7 Defenses to Common Evidence Used in DWI Cases
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense in Texas that can result in severe legal penalties, including fines, license suspension, and even jail time. If you are facing a DWI charge, it is crucial to understand the evidence that may be used against you in court. While your arresting officer may have had you…
Read MoreHow Victim Impact Statements Can Affect an Assault Case
Under the US Constitution, criminal defendants are given the right to face their accusers. Implied, though not directly stated, is the right of an alleged victim to face the perpetrator of a crime. The whole point of a criminal trial is to give both sides a chance to tell their stories and have an impartial…
Read MoreYes, a DWI Conviction Could Affect Your Security Clearance
You have worked diligently your whole life and undergone highly scrutinized background checks. Maybe you provided years of loyal service in a state or federal position, but one mistake has put your career and professional reputation in jeopardy. This is the strict reality that a DWI charge can have if you hold a government position…
Read MoreStay Off Social Media After Being Charged
As good as it may feel to “get things off your chest,” posting on social media after you’ve been charged with a crime of any sort can only hurt you. Those accused of a violent crime like domestic violence or assault should definitely stop posting on all online accounts until their case is resolved, as…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Rethink Drinking Culture in Texas
While no one wants to bring back Prohibition, we may want to reconsider just how casually we treat alcohol consumption in Texas. Not everyone can or should drink, and our love for partying and tipsy bonding is creating a culture of peer pressure most cannot resist. If someone is drinking to excess, we shouldn’t just…
Read MoreVeterans Get Arrested More Than Civilians; Let Us Help
The men and women who bravely serve our country deserve respect, grace, and opportunity when they return, but few, unfortunately, actually get any. Even though people may thank service people in public, the harsh reality is that more and more of our military veterans are being treated like monsters in private. It is no secret…
Read MoreWhat to Expect During a Killeen DWI Arrest
Many of us have experienced it – if you’re reading this, you likely have as well. You’re driving home from an evening out and you see the familiar red and blue lights in your rear-view mirror signaling you to pull over. You had one or two drinks at dinner, so you’re a little worried about…
Read MoreIs a Federal Assault Charge Different from a State Assault Charge?
No two criminal charges are the same, even if they share many similarities and may be classed the same way. Everyone’s case is different, and therefore the charges they face will reflect that. Any criminal charges can carry serious consequences, of course, but certain crimes hold more weight than others, and in some scenarios, you…
Read MoreThe Murdaugh Trial and the Importance of Witness Testimony
Recently, accused killer Alex Murdaugh took the stand in his double-murder trial, and at the same time an unflattering Netflix docuseries about the murders and his own family hit the airwaves. Pundits and experts across the country considered this a risky move, especially considering Murdaugh immediately confessed to what felt like dozens of lies. We…
Read MoreWhen to Plea and When to Fight Your Charges
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Killeen, Copperas Cove, or anywhere in Central Texas, you may immediately start weighing your options. Should you plead guilty? But you are innocent! Should you fight your charges? But then you might get jail time! There are pros and cons to each, but no matter…
Read MoreWhy Eyewitness Accounts Aren’t Trustworthy
If you were charged with a crime, prosecutors may want to bring in eyewitnesses to help convict you. Or maybe you want to bring an eyewitness onto the stand to help prove your innocence. It seems like a great tactic to use for either side. After all, the eyewitnesses are the people who actually saw…
Read MoreMy Teenager Got Arrested for DWI in Copperas Cove. What Now?
Getting charged with a DWI at any age can be overwhelming. But getting arrested for a DWI in Copperas Cove when you’re under the legal drinking limit can be devastating. Texas actually has a zero-tolerance policy for anyone under the age of 21 who commits any type of alcohol-related offense, which of course includes drinking…
Read MoreGrand Jury, Petit Jury, and Bench Trials: What’s the Difference?
Most people believe that when you get charged with a crime, you will typically have a trial and bring in a jury to determine whether you should be convicted or not. But what many people do not know is that you, as the defendant, actually have the choice of how you want your case to…
Read MoreShould I Talk to the Police If I Haven’t Been Arrested?
Maybe you made a mistake. Maybe you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe you feel that you have absolutely nothing to hide. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself in the company of police – particularly police who want to ask you questions and have you answer those questions without…
Read MoreMy Ignition Interlock Device Broke. What Do I Do?
Here in Texas, we have pretty strict laws about drinking and driving. A conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) can result in jail time, fines, and an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle. These devices, similar to breathalyzers, are installed and wired to your car and prevent it from starting if you have…
Read MoreWhen Is it Self-Defense and When Is it Aggravated Assault?
The general term “assault” comprises a variety of crimes under the Texas penal code, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. The Texas criminal justice system can be harsh and swift, and if you find yourself facing any type of assault charges, it’s important to get started on your defense as soon as possible. When you get…
Read MoreDefenses for Suspected Drugged Driving in Central Texas
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime that carries serious penalties, and with good reason. A driver who is intoxicated or high may drive recklessly or at the very least have delayed reaction times – either of which could result in an accident that injures or kills the driver…
Read MoreFor Professional Drivers, a DWI Can Cost Everything
It may begin with a traffic stop. Perhaps you run a light or fail to yield. Or maybe you encounter a sobriety checkpoint that you cannot avoid. Whatever the circumstances, if law enforcement pulls you over and suspects that you may be operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, you could face…
Read MoreIs It Still Assault If Someone Provokes You?
Many assaults happen because a defendant was provoked by the victim. As a general rule, provocation is not a defense to the crime of assault. If you’re provoked, Texas law generally requires that you walk away or contact the local police. Fighting or using force if provoked is typically not an appropriate response. However, there…
Read MoreHow Do You Prove Intent in “Burglary of Habitation”?
There are many different types of defenses when you’re charged with a crime in Central Texas. Our Killeen criminal defense lawyers assert your Constitutional defenses. We hold the government to its burden to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. One defense that we regularly examine is whether you violated the precise terms of the…
Read MoreWhy a Bar Fight Can Land You in Prison
It’s a common scene on television and in the movies. Two patrons get into a fight. In the old days of TV westerns, they might resolve their differences in a gunfight. Some shows and films would have a fight that escalated into involving everyone in the bar. A common scene shows one patron sliding completely…
Read MoreCan a Police Officer’s Bias Make Them More Likely to Charge You with a DWI?
Everyone has their biases; even police officers. In theory, the police should judge everyone the same – no matter what type of car they drive, where they drive, or who is in the car. In reality, if you’re driving a bright red fancy sports car in the fast lane, even if you’re going the speed…
Read MoreCan You Be Charged with Deadly Conduct if You Don’t Have a Gun?
Texas laws regarding guns can be difficult to understand. On one hand, the state allows people to carry handguns in public without a license to carry. On the other, if a person with no criminal history feels threatened and subsequently pulls their firearm from their holster, purse, or glove box, they could be facing a…
Read MoreWhat Are My Rights During a DWI Stop?
Inadvertently swerving into another lane, running through a red light, or momentarily driving over the speed limit are mistakes that many drivers make. However, that mistake can quickly become frustrating or even land you in handcuffs if you are stopped for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas, whether you’ve been drinking or not. When are…
Read MoreBurglary of Habitation or Criminal Trespass?
Burglary can be an extremely serious (and confusing) crime in the state of Texas. Although burglary is most often connected with theft, illicit entry into a building to commit assault or any felony-level offense is also considered burglary under state law. Texans facing charges of trespass, burglary, or burglary of habitation often don’t know the…
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