Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney in Houston
When your freedom is on the line, the credentials of the lawyer standing next to you matter. James Alston is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction held by only a small share of Texas attorneys, and one that reflects proven experience, tested knowledge, and peer-reviewed skill in the courtroom.
What Board Certification in Criminal Law Means
Board certification is the highest formal credential the State of Texas recognizes for legal specialization. It is awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS), an arm of the State Bar of Texas — and it is not automatic. An attorney has to earn it, and re-earn it.
To become Board Certified in Criminal Law, an attorney must:
- Demonstrate substantial, ongoing involvement in criminal law over years of practice
- Handle a required number of contested criminal matters, including trials
- Pass a rigorous full-day written examination in the specialty
- Be evaluated and recommended by fellow attorneys and judges who have seen their work firsthand
- Complete extensive continuing legal education and maintain the certification through periodic renewal
Most attorneys who handle criminal cases are not board certified. The credential exists precisely to help the public identify lawyers who have met a defined, verified standard in the field.
Why It Matters When You’re Facing Charges
Any licensed attorney in Texas can say they “handle criminal cases.” Board certification is different: it is an independent, verifiable signal that a lawyer has concentrated in criminal law, has real trial experience, and has been vetted by peers and judges.
For someone facing a serious charge — especially a federal indictment, where the stakes and the procedures are unforgiving — that distinction is worth understanding. It does not guarantee any particular result, but it tells you the person defending you has met a standard most have not.
James Alston’s Credentials
James Alston brings a combination of credentials and experience that is uncommon among Houston criminal defense attorneys:
- Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Former Harris County Assistant District Attorney — years spent prosecuting criminal cases for the State of Texas
- Former Assistant United States Attorney — federal prosecution experience in the Southern District of Texas
- Licensed to practice in Texas since 1993
- Admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and all four federal judicial districts of Texas
- Juris Doctor, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Having sat on the prosecution side — at both the state and federal level — James understands how the government builds and charges a case. That perspective shapes how he defends one.
Board Certification and Federal Defense
Federal criminal cases are their own world: different rules, different procedures, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and prosecutors with significant resources. A board-certified criminal law background, combined with prior federal prosecution experience, means James approaches these cases with both the credential and firsthand knowledge of how the federal system actually operates.
If you are under federal investigation or have been charged in the Southern District of Texas, that combination is worth having on your side.
How to Verify a Lawyer’s Board Certification
You do not have to take any attorney’s word for it. Board certification in Texas is a matter of public record. You can confirm an attorney’s certification — including James Alston’s — through the State Bar of Texas online directory and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Verifiable credentials are part of making an informed decision about who represents you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Board Certified in Criminal Law” mean?
It means the attorney has been certified as a specialist in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a part of the State Bar of Texas. Certification requires substantial experience in criminal law, a required level of trial and contested-matter involvement, a passing score on a rigorous specialty examination, favorable peer and judicial review, and ongoing continuing legal education. The certification must be periodically renewed.
Are most criminal defense lawyers board certified?
No. Most attorneys who handle criminal cases in Texas are not board certified in criminal law. The credential is held by only a small share of the state’s attorneys, which is part of why it is a meaningful way to identify lawyers who have met a defined standard in the field.
Does board certification guarantee a better outcome in my case?
No. No credential, and no lawyer, can guarantee the outcome of a criminal case. Board certification is a measure of an attorney’s demonstrated experience and knowledge in criminal law, not a promise about results. It is one factor to weigh when deciding who to trust with your defense.
Is board certification important for federal criminal cases?
It can be a strong indicator of relevant experience. Federal cases involve distinct rules, procedures, and sentencing considerations. An attorney who is board certified in criminal law and who also has federal experience — as James Alston does, having served as an Assistant United States Attorney — brings both a recognized credential and firsthand knowledge of how the federal system works.
How can I verify that James Alston is board certified?
You can confirm his certification through the State Bar of Texas online attorney directory and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Board certification is public record, and you are entitled to verify any attorney’s credentials before hiring them.
Talk to a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are facing criminal charges or a federal investigation in Houston, you can speak with James Alston about your situation. Call (713) 228-1400.
