I have been practicing  criminal law and procedure exclusively since 1998,  as a prosecutor and now as an attorney representing citizens accused of crimes.  I am Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. 

       In 2005 I founded The Law Office of Derk A. Wadas with the goal of providing superior criminal defense and DWI representation.  I am able to accomplish that goal, in part, by deciding to focus on criminal law and procedure exclusively.  I have a proven track record of obtaining favorable results for clients.  For a few examples,  please view the Recent Results portion of this website.  In 2010, the law firm of Rosenthal & Wadas, P.L.L.C. was formed with the goal of continuing to deliver results to clients.

As a prosecutor from 1999 to 2005, I tried over seventy five cases to a jury and handled hundreds more successfully.  As a defense attorney, I have tried many, many more cases and have achieved numerous not guilty verdicts, charge reductions and outright dismissals for my clients.   
 
It is very important to me to remain at the forefront of the developing law and defenses in my field.  For this reason I am a member of organizations such as the National College for DUI Defense and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Bar Association for the Federal Fifth Circuit.  Further, I have completed the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing practitioner course.  I have the same training in field sobriety testing as the police who are investigating DWI cases.

  Below I have listed just some of the continuing education courses I have taken recently.  Many, though not all, deal specifically with the defense of DWI and Intoxication related offenses.

2011
  
     Fundamementals of Gas Chromatography

     Making Sense of the Information:  Science and Gas Chromatography

     Blood Test:  From the Vein to the Lab

    Lab Issues in Blood Testing- Finding Problems

     The Pharmacologic Principles Involved in DWI

     Retrograde Extrapolation

    Discovery in Blood Test Cases

     The Intoxilyzer 5000

2010
     ALR and DWI case law update

    Search and Seizure
  
   Civilian Initiated Stops

     Field Sobriety Tests

     Blood Draw Warrants

     Jury Selection

      Blood Alcohol Forensic Issues

    Hospital Blood Draws

 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner Course

Blood Search Warrants on Refusal Cases

    Trying a Total Refusal Case

    Understanding the Four Theories to Win a Breath Test Case

    What You Must Know About the Breath Test Machine for Trial

    The Strategy to Win With A High Breath Test Score and a Good DVD

    30 Questions for the Technical Supervisor
   
    DWI:  Blood and Breath

    How to Win a Breath Test Case With the State's Technical Supervisor

    Intoxication Manslaughter Case Law Update

    Using Technology In and Out of the Courtroom

    Forensic Toxicology - Myths of Breath and Blood Testing

    Forensic Toxicology: Drug Impaired Driving

    Field Sobriety Testing

    Fifty Potential Breath Test Deficiencies

    Technology for the Courtroom

    Search and Seizure

    Unforeseen Federal and State Consequences of Conviction

    Defenses to a State Criminal Prosecution

    Effective Jury Voir Dire

    Pretrial Motion Practice and Error Preservation