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...
Author: JamesLondon
Vince Young Says He’ll Fight Latest DWI Charge
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...
The New Way to Win (or Lose) a Slip and Fall Claim in Texas
Every year, slip-and-fall incidents seriously injure millions of people. Older adults are particularly at risk. These victims are more likely to fall and also more likely to sustain a debilitating injury. Furthermore, many older adults are so afraid of a repeat fall that they ess...
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
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...
The Pros and Cons of Deferred Adjudication in Texas
Criminal convictions often make life much harder. In many cases, even misdemeanor convictions may make it difficult or impossible to obtain student financial aid, find a good job, or pursue certain careers. So, many people are willing to take risks if it means keeping their recor...
What is an ALR Hearing and Why Does It Matter?
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
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...
Travis County Courts Expel Controversial Doctor
Judges and juries in the Austin area will not hear testimony from forensic examiner Dr. Sam Andrews until state officials finish investigating misconduct allegations against him. Before he became Lubbock County's chief medical examiner, Dr. Andrews was an assistant in Travis Cou...
