I am looking for recommendations for quality criminal law reference materials. The prior DA was here for 18 years and it looks like he never ordered any new reference materials. While he didn't need them, I do. My bookshelves are near empty and what remains is all from the 1980s. I even have some wondeful old Trial Tactics Tapes from the NDAA from 1973! I have several of the TDCAA books but was wondering what else is used in other offices. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I swear by the Lang Baker handbooks.
http://www.bakers-legal-pages.com

Very easy to navigate and are a great jumping off point when you need a quick answer.

I find the things we can't live without (keeping in mind that my most gracious and wonderful boss has spared me appeals duties) are:

1. TDCAA Indictment Manual;
2. Richard Alpert's (TDCAA) DWI Manual;
3. TDCAA Sex Offender Book (it makes a confusing topic actually make sense);
4. TDCAA Criminal Laws of Texas (with CCP, Penal Code, HSC, Juvenile Fam Code; and Rules of Evidence);
5. O'Connors Civil Trials (for Civil and Forfeiture Duties);
6. John Bradley's (TDCAA) The Perfect Plea;
7. Texas Criminal Jury Charges (McClung's) from James Publishing;
8. Westlaw via Internet for Texas state and federal cases; and
9. Robert Dawson's Texas Juvenile Law (from State Bar Juvenile Section).

I would add to that list Texas Practice, Criminal Practice and Procedure by Dix and Dawson.

I'd forego McClungs in favor of McCormick's Texas Practice, 7,7A, and 8.

A subscription to Lexis and Texas Lawyer. One for case law. The other for good gossip.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Lexis would be a giant leap forward for our office. We just got the internet hooked up in December when I took over! I guess while I am making room in the budget for the reference materials I will go ahead and beg for Lexis as well.

Lexis is much cheaper than refererence materials. Prosecutors get a substantial break in cost.

We pay $45 per month per lawyer for Lexis.

Is that for unlimited use? That is an outstanding price. For me that would work out to just $45 per month.

I pay $82.00 a month for Lexis under the state contract. I would love to know how you get it for $45.00. Of course, I am a one-lawyer operation and that may have something to do with it. The $82.00 is for unlimited use of the entire Lexis "library," which is very nice to have.

Professor Dawson's Juvenile Law (6th ed.) is a nice reference if you have to practice in that area.

"Top 30-Minute Guy Meals" by Rachael Ray. Have the county commissioners over and impress them with a manly, home-made meal then show them the Internet and how you can look cool stuff up on it. Don't use big words though, you don't want to lose them before dessert.

We have westlaw now, but I much prefer Lexis, because you get Teague's with Lexis.

Also, get everything applicable in the TDCAA library. Those books will answer 50-75% of the questions you encounter.