On November 20, 2015, Reynolds was convicted of five counts of misdemeanor barratry. The conviction did not require Reynolds to resign his seat.
The case began in 2013 when Reynolds and seven other Houston-area lawyers were arrested in a sting operation. All eight lawyers were accused of illegally soliciting clients. Texas law bars lawyers from soliciting clients for claims related to accidents or disasters for at least 30 days after the incident, according to the Houston Chronicle. Reynolds was the only lawyer who did not accept a plea deal.
In an initial trial in November 2014, Reynolds was convicted of six counts of misdemeanor barratry, but the verdict was overturned after state District Judge Lisa Michalk declared a mistrial. Michalk declared a mistrial after one juror reported that he or she was influenced by another juror.
On November 23, 2015, Reynolds was sentenced to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine. He was released on $25,000 bond while he appealed his conviction.
On September 7, 2018, Reynolds' appeals were denied, and he turned himself in to authorities for a one-year jail sentence.
On November 20, 2015, Reynolds was convicted of five counts of misdemeanor barratry, also known as ambulance chasing. The conviction will not require Reynolds to resign his seat. The case began in 2013, when Reynolds and seven other Houston-area lawyers were arrested in a sting operation. All eight lawyers were accused of illegally soliciting clients in an "ambulance chasing for profit" scheme. Reynolds was the only lawyer who did not accept a plea deal. In November 2014, Reynolds was convicted of six counts of misdemeanor solicitation of professional employment, but the verdict was overturned after state District Judge Lisa Michalk declared a mistrial. Michalk declared a mistrial after one juror reported that he or she was influenced by another juror.
Reynolds was indicted in 2015 on related charges, and the conviction on November 20 was the result. Texas law makes it illegal for lawyers to solicit clients for accident or disaster claims until 30 days after the incident. A key witness for the prosecution was Robert Ramirez Valdez Sr., a four-time felon, who is currently serving five years in prison as part of the scheme. He testified that Reynolds paid him on average $1,000 for each client who was recruited to his law firm. Reynolds argued that he did not know that the clients were being illegally solicited, saying that he would appeal the conviction.
On November 23, 2015, Reynolds was sentenced to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine. He was released on $25,000 bond while he appealed his conviction.
On September 7, 2018, Reynolds' appeals were denied and he turned himself in to authorities for a one-year jail sentence.
KXAN News reported in June 2011 that Reynolds had received $10,000 in fines by the Texas Ethics Commission for failing to file mandatory financial disclosure reports. Reynolds allegedly did not file personal financial statements for 2008, 2010, or 2011. As of June 1, 2011, Reynolds reportedly owed the Ethics Commission approximately $10,260. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott took Reynolds to court on behalf of the state to collect the outstanding fees. The case resulted in Reynolds owing the Attorney General's office $2,500 plus interest and court costs, in addition to the existing fines. The Texas Comptroller issued a warrant hold, garnishing his legislative expense reimbursement checks.
