Jim Butler

Jim Butler is Board Certified in DUI Defense by the DUI Defense Lawyer's Association. He earned the American Chemical Societies designation as an ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer Scientist. Jim understands the science of breath and blood alcohol testing and uses that knowledge for his clients benefit. Jim received certification by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the Administration and Interpretation of the Standardized Field Sobriety Test Battery, as well as certification by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) as an Instructor of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. He knows how the sobriety tests are supposed to be administered and scored by Police Officers, and makes sure they followed proper procedure.
Jim is a 2013 graduate of The Trial Lawyers College in Dubois Wyoming, where he learned how to discover and tell the client's story from legendary criminal defense lawyer Gerry Spence. Jim is a Founding Member of the DUI Defense Lawyer's Association, a member of the National College for DUI Defense, The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, and The Harris County Criminal Lawyer's Association. Finally, Jim is a Member of The College of The State Bar of Texas, "a professional society of legal scholars who are leaders in the Texas legal community and champions of legal education."

South Texas College of Law

J.D. (1992)

Baylor University

B.A. (1988)

Owner

Butler Law Firm

1993 - Current

For over 30 years, The Butler Law Firm has helped people charged with DWI.

Using Science In DWI Trials - Using the State's Elimination Rates To Build Your Closing Argument

Counterpoint - The Journal of Science and the Law, Vol. 7, Issue 3, Article 4

November, 2023

Using Science to Win in Trial, Top Gun DWI Defense, Austin, Texas

2018

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

I presented on a method I had used in trial, which manipulated elimination and absorption rates to suggest alternative possible BAC results.

ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer Scientist

American Chemical Society

2023

Board Certified in DUI Defense

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

2018

Certificate of Completion Forensic Chromatography XXIX: Theory and Practice

Axion Labs

2023

I went back for a second helping of Gas Chromatography (and Chicago Pizza).

DUIDLA Board Certification in DUI Law

DUIDLA - The DUI Defense Lawyers Association

2018

I was one of the first three lawyers in the country to pass the DUIDLA Board Certification exam.

Graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College at Thunderhead Ranch, Dubois Wyoming

The Trial Lawyer College

2012

I took three weeks out of my life to learn how to discover and tell the client's story from Gerry Spence at the Trial Lawyers College at Thunderhead Ranch, Dubois, Wyoming.

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor Course

NHTSA and the International Association of Chiefs of Police

2011

I completed the course where officers learn how to teach the standardized field sobriety testing battery to other officers.

Certificate of Completion of Drug Recognition Overview Course

International Order of Chiefs of Police

2011

This is the initial 20 hour course that must be completed by officers who wish to become DRE's (Drug Recognition Evaluator's).

DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)

Founding Member

2014 - Current

National College of DUI Defense (NCDD)

1995 - Current

National College of DUI Defense (NCDD)

1995 - Current

Texas State Bar  # 00785738

Member

1993 - Current

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

1993 - Current

Texas

Since 1993

• Free Consultation
  A consultation with me is free of charge. If you decide to hire me, I charge an affordable "flat rate fee." That means you will know the entire cost of legal representation, so you can budget accordingly. I accept all major credit and debit cards, and in most cases, payment plans can be arranged.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  I accept all major credit and debit cards, including American Express. I also accept cash and personal checks.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  I charge an affordable "flat rate fee", and payment plans can be arranged in most cases, to help with the cost of legal representation.

Q. I'm 13 and I got caught with 3 disposables on school prpty and 2 were empty one was full of honey, what am I facing.

February 4, 2024

A: We are talking "honey", "budder" - the vape cartridges that contains Delta 8,9, or 10 ? I'm not sure what your schools policy is if you are caught with a vape that contains one of these oils. If it turns out to be Delta 9 they could charge you with possession of marijuana but they probably would have already done that. The school could suspend you and put you in an alternative school . I know they like to do that sort of thing here in Houston where I practice law.

School is confusing enough without vape, and you are so young. Vape adds a whole other layer of stress and potential addiction to nicotine that you don't need.

This is from the Texas Comptrollers Office - "It is illegal in Texas for a person younger than 21 to possess, buy, consume or accept cigarettes, e-cigarettes or other tobacco products. It is also a crime to falsely represent oneself to be 21 years of age or older by displaying proof of age that is false, fraudulent or not actually proof of the individual's own age in order to obtain, purchase or receive cigarettes, e-cigarettes or tobacco products. (Health & Safety Code, Section 161.252)

The Penalties:

Violators may be fined up to $100. Exceptions apply if the minor is in possession or receipt of cigarette, e-cigarette, or tobacco products – while in the presence of an employer – in the performance of required job duties as an employee or in the course of supervised law enforcement activities. Violators receive a suspended sentence but must attend a tobacco awareness program or perform community service if no such program is available locally. A court may also require the minor’s parent to attend the tobacco awareness program. Upon completion of the program or service, the fine may be reduced by up to 50 percent, the charge dismissed or the violation expunged from the minor's record depending on certain circumstances."

So there you go. If they charge you with violating the law, you have to take a tobacco awareness class, and pay a fine, and later this thing can be wiped clean from your record. I hope this information helps and I really do wish you the best. ... Read More

Q. I was arrested September 3rd charged with DWI have not been indicted yet. Where do I stand?

January 31, 2024

A: Was this DWI filed in Harris County, Texas? In Harris County, when you are arrested for suspicion of DWI, the Police Officer gets on his cell phone and calls the DA's (District Attorney's) office, and lays out the facts of the case. The DA then either accepts or rejects the charges. If you were arrested back in September, you should have already had your first court date. An Administrative License Revocation action, would most likely have been filed as well.

As to your question about what will happen, you have not given me enough information to begin to answer that question. Please provide more information about where this occurred, what the fact are, what your record is like, and I can better answer your question. ... Read More

Q. I cant find an attorney to take my case DWI involving accident other party didnt sustain serious injury i was the only 1

January 2, 2024

A: Unfortunately you have not provided enough information about your case. We need to know if you were charged with DWI and if so, which county you were charged in. Are you capable of hiring an attorney, or are you asking for a court appointed lawyer? I know it's difficult putting out personal information like this, but the more information we as lawyers have, the better we can assist you.