When the dust settles after an arrest for assault family violence, almost invariably loved ones come to me unified looking for a path forward. Having the support of the alleged victim can be a vital asset to the accused’s defense. The most common questions posed to me relate to if and what the alleged victim do to drop the charges. An arrest for family violence is very unsettling but it […]
Sleeping it off in the car after a fun night out is a common way to attempt to avoid a DWI/DUI arrest in Austin. If you’re not driving the car, the officer surely won’t arrest you…right? The answer to this question is not so cut and dried. It comes down to how a court eventually interprets what it means to operate a motor vehicle under the Texas DWI statute. The basic question is: has the individual exercised enough control over […]
Opinion piece written by Rafael Zapata-Yordan Recently, the Chair of the House Committee on Corrections of the Texas House of Representatives, the Honorable James White, requested the Texas Attorney General, Mr. Ken Paxton, to issue an opinion of whether a peace officer in the State of Texas has the duty to intervene with a fellow […]
If you are attached to your cell phone, you are among the majority. And when your life revolves around a device, you most likely want to avoid others looking through it, especially law enforcement. When law and technology intersect, a question is raised: Is your cell safe from a warrantless search and seizure conducted by […]
Your right to a jury trial is so important that it’s guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. It is established in the Bill of Rights, along with other important rights such as the freedom of religion and speech as well as the right to possess guns (bear arms). Despite the importance of this right, just 2 % […]
The Travis County criminal courts were recently shaken up by the recusal of recently elected Judge Dimple Malhorta, presiding judge of Travis County’s family violence County Court at Law #4. A motion was filed requesting that Judge Dimple be removed from a protective order case because of her bias against criminal defendants charged with family […]
Relationships are complicated. In my capacity as a criminal defense attorney, I talk with partners, husbands and wives, and boyfriends and girlfriends about the most embarrassing of situations two people can face. It is not my job to judge…it is my job to assess a situation and help navigate everyone, so my client has the […]
We have fielded countless calls from distressed family members seeking release of their loved ones amid the COVID-19 outbreak. While we have worked tirelessly to employ many different methods of securing one’s release from jail as quickly as possible, we know all too well the fear and concerns that persist around COVID exposure in […]
It’s no secret that COVID-19 continues to spread quickly across America, and we don’t see the end in sight. Because of the uncertainty with the number of cases in Texas, mass testing began in May, including many of the jails in Travis County. If you have a loved one serving time in a Travis County […]
Have you been arrested for possession of a controlled substance in Austin? If so, you may be scared and worried about how this arrest will affect your life — and your future. Understandably, there is good reason to worry. Prosecutors in Austin and throughout the state of Texas often prosecute drug cases with the full […]
Relationships are not a walk in the park, and they only become harder when a pandemic keeps families inside under one roof. During the stay-at-home orders, while arrests for all offenses have decreased dramatically, Family Violence cases have gone up. Family Violence in Texas Although a typical family unit is commonly thought to be comprised […]
Notice: The information contained herein is not a substitute for actual legal advice by a licensed attorney. You should always consult an attorney about your particular situation. This information is being provided as an informational resource. COVID-19 has increased panic throughout the country which has spiked gun sales. More gun sales mean that the number […]
We have heard stories of lost jobs to short rent/mortgage payments from our clients, family, and friends…this COVID quarantine is placing financial stress on everyone. While everyone might be affected, some people have more financial protections than others. And the protections and help that do exist can be hard to find, understand, or navigate. This […]
Stepped up enforcement of Stay-at-Home and social distancing orders has people being arrested throughout the United States. It is very important to understand that these “Stay-at-Home” orders give police (and a myriad of other law enforcement officials) PROBABLE CAUSE to stop you. Once stopped by law enforcement, they can begin to investigate for other potential […]
As COVID-19 rapidly spreads throughout the country, jail inmates are extremely vulnerable to catching this virus. When a large group of individuals is sharing resources and crammed together in confined spaces, practicing social distancing is difficult if not impossible. The Travis County Sheriff has reported zero cases in the Travis County jail system…but is that […]
How close are we to a lockdown? And if the lockdowns we’ve seen across the country persist, what happens when people reach their tipping point? Disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Harvey showed us that many people come together during times of crisis, the threat of certain criminal offenses during stressful times is very real. Looting, […]
With news reports coming in from all parts of the country about entire states shutting down restaurants, canceling events, and being ordered to “shelter in place”, there is quite a bit of confusion about what’s going on in Austin. As of March 17, 2020, the City of Austin issued an order of banning community gatherings. […]
KXAN Posted on Mar 13, 2020 at 4:23 PM CDT Updated at Mar 13, 2020 at 7:10 PM CDT By: Jody Barr AUSTIN (KXAN) – As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Travis County climbs to three, the Austin-Travis County Health Authority is taking legal action against those ordered to quarantine in their homes. The orders are […]
What is an indictment? An indictment (pronounced in-dite-ment) is the formal document issued by a grand jury alleging a defendant committed a crime. It is one step in the system of checks and balances within the criminal justice system. A felony case (and on the rare occasion, a misdemeanor) cannot proceed unless it is presented […]
With the frequency of states legalizing marijuana, there have been many innovations in marijuana usage. The latest trend marries the popular vape pen with THC oil. Austin has recently ended the enforcement of low-level misdemeanor marijuana possession. Yet, the possession of THC oil is classified as a felony. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) oil is the concentrated form […]
Statesman Posted on Jun 10, 2019 at 7:52 PM Updated at Jun 11, 2019 at 10:22 AM By Ryan Autullo Last September, Travis County deputies responded to a Wells Branch address where a witness reported a fight between a woman and a man who was trying to access her phone. Deputies found the woman with an injury: a bloody, broken fingernail that she […]
Statesman Published: Apr 19, 2018, at 12:01 AM Updated: Sep 22, 2018 at 1:16 AM By Ryan Autullo Travis County officials may increase pay for indigent defense lawyers, in response to a recent study that found that poor defendants are receiving worse representation in low-level felony drug cases than those who hire their own lawyers. County Judge Sarah Eckhardt will announce a proposal Tuesday at the Commissioner’s Court […]
Technology Used To Expedite Warrant For Blood Testing WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) A new statewide system to expedite the blood draw warrants for DWI’s is in the testing phase. The new technology is expected to change the way drunk driving stops play out in the state.[/vc_column_text]This week, representatives from Law Enforcement Advanced DWI/DUI Reporting System (LEADRS) […]
Theft Lawyer Austin TX (Travis County) Chambers & Associates – Car Theft Lawyer Austin (Travis County “David Chambers and his team were able to not only get my DWI dismissed, but also the opportunity to have it expunged from my record completely. Chambers and Associates used their vast legal experience to strategically fight for the best […]
