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

Preparing Your DWI Case For Trial, DUIDLA Fall Seminar, Austin, Texas

September 5, 2024

DUIDLA

I spoke to DWI Lawyers from across the country on DWI trial preparation. I shared how I prepare a DWI case for trial, from initial investigation to trial preparation, including winning strategies for defending DWI breath and blood test cases.

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).

The ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation

American Chemical Society

2023

The ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation as recognized by the Chemistry and the Law Division of the ACS

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.

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. Can a police officer take your pulse or blood pressure without your consent during a DRE examination for DWI?

October 28, 2024

A: This is a great question. The DRE evaluation just like the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests is voluntary. You agree to allow them to perform the evaluation. This evaluation must be done down at the station and the first step in the 12 step process is getting a sample of your breath - to rule out ethanol intoxication. You cannot force someone to blow into the Intoxilizer - or whatever your machine is in California - so a DRE evaluation is voluntary and cannot be compelled by a warrant. You cannot get a warrant to force someone to blow. The consequences? It depends on the prosecuting body. If you refuse a DRE in Texas, they will get a warrant for your blood. But proving intoxication by a drug is difficult, because expert testimony is needed to admit the results of drugs in a blood sample. Intoxication by drugs is so misunderstood by officers. There are people out there who only act "normal" because they are taking medication. But if an officer suspects you are "not normal" - whatever that means - they will go to great lengths to prove you guilty. That's why you need a DWI lawyer who knows this topic backward and forward. ... Read More

Q. I have caught three dwi in less than one year

October 2, 2024

A: If I understand your question correctly - and assuming these are the only charges you have on your record - the maximum jail time you could receive is up to 180 days in jail and up to a $2000 fine. But those are the maximum punishments - not what's likely to happen. It's fortunate that all three DWI's are "pending" and that you have not plead to any of them. It's like a first DWI, a second first DWI, and a third first DWI. But the same cannot be said if you plead to them. A prosecutor will want you to plead to two of these DWI cases so that if you ever pick up a third DWI in the future - you will be charged with a felony. I'm sorry to hear about your problem, and I hope this answer helps. ... Read More

Q. I got a dwi in june 2023 at 17 then i picked up another one the same year but was only charged for the second one

October 1, 2024

A: You need to hire an experienced DWI Defense Attorney to help you with this one. That would be my first call. Most attorneys will give you a free consultation. My second call would be to a Bonding Company. Are you currently out on bond on the second DWI - the one you were charged with? If so, I would call that same bonding company and ask them if a bond was set on the first DWI. They can look it up in the computer and tell you if there is a bond set. Then I would go and make that bond. As far as jail time is concerned - a Judge can always decide that your current bond is inadequate or insufficient to protect the public - and raise it at the arraignment setting - that's why we always have a representative of the bonding company available to meet us at court - if need be. Have you already had an arraignment setting on the second DWI? If so, I would imagine that the Judge was made aware of the first uncharged DWI when setting bond on the second DWI. I need more details in order to give a better answer. I hope this answer helped. ... Read More