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Richard Hinds

Richard Hinds

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney & DPS Licensed Private Investigator
  • Criminal Law, DUI & DWI, Juvenile Law ...
  • Texas
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Biography

I am one of only a handful of criminal defense attorneys in Texas who are dual-licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Regulatory Services Division as professional investigators (#A12677101). Being a trained investigator provides significant advantages for my clients. While most attorneys know the law, only a tiny percentage are trained as professional investigators or have access to the additional resources that come with it.

My expertise in evidence collection, preservation, and presentation in court helps strengthens my defense strategies, enabling me to challenge the prosecutor's case effectively. My unique background as a professional investigator allows me to assess an issue from multiple perspectives. I can identify potential defense strategies early on, evaluate witness credibility, and uncover any inconsistencies or gaps in the prosecution's evidence that many other attorneys might not be able to see or do.

By personally conducting investigations, I can scrutinize police reports, forensic analyses, witness statements, and other critical documents, and in the process, I often uncover errors, biases, or constitutional violations that may have occurred during the investigation.

As a professional investigator, I collaborate effectively with experts from various fields, including forensic specialists, DNA analysts, accident reconstructionists, and other relevant experts. I speak their language. Consequently, I can conduct thorough investigations, assess cases from multiple angles, scrutinize evidence, collaborate with experts, and offer cost-effective legal services. When you hire me, you get an attorney and investigator for the price of one.

If you are charged with a crime and hire another attorney, make sure they retain the assistance of a professional investigator in your case. The prosecutor has a team of experienced investigators helping them to convict you. You better have a good one on your side to fight fire with fire.

Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
DUI & DWI
Juvenile Law
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense
Video Conferencing
  • Google Meet
  • Skype
  • Zoom
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    I accept most forms of payment, including cash, checks, PayPal, Venmo, Zell, MasterCard, Visa, etc. If you want to pay using a certain service and we do not currently have an account with it, we will get one. There are so many it is difficult to keep it with all of them. As noted below, I will also consider taking certain types of personal property in partial or complete trade for my legal services. I prefer not to do this, but if it is the only way for someone who needs my unique skill set and abilities to afford me, then I am willing to consider it.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    To help clients get the type of criminal defense they deserve, I have recently begun accepting personal property (e.g., cars, motorcycles, boats, jewelry, ATVs, etc.) in partial or complete payment for my fees. I do this because I am not the cheapest criminal defense attorney and for good reason. If a client wants to hire me, I will do everything I can to make that possible. When clients hire me, they get a two-for-one deal. They get a criminal defense attorney that was trained at Baylor School of Law and has 25 years of criminal defense experience and who also is a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) licensed private investigator. If you are facing criminal charges, it is time to lawyer up and investigator up. In many of these cases, my investigation skills are more important than my legal skills. The prosecutor has a team of investigators working trying to get you convicted. You need your own to fight fire with fire.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Texas
State Bar of Texas
ID Number: 24004077
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Languages
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Owner
Richard Hinds, P.I., Attorney at Law
- Current
I have been a self-employed solo practitioner attorney for the past 25 years. For most of that time, my law practice was a general one that handled both civil and criminal matters. In 2020, thanks to the free time forced upon me by the statewide shutdown of courthouses due to COVID, I decided to use that time to obtain my professional investigator's license. From working with them, I knew professional investigators had abilities and skill sets that are critical in achieving favorable outcomes in criminal defense cases. Since then, I have narrowed the focus of my practice to criminal defense. As a criminal defense attorney, I can fully utilize the training and skills I acquired while becoming a licensed professional private investigator. Every criminal defense attorney should be required to learn the information I did to become a licensed professional investigator. It is invaluable in achieving favorable outcomes for my criminal defense clients.
Education
Baylor Law School
J.D. (1997) | General law.
-
I completed the Baylor School of Law degree program in 27 months.
Honors: Selected for and awarded membership in the Order of Barristers based on moot court and other advocacy competitions Selected Best First-Year Team in moot-court competition Dean's List
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Professional Associations
State Bar of Texas  # 24004077
Member
- Current
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Richard Hinds, P.I., Attorney at Law
Blog
Texas Criminal Defense Attorney | Cuero DeWitt Co.
Legal Answers
4 Questions Answered
Q. I was served a "voluntary" list of questions (document requests) from the SEC but cannot afford an attrny. Suggestions?
A: This is like making voluntary statements during a traffic stop. Just don't do it. Name, address, and DL, and then STFU.

Remember, "Nobody ever got into trouble for what they do not say" and in this case do not voluntarily provide. I you do not supply how can you get into trouble for it?

Many times these are fishing expeditions. If you do not respond, they may just let it go. They are playing "good cop" making it voluntary. Make them work for it.

Giving it to them may cause far more problems than it solves. Unless you are served with some type of court order compelling production, I would not respond and see what happens. Do not tell them you do not have an attorney.

Do not answer their calls, emails, etc. unless there is some law I do not know about that would require you to.

You will probably get answers from other attorneys all over on this one. It is a judgment call.

I am a firm believer in not making it easy on them. They are lazy by nature and if it becomes difficult and they have to do a little extra work, it has been my experience that many government employees will just let it go.

Without more info, I say wait and see what they do. Do not respond. Not responding to a voluntary request is not against the law (to my knowledge). Make them work for it and see what their next move is.

Good luck. Hope this helps.
... Read More
Q. HELLO, MY NEIGHBOR HAS BEEN STALKING ME FOR A YEAR. SHE APPLIED FOR A RESTRAINING ORDER AT COURT BUT SHE NEVER SHOWED UP
A: Do not give her attorney anything. I am not sure exactly what all the facts are in this case but I would not give her attorney anything.

There is no upside to giving it to HER attorney YOUR videos of her, and possibly many downsides that I can imagine in future litigation or false claims.

Those videos protect you. She is obviously erratic and unpredictable.

Unless compelled to do so by court order, I would not give her the videos. You have nothing to gain by doing so.

Hopes this helps.
Q. What type of lawyer do I need on my side of I'm becoming a paid police informant ?
A: You need a criminal defense attorney.

In most cases, the identity of a police informant is kept confidential. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. An attorney can help you understand your rights and negotiate with the police and prosecution to keep your identity confidential.

If you are called to testify in court, your attorney will be there to represent you and protect your rights.

If you are considering becoming a police informant, it is important to speak with an attorney first.

Good luck.
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Contact & Map
Richard Hinds, P.I., Attorney at Law
Cuero
212 North Esplanade Street, #6
P.O. Box 749
Cuero, TX 77954
Telephone: (361) 648-1759
Fax: (512) 233-0655
Monday: 9 AM - 5 AM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: 9 AM - 12 PM
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Upon request, I will gladly meet with clients and potential clients in the evenings and on weekends. I know some things will not wait until regular business hours.
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