Michael Hamilton Rodgers

Criminal Law

Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

DUI & DWI

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights

White Collar Crime

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

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• Microsoft Teams

Texas

State Bar of Texas

ID Number: 17136700

Since 1975

5th Circuit

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

Since 2011

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

Since 1976

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

Since 1987

U.S. District Court, Western District of Illinois

Since 1991

U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

Since 1983

University of Texas - Austin

J.D. (1975)

1972 - 1975

Activities: Elected Secretary, Student Bar Association, 1975.

North Texas State University

B.A. (1972) | Philosophy (major); Political Science (minor)

1969 - 1972

Activities: Elected President of the Philosophy Club 3 times.

State Bar of Texas

Member

Current

Q. I've been charged with a crime and the lawyer wants to talk to me should I speak with them with her without my lawyer

September 3, 2023

A: Never speak with any police officer in a case where you're even merely a suspect or "a person of interest". Although your question is worded in a way that makes it largely unclear, what is clear is that you seem to be suffering from a very real misundertanding of your present situation with respect to this alleged crime. First off, the fact that you have already been charged means that the police firmly believe you are guilty of the crime. Furthermore, they believe they can prove you are guilty. They absolutely intend to indict you whether you talk to them or not. The reason they want to talk to you is almost certainly to try to get you to confess to the crime while they videotape you in the interogation room. If they can get you to admit to the crime when they are talking to you, they will then try to get you to sign a written confession before they finish the "interview". And what you must understand here is that they are not wanting to talk to you because they are still investigationg the case, they want to INTERROGATE you, which is a whole different kind of "talk" than you are being led to believe is going to happen. If they were still investigating the matter, they would not have charged you yet. They want to get you to confess, not so they can wrap up the investigation, but so they can prove your guilt much more easily. Count on this-- YOU ARE GOING TO BE INDICTED regardless of whether you confess or not. So it is imperative that you talk with your lawyer before you do anything else. If the lawyer believes you are not guilty of the crime or if she believes she can convince the police that their case against you is really weak, then she might want to go with you to talk to the detective. While many lawyers will refuse to allow you to talk with the police at all, even with the lawyer being there with you, it is possible that she could keep you from being indicted by going to see the police with you. So, talk to the lawyer and together you can decide if you and she should go talk to the detective. If you decide to talk to the detective by yourself, you'll probably be making to worst mistake of your life. ... Read More

Q. I was arrested and posted bond for a felony charge (assault with a deadly weapon) in error.

September 3, 2023

A: Unfortunately you will not be able to get the difference (between what you probably should have paid and what you did pay for your bond) from the bonding company for the following reason. the bonding company had nothing to do with setting your bond at such a high amount because the company was not responsible for the mistake which caused you to be arrested for the more serious charge instead of the misdemeanor. The police, prosecutor's office , or maybe the judge who set bond created this problem when they incorrectly charged you with the felony. So when that happened, you wanted to get out of jail on bond and so you (or your family or friends) contacted the bonding company and entered into a contractual relationship with that bonding company. You agreed to pay the bondsman $6,000 and the bonding company agreed to post your bond. You paid and they got you released. So, you both did what you agreed to do. You can talk to them about the problem, but my guess is that the best result you will be able to get here is that they might agree to post your lower bond (if the family violence case) without charging you anything extra for the premium on that bond. It never hurts to ask for some kind of refund, but be sure to keep your cool if and when they deny you a refund. Good luck with your case. ... Read More

Q. How do i get a copy of actual charges against someone, either a misdemeanor or felony, in wise county?

May 15, 2023

A: Go to the Wise County Clerk's Office for copy of misdemeanor allegations. On the felony case, the Wise County District Clerk should be able to provide the actual charge(s) contained in an indictment against the person, assuming that the Wise County Grand jury has, in fact, returned a true bill of indictment against that person.

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