Richard Alpert

 

Richard Alpert is one of the nation’s foremost experts in the prosecution of intoxication related offenses ranging from Driving While Intoxicated to Intoxication Manslaughter. He served as a prosecutor in Tarrant County for 30 years before retiring. He is the author of DWI Investigation and Prosecution and Intoxication Manslaughter Investigation and Prosecution.

He has spoken at over 400 seminars training prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, scientists, medical personnel and law enforcement agents. Richard Alpert also served for almost two decades as the Course Director for the Texas District and County Attorney Association’s Trial Skills Course and Intoxication Manslaughter School. He also served on the Texas Forensic Science Commission.

Richard Alpert is currently working as a lecturer, instructor, and legal consultant with focus on alcohol and drug related crashes and trial advocacy training to aid in the professional development of prosecutors and law enforcement professionals in Texas and throughout the United States. He is also employed as a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Baylor Law School.  Prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and civil attorneys representing victims of drunk drivers may contact him through this website. He is not available for consultation on defense matters. 

To be a prosecutor in Texas is to be part of a family, a family that fights for justice, a family full of brothers and sisters that are not afraid to march forward, when the odds are against them and their only weapon is the heartfelt belief that their cause, no matter how hopeless, is just. We do this not for fame, for most of the battles we fight are out of the public eye. We do this not for money, for most others in our profession are better compensated. We do this because we are called to do this. We do this because our hearts tell us we must. When one of us wins a battle, we rejoice. When one of our number falls, we grieve. And when one of our family falls, dragged down by an enemy that fires and flees, we all weep, we all pray, and we all know that the best way to honor the memory of our fallen brother is to carry on.

Texas Prosecutor's Creed
by Richard Alpert

In my 35 year career, I have never met a more passionate, bold, and more knowledgeable person on DWI as Richard Alpert. His boldness led to a new normal in DWI enforcement, not only in Texas but in many states throughout the country. His passionate approach ushered in the Gold Standards of Truth and Justice with DWI blood draw evidence. Richard is simply top shelf and one of the best prosecutors in Texas. It is an honor to call him “friend” and it has been great honor being in the battle with him.

Bill E Waybourn
Tarrant County Sheriff

Trials

Richard Alpert has tried over 155 jury trials including:

  • 37 Homicide/Death Trials
  • 2 Capital Murders
  • 14 Murders
  • 6 involved officers killed in the line of duty.

Richard Alpert gained national recognition for successfully prosecuting Chante Mallard in the Windshield Murder case. He also tried the first DWI Felony Murder in Tarrant County. Richard Alpert was the lead prosecutor in the so-called “Affluenza Teen” Ethan Couch’s criminal case, in which Ethan Couch was convicted of Intoxication Manslaughter.

Richard is probably one of the most prepared lawyers I have ever seen. I’ve prosecuted with him, defended against him and judged him in criminal cases and his preparation was always the same. He does not leave any stone unturned. Richard is credited with bringing DWI science and victim advocacy to the forefront. His knowledge of specimen analysis is only matched by scientists. He is brilliant. I can’t say enough good things about him.

Judge Darryl Coffey

Awards

2000, 2010 TDCAA – Chris Marshall Distinguished Faculty Award

2001 Metroplex MADD – Joe Encinia Memorial Award for Victim Service

2007 MADD National President’s Award for Outstanding Prosecutor

2007 Go To Prosecutor Award – Texas Lawyer Newspaper

2007, 2008, 2009 recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly Magazine

2008 MADD Hero Award.

2008 NAPC – National Traffic Safety Prosecutor of the Year Award

2009 State Bar of Texas – Prosecutor of the Year Award

2012  Top Notch Lawyer Award – Texas Lawyer

Training

Richard Alpert has trained hundreds of prosecutors, judges, expert witnesses, and police officers on the prosecution of intoxication-related offenses. Here is a list of representative courses Richard Alpert has taught.

  • Baylor Law School – Promoting Justice:  Where Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys Seek Common Ground

    Nov 8, 2019

    “Bad Science – Good Intentions”

  • 2019 Texas Legislative Update

    Sep. 13 & 20 2019 – Southlake PD Training Center

    Sep. 4 & 24, 2019 – Grapevine PD

  • Oregon District Attorney’s Association –  2019 Summer Conference (August 14-15, 2019 – Redmond, Oregon)

    • Speaking Truth to Grief
    • Cross Examination in Intoxication Manslaughter Trials & DWI Trials – Experts & Others
    • The Affluenza Teen – A Case Study

  • 2019 Kerrville State Hospital Forensic Conference

    • Keynote:  Courtroom Testimony – Keys to Survival
      May 16, 2019

  • Southlake PD Training Center

    • Advanced Search and Seizure
      April 30, 2019

  • Roanoke Police Department

    • Advanced Search and Seizure
      April 23-25, 2019

  • Southlake PD Training Center

    • Courtroom Testimony: Keys to Credibility, Preparing to Succeed
      March 5, 2019

  • Southlake PD Training Center

    • Advanced Search & Seizure
      February 26, 2019
  • Southlake PD Training Center

    • Intoxication Manslaughter: “Investigating the Crime Scene
      The Crash & Beyond”. (8 hour Course)
      November 19, 2018
  • Upshur County CSCD – Regional Training

    • Courtroom Testimony: Key’s to credibility, Preparing to Succeed
      June 21, 2018
  • Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys Annual Training Event

    • June 5 – June 8, 2018 – Woodstock, Vermont
    • Voir Dire – “Presenting your case to the Jury”
    • Cross Examination – “DWI Defense Experts & Witnesses”
    • Case Docket Management for Prosecutors
  • ODOT Transportation Safety Divisions
    2018 Police Traffic Safety Conference

    February 7, 2018 – Bend, Oregon

    Case Study – The “Affluenza Teen”

  • Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association’s 2018 Winter Training Conference

    February 9, 2018 – Boise Idaho

    Presenting the Crime Scene – The Crash and Beyond

  • 2017 Texas Legislative Update

    Sep. 8, 2017 – Southlake PD Training Center

    Sep. 19, 2017 – Southlake PD Training Center

  • Lethal Weapon – Crash Investigations and Prosecution

    September 11-15, 2017 – Bend, Oregon

    • Presenting the Crime Scene – The Crash and Beyond
    • Courtroom Testimony – Preparing to Succeed
    • Initial Case Review – Bringing Order to Chaos
    • Speaking Truth to Grief – A Prosecutor’s Guide to Victim Relations
  • Advanced Fourth Amendment Course

    • Jan 16-19, 2017 – Garland
    • Jan 23- 26, 2017 – Kingsville
    • Feb 20-23, 2017 – El Paso
    • May 14-18, 2017 – Austin, TX
    • June 26 –29 2017– Houston, TX
  • Courtroom Testimony:  Key’s to Credibility – Preparing to Persuade

    • 2017 DUI Multi-Disciplinary Training Conference – Oregon – April 21, 2017
  • Effective Roadside Interrogation

    • Southlake Training Facility – July 2017
  • Blood Will Tell

    • Southlake Training Facility – May 8, 2017
  • Search & Seizure for Law Enforcement

    • Sponsored by Grimes County DA Office, Navasota Texas
    • Jan 27-28, 2017
  • Effective Courtroom Testimony

    • Texas Border Prosecution Unit
    • Region 1 Meeting – Alpine – April 26, 2017
    • Region 3 Meeting – Edinburg – March 9, 2017
    • Region 2 Meeting – Concan – March 24, 2017
  • TDCAA Advanced Trial Skills Course
    Baylor Law School

    • Dealing with Defense Experts
    • DWI Case Law Update 2012
    • Intoxication Manslaughter
      Case Law Update 2016
  • TDCAA ANNUAL CRIMINAL & CIVIL LAW UPDATE

    • Blood Evidence Investigator Track 2016
    • Thoughts on McNeely – Panel 2013
    • Alcohol Toxicology 2011
    • Blood Search Warrants 2008
    • DWI Case Law Update 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005
  • State Bar of Texas
    40th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course

    • Voir Dire – State’s Perspective 2014
  • TDCAA – Forensic Blood Draws: Faculty Development for Medical Professionals – Baylor Law School

    • Courtroom Testimony 2013
  • TDCAA 2013 FORENSIC EVIDENCE SEMINAR

    • Blood Toxicology Basics 2013
  • State Bar of Texas
    Making or Breaking Your Case – The Role of Forensic Science

    • Attacks & Responses on Blood Sample Integrity 2012
  • 38th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course

    • How to Try a Blood Case 2012
  • TDCAA

    • Legally & Scientifically Gathering Blood Evidence in DWI Cases 2011
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association Car Wrecks Seminar

    • What the D.A.’s Office Look at in deciding to prosecute
      Motor Vehicle Accident/ Intoxication Cases 2006
  • Texas Alcohol & Drug Training Institute 2nd Annual Impaired Driving Conference

    • DWI Case Law Update 2006
  • 2005 Texas Homicide Symposium – Collin County D.A.’s Office
    Investigating Intoxication Manslaughter 2005
  • Fall 2003 North Carolina D.A. Association Meeting
    “Blood Evidence” 2003
  • National District Attorneys Association

    • Trial Advocacy Faculty 2003, 2005, 2006
  • TARRANT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

    • Preparation & Presentation of the Intoxication Manslaughter &
      Intoxication Assault Case
      2002
  • TDCAA DWI REGIONALS

    • Intoxication Manslaughter Case Work up – Blood Test Evidence July – Sept 2001
    • DWI Case Law Update. July – Sept 2002
  • U.T.A. DEPT. OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

    • Instructor: Criminal Procedure & Criminal Law 1994 – 2001
  • TEXAS MUNICIPAL COURTS EDUCATION CENTER

    • Annual Prosecutors Skills Seminar Nuts and Bolts DWI/DUI Law: 1998, 1999
  • JUDICIAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE

    • DWI Bond Issues: Mandatory & Discretionary Bond Conditions
      for Repeat Offenders 1998
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF LAW
    CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY INSTITUTE

    • Voir Dire: Jury Selection Techniques for the Successful Trial Attorney
      Speaker/Faculty 1998
  • TDCAA

    • DWI & Intoxication Manslaughter 1996, 2000, 2001
    • Investigation and Trial Advocacy 2003, 2005, 2007
    • Speaker/Faculty Advisor/Course Director 2009, 2011
  • MADD

    • Victims Assistance Institute 1994, 1995, 1999,
    • Role of the Prosecutor 2000
  • ADVANCED CRIMINAL LAW SEMINAR

    • DWI – Panel Member/Speaker 1993

Publications

 

DWI Case Law Update

Richard Alpert’s DWI Case Law Update has become the go-to guide for judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys across Texas who are preparing for (or are in) trial. The Case Law Update covers significant cases that affect the prosecution and litigation of intoxication-related matters. The Case Law Update is updated throughout the year. Check back periodically for the latest edition. To use the electronic table of contents, scroll past the embedded document and use the link below to download a copy of the Case Law Update.

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Basic Trial Techniques for Prosecutors in Impaired Driving Cases

Updated by Richard Alpert

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Richard Alpert’s Basic Trial Techniques.

Richard has always pushed those of us around him to be better at what we do — and those of us around him are all the better because of it. I have seen Richard Alpert go toe-to-toe with the toxicologist on the other side, knowing the papers and studies they were using, and also knowing the papers and studies that dispelled their stand on the matter. He is a true master, a great teacher, mentor, and friend.

Tim Lovett
Owner of Crash Dynamics

Contact Richard Alpert

Richard Alpert will always be a resource for prosecutors around the state. Richard remains dedicated to the prosecution of DWI cases and does not consult with defense attorneys or testify as a defense witness.

Richard Alpert is available to consult with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and civil attorneys who are seeking to hold drunk drivers financially responsible for the harm they cause.  Richard can be reached by using the form below.