DUI News Blog The Latest DUI News and Information From DUI Defense Attorneys Across the Country

It is particularly accepted that that the rules of evidence do not apply to probation revocation hearings in Texas. This is a dangerous practice when it comes to people’s liberty. Courts are starting to push back against this practice, but many issues still exist when it comes to probation revocation proceedings. Torres v. State Facts A recent case out of the 1st district of Houston is hopefully a step in the right direction. In Torres v. State, No. 01-18-01074-CR (Tex. ... Read More »

Though many don’t realize it, most Texas DWI cases involve blood tests rather than breath tests. This is in large part because of the fact that the law allows police to draw your blood by getting a warrant if you refuse to give breath or blood. Regardless of whether police drew blood as a result of consent or a warrant, there are many issues surrounding the reliability of the result of a blood test. This is in addition to the ... Read More »

The News reports that jails are releasing inmates due to COVID-19.  Is this true?   Yes. It has been reported and confirmed that inmates in Harris County, Dallas County, some Texas prisons and a juvenile detention center have COVID-19.  This is a problem due to increased community spread in the jail environment; which outside of putting inmates’ health in danger, endangers the lives of the jail and prison staff and adds more pressure to the hospital community.   Are jails ... Read More »

Please be aware that if you are the holder of a private security registration license, such as a home security system installer, that certain offenses can suspend your license. Most serious offenses, such as murder, assault, and burglary, can result in suspension. Driving while intoxicated IS NOT, by itself, an offense that may result in suspension. However, if you commit DWI in your capacity under the registration, then a DWI may still result in suspension. Any offense that may deem ... Read More »

A traffic stop based only on unconfirmed insurance lacks the reasonable suspicion required for a search and seizure. The 4th amendment of the Constitution protects citizens from unlawful search and seizure. This protection comes to life in Texas under the Texas Constitution, Article 1, section 9.  This is a wide net.  This means that the “ends do not justify the means.”  The police cannot break the law to enforce the law. For example, they can’t illegally enter into a house ... Read More »

The problem with forensic science In 2009, a study funded by the United States Department of Justice exposed the massive problems with forensic science being admitted into courtrooms across America. Unfortunately, these problems still exist. In 2015, the FBI released devastating news. The FBI determined that the government has sponsored laboratory witnesses who testified wrongly in 33 death penalty cases. The study was too late for nine cases where the execution had already occurred. For five of the cases, the ... Read More »

What are judges and prosecutors concerned with on a DWI? One of their main concerns is recidivism. Contrary to popular belief, the average rate of repeat for a first time DWI is approximately 21%[i]. Most first time DWI offenders made a mistake and will never be back in the system. In fact, most are going to punish themselves far greater than what a court or prosecutor could do to them. Does BAC (blood alcohol concentration) on their DWI predict their ... Read More »

Certainly not true for all, but true for many is the issue of hiring young graduates fresh out of law school to be prosecutors. In the old days, one had to apprentice for a few years before becoming a licensed attorney. Not anymore. All they need is a law degree and to pass the bar exam. Sure, everyone needs to start somewhere, but giving young lawyers the most powerful job society holds is a mistake. A prosecutor has a duty ... Read More »

On December 15, 2014, the United States Supreme Court handed down a monumental case in the world of criminal justice. The U.S. Supreme Court declared in Heien v. North Carolina that ignorance of the law for a police officer is an excuse justifying an otherwise invalid traffic stop. On April 29, 2009 shortly before 8:00 am, Sergeant Matt Darisse of the Surry County Sheriff’s Department pulled over Nicholas Heien on Highway 77 for having a brake light out. This is ... Read More »

A couple of weeks ago, another DWI Lawyer in Tarrant County asked if anyone had a voir dire (jury selection) PowerPoint template for a trial where an accused intoxicated person pulled over and was not driving. I volunteered mine. The amount of lawyers who had this same type of case shocked and dismayed me. So incensed at the folly of prosecuting people who pull over and try to do the right thing, I gave one of my new associates a ... Read More »