Harold V. Johnson

I helped pay for Johnson's services for a friend of mine and he routinely showed up late for court. When he did show up he demanded payment and failed to explain any legal procedures to my friend. His office assistant also put clients on the speakerphone when discussing private legal matters. I wou...ld recommend not hiring this attorney at all. There are too many other decent, conscientious, and dedicated attorneys out there that deserve your hard earned money.

I was unjustly charged with auto theft and drug possession by cops that ambushed me inexplicably, conducted a warrantless search, planted evidence, committed several procedural errors, lied in their affidavit, failed to properly secure my personal effects in the car I was driving when arrested, stole... my cash under "asset forfeiture", confiscated my legally prescribed medication and cellphone and never returned them and allowed my belongings in the vehicle to disappear. I spent 7 days in jail. I was approved for a PD on my last day and told that my assigned PD would contact me to introduce himself/herself prior to my first court date. Did not happen. I never heard from him until in court on my first docket date. And because I'm a first time offender, unfamiliar with Tarrant County Court procedures and rules, and because my attorney couldn't find the time to contact me prior to court to advise me about anything or discuss my case, my version of events, or the evidence and possible defense strategies, I was placed back into custody after checking in late with the court bailiff. I actually wasn't late; I had been waiting in the hallway, since 8:10am, for my attorney, among other attorneys and other citizens, who all appeared to be parties to cases being heard in the same district court, and seemed to be waiting as well. Being unfamiliar with TC procedures and having received no heads up, this was a logical conclusion that any reasonable person would make. It wasn't until I walked toward the restroom that I noticed the sign on the courtroom door that indicated defendants should check in with the bailiff upon arrival, and not wait for their attorney to show up. As soon as I saw the sign, I went into the courtroom and to the bailiff and checked in, trying to explain that I had been right out in the hall unaware that I was supposed to check in immediately. It didn't matter. The bailiff lured me over to the jury box using vague explanations and once I was seated, proceeded to inform me that I was back in custody for missing "roll call" at 8:30am. Roll call...? Seriously...? The bailiff went on to inform me that I could not make a phone call, could not get up to use the restroom, and could not speak to the judge. He said only my attorney could ask the judge to release me. I was panicked and confused and had no clue what to expect and wondered if my PD would even show up and how long I'd be in jail if he didn't. The bailiff didn't care. Around 10:30am, an attorney entered, another whose face I frantically searched for any recognition of me, as I had with so many others, throughout the morning. He didn't return my stare, or seek anyone out, but headed straight for the DA's table. He sat and appeared to be jovially chatting about the weekend just past, making lunch plans, or any other casual, inane, and wholly unnecessary conversation at that time and place. After about 10 minutes, I looked up to notice that attorney standing in front of the jury box, looking for someone throughout the entire courtroom. Finally, he loudly called my name and I raised my hand. He came over and sat next to me in the jury box, then proceeded to speak to me as though I was guilty, was not interested in knowing my version, didn't care about the illegal search, didn't believe my assertion about the cops planting evidence, scoffed at my concern about my personal belongings, and never once looked me in the eye. He just sat there, chewing gum, and lazily flipped through my case file, periodically making snarky comments about the evidence the state had against me. When I asked what exactly they had, he would not show me, and was very vague and actually non-responsive. Downhill from there, this jerk never argued or strategized for me. He's a heck of a prosecutor's lackey though. Got them exactly the deal they wanted from me after two failed attempts. This guy has no clue which side he's supposed to be on. RUN!!! He should be disbarred.