I’ve dedicated my legal career to defending my clients. I demand all the evidence. I investigate all the facts, the so-called witnesses and even the police officers. I make it my business to know the law. Cases can be won or lost before you even set foot inside the courtroom.
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Posts by Mary Beth Harrell
Texas Law Requires Police to Take Blood Samples in a DWI-Related Accident
Texas, in 2021, passed HB 558. “Colten’s Law” requires that police officers take DWI suspect’s blood sample and test the sample for drugs or alcohol: For certain intoxication charges; If the person refuses a request to voluntarily give a blood specimen; If the person drove a motor vehicle (or watercraft) involved in an accident; If…
Read MoreAlcohol-To-Go Is Now Law in Texas. Should it Be?
Texas passed a law in May 2021 that permits customers to buy alcoholic drinks from bars and restaurants without having to drink them in the restaurant or bar. The law began as an executive order by Governor Abbott to help restaurants and bars during the pandemic. Many restaurants and bars, by definition, require sales of…
Read MoreBreaking Down Hate Crimes in Texas
The term “hate crime” entered the American vocabulary sometime in the 1980s and 90s, although the FBI investigated hate crimes as far back as World War I. Hate crimes are serious offenses and the court treats them as such. If you are facing hate crime charges, it is essential you understand the allegations against you…
Read MoreDWI Charges With a Child Passenger in Texas
Charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI) can leave you facing a variety of penalties if convicted, depending on the circumstances of your arrest. However, if you are arrested for DWI while you have your child in the vehicle with you, your situation instantly becomes much more serious, and you may also risk child endangerment charges.…
Read MoreYour FedEx Delivery Person Might Be a Cop
A recent federal court ruling rejected a defendant’s arguments that evidence of drugs seized at a FedEx sorting center were taken in violation of his Constitutional rights. The matter of interest in this case is the story behind it, which revealed a fact little-known to the public before now – that the international shipping company…
Read MoreDo Children Ever Have a Say in Custody Determinations?
Children have it tough during a divorce. They generally have to sit back and just go along for the ride even though it has a substantial effect on their lives. They often have no control over the course of their lives, which are now being complicated by a division of time between two households –…
Read MorePrescription Drugs and Trafficking in Texas
The United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime issued a World Drug Report in 2005, which estimated the size of the global illicit drug market at $320 billion. At the time, the primary concerns were opioids (specifically heroin) and cocaine. It has been 18 years, and the UN’s focus has shifted. In the 2020 report,…
Read MoreA Look at COVID-19’s Effects on the Court System in Texas
When the world shut down in March of 2020, courts across the nation had no choice but to halt legal proceedings and trials as a safety precaution. At the start of the new year, courts were struggling to find a way to hold trials in a safe environment. Bell County is looking to resume trials…
Read MoreTexas’ Potential New Handgun Law Is Raising Concerns
Texas is primed to pass the most lenient Constitutional carry law in the United States. The change would allow anyone who is over the age of 21 to carry a handgun in the state without licensing or training. When Governor Abbott signs House Bill 1927 into law, Texas would become the largest state in the…
Read MoreSome of the Strangest Deadly Weapons in History
Assault charges can lead to some serious consequences. Aggravated assault, particularly with a deadly weapon, can lead to felony charges and prison time. The definition of “deadly weapon” can be a tricky one. Although it typically means something like a gun, bat, or a knife, it can encompass anything that can cause physical harm to…
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