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Christopher J. Downey

Violent crime Attorney at Houston, TX

4.6   9 reviews
  • Licensed for 29 years
    State TX
    Acquired 1993
    Status
    Eligible to Practice in Texas No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Christopher

Learn Christopher’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas

Mr. Downey was born in Canton, Massachusetts. He attended Noble and Greenough School in Dedham Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. While a student in law school, Mr. Downey was chosen to become one of a select group of students to compete in national events as a member of the American Trial Lawyer’s Association (ATLA) Mock Trial Team. He obtained his law degree in 1993 and was one of a very limited group of applicants to be hired before graduation by the Trial Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston, Texas. Mr. Downey served as a trial prosecutor with the District Attorney’s Office until December 1998. He is licensed throughout the State of Texas as well as in the federal courts of the Southern District of Texas. Mr. Downey is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Specialization.

While serving as a prosecutor for Harris County, Mr. Downey held a variety of positions within the District Attorney’s Office and acted as lead trial prosecutor in over 60 jury trials. He was selected to serve as the Chief Prosecutor in charge of two misdemeanor courts including the newly created County Criminal Court at Law No. 15. During his tenure, Mr. Downey achieved Assistant Chief Felony Prosecutor status and was responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of crimes including murder and other first-degree felony crimes.

During his last year with the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Downey was selected to join the Civil Rights Division where he focused his efforts on the investigation and prosecution of law enforcement personnel accused of civil rights violations. He was a member of the Harris County District Attorney’s Shooting Investigation Team which was responsible for examining every officer-related shooting in Harris County in which a citizen was injured.

As a prosecutor, Mr. Downey worked closely with members of numerous police agencies including the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, the Texas Rangers, DEA, FBI, ATF, the Secret Service, the Internal Affairs Division and the Department of Justice.

To date, none of the convictions Mr. Downey obtained as a prosecutor have ever been reversed on appeal.

In December 1998, Mr. Downey left the District Attorney’s Office to establish his own firm. In June 2002, Mr. Downey founded The Downey Law Firm at its present location at 2814 Hamilton Street in downtown Houston. He devotes the majority of his practice to representing individual citizens and corporate clients charged with state and federal crimes. His office is staffed with additional attorneys who assist clients on a wide variety of other matters including, but not limited to family law, personal injury law and general litigation.

Mr. Downey undertakes all criminal cases with an eye toward obtaining a dismissal of all charges. He educates all of his clients as to the nature of the charges they face and the legal ramifications of any outcomes that might occur. Mr. Downey has successfully defended citizens accused of a wide range of charges including virtually all forms of felonies and misdemeanors.

Over the years, Mr. Downey has developed a strong working relationship with judges, prosecutors, members of law enforcement, and fellow members of the defense bar. He works hard to maintain a reputation within the community as a vigorous advocate for his clients and an aggressive trial attorney.

Mr. Downey is a former member of the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association. He is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas’ Criminal Justice Section as well as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association (TCDLA), and the Harris County Criminal Lawyer’s Association (HCCLA).

Additionally, Mr. Downey has appeared as a legal commentator on criminal matters for MSNBC, The Abrams Report, Court TV and the Catherine Crier Show.

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Contact Christopher

Similar lawyers nearby

The Downey Law Firm
The Downey Building
2814 Hamilton Street
Houston, TX, 77004-1232

Reviews

4.6 / 5.0
  9 customer reviews
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Posted by Javier | February 28, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
EHS Manager
Mr. Chris Downey is such a strong attorney that is not afraid of helping all his clients to the fullest. He is very well known in Harris county and surrounding areas. He knows judges and district attorneys. He has helped myself and family since highschool and is still out defendant. We truly admire his heart and passion for what he does best. If you need a tough attorney that really cares, our man is Chris Downey, I say this because we have so much admiration and respect for him and his colleagues.
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Posted by Brian | July 25, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best in town by far
Chris has been my attorney for over a decade through 2-3 cases and has always gotten better than expected results for me. There is no one else in Houston or Harris county I would even consider letting defend me.
Posted by Tony | January 27, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Attroney Christopher J. Downey, Houston Texas
I was charged with a U.S Postal Service Offense of burglary of a post office and fraud/use/poss of more than 10, less than 50 peoples idenifications. Because of my priors i was facing 99 years in prison, after hiring 5 different attorneys that all advised me to plead to a term of 20 years, I hired Attorney Christopher J Downey in houston texas. My case was very complex and involved the houston police and the U.S Postal inspector . Mr Downey reviewed my case and immediately put me at ease and assured me this was a tryable case and we should go to trial. After several months of delays by the District Attorney, Mr Downey was able to get one charge dismissed and 120 day time served on the remaining charged. Mr Downey was amazing, very professional and respected in the courts and i would highly refer anyone with a case that seems hopeless to consult and hire the Downey Law firm.
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Posted by Ryan | September 23, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
GREAT ATTORNEY!!
Christopher Downey has so far been the greatest attorney ever. Not only has he been able to go in the court and successfully get me a bond that every other attorney couldn't do but he has it done it twice! He is very professional and has a great presence in the court room. He's very well respected in the court room. My court date is still pending and has for almost 2 years now but due to my offense of identity theft hes being very thorough!
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Posted by Tymeka | July 15, 2013
Excellent well informed attorney
Christopher Downey is a very knowledgebale well informed attorney, he returns his phones calls in a reasonable time , he works around your schedule to ensure all your concerns and questions are answered, I have retained him several times for family members and each time he has done an exceptional job.
Posted by Espinoza/ mother of client | September 10, 2012
The Best God Sent
Where do I start I read about Chris six years ago when 1 of my son's got into a problem that seemed impossiable to get help on , I Contacted him for my son, Hands up all the way he helped right away , Very pleased ,He's Always a phone call away , any time or day no matter , Since then I've sent many I know that got into problems to Him and his assiastant Kelly . All hired him and great endings , Til this day . Believe me I call him family attorney , He's really a great addition to our life as a lawer , He's there . Mostly all case type's you fall into he,s there . No doubt God Sent , You Got to try him if ever in a problem , He's the lawer for you . thanks to you Chris.... Up until now Sept. 2012 were calling on Chris and Kelly . P.s. Case Dismissed......on my sons last case .
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Posted by Kelley | November 2, 2010
Peer Review
I've worked in Chris's office since law school. There is no other office that I would rather be working in as a licensed attorney. Bottom line, if a member of my family were to get into trouble, I would encourage them wholeheartedly to hire Chris.
Posted by chris | June 24, 2010
the best lawyer in the city!!!!
mr.downey and kelly andres are very professional at their task. very prominent at getting your cases reduce or dismissal. i rate mr downey and kelly andrews for attorneys of the year.
Posted by Jessica | April 2, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Waste of time and money!
We hired Chris Downey with the expectation he set that the case was easy to beat, he almost guaranteed it. Now, we are months in an they’re offering five years, he’s urging us to take it. There is video from that night that 5 months later he has not reviewed after he got the video. He wasn’t doing anything to help. I consulted abs hired another attorney, he refused to work with her and quit my case. When I asked about my refund for services he did not render, because he quit my case, he told me “good luck with that” even though he’s the one who quit.
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Response from Christopher Downey April 2, 2021
This review is absolute nonsense. "Jessica" is not our client, but rather the girlfriend of a former client. First, we do not attempt to predict whether a case is 'easy to beat" and do not guarantee outcomes. No ethical lawyer would. Second, we never urged the client to "take" a sentence. Rather, the offer from the State was communicated in writing with the very clear clarification that we were still reviewing and evaluating all aspects of the case. The video in question was not received five months prior. Its review was delayed because when it was first received, is contained unreadable formatting. A replacement video suffered from the same defect. Though we explained these problems to the client and made further arrangements to cure them, the client thought the solution was to hire other counsel. The case did not require two law firms. The client was informed that having two lawyers for his type of problem was a total waste of resources, We did not quit the case. The client chose to hire a different attorney because he sought that remedy to cure his misplaced frustrations.
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Cost

Rates
  • Retainer Always
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Founder
  • The Downey Law Firm, PC
  • 1999 - Present
  • Co-Director
  • Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory Serology Investigation Panel
  • 2007 - 2009
  • Prosecutor
  • Harris County District Attorney's Office
  • 1993 - 1998

Education

  • Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law
  • JD
  • 1993
  • Duke University
  • BA
  • 1990

Legal Cases

  • State of Texas v. PS
  • Dismissed
  • State of Texas v YY
  • Dismissed
  • State of Texas v. Martinez
  • Dismissed on day of trial
View all legal cases

Associations

  • National College of DUI Defense
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member
  • 1999 - Present
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Member
  • 1999 - Present
  • State Bar of Texas, Criminal Justice Section
  • Member
  • 1999 - Present
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Member
  • 1993 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • Spanish

Honors and Awards

  • Houston's Top Lawyers
  • H Texas Magazine
  • 2014
  • Texas Super Lawyer
  • Texas Monthly Magazine
  • 2014
  • Houston's Top Lawyer
  • H Texas Magazine
  • 2013
  • Texas Super Lawyer
  • Texas Monthly Magazine
  • 2013
  • Texas Super Lawyers
  • Texas Monthly Magazine
  • 2012
  • Houston's Top Lawyer
  • H Texas Magazine
  • 2011
  • Houston's Top Lawyers
  • H Texas Magazine
  • 2010
  • Houston's Top Lawyers
  • H Texas Magazine
  • 2009
  • Board Certified in Criminal Law
  • Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • 2004
View all awards

Publications

  • TCDLA Rusty Duncan Seminar
  • "Jury Selection in Texas State Courts" by Lewis Dickson & Christopher Downey
  • 2014
  • State Bar of Texas, 39th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • "Instructing the Jury"
  • 2013
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • "Instructing The Jury"
  • 2012
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar 2010
  • Caution: Jury Charges Ahead
  • 2010
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • Subpoenaing Big Brother
  • 2008
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association/ DWI TOP GUN Seminar
  • Picking a Skeptical Jury in A Short Period of Time
  • 2008
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
  • "Picking a Skeptical Jury"
  • 2014
  • Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • "Jury Selection: Cutting the Bum Cards"
  • 2014
  • 40th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • "Preservation of Error"
  • 2014
  • Indigent Defense Seminar
  • "Winning Before Trial: Voir Dire"
  • 2013
  • 39th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • "Instructing the Jury"
  • 2013
  • Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall
  • Legal Analyst
  • 2013
  • Harris County Public Defender Speaker Series
  • "Pretrial Preparation"
  • 2012
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • "Instructing The Jury"
  • 2012
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Presents Voir Dire
  • "Voir Dire"
  • 2011
  • State Bar of Texas Avanced Criminal Law Seminar
  • Caution: Jury Charges Ahead
  • 2010
  • DWI Top Gun Seminar
  • Pretrial Preparation and Discovery of Unusual Evidence
  • 2010
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (4)
Given (1)
Endorse Christopher
Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 03
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I have been fortunate enough to know Chris for almost my entire career. He is simply one of the finest attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He is intelligent and has a way and ease in explaining complex legal issues. His intelligence is matched by his trial skills and that is a heck of a combination. To put it another way, not only is Chris, "book smart," he's also a "trial lawyer." I highly endorse Chris."
Criminal defense Attorney | Sep 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known and worked along side Chris Downey for the past twenty years. I have watched him in the courtroom trying cases as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I have seem him speak on various topics at legal seminars. Chris is highly competent and committed to his clients and loves the law. I highly recommend Chris to any one looking for aggressive and compassionate representation. ."
Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer.chris is one of the best lawyers in the state. He is a warrior and fights with everything he has for his clients. He is highly respected in the legal community."
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 02
Relationship: Co-worker
"I began working for Chris Downey in law school. It was immediately apparent that he was unusually bright and unusually tough. Chris is not above going toe to toe with a prosecutor, an expert, or an officer if it means protecting his client and/or his client's rights. I was so impressed with Chris's style and ability that I decided not to apply to any other firms prior to graduating. Fortunately, he offered me a job in his office and I can safely say, there is no other law office that I would rather work in, or lawyer that I would rather work for, or with."
Criminal defense