What You Need to Know About SCRAM Devices

If you were recently arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Collin County or other parts of Texas, the judge may order you to abstain from consuming alcohol for a certain period of time. Instead of having you come in on a daily basis to check your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by chemical test, the…

What are the Penalties for Interfering with an Emergency Call?

Preventing or otherwise impeding a person from making an emergency call is a crime in Texas. Those who are convicted face serious penalties, which is a testament to how seriously Texas takes this offense. Many people end up interfering with an emergency call because they do not even know that this is a crime in…

What is a Motion to Revoke?

If you were convicted of a crime in Texas or pled guilty to charges against you, it’s possible that a judge will grant you “community supervision.” This term is synonymous with the legal status commonly known as being on probation. The arrangement typically involves a series of programs and requirements that you must follow for…

What Is a Retainer Fee?

When you hire an attorney, the contract you sign will state how they should be compensated for their services. Some lawyers, such as those focused on personal injury or defective drug litigation, will only charge you fees if you win your case. This is a contingency model of payment. Other lawyers, such as family or…

July 4th — the “No Refusal” Holiday

As the Fourth of July looms, counties across Texas are preparing for another “No Refusal” week(end).  What this means for drivers arrested for Driving While Intoxicated is that even if you refuse a breath or a blood test, an officer may very likely seek a warrant for your blood. Texas has what is called the “implied consent”…

How Do I Get My Child Out of Juvenile Detention?

Can I bond my child out of juvenile detention? The short answer is, “No.” Unlike a criminal case, you cannot post bond on a juvenile case. This is just one of the many ways that a juvenile case is different from an adult criminal case. You will soon discover many purposeful differences between the juvenile…

The New DIC-24 and DIC-23

To reflect changes made to the Texas Transportation Code effective September 1, 2011, the state Department of Public Safety has amended both the DIC 23 and DIC 24 (as well as the 54). The DIC 24 is a document that is more commonly known as the statutory warning.  It is a script that Texas police officers…

Five Signs You Hired the Right Defense Attorney

In an ideal world, every person in need of legal representation would get a lawyer who was the perfect match for their case. But finding a lawyer with the right skills, experience, and professional style for your unique circumstances can be a huge task. When it comes to criminal defense, choosing the right lawyer can…

What Is Deferred Adjudication in Texas?

A criminal conviction can have a serious impact on your life. Beyond the actual sentence–including the possibility of jail time–a conviction of any kind can make it harder to get a job, receive certain government benefits, and even exercise basic civil rights such as voting. One way to avoid the immediate and collateral consequences of a conviction…

How Does an 11.07 Writ of Habeas Help a Convicted Person?

I recently answered a similar question in the context of a murder conviction. This case sentenced an individual to 25 years imprisonment. The question also raised issues about the defendant being a first-time offender. Whether they had inadequate representation. If there was false witness testimony and prosecution based on circumstantial evidence. I realized that these issues…