Family violence is a serious issue. Unfortunately, HPD takes it so seriously that they often make domestic violence arrests indiscriminately.  Has anyone placed a call? Someone’s getting arrested—sometimes even the person who placed the call in the first place. Statistics on Domestic Violence Charges It’s very easy to find yourself on the receiving end of a domestic violence charge. Just take a look at these statistics. 25.3% of individuals perpetrate intimate partner violence 28% are female, and 21% are males 80% have perpetrated emotional abuse 57.9% of IPV cases are bi-directional, 42 ..read more

As social media has become a major part of our lives, it should come as no surprise that courts have used networking sites as a source of evidence. With this being said, here’s a look at how social media has had an influence in court cases. Cases Involving Social Media There are a few cases that add context as to how social media can be used in court for (or against) the plaintiff or defendant. Such important cases are: Zimmerman v. Weis Markets, Inc. – This was a personal injury case that took place in 2011. Zimmerman claimed that he was involved in a forklift a ..read more

As Obama wraps up his presidency and we transition to our new leadership under Trump, U.S. citizens will note many possible changes. One area that may see significant upheaval in the upcoming months (and years) is criminal justice reform. Obama has focused the majority of his efforts on this area within the last year of his presidency. Though he’s pushing for reform even during his last days in office, he’s facing criticism from both liberals and conservatives. Here’s a look at what he’s done so far for criminal justice reform, what he may do in the upcoming weeks, and how this will affec ..read more

With summer underway, more Texans are heading to lakes and rivers to soak up the sun and enjoy the thrills of navigating waterways. However, Texas does have some specific laws about what is and is not acceptable behaviors while boating, and you need to understand how they apply to you. Texas Boating Laws You Need to Understand. Those born after September 1, 1993 are required by law to have completed a Boater Education course to operate a personal water craft (PWC) or boat with more than 15 horsepower in Texas, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). While carrying open co ..read more

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney? If you find yourself or a loved one accused of a crime, the first step is to seek the guidance of a criminal defense attorney. Although it may be tempting to go solo, facing a criminal charge can result in serious consequences, including hefty fines, probation, and even imprisonment. That’s why it’s crucial to consider hiring a criminal defense attorney in the following situations: You’ve Been Arrested: Getting arrested can be a harrowing experience. In such a scenario, it’s crucial to contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your a ..read more

You’re in a precarious position if you have been charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).  You need to know how to proceed. You need legal representation as soon as possible. Can I refuse a breathalyzer test? Texas is an implied consent state which means that by virtue of having  a license, you have impliedly agreed to take a test when properly requested by police. You can still refuse to submit to a  breathalyzer test. Refusing to submit to a test still entitles you to a suspension hearing, if requested in a timely manner. If the police have a search warrant to obtain a bl ..read more

If you’re in trouble with the law in Houston, Texas, there may be some tough questions on your mind. Here are a couple of the questions our clients have brought us in the past about criminal law in Houston.  Should you cooperate with a police investigation or interrogation when you might be charged with a crime?  Talking to the police is almost never a good idea unless you have a lawyer present. This is true even if you think you’re merely being questioned as a potential witness. The police sometimes interview  individuals  as if they are potential witnesses at first ..read more

‘In the field’ drug tests play an enormous role in drug possession arrests and convictions in Texas, but according to a panel of Texas lawmakers and legal officials, the test kits used for field testing are too unreliable to form the basis of a proper criminal case. The Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission was formed in 2015 to research ways to stop wrongful convictions; in the panel’s final December 2016 report, the commission cited drug field tests’ “questionable reliability”, and called for prosecutors to use crime laboratories to confirm that evidence in drug possession cas ..read more

Why are some lawyers more expensive than others, and do you really get what you pay for? “How much is this going to cost?”  Everyone who calls or comes in to my office asks this question, and I imagine they’re hoping to hear a lower fee than what other lawyers have quoted.  When someone asks me this question within the first few minutes of a call or meeting, my answer is almost always:  “it depends.”  Our conversation inevitably then heads in one of two possible directions:  “Can you give me an idea of how much?” or ” It depends on what?” Direction 1:  “Can You Gi ..read more

Although Texas recently made medicinal marijuana legal under the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), the restrictions placed on both the prescription-seeking patients and the prescribing doctors have rendered this program relatively ineffective. In addition, an unusual law governing the prosecution of edible marijuana could potentially lead to a felony conviction for the use of a relatively small amount of marijuana. Read on to learn more about the intersection of these two laws and your potential defenses if you’re facing charges for possession of edible marijuana. How d ..read more