Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)

The HCCLA produces a weeklhy Television show which airs on Houston Media Source every Thursday night at 8pm. Learn more at: https://hcclatv.com/. Visit the HCCLA Reasonable Doubt's YouTube Channel for latest episodes. 

The benefits of membership in HCCLA include:

• a subscription to "The Defender" which is the HCCLA’s quarterly magazine;
• access to the members-only library;
• the ability to join the confidential e-mail listserv;
• invitations to events that allow members to network with some of the top criminal defense attorneys in Harris County in a more relaxed setting;
• free Happy Hour CLE seminars;
• participation in the Second Chair Program which connects more experienced criminal defense attorneys (First Chairs) with attorneys seeking to enhance their professional education (Second Chairs); and
• the opportunity to volunteer for the speakers bureau to speak to schools, church groups, and civic groups on topics related to criminal defense.

The HCCLA has four classes of members including:

• Regular Membership - Regular members include licensed attorney practicing law in Harris County, Texas, who are "actively engaged in the defense of persons charged with crimes or offenses in the State or Federal Courts, who is a member of the bar of this State in good standing, who has made application for membership, whose application has been accepted, and who has paid the required dues shall be a regular member…." The annual dues for Regular Members are $150.00. Discounts are available for public defenders and senor members.

• Honorary Membership - No annual dues are required.

• Student Membership - Annual dues are $25.00 per year.

• Affiliate Membership - The annual dues for Affiliate Members are $150.00.

The HCCLA also allows paralegals and legal assistants to join the association if endorsed by a current member in good standing and is employed by that criminal defense attorney. Annual dues for legal assistants and paralegals is $50.00 per year.

The committees of the Harris County Criminal Lawyer Association give members the ability to take on leadership roles within the organization. The standing committees include:

• Audit & Budget;
• Continuing Legal Education;
• Judicial Liaison;
• Law Enforcement Liaison;
• Lawyer Referral;
• Legislative;
• Luncheon;
• Membership;
• Public Relations & Speakers Bureau;
• Amicus/ Lawyer Assistance;
• Newsletter & Publications; and
• Special Events.

Special Committees are created from time to time and can include: grand jury, judicial ethics, or representation of indigents.