Biography

Scott C. Smith is an Austin criminal defense attorney who has defended thousands of clients from criminal charges. While he is based in Travis County, Mr. Smith extends representation of clients from across the state of Texas and nationally. He is qualified to practice in both Texas and federal courts. For Mr. Smith, no case is too small or too big; he takes pride in helping those who need help, regardless of the charge or situation. 

Mr. Smith graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1986 and opened his practice in 1990. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certified him as a Criminal Law Specialist in 1996. In 2004, the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association awarded him the prestigious Ambassador Award. In 2013, the Texas Bar Foundation named Mr. Smith a Life Fellow in recognition of service and devotion to the highest traditions of the Bar.

In addition to defending his clients, Mr. Smith gives presentations and speeches on various legal topics,  including sex offender deregistration and wiretapping. He also has testified on Texas law in Colorado. In addition to his native English, Mr. Smith also speaks Spanish and German. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, cooking, and traveling.

Education and Credentials

1983: University of Texas, B.A. Government

1985: Die Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, School of Law (exchange program)

1986: University of Texas, School of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence

1987: Admitted to State Bar of Texas

1989: Admitted to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

1989: Licensed as Legal Expert in American Law by District Court of Frankfurt in the former Federal Republic of Germany

1994: Admitted to Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas

1996: Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a Criminal Law Specialist

2004: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Certification

2005: Pro Hac Vice Admission – United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi

2010: Qualified to testify as expert in criminal law before the Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals

2016: Provided expert testimony on Texas criminal law by affidavit to Jefferson County District Court, Colorado.

Organizations and Awards

Scott C. Smith is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association. He is a charter member of the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association and served as a director of the organization from 1993 to 1996.

In 2004 the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association presented Mr. Smith with the Ambassador Award.

In 2013, the Texas Bar Foundation named Mr. Smith a Life Fellow in recognition of service and devotion to the highest traditions of the Bar.

Experience

Since 1987, Mr. Smith as a Texas criminal defense attorney has handled thousands of cases involving a wide variety of accusations including: embezzlement, fraud, theft, murder, assault, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, “date rape”, driving while intoxicated (DWI and DUI), and drug/alcohol-related offenses. (See Practice Areas for additional information.)

Speeches, Instruction and Papers

Sex Offender Deregistration (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association – Bill Habern Corrections and Parole Seminar, October 6, 2023)

The Tiered Offense Chart: Its Origin, Function And Flaws (TCDLA/State Bar of Texas Seminar – What you Need to Know about Sex Offender Registration, April 26, 2019)

The Basics of Sex Offender Deregistration (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Post-Conviction and Parole Seminar, October 25, 2018)

Sex Offender Deregistration: Common Misconceptions and Basics of the Process (Williamson County Bar Association, October 10, 2017)

Sex Offender Deregistration: The Basics (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Post-Conviction Seminar, August 18, 2016)

Wiretapping and Spoilation: What It Is and What It Isn’t (Austin Bar Association Family Law Section Seminar – May 16, 2014)

Emails and Text Messages: Acquisition and Use by Non-state Actors (Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Luncheon Presentation – April 11, 2014)

Sex Offender De-Registration: Eligibility & How to Apply (Texas Voices for Reason and Justice – State Wide Conference, Dallas February 22, 2014)

Sex Offender Deregistration & Challenging Registration on out of State Convictions (Defending Clients Accused of Sexual Assault -TCDLA Seminar – December 5-6, 2013)

Sex Offender Deregistration (Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Presentation – 2013)

Defense Initiated Victim Outreach (Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association – 2011)

Expunctions and Motions to Seal (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Seminar, Dallas – 2010)

Parallel Civil and Criminal Litigation -Dangers and Opportunities (Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association – 2009)

Blood Testing in Alcohol Related Cases (Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Presentation – 2008)

Pre Trial Motions (Nuts and Bolts Seminar, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association – 2008)

The Law Is the Law … NOT – The Influence of Politics in the Court Room (Guest speaker at the University of Texas, Department of Government 2008)

The 6th Amendment Right to Confront Witnesses and the Crawford Decision (Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Presentation, June 2007)

Computer Related Crimes -New Problems/Old Solutions, or lack thereof – (Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Presentation – 2007)

Index to The Voice (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association professional journal 1999- 2001)

Travis County Bar Association’s People’s Law School (Criminal Law Instructor – 1992, 1993)

Sex Crimes (Travis County Bar Association Seminar Presenter – 1994)

What is Germany? – International and Human Rights Principles of the German Question (translation for the Institute of International and Economic Law, chaired by Prof. Dr. Dieter Blumenwitz, University of Wuerzburg, BRD – 1987)

Articles

• Expunctions and Nondisclosures of Deferred Adjudication (PDF Version)
• Wiretapping and Spoilation – ABA Bench Bar Presentation (PDF Version)

Languages

English, Spanish, German