Woodlands Attorney Charged with Perjury

The Woodlands Attorney Charged with Perjury in Montgomery County

A Woodlands attorney, Amy Elizabeth Rivers, also known as Amy Rivers-Duvall, was arrested on May 15, 2024, in Montgomery County, facing a perjury charge. Authorities accuse her of making false statements under oath regarding her absence from a court hearing last summer.

The charge originates from events surrounding a court hearing on August 16, 2023, in the 359th District Court. Rivers-Duvall had submitted a sworn affidavit on August 15, 2023, and subsequently testified in court about a Motion to Reconsider in a civil case. The central point of her testimony was her explanation for missing an earlier hearing on August 10, 2023.

Rivers-Duvall stated under oath that she was unable to attend the August 10, 2023, hearing because she had to take her son to the emergency room for a broken bone on that specific date. However, prosecutors allege this claim was untrue. According to their investigation, surveillance footage and medical records indicate that Rivers-Duvall was not at the emergency room with her son on August 10. Instead, she was reportedly seen at a local business that day. Prosecutors contend that her son did, in fact, have an emergency room visit for a broken bone, but this occurred on August 1, 2023, nine days before the missed court date.

The discrepancy came to light after Chad Brackin, the opposing counsel in the civil case, became suspicious and initiated an investigation. He presented his findings, including surveillance video evidence, to Judge Kathleen Hamilton of the 359th District Court. After reviewing the evidence, Judge Hamilton referred the matter to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal charges.

The Texas Rangers took Rivers-Duvall into custody on May 15, 2024. She was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and posted a $10,000 bond, leading to her release the following day, May 16, 2024.

In Texas, perjury is typically classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. However, if perjury is committed in an official proceeding, such as a court hearing, it can be elevated to a third-degree felony. A conviction for a third-degree felony can result in a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Robert Rosenberg, Rivers-Duvall’s attorney, has stated their intention to “vigorously defend” the charge. Rosenberg emphasized Rivers-Duvall’s “stellar professional reputation” earned over her 27 years as an attorney. Records indicate she has no prior criminal history in Montgomery County, and her license with the State Bar of Texas is currently active with no disciplinary actions listed.