While Merritt has been put in the spotlight, he has also had some punches and even seen himself in legal trouble.
Some in law enforcement have called him a cop-hater who spreads false information about officers in incidents where force is used.
Within the civil rights activist community, some view him as an opportunist who sweeps in on grieving families and ends up monopolizing the spotlight for his own personal gain.
On more than one occasion, he’s faced confrontation with leading Black Lives Matter activists over his methods and his association with Shaun King.
King is a civil rights activist known for using social media to promote social justice causes and was accused of mishandling funds.
In May 2018, Merritt, with King’s help, exaggerated a North Texas woman’s claim about a state trooper sexually assaulting her in a traffic stop.
The story turned out to be fabricated, and body camera footage finally exonerated the officer, who had been subjected to death threats due to the incident, which then prompted Merritt to apologize.
In another instance in 2018, a Texas district attorney filed a complaint with the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee against Merritt, alleging he was practicing Texas law without a license.
Merritt isn’t licensed to practice state law in Texas but said he practiced federal law exclusively in his cases, which is permitted.
Despite the distrust he’s experienced, Merritt is intent on continuing his journey for “justice.”
He told the publication that in light of the recent verdict in the Botham Jean case, he is optimistic about what lies ahead and said. “I think we’re slowly starting to see the tide turn.”