Former District Attorney Vehicular Crimes Team Leader

During his time as a prosecutor, Brad Thornton was assigned as a team leader on the Vehicular Crimes Team, also known as the DWI task force. He was called to every fatality crash that occurred in the county with the highest number of fatalities in the state of Texas on a rotational basis. He received training in various areas of DWI investigation and prosecution, including Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Advanced Roadside Impairment Investigation, Drug Recognition Expert Training, and crash and accident reconstruction. In addition, he trained officers in these areas.

Brad’s Training in DWI Investigation

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) are used by law enforcement to determine whether a driver is impaired due to drugs or alcohol. These tests are designed to evaluate the physical and mental abilities of an individual suspected of driving while intoxicated (DWI). They consist of three tests that assess eye movement, balance, and coordination. To make an accurate determination of impairment, the officer must observe specific criteria during each test.

Brad Thornton has attended numerous SFST classes, where he learned how to perform the tests and also taught portions of the class, including DWI laws and issues with prosecution, to law enforcement. He has a thorough understanding of how these tests work and how to attack them if they are not perform correctly.

Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) is a training program that helps officers identify signs of drug impairment. This program teaches officers how to recognize the behaviors that indicate impairment from drugs or alcohol and provides advanced techniques for conducting field sobriety tests and other assessments used to document evidence of impaired driving.

Brad Thornton has attended ARIDE training twice and has also taught parts of the class to local law enforcement officers. He has applied this knowledge in his practice by questioning officers on the stand about the proper administration of these tests.

Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training is a comprehensive program that helps officers detect signs of drug impairment. DREs are specially trained police officers who have knowledge and experience in recognizing the indicators of drug influence and have medical training to conduct physical exams and evaluate an individual’s mental state. With this training, officers become proficient in identifying signs of drug impairment, which can help them make more informed decisions when dealing with suspected DWI offenders.

In addition to attending DRE training, Brad Thornton has also tried numerous cases involving drug intoxication. He has a thorough understanding of the processes and techniques used by DREs to identify drug impairment and has the experience to effectively challenge their findings in court.

Advanced Trial Advocacy – Intoxication Manslaughter
The Advanced Trial Advocacy Course is a specialized training program designed to prepare prosecutors for the challenges of prosecuting cases involving DWI (driving while intoxicated). It covers a wide range of topics, including field sobriety tests, advanced roadside impairment investigations, drug recognition expert training, and more. In addition to providing in-depth knowledge on these subjects, the course also focuses on developing communication skills such as negotiation tactics and closing argument techniques, which are critical for achieving successful outcomes in DWI cases.

Brad Thornton, a former prosecutor, has completed this highly selective course, which is offered to only a select few of the top candidates each year. With his extensive training and experience, he has a thorough understanding of the advanced strategies and tactics used by prosecutors in DWI cases. He can use this knowledge to effectively counter the prosecution’s arguments and fight for the best possible outcome for you.

Crash and Accident Reconstruction
Crash and Accident Reconstruction training is designed to help law enforcement officers investigate and analyze the causes of motor vehicle collisions, particularly those involving drunk driving. This type of training covers topics such as physics, mathematics, traffic engineering principles, data collection techniques, accident scene analysis, vehicle inspections, and more. With this knowledge, law enforcement officers can determine fault in a crash and make charging recommendations to prosecutors.

Brad Thornton received comprehensive training in Crash and Accident Reconstruction from one of the most experienced experts in Texas. He has used his training and expertise in many trials involving the determination of the cause of a crash and has cross-examined experts in this field, including a NASA rocket scientist.