At Guest and Gray Law Firm, we’ve seen all kinds of courtroom drama—but few stories are as wild as the recent appellate case of Christopher Waldrep v. State of Texas. This case serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks going pro se (representing yourself) in a felony DWI trial and skipping a day of court is a good idea. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
What Happened?
Waldrep was charged in Rockwall County with his third or more DWI—a third-degree felony. The State labeled him a habitual offender. After firing his court-appointed lawyer, Waldrep decided to represent himself. On day one of trial, he was in court. Day two? Not so much. He vanished. The judge had the bailiff call his name three times at the courtroom door before issuing a capias for his arrest and moving forward without him.
The Appeal
After being convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison, Waldrep tried to appeal the verdict. His argument? That the trial judge improperly commented in front of the jury about his absence and declared him a fugitive, which he claimed tainted the presumption of innocence. Unfortunately for Waldrep, he never objected—either during the sentencing hearing or in his motion for new trial. As the court noted, most rights—including this one—are forfeitable if not timely raised.
What Can We Learn?
This case reinforces a few key lessons:
- Don’t skip court. Ever.
- If you fire your lawyer and go it alone at trial, you’re going to have a bad time.
- To preserve your rights on appeal, you have to raise them at trial or shortly after.
The court emphasized that only a few errors—like denial of counsel or lack of a jury—are considered so fundamental that they can be reviewed without a proper objection. Unfortunately, Waldrep’s situation didn’t meet that threshold. The judge’s comments about his absence were procedural, not prejudicial.
Why Legal Representation Matters
At Guest and Gray Law Firm, we always advise our clients to take court seriously—and to never go it alone without understanding the full consequences. Cases like Waldrep’s show how easily a situation can spiral when you mix inexperience with courtroom protocol.
If you’re facing serious charges like a felony DWI, our Rockwall Criminal Defense Attorneys are here to fight for you, protect your rights, and make sure you never miss a critical deadline—or a court date.
Have questions about your criminal case or appeal? Call Guest and Gray today. We’ve got your back, and we know the law—so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
