An attorney who is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law must have experience in the preparation and trial of serious criminal matters. The attorney must also have extensive knowledge of state and federal constitutional law, evidence, procedure and penal laws involved in the trial of these matters.

To become Board Certified in Criminal Law, an attorney must have:

• Been licensed to practice law for at least five years;


• Devoted a required percentage of practice to criminal law for at least three years;


• Handled a wide variety of criminal law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement;


• Attended criminal law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date; Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges; and


• Passed a day-long written examination.

A Criminal Law Board Certified attorney is entitled to indicate certification on business cards and letterhead by stating “Board Certified - Criminal Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization.” The attorney may also display the Certificate of Special Competence awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and list the certification in legal directories and telephone listings under “Attorneys - Board Certified.”

Initial certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain certified, an attorney must apply for recertification every five years and meet practice, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the specialty field.