Posted on July 25, 2022 in Criminal Defense

If you have not had much involvement with the Texas criminal justice system, you may be unfamiliar with many of the terms used by court officials and lawyers. Plea deals or plea bargains are often misunderstood by individuals accused of criminal offenses. Many people are unsure of what a plea bargain is, let alone whether they should take the deal or not.

If you were charged with driving while intoxicated, drug possession or drug distribution, theft, assault, or another criminal offense, it is important to understand how a plea bargain may influence your case.

Plea Bargaining in Texas Criminal Cases

When someone is charged with a criminal offense, this means that he or she is formally accused of the offense by the state. In the United States, individuals are assumed to be innocent until the state proves that they are guilty.

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 Posted on July 18, 2022 in Family Violence

In Texas, crimes against a family or household member are subject to increased penalties. Assault family violence, domestic assault, and related offenses may be considered misdemeanors or felony offenses depending on the circumstances of the offense and the alleged offender’s criminal history. Sometimes, family violence convictions are punished by significant prison time.

If you or a loved one are facing accusations of domestic violence, abuse, or another crime, do not wait to take action. Contact a criminal defense attorney for help right away.

Understand What You Are Up Against

Conviction for any type of violent offense can have a lasting impact on the convicted person. If you are convicted of abuse or domestic violence against a spouse, partner, ex-partner, family member, or household member, you could suffer irreparable damage to your personal and professional reputation. You could face months or years in jail.

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 Posted on July 12, 2022 in Drug Charges

When it comes to the legality of marijuana and cannabis products, state laws vary wildly. In Texas, the use, sale, or cultivation of marijuana is illegal. Medical marijuana containing low levels of THC is available for certain individuals diagnosed with medical conditions like epilepsy. However, medical marijuana users must receive a prescription from a physician and get the marijuana product from a licensed dispensary.

Regular Texans are prohibited from selling or otherwise distributing marijuana flower or THC products like edibles. If you or a loved one were charged with marijuana distribution, seek advice from a drug crimes defense lawyer right away.

Collin County Marijuana Distribution Charges

Selling even a small amount of marijuana flower, edibles, or other cannabis products can lead to criminal charges in Texas. The severity of the charges depends on the amount of cannabis allegedly sold.

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 Posted on June 29, 2022 in DWI

Police officers have a substantial amount of authority in the United States. However, police authority is not unlimited. Officers must adhere to certain rules and procedures during arrests and investigations. When police make procedural errors or other mistakes, it can have a significant impact on the outcome of a case. If you were arrested for driving while intoxicated, it is important to understand how improper police actions can improve your chances of avoiding conviction.

Lack of Justification for Traffic Stop

Individuals in the United States have a right to a certain level of privacy. Police and other government officials cannot detain people without justification. To pull a driver over for a traffic stop, police must have a reasonable suspicion that the driver committed a traffic violation or other crime. If a DWI arrest follows a traffic stop for which there was no justification, the charges could be dismissed.

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 Posted on June 23, 2022 in DWI

Driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense in Texas. If convicted of DWI, an individual faces major consequences, including jail time. If an individual causes an accident in which someone is injured while under the influence, he or she can face charges for intoxication assault. DWI involving bodily injury or intoxication assault may involve drunk driving, drugged driving, or intoxicated operation of a boat or airplane. DWI resulting in serious bodily injury is a felony offense in Texas. If you or a loved one were charged with intoxication assault, speak to a criminal defense lawyer for help right away.

Drunk Driving That Results in Serious Bodily Injury

Alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medication can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Because of this, states have passed legislation prohibiting intoxicated driving. DWI is punishable by three to 180 days’ incarceration, probation, community service, and steep fines for a first-time offense in Texas. However, if an intoxicated driver causes a crash in which someone is seriously hurt, the penalties are much more severe.

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 Posted on June 15, 2022 in Criminal Defense

As the school season ends and summer break begins, many high school and college-aged students are faced with a difficult decision: Do they wait until they are of legal age to drink, or do they drink alcohol before age 21?

Many young people find themselves at summer parties or events where alcohol is served to underage individuals. They may even have an older friend or family member who is willing to purchase alcohol for them. The temptation to drink before it is legal is something many people have experienced; however, the consequences of underage drinking can have profound consequences.

Minor in Possession of Alcohol

In the majority of cases, individuals under age 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. If a minor is caught in possession of alcohol in violation of Texas law, he or she can be charged with a Class C misdemeanor. Texas penalties for minors charged with alcohol possession are not focused on punishment but instead helping the minor avoid reoffending in the future. Alcohol possession is punishable by a maximum fine of $500 and up to 12 hours of community service. If the minor has a driver’s license or learner’s permit, his or her license may be suspended for up to 30 days. Often, minors charged with alcohol-related offenses are required to participate in an alcohol education course.

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 Posted on June 09, 2022 in DWI

Truck drivers, bus drivers, and other commercial drivers provide invaluable services to Texas communities. If you have a commercial driver’s license, you probably know that CDL holders are subject to special regulations and requirements. Commercial drivers are held to very high standards under Texas law. Violating Texas law by driving while intoxicated (DWI) can lead to the suspension or revocation commercial driver’s license. Losing your license is especially devastating when you need your driver’s license to make a living. It is imperative that CDL holders understand their legal options after being accused of drunk driving.

Legal Limit for Commercial Drivers in Texas

For non-CDL holders, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in Texas is 0.08 percent. However, the legal limit is only 0.04 percent for CDL holders. Many commercial drivers are shocked when they realize just how little alcohol it takes to push their BAC beyond the legal limit. For an average-sized adult male, it only takes two drinks to reach 0.04 percent BAC. Women who weigh less than 120 pounds can have a BAC over 0.04 percent from consuming a single alcoholic drink. CDL holders who have a few drinks and then drive may find themselves facing criminal charges for DWI.

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 Posted on May 27, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Having a criminal record can affect nearly every aspect of a person's life. Finding a job or apartment may be difficult or nearly impossible with criminal charges on your record. It can also be embarrassing for details of an arrest or other legal matter to be publicly available for friends, family, or neighbors to see.

If you have a criminal record, you may be interested in expunging or erasing your record. Texas law does allow for expunction and orders of nondisclosure. However, record clearing is only in certain situations. Read on to learn more.

Expunging Your Record in Texas

Being arrested for a crime is not the same as being convicted or found guilty of a crime. However, many people are shocked when they realize that merely being arrested for something results in a criminal record – even if the charges were dropped or the person was found not guilty. Fortunately, people in this situation may be able to get their arrest records expunged.

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 Posted on May 22, 2022 in Assault

Many people have been in a fight at one point or another. Some fights consist of little more than name-calling and light shoving. Other fights escalate into serious physical altercations in which multiple parties are injured. Individuals who were involved in a fight may find themselves facing criminal charges for assault or family violence.

Criminal Penalties for Assault and Domestic Violence

Violent criminal offenses are penalized harshly in Texas. Even if you were only acting in self-defense, you may be charged with a criminal offense for participating in a fight. In Texas, assault causing bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties for assault can include up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $4000. Domestic violence or family violence is penalized the same as assault causing bodily injury unless the person has a prior conviction for assault against a family member. If so, the charge is elevated to a felony.

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 Posted on May 16, 2022 in DWI

When someone is suspected of a criminal offense, police usually handcuff that person, place them under arrest, and take them into police custody. For a misdemeanor offense like driving while intoxicated (DWI), the individual is held in police custody until they can attend a hearing before a magistrate judge and have their bond set. Once the person pays the bond, he or she is free to leave. He or she will be expected to return to court for his or her first appearance.

Unfortunately, the time between being arrested for DWI and the bond hearing can be 24-48 hours. For those with jobs, children, and other important responsibilities, waiting in police custody for two days while awaiting magistration is impractical and can even lead to serious repercussions like being fired.

If your loved one was recently arrested for drunk driving, you may be able to get them out of police custody almost immediately by securing an attorney writ bond.

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