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
What You Should Know about the Texas Sex Offender Registry
In every state, including Texas, sex crimes are considered one of the most horrendous offenses. In the majority of cases, individuals convicted of a sex crime in the state are required to have their names added to the Texas sex offender registry. In 1994, Congress passed the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Act as part…
Read MoreWhat Is Continuous Family Violence in Texas?
Domestic violence accusations are some of the most serious you can face. However, in some cases, a charge of domestic violence may be issued mistakenly or without sufficient proof. If you are facing a charge of continuous family violence in Texas, it is important to know what you are facing in the justice system and…
Read MoreUnderstanding Texas’ Intoxication Manslaughter Law
No one gets in his or her car intending to kill someone. The penalties for DWI in Texas are significant enough without a death involved. Intoxication manslaughter is charged when a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes a fatal motor vehicle accident. You may be arrested and charged with this crime even…
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 While Intoxicated (DWI), or refused to submit to breath or blood tests after being stopped for a DWI. You only have 15 days to request an ALR hearing, starting…
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 MoreDomestic Violence Charges During Stay-at-Home Orders
During these difficult times, there can be uncomfortable issues that we might not want to talk about, or don’t have anyone to vent to about, either. Family or domestic violence is one of them. Unfortunately, these things don’t stop in the face of a nationwide pandemic – and, in fact, they can become worse as…
Read MoreFinding Support and Help For Substance Abuse During COVID-19
The current coronavirus pandemic is a public health crisis affecting everyone in the country. There are some populations here in Texas, however, that may be more vulnerable than others. Our citizens who battle drug and alcohol addictions face challenges that can put them in risky situations for contracting or spreading the coronavirus, as well as…
Read MoreHow Our Offices and Local Courts Are Serving Your Needs
The current COVID-19 pandemic has closed many courts across the state for the foreseeable future, save for emergency hearings and orders. Now, many Texans face uncertainty regarding their legal issues, whether they need representation for criminal charges or for a family law case. Mary Beth Harrell recently spoke to the Copperas Cove Leader Press regarding…
Read MoreWhat Happens During an ALR Hearing?
After the initial trauma of being placed under arrest and taken into custody for the charge of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), you will face a series of immediate consequences, one of which may involve the seizure of your driver’s license. At the time of your arrest, if you fail a breath or blood test, or…
Read MoreHow Does a Capital Trial Differ from a “Regular” Trial?
In the state of Texas, any type or murder degree is designated as criminal homicide. Regardless of the degree assigned to a homicide offense, the consequences in every case are always severe. The highest level of murder defined under the Texas Penal Code is first-degree murder. Capital murder is a type of first-degree murder which…
Read MoreWhat Do I Do if I’m Arrested?
This is a question I get asked a lot. It is understandable, as the thought of getting arrested for many people is scary. The process is something with which most people are not familiar. Knowing your rights and what to do if accused of a crime is important. In today’s blog, I will take you…
Read MoreFacing a DUI? Here’s Why You Might Need an Attorney
If you are ever arrested for a DUI in Killeen, the steps you take to protect yourself can greatly impact the outcome of the situation for you and those closest to you. You cannot afford to go into court alone, or to hire an inexperienced defense lawyer. You need someone on your side who knows…
Read MoreAssault: A Closer Look at what Constitutes Assault
At the most basic level, assault constitutes an act of inflicting unwanted physical contact upon a person or the threat to commit such an act. While this represents the definition of assault, it is much more complex. Classes of Assault The first element that makes assault cases complex is the different classes of assault. Misdemeanor…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Different Types of Sex Crimes
A sex crime accusation has serious consequences and can impact the rest of your life, damaging your personal and professional reputation. There are many different types of sex crimes and if you have been accused of a sex crime, it is important to understand what the differences are between the types of sex crimes. Indecency…
Read MoreDefending An Honorable Vet Suffering From PTSD Who Was Charged With A Drug Possession
My client, John, walked out of Bell County district court with his “freedom papers.” His words, not mine. John’s road to freedom spanned thirteen years. Back in 2006, John was arrested for possessing a usable amount of cocaine during a raid on a drug house outside Fort Cavazos (Fort Hood). He was another homeless, jobless…
Read MoreWhat to Do When You’re Arrested for Drug Possession in Texas
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 10.1 million people reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs in 2014. Even more individuals choose to use drugs without ever getting behind the wheel. Although drug use is more common than most people would like to admit, the reality is that being caught…
Read MoreFirst Offenses: Do You Really Need a DUI/DWI Lawyer?
If you’re arrested for a DUI/DWI, it’s essential to understand the risks this poses for your future — especially if you opt to go it alone. If you are convicted of DUI/DWI – even your first – you will lose your driver’s license, pay a fine, court fees and surcharges totaling thousands of dollars. You…
Read MoreDUI / DWI Myths Vs. Reality: 5 Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions when it comes to information about DUI/DWI. To help sort out any preconceived ideas about what might cause an arrest or whether a DUI charge will stick, here are five busted myths from our experienced DUI / DWI attorneys. 1. Only people who drink and drive get arrested. Not true. Sober…
Read MoreWhat to Do if You’ve Been Accused of Sexual Assault
Take Your Case Seriously The cornerstone of our criminal justice system is that you are innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, the court of public opinion usually convicts without the evidence. While there are countless men and women who should be believed by law enforcement and loved ones when they come forward to tell their stories,…
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