Posted on January 10, 2023 in Criminal Defense

It is without a doubt that feelings, beliefs, and policies towards marijuana are changing rapidly across the country. While many states are choosing to legalize the substance, the federal government still classifies it as a Schedule I drug and it remains, therefore, federally illegal. While it is true that many states are changing their tone regarding marijuana, one state that has yet to change its tone is Texas. In Texas, illegal drugs such as marijuana, are considered to be a controlled substance. As a result, in Texas, possessing marijuana is a crime, regardless of how small the amount. 

If you live in Texas and have been charged with a marijuana-related offense, please understand that Texas takes all marijuana-related offenses with the utmost seriousness. As a result, you would be wise to contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to help ensure your rights remain protected and a positive outcome can be achieved in your case. 

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 Posted on December 22, 2022 in DWI

We have heard it since we were teenagers: One mistake can ruin your life. Indeed, being arrested, charged, or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor can leave you with a criminal record and have terrible consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life. However, depending on your offenses, you may be eligible for an expunction if you live in Texas and currently have a criminal record. Expunction is the permanent removal of a crime from your criminal record. In this blog, we will look at what expunction is and how to know if you are eligible.

If you are interested in learning whether your criminal record is eligible for expunction, contacting an experienced attorney who is familiar with expunction in Texas and has secured expunction for clients in the past can be an excellent first step towards erasing your criminal record once and for all.

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 Posted on December 14, 2022 in Juvenile Law

Most parents’ worst nightmare is to hear their child has been arrested. Many parents work tirelessly to ensure their child is raised correctly and follows the law. Unfortunately, in life, few things ever go according to plan. When a child is arrested, they are typically tried as a juvenile. However, a child may be tried as an adult in certain situations. 

Being tried in adult court means the child will be held to the same legal standard as an adult. The child could face severe criminal penalties. Generally, if a child is being tried as an adult, they allegedly committed an act so heinous that a juvenile court no longer protects the child. If your child has been arrested and charged as an adult, understand that they are in extreme legal jeopardy. Contact an experienced juvenile defense attorney who will ensure that your child’s rights remain protected and that they are afforded the best legal counsel possible to pursue the most favorable outcome possible in your child’s favor. 

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 Posted on December 01, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Being charged with a crime can fill you with a cascade of emotions, including fear, anger, and frustration. This is especially true if you have been charged with a violent crime like sexual assault. A sexual assault charge is enormously serious, carrying stiff penalties including significant fines and prolonged prison sentences. Therefore, while it may be true that being charged with such a crime can cause you to feel strong emotions, you must operate with the utmost caution. 

As with many crimes, there is a certain protocol you should follow if facing severe criminal charges. You do not want to put yourself in a worse situation than you are already in. If you have been charged with a violent crime like sexual assault, do not hesitate to contact an attorney who will passionately protect your rights and work to pursue a positive outcome in your case. 

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 Posted on November 21, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Regardless of if you have been driving for 10 years or 20 years, driving takes a lot of concentration. Unfortunately, as our society becomes more digitized and our cell phone rarely leaves our grasp, traffic violations involving cell phone use have become common.

If you live in Texas and have been charged with distracted driving, consult with an experienced attorney skillful in working in cases that involve distracted driving. 

Distracted Driving Laws in Texas 

Across the United States, 48 states, including Texas, have explicitly banned texting while driving. In Texas, texting and driving is a misdemeanor, which means a conviction will create a criminal record. You may also be subject to a fine of $25 to $99 if it is your first offense. A repeat offender can be fined up to $200. If you text while driving and cause an injury or death, that fine is increased to $4,000, including the possibility of jail time. 

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 Posted on November 14, 2022 in Criminal Defense

 Texans tend to be very proud of their right to keep and bear arms, as is defined under the Constitution’s Second Amendment and Texas state law. Texas has some of the more forgiving laws in the United States regarding weapons possession and the practice of open-carry firearms, which is why it can be shocking when someone finds themselves charged with a weapons violation. Contrary to popular belief, you can still find yourself in legal hot water for possessing or using a firearm, even in Texas.

Anyone charged with a weapons violation in Texas must take the charge seriously. Weapon violations are serious offenses, and failing to take the situation seriously can subject an individual to unfavorable consequences. Therefore, if you have been charged with a weapons violation in Texas, it is a good idea to pursue legal guidance as soon as possible to pursue a favorable outcome. 

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 Posted on November 07, 2022 in DWI

The Texas Family Law Code categorizes family violence as an act committed by a family or household member that inflicts harm, assault, physical injury, or causes the person to fear impending harm. Criminal charges for domestic violence-related offenses can lead to jail time, steep fines, and permanent damage to your personal and professional reputation. 

If you were charged with committing acts of family violence, it is imperative to consider reaching out to a knowledgeable family violence attorney with experience in such cases. 

Family Violence in Texas

Regardless of whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, accusations of family violence must be taken very seriously. Not only can a family violence conviction bring prison time and enormous fines, but it can also have a lasting impact on your ability to be employed, as well as negative consequences in child custody or divorce hearings. 

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 Posted on October 20, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Halloween can be a fun time for children, teenagers, and adults alike. Unfortunately, sometimes. the "trick" portion of trick or treating gets out of hand. If you or your child is facing criminal charges stemming from Halloween mischief, it is important to understand the possible consequences and defenses that may be available.

Most Halloween-related crimes are relatively minor, such as vandalism or trespassing.  However, more serious offenses, such as burglary or assault, can also occur. In some cases, people are charged with crimes that they did not commit. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the criminal justice system and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. 

Juvenile Offenses During Halloween

Children, teenagers, and young adults may be shocked to end up in handcuffs after a seemingly harmless prank. For example, "egging" a house by throwing eggs at it can lead to broken windows and other property damage. This may be considered vandalism. 

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 Posted on October 13, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Murder is considered one of the most serious crimes in Texas, and it is punishable by up to life in prison. If you have been charged with murder, it is important to understand the severity of the charge and the possible defenses that may be available to you.

Criminal defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, however, individuals accused of murder are often treated as if they committed the crime. If you have been accused of murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide, you need a lawyer who will fight for you.

Know What You Are Up Against

There are four main categories of criminal homicide in Texas. Murder refers to intentionally causing the death of another person. In Texas, capital murder is a first-degree felony. Killing someone during the commission of another crime such as kidnapping or sexual assault, killing a peace officer, or killing a child under ten years of age are examples of capital murder. Murder is a second-degree offense. If a murder took place in the "heat of passion" and was not planned in advance, murder is considered a second-degree felony.

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 Posted on October 06, 2022 in Criminal Defense

The sex offender registry is a website that lists people convicted of certain sex crimes. The registry is accessible to the public, which means that neighbors, friends, employers, co-workers, and virtually anyone else can look up sex offenders.

If you are convicted of a sex crime, you will likely be required to register as a sex offender. This means that your personal information, including your name and address, will be available to the public. In some cases, you may also be required to provide a photograph and other identifying information.

Understandably, individuals accused of sexual assault, prostitution, statutory rape, indecent exposure, and other sex crimes are often deeply concerned about being on the sex offender registry. Once someone is on the registry, it can be nearly impossible for them to live a normal life. 

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