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Dean Watts
Dean Watts Attorney at Law
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Biography
Dean received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. and his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas.
He is Board Certified in Criminal Law from Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been practicing in the area of criminal defense for over 25 years.
Dean has been a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association since 1999 and serves on TCDLA's rural practice committee.
Dean has also been selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list for the last 4 years in a row.
Education
- SMU Dedman School of Law
- J.D. (1996) | Law
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- The George Washington University Law School
- B.A. (1992) | Journalism
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Professional Experience
- Solo Practicioner
- Dean Watts Attorney at Law
- - Current
- Associate
- Law Office of John Heath
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Publications
Articles & Publications
- How Not to Write a Petition for Discretionary Review; 3 Mistakes That Get You Poured Out
- Harris County Defense Lawyers Association Magazine "The Defender"
- Petition for Discretionary Review Guidance for the Rural Practitioner 3 Things to Avoid When Writing Your PDR
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Voice for the Defense
- “Simplify Your Pre-Trial Motions”
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Learned Treatises: An Obscure Law School Evidence Question or a Powerful Weapon for the Rural Practitioner to Use at Trial
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Voice for the Defense Magazine
- Ethics and the Law
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Voice for the Defense
Speaking Engagements
- Nacogdoches Film Festival Roundtable Moderator
Certifications
- Criminal Law
- Texas Board Of Legal Specialization
Awards
- Selected in Texas Super Lawyers list for Criminal Law
- Texas Super Lawyers
- Presidents Award
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Awarded TCDLA's President's Award for outstanding service
- Selected to Texas Super Lawyers List for Criminal Law
- Texas Super Lawyers
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list for Criminal Law
- Texas Super Lawyers
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers List for Criminal Law
- Texas Super Lawyers
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Texas # 24003143
- Member
- Current
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- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Board Member
- Current
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- American Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- Nacogdoches Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Texas
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- 5th Circuit
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Fees
- Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- White Collar Crime
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken
Legal Answers
- Q. I was charged with a class b misdemeanor for theft. this is my first offense, am i likely to get it dismissed?
- A: Dismissals usually happen if the State has a weak case. It's rare for the State to dismiss a case without cause. Therefore, you may want to obtain a lawyer and inquire about a pre-trial diversion (ptd). These are often offered to people who have an otherwise clean record. There is no legal right to obtaining a ptd. It is totally within the discretion of the prosecutor. It is best described as a form of probation. However, unlike probation, the end result is that your case would be dismissed, and you would have a legal right to get your case expunged (erased). It would be best if you were very careful about handling a theft case. A conviction could give you a mark on your record that can ... Read More
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