Does Pretrial Release Really Matter?

In a handful of cases, pretrial release is probably irrelevant. Defendants who are charged with Class C misdemeanors and have no work, family, or other commitments will probably plead guilty and receive a brief jail sentence. In many cases, the time served may cover most or all o...

Vince Young Says He’ll Fight Latest DWI Charge

| Mar 27, 2019 |

After initially indicating that he would not do so, the former University of Texas standout said he would "fight the case" because he is "not guilty." According to Houston police officers, Mr. Young was parked at an intersection with his hazard lights on. He initially rolled dow...

Should I Hire My Own Lawyer?

In movies and TV shows, court-appointed defense lawyers and public defenders are often overworked and under-prepared. Fortunately, real life in a Tarrant County courtroom is nothing like what you see on TV, at least in this context. The Sixth Amendment guarantees all defendants t...

Some Hidden DWI Defenses

| Mar 22, 2019 |

In most DWI cases, intoxication or sobriety is basically the only issue. If the defendant provided a chemical sample, and that sample's BAC level was above the legal limit, the defendant is normally guilty as a matter of law. If the defendant did not provide a sample, or the sam...

Elements of a Successful Dog Bite Claim

The better doctors understand the physical and emotional aspects of dog bite injuries, the more these claim amounts increase. The average settlement in a dog bite case has increased over 75 percent since 2003. When dogs bite, they usually cause both deep puncture and serious sla...

What is an ALR Hearing and Why Does It Matter?

| Mar 18, 2019 |

DWI has sweeping consequences. Sometimes, they do not affect all arrestees. For example, prosecutors normally only file DWI-related child endangerment charges if there was a biological, adopted, or step child in the vehicle with the defendant at the time. But drivers' license su...

Handling Unapproved FSTs in a Tarrant County DWI

| Mar 18, 2019 |

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has approved three Field Sobriety Tests for use in DWI prosecutions. If the defendant provides a chemical sample of breath or blood, the FSTs simply establish probable cause for administering the test. Probable cause is not a ver...