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Rick understands the complexity of the legal process in state and federal court. He is a former Harris County Prosecutor. Rick graduated from the University of Alabama on the S.E.C. Honor Roll and played baseball for the Crimson Tide. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in Criminal Justice, Rick received his Juris Doctorate from the St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida.
Rick understands the complexity of the legal process in state and federal court. He is a former Harris County Prosecutor. Rick graduated from the University of Alabama on the S.E.C. Honor Roll and played baseball for the Crimson Tide. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in Criminal Justice, Rick received his Juris Doctorate from the St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida.
Rick Detoto is known for his knowledge, experience and perseverance. DeToto is a criminal defender who represents clients facing charges of DWI and all other criminal charges.
The media know DeToto and they reach out to him often for expert commentary on newsworthy criminal legal issues. Rick has appeared on numerous news programs to provide legal insight and analysis. He has appeared on every local network in the Greater Houston Area; can be heard on hundreds of stations across the nation and is a frequent legal commentator for Fox 26.
There is reason DeToto has earned the successful CASE RECORD he has. Rick’s qualifications provide you with a combined cognizance few attorneys can bring to your case.
"What separates us from most law firms is that we often go to trial. We do not hesitate to try complex or difficult cases to achieve the best possible outcome for each client. I have tried over a 100 jury trials from high-profile capital murders to DWI’s."
| CASE | OFFENSE | RESULT |
|---|---|---|
| State of Texas v. Jennifer S. | DWI | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. John H. | DWI | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Luis V. | DWI | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Jesse S. | DWI | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Angela D. | Driving Without a License | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Lanis H. | Driving with a Suspended License | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Ramiro A. | Possession of Multiple Kilos of Marijuana | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Richard A. | Possession of Multiple Kilos of Marijuana | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Dorothea C. | Possession of Marijuana – 72 Kilos | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Francisco D. | Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Adam G. | Assault/Family Violence | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Billie H. | Possession with Intent to Deliver | Dismissed |
| (Client facing a minimum of 25 years) | ||
| State of Texas v. Ana L. | Possession with Intent to Deliver Multiple Kilos of Cocaine | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Celeta J. | Failure to Stop and Give Info | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Jessica J. | Possession of Methamphetamine | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Michael O. | Interference with the Duties of a Public Servant | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Jennifer R. | Assault | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. David S. | Assault | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Ryn T. | Public Lewdness | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. John B. | Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Angela R. | Assault | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Jonathon B. | Assault | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Gilbert B. | Burglary of a Habitation | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Samuel D. | Possession of Cocaine | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Michael F. | Criminal Trespassing | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Deandre G. | Possession of Cocaine | Dismissed |
| State of Texas v. Lara J. | Possession of Cocaine | Dismissed |
In addition to criminal defense, we also represent clients in personal injury litigation against insurance companies and other liable entities. Our firm’s attorneys have committed their careers to Texas trial law. Attorney Richard DeToto is a former prosecutor for Harris County, with more than 18 years of courtroom experience at the state and federal court level.
The most important thing to do is remain calm and ask to speak with an attorney. The Constitution gives you the right not to incriminate yourself, but people mistakenly believe that talking to the police will help get them out of trouble. Making statements to the police without having your attorney present will only make matters worse for you. Be polite, stay calm and wait for your attorney to arrive.
After you are arrested, the police will take your picture and fingerprints in a process referred to as booking. The next step is usually an appearance in front of a judge who will decide whether to release you in your own recognizance or set bail as a condition of your release. A lawyer can help to convince a judge to release you without bond or assist you in arranging with a bonding company to obtain your release.
Criminal offenses are either misdemeanors or felonies. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime than a felony, but the penalties for a conviction may include incarceration in a local jail for up to one year, probation supervision, fines or community service. A felony is a more serious offense with longer periods of incarceration and probation. The fines are also substantially higher than for a misdemeanor conviction. A convicted felon may lose the right to vote, to carry a firearm and to serve on a jury. A felony conviction may also make it difficult to find a job, obtain housing, or qualify for education grants and loans to return to school.
The criminal case against you is handled by a prosecutor who is a lawyer with experience and specialized training in the criminal laws, the rules of evidence and courtroom procedures. An experienced criminal defense attorney will design a defense strategy to challenge the evidence the prosecution intends to offer against you. Your criminal lawyer is there to aggressively defend your rights and advise you at each stage of the proceedings.
Each criminal case presents different challenges that require different amounts of a lawyer’s time. A criminal defense attorney will review the charges filed against you and the evidence. Only after a detailed explanation of how your defense will be handled will a criminal defense attorney quote and discuss a proposed legal fee.