 04, 2013
  Outcome: Pled out as a DWI 1st
  Description: Client's 4th DWI
  
  W (company) v. H (company)
  Practice Area: Construction & Development
  Date: May 19, 2014
  Outcome: Settled
  Description: Construction Collection's Case. Represented Defendant. Client paid under ten percent of damages claimed and less than it would have cost to try case in settlement.
  
  
  

• The Trial Attorney Blog | What duty does your insurance company have to defend you when you have an accident? | 2012
  The Trial Attorney Blog | Does your insurance cover every type of accident? | 2012

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Achmed Mirari Defreitas has been a Premium Member since November 05, 2015.
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Verified Credentials	Date Verified
(2003) Licensed as Attorney in Texas. Verified with Texas State Bar .	November 05, 2015

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