UW Alumnus M. Shawn Matlock Represents Client in Historic Decision

A juvenile who told a magistrate that he "wanted his mother to ask for an attorney" invoked his right to counsel before police interrogated him about a murder, a divided Texas Supreme Court has held.

However, the court also held in In the Matter of H.V. that the gun police found — based on information they obtained when the then-16-year-old suspect made a statement to police — is admissible as evidence.

The high court remanded the case to the 323rd District Court in Fort Worth, the juvenile court where the murder charge is still pending.

The excerpt above is from a recent article in the Texas Lawyer about the April 12 decision in H.V. 

H.V.'s attorney is UW College of Law alumnus M. Shawn Matlock (J.D. '01) of the Matlock Law Firm, P.C., in Fort Worth, Texas.  Matlock says, "This is a historic decision because the Texas Supreme Court is not a criminal court.  It is the first case heard under [Texas Family Code §56.03(b)(5)] talked about in the decision."    

Matlock graduated with honors from Texas Tech University and the University of Wyoming College of Law.  He now practices criminal law in Texas, devoting 100% of his practice to litigation.

His peers have repeatedly chosen Matlock as a Top Attorney in Fort Worth for Texas Magazine.  In addition, he was recognized by Who's Who in Legal Professionals for 2006-07.  Mr. Matlock is also involved as a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

In addition to his practice, Mr. Matlock volunteers his time and legal skill in various ways.  He has volunteered his time to support the efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center as well as the Innocence Project of Texas and the National Innocence Project.