Sugar Land Criminal Defense Law Blog

Plea bargains have their up sides and down sides

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

Not all criminal charges result in a person having to sit through a jury trial. Many criminal cases are resolved through the use of plea bargains. There are many benefits and drawbacks of these agreements for both sides.

You have to think carefully before you decide to accept a plea deal. One reason for this is that you have to plead guilty to specific criminal charges in exchange for what the prosecution is offering for the deal. This means that if you didn't actually commit the crime, a plea bargain isn't the way you should resolve your case. Here are some other points to think about when it comes to plea deals:

Heroin laws in Texas are very strict

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Wednesday, October 4, 2017.

Heroin laws in Texas are very strict because of the public heath impacts of this drug. For people who are facing heroin charges, knowing the possible penalties and options for a defense are important.

There are several factors that can impact the severity of the penalties that you will be up against if you are facing these charges. Two of the primary factors include the amount of heroin in the case and where a heroin sale was conducted. Here are some points you need to know about heroin charges:

Facing a DWI? An ignition interlock device saves your license

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

New Texas laws could allow you to drive after a driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction immediately. Thanks to the ignition interlock device, you could regain your driving privileges as soon as the device is installed.

There are two kinds of administrative license restrictions you can face in Texas. One is the Administrative License Revocation. The other is the Judicial Revocation.

Think carefully before you drive drunk in Texas

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Monday, September 25, 2017.

One person dies due to a drunk driver every 51 minutes in this country. These deaths, as well as the chance of injuries and property damage, are the reasons why lawmakers have taken such a tough stance against drunk driving. Texas lawmakers are no exception.

In Texas, someone is injured or killed in a drunk driving crash every 20 minutes, on average. In this state, you are facing some very serious penalties for drunk driving. This can mean that you don't have the privilege of driving legally and that you have to pay fines. You might even find that you are facing time in prison if you are convicted.

What to expect during the expungement process

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

A criminal conviction can have lasting consequences beyond the fines you paid and any jail time you served. You might experience trouble finding a good job or even renting a nice apartment. Anytime someone runs a background check on you, an arrest or conviction could come back to haunt you after you have paid your debt to society. Fortunately, you might have an option available to keep that one mistake from stalking you for the rest of your life.

In Texas, you might qualify to have a court remove an arrest, criminal charges, and maybe a conviction from the view of a potential employer or any other member of the general public that runs a background check on you. For more information on what to expect during the process, read further.

Identify the different types of domestic violence

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Monday, August 21, 2017.

The issue of domestic violence is one that is largely misunderstood. Some people think of domestic violence as only physical abuse and battery. This is far from the truth.

There are a host of different actions that fall under this umbrella. The factor that ties them together is the relationship between the aggressor and the victim.

Texas law aims to help first-time drunk driving offenders

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Thursday, August 10, 2017.

People who are facing a drunk driving charge in Texas might soon have a second chance at having a clean record. For people who haven't faced criminal charges before, HB 3016 could enable them to have the drunk driving offense sealed upon meeting certain conditions.

You should realize that this program does come with conditions, but these should be fairly easy to comply with for people who truly want to get back on the right path. If you are facing a first time drunk driving charge, consider these points about the new program:

Ways to reduce recidivism are imperative

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Monday, August 7, 2017.

Recidivism is a huge problem in the criminal justice system. This term has to do with a person who has previously been convicted of a crime falling back into the criminal habits. These are the people who are being discussed when correctional officers say that the prisons have a revolving door.

There are many ways that recidivism can be reduced, but many of these require that the person and the justice system work hand-in-hand. In many cases, community help is also necessary. Understanding how to reduce recidivism is something that is important for people who are facing criminal charges so that they can take steps to better themselves, even if the help isn't readily available from the criminal justice system.

Field sobriety test information you need to know

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in blog on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.

After a night out with the guys, you are heading home. You know that you've had a little to drink, but certainly not enough to impact your ability to drive. If you misjudged how much the alcohol has impacted your driving, you might find yourself face-to-face with a police officer.

If you are pulled over by a police officer who thinks that you could be impaired, you will likely be asked to complete a field sobriety test. These tests aren't all the same and they can have a great impact on what the officer does when the test is completed. They are also very subjective, so remember that. Here are a few points you should know about this test:

Domestic violence charges in Texas are serious

On behalf of Larry P. McDougal posted in Violent Crimes on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.

You and your spouse got into an argument and someone called the police. Now, you are facing criminal charges for domestic violence. This is a very serious situation that can have an impact on the rest of your life.

There are several things that you should know if you are facing domestic violence charges in Texas. Consider these points:

Domestic violence can impact anyone

Nobody is immune from domestic violence allegations. Men and women can face these charges. People who live in poverty and those in the 1 percent can face domestic violence accusations. As long as the case meets the legal standards, prosecutors can levy charges.