Matthew Scott Arnold

A History of Competition

Dallas criminal attorney Matthew Arnold has dedicated his practice to providing his clients with an aggressive and effective advocate before during and after a trial. With hundreds of felony cases tried to a jury, he has the winning experience and tenacity to provide you with the champion you need when facing the prospect of a criminal prosecution or other legal matter where an experienced criminal trial lawyer is a necessity.

A native of Dallas, after graduation from Highland Park High School he attended the University of Texas at Austin, the Virginia Military Institute's international study program in Hamburg Germany, and Stephen F. Austin University where he received a degree in Political Science with honors.

After completing his undergraduate education, he achieved his law degree at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Always ranking near the top of his law school class, he focused his education on becoming the best trial lawyer possible, actively competing in and organizing Mock Trial and Moot Court competitions. He also attended the St. Mary's University Institute for Advance International Law at Innsbruck, Austria. He did all this while playing as a starter for the San Antonio Rugby Football team.

Always a competitor, Matthew Arnold sought to start his legal career as a prosecutor, because he wanted to try as many cases as possible, not simply because that was the best way to get trial experience, but also for the sheer thrill of the competitive nature of jury trials.

Prosecuton Experience

• Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office June 1999 to September 2004
  
  
• Assistant District Attorney
  
  December 1999 to Present - Felony Trial Prosecutor. Responsibilities include the prosecution of felony cases in the District Courts of Dallas County; jury trials; bench trials; contacting and updating crime victims; management of a docket comprised of hundreds of felony cases; and negotiation of pleas.
  
  August to December 1999 - Misdemeanor Chief. Responsibilities included managing the trial docket as well as supervising and training of entry level prosecutors, as well as weekly misdemeanor jury trials.
  
  June to August 1999- Misdemeanor Trial Prosecutor
  
  Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorneys Office June 1994 to May 1999
  
  
• First Assistant District Attorney
  
   Responsibilities included: Every aspect of the prosecution of cases before the 294th Judicial District Court and the Van Zandt County Court, including: investigation, intake, and preparation of cases for filing; promulgation of charging instruments; presentation of cases before the Grand Jury; extensive jury and bench trials; preparation and filing of appellate briefs; argument before the appellate courts; responding to pen writs; legal research and writing; mental commitments; family violence protective orders; and assisted in the research and preparation of the offices budget proposal the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court.

Now for the Defense

When looking for a Dallas criminal attorney to handle your matter, it is highly advisable to seek the services of a former prosecutor. Few lawyers will have the depth of knowledge in criminal law or the skills in trial as a former prosecutor.

Having served as a prosecutor for both Dallas and Van Zandt Counties, Matthew Arnold has a profound understanding of the Criminal Justice System, its flaws and pitfalls, and most importantly, how to achieve justice. He has dedicated his practice to helping those facing a criminal charge get justice for themselves. When you are charged with a criminal case, your reputation, your livelihood, and effectively your life is on the line. Dallas criminal attorney Matthew Arnold stands ready to defend you and all you care about, to help you achieve justice.

Matthew Arnold lives in Dallas with his wife, two young daughters, and his dog 'Loki'.