Posts by Mary Beth Harrell
Who Keeps the Family Pet When Couples Divorce or Separate?
We love our pets, and for many couples, retaining “custody” of a beloved pet is important. We see them as furry (or scaly, or feathery) little members of our family who are capable of returning the same type of affection we heap on them. So what happens to Fido when two people get divorced? While…
Read MoreDivorce Concerns When You Have Significant Assets
Even though Texas divorce statutes apply equally to the wealthy, middle-class, and poor, those in the wealthiest category may encounter particularly contentious issues related to child custody and community assets. Sometimes spouses in particularly wealthy marriages, when going through a divorce, feel victimized when the other spouse obtains an apparent disproportionate share of those assets…
Read MoreCan You Get Arrested For Drunk Boating?
Arrests for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol also apply to operating watercraft. In most respects, the charges and penalties for boating while intoxicated (BWI) are the same as for driving a vehicle while intoxicated. The tests and measurements used to determine the level of intoxication are the same. In addition…
Read MoreTexas Law Enforcement is Increasing Its Focus on a New Drug – Super Meth
New drugs that pose dangerous health risks to users are being created all the time. A new form of methamphetamine is now raising alarms in East Texas. When drugs raise alarms, this means the manufacturers, sellers, and people in possession of these drugs will be the target of federal and state criminal drug enforcement actions.…
Read MoreWhat Happens If My Child Gets “Busted” for Marijuana?
Regardless of age, getting caught with the possession of marijuana in the state of Texas is no small deal. Minors (those under the age of 18) in Texas who are charged with marijuana related offenses may be subject to considerable legal penalties and consequences. However, at the same time minors may benefit from some leniency…
Read MoreWhat Does It Mean to Suppress Evidence?
In a criminal trial, the prosecutor must present evidence that sufficiently convinces the jury or judge of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence required to meet this burden of proof is often substantial and can be derived from extensive investigations conducted by law enforcement. The various forms in which this evidence may…
Read MoreWhat Does a Lawyer Do at an ALR Hearing in Central Texas?
An Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is the forum used to determine if your driver license should be suspended, because you were either arrested for Driving under the Influence (DUI), or refused to submit to breath or blood tests after being stopped for a DUI. You only have 15 days to request an ALR hearing,…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know if You Are Charged with Aggravated Assault
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were 74,165 arrests for aggravated assaults in Texas in 2018. More people were arrested for aggravated assault than for murders, rapes, and robberies combined. In short, aggravated assault charges are among the most common charges levied by law enforcement. In Texas, aggravated assault charges are felony…
Read MoreCo-Parenting During a Pandemic: Tips For Families
Even under the best of circumstances, co-parenting can be a challenge. But during a pandemic like COVID-19 when every rule seems to be thrown out the window, it can seem nearly impossible. Families are facing increased stress, financial difficulties and anxiety due to stay-at-home orders. School closings, remote work and unemployment has thrown everyone’s schedules…
Read MoreCan I Get a Divorce during COVID-19?
As Texas and the rest of the country continue to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath, some countries are already starting to emerge from their national stay-at-home orders. In the beginning of this pandemic, much of the media had predicted a “coronavirus baby boom” as a result of the long quarantine. However, early…
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