Charged with Street Racing in Houston?
Your car. Your freedom. Your future. All on the line.
Former law enforcement officer fighting to protect what’s yours.
If you need a Houston street racing lawyer, KVM Law Firm is ready to fight for you. Attorney Kenneth Mitchell — a former law enforcement officer — defends drivers and spectators charged with racing on a highway under Texas Penal Code § 545.420 throughout Houston and Harris County. We handle both the criminal defense and civil asset forfeiture cases to protect your freedom, your record, and your vehicle.
⚠️ Houston Street Racing Crackdown
Harris County Is Seizing Cars — Why You Need a Houston Street Racing Lawyer
Houston Police, DPS, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office have formed a dedicated joint task force specifically targeting street racing. They are using undercover officers, helicopter surveillance, social media monitoring, and coordinated roadblocks. If you’ve been arrested for racing on a highway under Texas Penal Code § 545.420, you face criminal charges AND a separate civil lawsuit to seize your vehicle permanently.
Texas Racing on Highway Penalties — Know What You’re Facing
Click each penalty level below to see the full consequences
Class B Misdemeanor ▼
- Up to 180 days in county jail
- Fine up to $2,000
- Driver’s license suspension up to 1 year
- Permanent criminal record
- Increased insurance premiums
Class A Misdemeanor ▼
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Fine up to $4,000
- Extended license suspension
- Enhanced criminal record — prior conviction used against you
- Vehicle seizure nearly guaranteed
State Jail Felony or Higher ▼
- 180 days to 2 years in state jail
- Fine up to $10,000
- Felony on your permanent record
- Loss of right to own firearms
- Difficulty finding employment for life
- Potential additional charges: manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide
Yes — You Can Be Charged Too ▼
- Spectators at organized street races face criminal charges under Texas law
- Organizers face enhanced penalties
- Social media posts used as evidence of participation
- Simply being present at the scene can lead to arrest
Civil Asset Forfeiture — They Want Your Car
Step 1 — Arrest & Seizure
You’re pulled over by the HPD-DPS-Sheriff task force. Your car is impounded on the spot. You’re arrested and booked on racing charges.
Step 2 — Criminal Charges Filed
The Harris County DA files criminal charges under Texas Penal Code § 545.420. You now face jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
Step 3 — Civil Forfeiture Lawsuit
Separately, the DA’s office files a civil lawsuit against your vehicle. This is a different case with different rules and deadlines. The government sues your car, not you.
Step 4 — Miss the Deadline = Lose Your Car
If you don’t file a proper response to the civil forfeiture case on time, the court grants a default judgment — you lose your car permanently, even if criminal charges are later dismissed.
Step 5 — You Need a Lawyer Who Fights Both
Most attorneys only handle the criminal side. KVM Law Firm fights on BOTH fronts — the criminal defense AND the civil forfeiture — to protect your freedom and your property.
How Your Houston Street Racing Lawyer Defends Your Case
Challenge the Traffic Stop
Did officers have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to stop you? Were your Fourth Amendment rights violated? Illegal stops mean evidence gets suppressed.
Dispute the “Race”
Driving fast is not racing. The prosecution must prove you were actively competing against another vehicle — speed alone is not enough under Texas law.
Fight Civil Forfeiture
We file timely responses to protect your vehicle from permanent seizure and aggressively challenge the government’s civil forfeiture case in court.
Question Officer Testimony
Task force operations are fast-moving and chaotic. Officers make identification errors, procedural mistakes, and report inconsistencies we exploit.
Negotiate Reduced Charges
When appropriate, we negotiate to keep felony charges off your record, avoid jail time, and minimize the long-term impact on your life and career.
Insider Law Enforcement Knowledge
As a former police officer, Kenneth Mitchell knows exactly how task forces operate — the tactics, the mistakes, and the constitutional limits on their authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common street racing defense questions
Yes. Harris County is actively filing civil asset forfeiture lawsuits against vehicles involved in street racing. This is a separate civil case from your criminal charges — the government sues your vehicle directly. If you don’t respond properly and on time, you lose your car permanently by default judgment, even if your criminal case is dismissed.
A first offense for racing on a highway is a Class B misdemeanor. A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor. However, if someone is seriously injured or killed, the charge escalates to a state jail felony or higher, carrying 180 days to 2 years in state jail and up to a $10,000 fine. Additional charges like manslaughter could result in 2-20 years in prison.
Yes. Under Texas law, spectators at organized street races can face criminal charges. The joint task force specifically targets spectators alongside drivers, and social media posts showing your presence at a racing event can be used as evidence against you.
Houston Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office have formed a dedicated joint task force specifically targeting street racing. They use undercover officers, helicopter surveillance, social media monitoring, and coordinated roadblocks to identify, arrest, and charge anyone involved in street racing events.
Attorney Kenneth Mitchell is a former law enforcement officer who understands task force operations from the inside — the tactics used, the mistakes officers make, and the constitutional limits on their authority. KVM Law Firm also handles both the criminal defense AND the civil asset forfeiture case, giving you comprehensive protection on all fronts. We also offer flat-fee pricing so you know your costs upfront.
Do not make any statements to police beyond identifying yourself. Do not post anything on social media about the arrest. Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately — especially one who handles both criminal charges and civil forfeiture. Time is critical because civil forfeiture deadlines are strict and missing them means permanently losing your car.
Yes. A conviction for racing on a highway in Texas results in a mandatory driver’s license suspension of up to one year. This is in addition to any jail time, fines, and criminal record. The conviction will also appear on your driving record and dramatically increase your insurance premiums.
Why Choose KVM Law Firm?
Former Police Officer
Kenneth Mitchell knows task force operations from the inside — the tactics, the mistakes, and how to attack the case.
Criminal + Civil Defense
We fight on BOTH fronts — the criminal charges AND the civil asset forfeiture to keep you out of jail and keep your car.
Flat-Fee Pricing
Know exactly what your defense costs upfront. No hourly billing surprises. No hidden fees. Total transparency.
Related Legal Resources
Street racing charges often overlap with other criminal offenses. Learn more about how KVM Law Firm can help protect your rights across a range of criminal defense matters.
When you choose a Houston street racing lawyer from KVM Law Firm, you’re getting a defense attorney who understands both sides of the law. Kenneth Mitchell’s background as a former law enforcement officer gives him unique insight into how street racing task force operations are conducted, where officers make mistakes, and how to exploit those errors in your defense. Whether you are a driver, spectator, or organizer facing charges, our Houston street racing lawyer will build the strongest possible defense for your case.
Arrested for Street Racing? Time Is Critical.
Civil forfeiture deadlines are strict. Missing them means permanently losing your car — even if the criminal charges are eventually dismissed. Don’t wait. Contact KVM Law Firm today for a free consultation.