Thomas Lane Hooton’s Reviews

My son got a DWI in september of last year-2012. Since we have no experience with this type of case. we thot we needed some legal advice. Ask calling Hooten we arranged a meeting. His address was wrong and he failed to mention that. So we headed to Dallas and couldnt find the address. so we called his cell phone, guess what no answer. So we drove around. Finally a call back. Got the right address. Felt horrible that we were 15 mins late. Got to his office. he was not even there. Should have listened to my women's intuition. We proceded with our consultation. He talked a good talk we gave him $1500 for a RETAINER!!! BIG MISTAKE!!!!! We tried to call him and find out our court date. NO RESPONSE!!!! Got the cort date. HE said we did'nt have to be there. BIG MISTAKE!!!!! month after month $500 after $500 we did this. No information accept next court date you don't have to be there. Finally I had had enough. I told him we would be there. He did't seem to like that. WE FIRED HIM on the spot standing infront of the Judge. Let me explain something. My son works out of state. I am his mother and I live in dallas so I was doing some of the leg work for my son. When we went to court we were told my son was supposed to plea. REALLY???? he was told not to come to court. BOTTOM LINE we are out $$000 to be told by the Judge that my sons DWI (his one and only) was a MISDEMEANOR!!!! A FREAKING $5000 MISDEMEANOR!!!! We are now going back to court after 8 months and using a Public Defender. BE your own advocate. Ask questions!!! Ask someone at the court house to explain your case to you. Understand your case before ever giving anyone any money.

I have tried several cases with Mr. Hooton and he is a very professional and seasoned attorney with a plethora of experience. We have repeat, satisfied clients and I think that speaks for itself. DWIs are a long, tedious, and expensive process. I'm proud to stand next to Mr. Hooton.

I have know this lawyer for over 20 years. He is very intelligent and hard working. He does an outstanding job representing his clients. He is aggressive in trial and gets great results. I have referred many clients to him and they have all been extremely happy.

Mr. Hooton has supported me and helped me through several legal concerns and issues. He has been very professional, honest, reliable, and helpful. I apprecaited his focus on my needs and realistic approach. I completely trust him to represent and guide me.

Mr. Hooton is a VERY rude individual! He does not seem to realize that clients that are paying him money do not want to be cussed out. This happened in the lobby of the court house with a lot of people hearing the insults! I lost the money that I paid him up front. I found a lawyer that did not cuss me out when I asked about my case.

Tom Hooton has been a valuable resource for me to have in my back pocket any time I need legal help. I have known Tom since 1995 and have learned through the years that he is the most reliable and knowledgeable lawyer I've ever met. His patience, vast knowledge, quick whit, and warm personality help me feel comfortable and tust his advice.

I made a stupid mistake after drinking a little too much one night and got behind the wheel. Got pulled over & arrested for DUI. I heard about him from one of my friends that Mr. Hooton had represented. He (& his office) were really nice and helpful right from the start and they kept me informed of what was going on, when I had to go to court, etc. First time offense, so he was able to get me probation & driving classes and I kept my license. I could have really screwed things up for myself, but he walked me through the whole thing. Would definately recommend him.

This is my story of Mr Hooten,
I was pulled over in Rockwall county after being at the club Weekends. Needless to say, i went to jail for DWI.. Shortly after my jail stay I contacted Mr Hooten to represent me. We first talking to him he seemed very knowledgealbe and kind so I decided to hire him. After giving him the money which he stated just to drop it off at his office along with all my paper worl. Being a first offender I gave him all the papaer work i had. Not knowing to keep the disposition becuase i would need that for the telephone hearing to get my DL back, I didnt know what to do. THis man is impossible to get a hold of after you give him money, First court date he did not call me or show up for court I waited for 2 hours. He did eventually call and apoligize. Im a forgiving person so I just let it go. Second court date he show up very late, ordered the video tape, postponed which was fine. Then asked me for a ride home. I asked mr hooten how he got to the court house. He stated someone dropped him off.. I was thinking??? uh, sure. SO , gave him a ride home. Before the telephone hearing date I once again tried and tried to contact Mr Hooten to prepare me for what kind of questions to expect, what to say and so on..No answer>> no call back. Finally he did call back . I asked him for the phone number for whom to call for my DL hearng ( i had given him all my paper work) He stated he couldnt find my paper work and told me to "google it". Needless to say, i lost the hearing and dl was suspended for 2 yrs. NEVER in truoble in my life before this. The next court date he must have gotten there early, i was running late due to traffic attempted to call of coarse no answer. He had possession of the video tape for about 4 weeks at this point which i had not seen. I was supose to view it that day i was running late. I was supose to be at the courthouse at 9. I arrived at 10 after 9. Mr Hooten left at 9:05. What he couldnt wait more than 5 minutes??? after i waited on him for 2 hours?????? I was livid to say the least. I was tired of throwing my money away to this crook. SO i fired him. I have sinced learned that being a first time offender I can get deferred ajudication which HE NEVER MENTION HE JUST MENTIONED THAT HE NEEDED 5000 DOLLARS..DEFERRED AJUD means prob yr probation, fine, community service and stay out of trouble in that time frame it all goes away. Like the DWI never exsisted. I have managed to stay out of trouble to 45 yrs, I think i can handle this. SO, if yu want to be lied to, no return calls, stood up in court, I would highly recommend Tom Hooten. Thats all thank you , and good luck :|

Yes, I would recommend the law office of Tom Hooton! Hey, I did the crime. Most want their lawyers to wave a magic wand and man I'm realistic. I understand if they don't put on certain evidence it's because that evidence would hurt me. He got me one awesome a deal and worth every penny I paid that man. He allowed me to make payments, which helped. So for all you criminals out there, quit being cry babies, you did the crime, it's not your lawyers fault you are where you are. I should have paid that man double for what he did for me. Just don't drink and drive and you'll save yourself some money! He got my blood test thrown out and beat the mess out the cop!

Very disappointed with the service I received from Mr. Hooton. He missed some court dates, was late for some, and just didn't seem very confident. In court, while he was questioning the officer, the paper in his hand was shaking. I found it odd that in every one of the police tests/ parameters for intoxication, I was just barely over the limit and he never questioned that point. Generally, one would be over more than just barely on at least one of the tests. Also never brought up the fact I had my receipt showing 4 drinks over 5.5 hours. I'm 6'0, 225 pounds, the numbers dont add up to drunk. There were complete strangers telling me after they saw and heard my tape in court "there was no way you were drunk or intoxicated"

Of course I was found guilty, and after court he did not advise me of how shorten my actual stay in jail i.e. go check in the day of conviction and show up on the day of my mandatory stay by noon to check yourself in and I would have only been in jail for 8 hours instead of the full 3 days. He did not advise me of anything, just gave me a couple weekends to chose to start my sentence. I was left wandering around Crowley wondering what to do and where to go. And to top it all off, I have been done with probation for over a month and Dallas County has not put in the order to have my interlock removed as of yet. I call him to see if he could help with the removal, at least mention it to the judge or court coordinator since he's in Crowley quite a bit, and he asked for more money. No Thank you. I would rather ride with it forever than give him another dime.