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Recent Blog Posts
Understanding Self-Defense Laws in Texas: Can You Shoot an Intruder on Your Property?
When it comes to protecting one’s property and personal safety, it is crucial to understand the self-defense laws in Texas. While Texas law generally supports an individual’s right to defend themselves, it is important to know the specific circumstances under which you can shoot an intruder on your property. If you shot someone on your property and are now being charged with a crime, contact a criminal defense attorney right away, as this may be the only way to ensure your rights are protected moving forward in your case.
Self-Defense Laws in Texas
Under the Texas Penal Code, individuals are generally allowed to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves or others in certain situations. One such situation is when you reasonably believe that the use of force is immediately necessary to protect yourself against an intruder who unlawfully attempts to enter your occupied habitation, business, or vehicle. Texas law grants people the right to stand their ground and defend their property in such circumstances.
What Can I Do if My Wife is Falsely Accusing Me of Child Abuse?
It is an unfortunate reality that false accusations of abuse involving children are made all the time for a variety of reasons. In situations where your wife is falsely accusing you of abusing your child, you need to take swift action to protect your legal rights. The first step in securing your legal rights is hiring a criminal defense attorney, as they will be crucial in defending your rights and reputation as a parent.
Steps to Take to Protect Yourself From False Allegations
First and foremost, it is essential to keep calm and rational. Emotions can run high in situations like this, requiring individuals to keep a firm grasp on their emotions during this challenging time. Exhibiting any adverse behaviors may make it appear as if you are someone capable of the abuse which you are accused of committing. Stay calm, and do not give law enforcement any additional reasons to think you may be the dangerous individual your spouse claims you to be.
Possible Injuries After an Oil Field Accident in Texas
Oil field accidents can leave a wide range of injuries that can be devastating for workers and their families. Texas has been a major player in the oil and gas industry for years, and over that period, injuries in the oil fields have become relatively commonplace events. Such injuries may include rig collapses, explosions, fires, falls, and more. If you or a loved one has been injured in an oil field accident in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation through personal injury law. Contact a lawyer today to see what your legal options are.
Types of Oil Field Injuries in Texas
One of the most common types of all field injuries is burns. Workers involved in oil and gas drilling, extraction, and refining risk suffering burns due to high temperatures and the volatile nature of the materials being worked with. Burns can cause severe pain, scarring, and nerve damage, potentially requiring long-term medical care or surgery.
Addressing Rear-End Accidents: Causes and Common Injuries
Rear-end accidents are among the most common car accidents, occurring in many different situations and for many causes. While sometimes these accidents may cause only minor damage to vehicles, other times they can result in serious consequences, causing both physical and psychological injuries. Today, we will discuss the common causes of rear-end accidents and the types of injuries that may result. Remember that as you deal with the aftermath of the car accident, it is strongly recommended that you hire a personal injury attorney to help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to as a result of the accident.
Reasons Why Rear-End Accidents Occur
While no two car crashes are identical, here are the most common reasons why rear-end accidents happen:
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Distracted driving – These days, so many drivers use their phones while they drive. However, phones are not the only culprit responsible for distracted driving. Changing a radio station, eating food, or even talking to another passenger can result in a distracted driving car accident. Distracted driving can result in low-speed or high-speed rear-end crashes.
What to Do and What Not to Do After Being Arrested
Being arrested is one of the most stressful and potentially dangerous situations a person can experience. In addition to legal consequences, a criminal conviction can also significantly impact your personal and professional life for many years to come. Knowing what to do and what not to do when being arrested can help minimize the risk of negative consequences. If you are ever charged with a crime, contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately to ensure your rights are safeguarded throughout your case.
What to Do When Being Arrested
Here are a few examples of what to do when being arrested:
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Stay calm – Try to remain as calm and composed as possible during the arrest.
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Remain silent –The fifth amendment, the right to remain silent, is there for a reason. Exercise this right.
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Request an attorney – As soon as you are able contact a lawyer you trust. Experienced criminal defense attorneys can provide valuable legal guidance and help ensure your constitutional rights are protected.
What Happens if Someone Under 21 Gets Caught Drunk Driving in Texas?
With the end of the school year fast approaching, many high school and college-age students are ready for the fun-filled days of summer. Unfortunately, spring and summer break is often the time that young people experiment with alcohol. In Texas, the consequences for underage drinking and driving vary depending on the driver's blood alcohol concentration. Underage drivers who are caught driving under the influence may face suspension of their driver's license, fines, community service, and jail time.
Zero Tolerance Laws in Texas
The Lonestar State has zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving. Having any detectable amount of alcohol in your system while operating a vehicle is illegal if you are under the legal drinking age. Under Texas' zero tolerance law, drivers under 21 years old with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.02 can be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and charged with a Class C misdemeanor. The penalty for first-time offenders DUI offenders includes:
My Ex Accused Me of Stalking. What Should I Do?
The end of a relationship can lead to significant conflict. In some cases, one partner wishes to continue the relationship or discuss the problems and work toward a solution, while the other partner wants to move on. Situations like these can sometimes lead to allegations of stalking or harassment. If your ex has accused you of stalking, it is important to take such an accusation seriously. The consequences of a stalking conviction in Texas are life-changing. Reach out to a criminal defense lawyer for help right away.
What is Considered Stalking?
Under Texas law, stalking is defined as engaging in conduct that involves harassing or threatening another person with the intent to cause them emotional distress. In order for an act to be considered stalking, it must occur on two or more occasions and must be done with the intent of causing fear, intimidation or bodily injury. Examples of this kind of conduct include following someone, sending unwanted gifts, making unwanted phone calls, or sending harassing text messages.
Is Assault a Misdemeanor or Felony in Texas?
Anything from a drunken argument at a bar to a heated family dispute can lead to charges for assault. In Texas, assault refers to intentional physical contact that is offensive or provocative. Many people are surprised to learn that they can be charged with assault even if the other person was not severely injured. Assault is usually a misdemeanor but it can be a felony in some circumstances. In some cases, assault can lead to significant jail time.
What a Prosecutor Must Prove to Secure an Assault Conviction
Assault charges often follow fights or physical altercations. In many cases, a person is charged with both assault and battery, but these are two separate offenses.
To secure a conviction for assault, a prosecutor must demonstrate that an individual:
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Willingly or recklessly caused another person harm
Negligent Hiring Practices Can Lead to Preventable Truck Accidents
Being a commercial truck driver is not an easy job. Drivers are required to operate massive vehicles in all different types of weather and road conditions. They are asked to work unpredictable schedules, and often drive for very long stretches of time. Commercial trucking companies have a duty to ensure that their drivers are capable of safely doing this demanding job.
Negligent hiring and training practices can lead to unqualified drivers behind the wheel of 18-wheelers and other large trucks. In some cases, the consequences of this negligence lead to catastrophic truck accidents.
Examples of Negligence When Hiring and Training Commercial Truck Drivers
When hiring and training drivers, trucking companies should exercise due diligence and make sure they are only hiring qualified individuals. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Some common examples of negligent hiring and training practices include:
How Can Blood Test Chain of Custody Issues Affect Your DWI Case?
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the measure of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. The two most common ways of measuring BAC in a Texas drunk driving case are breath tests and blood tests. However, for a chemical BAC test to be reliable, there must be an accurate chain of custody.
Chain of custody is the careful tracking and recording of evidence from its collection to its presentation in court. It must be proven that a blood sample was not contaminated or tampered with in any way between the time it was taken and when it arrived at the laboratory for testing. If there are any gaps in this chain of custody, then the evidence may be considered inadmissible.
If you or someone close to you has been accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI), make sure you understand how chain of custody issues can influence your case. It may be possible to get the charges dropped or secure an acquittal if a blood alcohol test was not handled correctly.