Posted on January 25, 2022 in Drug Charges

The legality of marijuana varies dramatically across the United States. In some states, adults can freely buy and consume marijuana flower and marijuana products like edibles. However, Texas still classifies marijuana as an illegal drug. You can face criminal charges for possessing, cultivating, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products in Texas.

Penalties for THC Food in Texas

The penalties for possessing marijuana are based on the quantity of the substance allegedly in your possession. Possession of a few grams of marijuana is punished less harshly than possession of a few pounds of the substance.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the component of marijuana responsible for the marijuana “high.” Some people consume THC by eating it. THC may be added to candies, cookies, brownies, and other foods.

If you are caught with a THC-containing food or “edible,” you may face life-changing consequences. Charges for possession of marijuana edibles can be especially significant because Texas considers the total weight of the food product when determining the severity of the charge. Furthermore, THC concentrates, substances often used to create edibles, are classified differently than marijuana flower. Per Texas law, THC oil or wax are in Penalty Group 2. Possession of less than a gram of THC concentrate can lead to state felony charges and up to two years in prison. If you have one to four grams of THC oil or wax, you face up to ten years in prison. This means something as small as a candy or cookie containing THC concentrate could lead to a multiple-year prison sentence.

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 Posted on January 19, 2022 in Attorney Writ Bonds

Whether due to alleged drunk driving, drug possession, assault, or another criminal offense, being arrested is a shocking experience to go through. Many people who are arrested and charged with a crime have jobs, children, and other important responsibilities. They cannot afford to sit in jail and wait to see a judge.

If you or a loved one were placed under arrest and taken into custody, you should know how an attorney writ bond may be able to help.

Understanding Attorney Writ Bonds

Usually, someone who is arrested must wait in custody to see a judge before they are released from jail. However, if someone is arrested late Friday night, for example, they may not see a judge until Monday at the earliest. Understandably, people who have been arrested usually want to leave jail as soon as possible. They cannot put their lives on hold while they wait for a judge to become available. Attorney writ bonds are a special type of cash bond that can get a person out of jail soon after an arrest.

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 Posted on January 10, 2022 in Criminal Defense

When someone is being threatened or attacked, it is natural for him or her to want to defend himself or herself. Unfortunately, many family violence cases are “he said, she said” situations. The police arrive at a scene and do not know who is the aggressor and who is the victim. Sometimes, the wrong person gets arrested and charged with a crime.

If you or a loved one were charged with assault, domestic assault, violence against the family, or a related crime, contact a criminal defense lawyer for help right away.

Understanding Self Defense Laws in Texas

Self-defense is an “affirmative defense.” This means that the person accused of the offense agrees that he or she committed the offense, but his or her actions were justified.

Consider the following example: A man and his girlfriend are arguing and the girlfriend comes at the man with a knife. The man pushes her away, causing her to fall to the ground and suffer an injury. While it is true that the man did push the woman down and injure her, he only did so because his own safety was threatened.

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 Posted on December 28, 2021 in Drug Charges

Having a drug crime on your record can leave you under the weight of a heavy stigma. Regardless of the circumstances of your alleged offense, you may struggle with being stereotyped based on a drug conviction for the rest of your life. Drug possession crimes are very serious in Texas, often being charged as a felony even for a first offense. By working with a skilled attorney, you may be able to develop a strong defense and avoid overly harsh penalties. If you have been charged with a drug possession crime, it is important that you take the matter very seriously and contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

What Are Some Defense Strategies to Drug Possession Offenses in Texas?

Being caught with illegal drugs in Texas could lead to serious prison time, even for simple possession in some cases. Developing a strong defense strategy is extremely important to avoid the harsh criminal penalties our state is notorious for. Defense strategies that may succeed in some cases include:

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 Posted on December 23, 2021 in Family Violence

Family violence is taken very seriously in Texas. Assaults against a romantic partner, relative, or household member can lead to very serious penalties. You are likely to be served with a protection order barring you from returning to your own home if you live with the alleged victim before you are even released from jail. In addition, you could be facing prison time depending on the exact offense charged.

If you have been accused of any type of family violence offense, it is very important that you work closely with a skilled criminal defense lawyer to give you the best chances of avoiding serious, life-altering penalties.

What Are the 3 Types of Family Violence Crimes in Texas?

In Texas, there are three offenses that fall under the category of family violence. Both misdemeanor and felony charges are possible, depending on the severity of the alleged offense and whether you have prior offenses. The three types of family violence crimes are:

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 Posted on December 14, 2021 in DWI

DUI testing has never been a perfect process. From all the problems that could potentially invalidate the results of a breath test to the inherent subjectivity of roadside sobriety testing, no type of DUI testing is foolproof. Each comes with pitfalls that could allow a skilled attorney to challenge the validity of the test in many cases. A recent recall of test tubes used in DUI blood tests could jeopardize a series of prosecutions that relied on the results of affected blood tests.

If you are facing DUI charges in Texas, it is important that you take the matter very seriously and secure strong legal representation. An experienced attorney may be able to develop a defense for you based on challenging the results of chemical or field testing.

Flawed BD Test Tubes Cast Doubt on Hundreds of DUI Convictions

Thousands of test tubes recalled by medical supply company BD may have been missing a preservative powder that is necessary for holding the alcohol level of a blood sample steady between the time it is drawn and the time it is tested. Without this preservative, the results of a blood alcohol test could be completely inaccurate.

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 Posted on December 08, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Jail can be a drastically unpleasant if not outright unsafe place. If your loved one has been arrested, getting them released as quickly and easily as possible is probably your most pressing concern. In most Texas criminal cases, the arrested person must be brought before a judge before bond is set and there is an opportunity to be released - assuming bond is not prohibitively expensive. This can take days, especially if the arrest happened over a weekend.

However, in some misdemeanor cases, it is possible to get out of jail before seeing a judge using an attorney writ bond. Only people accused of certain misdemeanor offenses qualify for attorney writ bonds. You will need to contact a lawyer to determine your or your loved one’s eligibility.

What Charges Could I Use an Attorney Writ Bond to Get Released For?

An attorney writ bond can get a newly arrested person out of jail within just a few hours. These bonds allow a licensed attorney to bypass the requirement that an arrested suspect see a judge before being released by making an agreement with the Sherriff’s Department and promising that the defendant will show up for court.

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 Posted on November 23, 2021 in DWI

A dismissal is the “dream outcome” for the defendant in any criminal case. If your DWI charge is dismissed, you will have no criminal record and are free to move on with your life almost as if the whole thing never happened. Getting a DWI dismissed is difficult, but possible in some cases. Certain defects in the prosecution’s case open the door for a skilled DWI lawyer to argue for dismissal. If you are facing DWI charges in Texas, it is important that you take the matter very seriously and consult with a qualified criminal defense lawyer to begin building your best defense.

What Are Some Reasons DWI Charges May Get Dismissed?

Every state actor, from the police to the prosecutor has certain rules they must follow in order to successfully bring a case. Problems can arise at almost any stage in a criminal case that could defeat the prosecution and lead to a dismissal. If any of these apply to your situation, you should speak to an attorney to find out if your case could be dismissed:

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 Posted on November 15, 2021 in DWI

Texas state law is unusually lax when it comes to allowing forced blood draws in DWI cases. A variety of circumstances could allow police officers to take your blood without your consent and use the results against you in a DWI prosecution. This can leave you in serious legal jeopardy on top of feeling violated. If you have been charged with a DWI based on a failed forced blood test, you will need to work with an attorney who is experienced at challenging these tests. Even if the blood test you were made to submit to was legal in Texas, there are other ways to challenge the validity of the results.

When Is a Blood Test Mandatory in DWI Cases?

When you are suspected of a DWI, there is a chance you could be forced to submit to a blood test without your consent. This can happen if the arresting officer reasonably believes you are intoxicated and one of these circumstances exist:

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 Posted on November 09, 2021 in Drug Charges

It is a common beginning to many Texas drug possession prosecutions - during a traffic stop, a police officer spots a substance he thinks could be an illegal narcotic. The suspected contraband could be something as suspicious as a small bag of white powder, or as mundane as an unidentifiable sticky substance on an object in the back seat. The officer reaches for an inexpensive field test kit, and the results show that the substance is indeed a narcotic - much to the surprise of the driver.

Texas police officers rely heavily on these field test kits to back up their suspicions in order to make arrests and kick off criminal prosecutions. However, these tests sometimes produce false positives, sending innocent Texans to jail. If you have been charged with a drug crime, finding a strong attorney should be your first priority right now. Texas drug laws are notoriously strict.

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