Lisa Mary Haines

22 years criminal trial experience. Current: Texas A&M School of Law Adjunct Professor,Felony/Misdemeanor Criminal Defense Attorney and Mental Health Attorney; Former Tarrant County Prosecutor (13 years); AVVO Top Rated 10.0 Defense Attorney; AVVO Client Favorite Award 2012 and 2014; 2012 - 2016 Fort Worth Magazine Lawyer Worth Knowing in Criminal Law.  These recognitions demonstrate Lisa's responsive and compassionate attitude toward her clients.  Lisa is one lawyer who truly endeavors to help her clients, who listens to her clients and answers every question with respect, then zealously fights to get the best possible resolution for every client.  She truly cares about her clients, plain and simple.  She is especially well-versed in mental disorders and mental illness, and regularly represents people involuntarily detained at psychiatric hospitals.  The probate judges appoint her to protect the rights of those brought in to JPS on mental health detention warrants.

When Lisa was a prosecutor in the Tarrant County District Attorney's office, she handled a myriad of felony, misdemeanor, juvenile and CPS trials, along with working in the narcotics, occupational driver's license, mental health units. Now as a defense attorney, she uses that experience to pick apart the State's case and negotiate aggressively with the prosecutor.  Lisa attends criminal defense seminars each year in multiple aspects of criminal law and as a result has qualified annually for membership in the College of the State Bar of Texas.  In 2018, Lisa Haines earned 55 hours of continuing legal education: Immigration (7 hours), Capital Murder Defense (18 hours) and Texas Criminal Trial College (30 hours).

Lisa Haines works proactively from the start of a case to get the best possible outcome for a client, sometimes even getting the charge reduced, dismissed or no-billed by the grand jury.  Grand Jurors review all felony charges to evaluate whether there was probable cause for that defendant to have been arrested.  Over the past 9 years as a defense attorney, Lisa has aggressively fought to get felony cases no-billed, i.e., dismissed (possibly eligible for expunction in the future). Lisa utilizes her many years as a Grand Jury prosecutor in the Tarrant County DA's Office, to find weaknesses in the DA's charges.  As a result, in 2016 and 2017, Lisa had more than two dozen serious felony cases no-billed by the GJ and/or dismissed by the prosecutor (First degree: Aggravated Robberies, Aggravated Assault SBI-Child, Aggravated Assault DW-Family Member; 2nd degree: Sexual Assault of Child, Aggravated Assaults DW; Third degree: Impeding Breathing-FM, Bodily Injury Public Servant).  In Nov. 2017, her client was facing 25 to life and 15 to life on two aggravated robbery felonies.  Lisa's persistence forced the prosecutor to reevaluate the merits of the State's case on the eve of trial.  Literally on the day of trial, the prosecutor dismissed all charges.  Lisa's client walked out a free man.  In April 2018, Lisa's client was facing charges of sexual assault and impeding breathing.  The alleged victim was the wife of Ms. Haines' client.  When the prosecutor realized Lisa was never backing down on her claim of vindictive and false allegations by the wife, the prosecutor took a more open-minded look at the allegations.  After again meeting with the accuser, the prosecutor dismissed both cases. Both of these defendants will be eligible to have their criminal charges forever erased ("expunged") from their criminal history.  She has fought to get several first and second degree felonies no-billed again in 2019.

Having handled thousands of cases over the past 22 years and having tried countless felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile trials, Lisa knows that the facts of every case are unique. Ms. Haines is knowledgeable about the many deferred programs and procedures that are available in Tarrant County.  Lisa is very thorough in her evaluation of the merits of a case.  She utilizes her 13 years as a criminal prosecutor to find the weakness in the State's case. Being an experienced trial attorney is an asset when negotiating with the State because the prosecutor knows Lisa is never afraid to take a case to the jury.  But the decision of whether to go to trial will alway rest with the client. Lisa does not charge a client for a jury trial unless her client tells her he/she wants to go to trial.

• Licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1997 (22 years); Member of the College of the State Bar of Texas; Texas A&M School of Law Adjunct Faculty Member
• Extensive trial experience (felony and misdemeanor, juvenile, probation revocations, suppression hearings).  She understands all that is at stake when you are arrested. She will meet with you as often as you need while your charge is pending.  
• Well-versed in DWI, every felony and misdemeanor crime, probation revocations, occupational driver's licenses, family violence, drugs, shoplifting, aggravated offenses, expunctions, etc.
• Knowledgeable about deferred prosecution programs, Grand Jury procedures for serious felony criminal cases, and probation revocations. 
• Passionate in her quest to obtain the very best resolution for each client. 
• Well-known and respected among the Tarrant County judges, prosecutors, other defense attorneys, as well as her many clients over the years. 
• Tenacious and hard-hitting in court, zealous in protecting clients' rights.  Provides all options and perspectives so that each client is well-informed before the client makes any decision about whether to plea guilty or go to trial.   She is trustworthy and dedicated to providing outstanding legal representation to her clients.  Lisa appreciates how overwhelming a client can feel when facing a criminal charge and works patiently to answer every question.  

Arrested for DWI?  There are three different courts involved in a DWI arrest.  Lisa handles License Suspension hearings (ALR), Occupational License hearings (ODL), as well as the criminal DWI case. A driver arrested for DWI has only 14 days to challenge the driver's license suspension.  The DL suspension will begin on the 40th day after arrest if an ALR hearing is not requested.  When you meet with Lisa, she evaluates whether the police violated any of your rights when you were initially detained.  She compares your observations with the officer's report and the DWI video to look for inaccuracies and inconsistencies.  Having watched countless DWI arrest videos over her career, Lisa shares her knowledge and experience with you in the analysis of the field sobriety test video.  Lisa also continually attends legal seminars dedicated to the latest issues in DWI arrest.  Ultimately it is the client who decides the case's direction. Lisa does not charge a client for a trial unless and until a client requests a trial. That decision should come after a thorough evaluation of your case.  Lisa works hard to prove herself worthy each client's trust. When you meet her you will see why her clients value her legal guidance and support during a very trying time.

Available to answer questions and concerns throughout the duration of each case via office visits, emails and phone conversations.  Payment plans are available. Rates are very competitive - particularly in light of Lisa's extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law.  Initial consultation regarding criminal charges (in person, over the phone or by email) is free. In-office or phone consultations regarding mental health detentions are available at an hourly rate.    Office hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Evening and week-end appointments available. Emails or calls will be returned evenings and week-end.