DWI/DUI
Texas Woman That Fired A Gun Sentenced to Five Years
In the 21st Century, increasing numbers of crimes are committed and recorded on social media. In Houston, a woman who admitted to firing a gun from a moving vehicle and recording it on Snapchat was imprisoned for five years. The heavy sentence was handed down even though nobody was hurt in the stunt, reported ABC13. The TV news station reported Sierra Tarbutton was riding in a car with Michael "Money Mike" Cuellar. They were arrested for firing guns as they rode down Memorial Drive in September 2017. Prosecutors alleged she then posted the incident on the social media site Snapchat. [...]
Highlighting the DWI Blood Draw Process in Texas
If you have been accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas you may face a bewildering array of tests. The DWI blood draw process is the most physically-invasive test as well as the most reliable one. However, there are improper procedures that can skew results. There are numerous uncertainties. The Texas blood test should be carried out as soon as possible after the time of driving, to be reliable for a jury. Challenges In Texas DWI Blood Draw Procedures However, it can often take an hour or two before blood is drawn from a DWI suspect. It may take [...]
Fort Worth Man is Sentenced to 15 Years for Sixth DWI
Multiple DWIs can land you behind bars for long periods of time. Recently, a man from Fort Worth was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his sixth DWI driving conviction. A report in the Cleburn Times-Review noted William Paul West was pulled over by a Texas State Trooper. He crashed his car into a utility pole in southern Parker County off of U.S. Highway 377. Repeat DWI Offender In Fort Worth Receives 15-Year Sentence A judge in Parker County found the 52-year-old man from Fort Worth guilty of his sixth driving while intoxicated charge. The judge sentenced him to [...]
Spate of Bank Robberies Impact Austin Violent Crime Stats
A relentless rise in violent crime in America’s cities was not sustained in many locations in 2017. However, violence still appears to be increasing in Texas’ capital according to Austin violent crime stats. A series of bank robberies is linked to the increase. A report in the American Statesman noted the number of violent crimes in Austin rose by about 3 percent over 2016 figures. However, the figures were only based on calculations from Austin police through July. Bank Robberies Contribute To Rise In Austin's Violent Crime Rates The figures were released by Interim Police Chief Brian Manley at a [...]
Heat & Hurricanes Shaped Criminal Law Reform Agenda In 2017
The criminal reform agenda was active in Texas in 2017. Climatic factors like heat and hurricanes also had an impact. After Hurricane Harvey hit the coast of Texas in the summer of 2017, five Texas prisons were evacuated. A report in The Nation noted some inmates were left with little food in unsanitary and flooded prisons. Climate Events Influence Texas Criminal Law Reforms In 2017 Hundreds of evacuated inmates ended up at a notoriously hot prison that was already at the center of an ongoing lawsuit about overheating. In July 2017, a federal judge ruled that the lack of air [...]
New Second Chance Law Allows DWIs To Be Sealed In Texas
A new law allowing DWI convictions to be sealed in some cases has been in effect in Texas for more than three months. Although it will take time to gauge the effectiveness of this law, it’s likely to mean offenders will be given opportunities they would not otherwise have been afforded. Understanding Texas' "Second Chance" Law For DWI Offenders A recent conducted by Arizona State University found that applicants with criminal histories were the least likely to be hired. That’s hardly rocket science, but even a first DWI can prove very detrimental to your future. Texas’ new ‘Second Chance’ law [...]
Texas Lawmaker Calls for a Ban on Open Carry of Long Guns
Texas allows the open carry of long guns. It’s a situation that one lawmaker wants to change in the aftermath of a church massacre. State Rep. Poncho Nevarez made the call after November’s mass shooting when Devin Patrick Kelley walked into the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs and shot 26 worshippers dead. Nevarez said the change is not about disarming Texans. However, he was widely criticized by gun advocates. Background On Open Carry Of Long Guns In Texas Texas has some of the most liberal gun laws in the nation. In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a bill allowing concealed handgun permit holders [...]
Common Mistakes People Make About Criminal Trials
Many defendants are confused about criminal trials and there are numerous misconceptions. On our website, we point out that many people are influenced by trials they see on the TV. Common Misconceptions About Criminal Trials Often people get the beyond reasonable doubt burden of proof confused with the lower one in civil trials. On occasions, we need to help a client understand that in a criminal case the defense does not have anything to prove. Rather the prosecution has to prove their case against our defendant beyond reasonable doubt. The government will typically bring witnesses to the stand to help [...]
Explaining the DWI Process in Texas
The DWI process in Texas may seem intimidating and confusing, particularly if you have been arrested for the first time. Texas takes an uncompromising stance with drunk drivers and police officers may not explain the process well. Here are some of the steps in the process. The Stop The DWI process almost always starts with a roadside arrest. A police officer or state trooper needs “probable cause” to stop you in the first place. Police officers cannot randomly pull over motorists. Many arrests still involve field sobriety tests and questioning. Typically, suspects are given a roadside breath test. The Breath [...]
Sex Crime Cases Were Mishandled by San Antonio Police Unit
We were alarmed to read about how a detective in San Antonio mishandled more than 130 sex crimes cases going back four years. The San Antonio police unit came under scrutiny in 2017 following reports a Special Victims Unit detective improperly investigated dozens of sex crime and family violence cases. Revelation Of Mismanagement In The Special Victims Unit The information was given in an interview by Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood with mySA.com. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus revealed some of the alleged crimes are already past the statute of limitations and can no longer be prosecuted. La Hood [...]
