Sugar Land Criminal Defense Law Blog

Pretrial diversion programs in DUI cases serve many purposes

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal on Monday, June 18, 2018.

Having to prepare for and endure a drunk driving trial can be a very stressful experience. Some defendants don't want to undergo them trial process, but they might not be able to get a plea deal worked out. In some cases, these men and women might choose to see if they qualify for pretrial diversion programs.

Pretrial intervention is available in a variety of cases, but some defendants might be interested to know that drunk driving is one of the charges. There are many reasons why these programs can be beneficial for everyone involved.

Domestic violence accusations might lead to supervised visitation

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Men and women who have been accused of domestic violence often have to deal with many different changes to the way they live. Even while the criminal case is moving through the system, there will be ramifications. Among other consequences, the time you spend with your children may be supervised.

A lot of people don't realize that the court might order supervised visitation out of an abundance of caution. The children don't need to be put in any danger, so even if you aren't convicted of domestic violence, the court might find that you can't be alone with your children. Even though the situation isn't ideal, there are ways that you can encourage bonding and productive visits during this time.

Unusual laws must be followed when enacted

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.

Many people think that anyone who is facing criminal charges is in that position because he or she willingly broke the law. What they might not realize is that this may not be the case. In some instances, people can break the law without realizing they are doing this. In fact, there are some laws in Texas that can seem a bit odd.

Myths abound when it comes to what one can and cannot do in Texas. If you are arrested and charged with a crime it's typically in your best interest to consult a criminal defense attorney. Here are some laws that are widely held to be valid.

The Memorial Day weekend comes with an uptick in DUIs

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

The Memorial Day weekend usually involves cookouts and other fun outdoor events while taking the time to remember the service men and women who died fighting for our country. For many adults, it also means a chance to relax and have fun with family members and friends. These get togethers might involve alcohol, so anyone who is planning to drink should make sure that they are prepared to get home without facing a drunk driving charge.

Before the long holiday weekend starts, you should make sure that you have a basic understanding of what is considered drunk driving in Texas.

Drugged driving is a problem that impacts teens and adults alike

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

Drugged driving is a very serious criminal matter. While you might think of impaired driving as only having to do with alcohol, there are many similar impacts that come with doing drugs.

There are many aspects about drugged driving that people don't realize. It is easy to assume that only drug addicts will face this charge, but this isn't at all the case. Anyone can be charged with drugged driving — even people who don't take illegal drugs. Here are some important things to remember about drugged driving:

5 ways a DUI can hurt your career

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

It's no secret that a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can hurt. It can hurt your family, your friends, your free time and especially your wallet. Even successfully fighting back against a DUI charge can be costly. On the other hand, a conviction can lead to jail time, probation, community service and maybe even thousands of dollars in fees and fines.

A DUI can also seriously damage your career. Here are a few ways that your career can suffer if a Fort Bend County court convicts you of driving under the influence:

Ignition interlocks, license suspensions and more stem from DUIs

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Drunk driving accusations come with some very serious penalties. This is one of the reasons why it is imperative for officers to make sure they are absolutely certain that the person is intoxicated before they make the decision to make the claim.

It might interest you to know that the penalties you are going to face for drunk driving are going to start before you are convicted of the crime. In some cases, you will have to deal with these penalties and then not even be charged with any crime. Here's what you need to know about drunk driving penalties:

2 types of cases might stem from a drunk driving crash

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

As the weather warms up, people turn to outdoor activities to enjoy their days. When adults get together, there are frequently alcoholic beverages involved. It is imperative that you take the time to address the need to get home if you plan on drinking.

There is something that you might not realize about drunk driving charges. If you were involved in a car crash because you were intoxicated, there is a chance that you will face more than one court case. Even though you might think this would be double jeopardy, it isn't. Here's some important information that you should know about this matter:

Know your rights when you are a criminal defendant

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Monday, March 19, 2018.

When most people think about the criminal justice system, they think of defendants in a negative light instead of remembering that people who are facing criminal charges have specific rights. Defendants must be presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

In a way, the criminal justice system makes it hard to remember that principle. This is because of the way that bail and the criminal process works. Still, anyone who is facing criminal charges should remember that they do have rights that must be respected. Here are a few of the most notable ones.

Criminal defense strategies must focus on a specific goal

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.

A criminal case can have a significant impact on a defendant's life. These cases are sometimes resolved prior to a trial through a plea deal; however, this isn't always true. Some defendants have to stand trial in front of a jury of their peers, which can be challenging to say the least.

In every criminal case, it is a good idea to start working on the trial defense as early as possible. Even if you are trying to work out a plea deal with the prosecutor, having your defense strategy in the works can help you to be prepared if the negotiations don't work.