Criminal Defense Case Results in Texas

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony)

Location

Ellis County, 443RD Judicial District \u200bCourt

Allegations

Stopped at night for nonfunctioning rear lights, the officer said he smelled marijuana and searched the vehicle over the client’s objection. A very small amount of crystalline substance was found in the center console, and although other items were present, only felony possession under a gram was filed. We obtained discovery, scrutinized the basis for the stop and search, and pressed the state on the lab result identifying MDMA in a trace amount. Leveraging the clean history and swift compliance, we secured pretrial intervention. After completing testing and program requirements, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Public Intoxication

Location

Tarrant County, Fort Worth Municipal Court

Allegations

Police detained our client after a large event when they saw a beer in hand and claimed he talked back and pulled away. He was arrested for public intoxication and spent the night in a holding cell. No field sobriety tests or breath testing were performed. We obtained the reports and video, emphasized the lack of objective proof of intoxication, and argued there was no evidence he posed a danger to himself or others, a required element. After seeking time to review late discovery and signaling readiness for trial, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Public Intoxication

Location

Hays County, San Marcos MC

Allegations

Police contacted our client near a nightlife area after claiming to see some stumbling while the client was arranging a ride home. The officer took an ID and issued a public intoxication citation, but never performed field sobriety tests, never used a breath test, and did not detain the client. We requested bodycam and reports and underscored the lack of observable impairment, no alcohol found on our client, and no evidence of danger to self or others. The client also enrolled in an alcohol awareness class. The prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Assault - Family Violence (Strangulation)

Location

Tarrant County, CDC2

Allegations

After a domestic argument, officers alleged our client impeded a partner’s breathing and filed a third-degree felony family-violence strangulation case. A broad emergency order and strict bond terms followed, including GPS monitoring and no unsupervised contact with the children. We moved quickly, pulled the 911 and body-cam records, and pointed out credibility issues in the arrest paperwork, including the complainant later walking back parts of the account. We set a hearing to modify the order and pressed the DA. Before the hearing, the state agreed to reduce the case to a misdemeanor with deferred probation, and the court modified the order and removed the GPS.

Charge

Assault Causing Bodily Injury

Location

Collin County, County Court at Law 3

Allegations

During a traffic light stop, our client checked on a distressed driver when another motorist intervened, slammed a car door into our client’s leg, and our client reflexively slapped back. Officers later sought a warrant and filed assault causing bodily injury. We secured the client’s photo of the bruise, obtained discovery, and asserted self defense and mitigation. The client also completed counseling. After sustained negotiations, the State reduced it to a Class C with unsupervised deferred terms, preserving eligibility to clear the record.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Third-Degree Felony)

Location

Brazoria County, 461st DC

Allegations

After a late night traffic stop, officers said they smelled marijuana, removed our client and a companion from the car, and searched the vehicle and her purse. They reported finding a couple of Adderall pills, and she did not have a prescription at the time. We obtained the body and dash cam, lab results, and the police report, scrutinizing the basis for the stop, the odor claim, and the warrantless purse search. We also flagged inconsistencies about what was seized and who it belonged to. Faced with these problems and mitigating medical documentation, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Bexar County, County Court-at-Law 4

Allegations

A late-night traffic stop for speeding and crossing a line led to a DWI arrest. The client performed roadside tests and later consented to a breath test that read 0.09. At the jail the breath machine shut down mid-test and was reset. We obtained the dash and bodycam along with jail footage, then challenged compliance with the required observation period and breath-test procedures. Using the borderline BAC and those irregularities, we negotiated a reduction to obstruction of a highway with deferred probation.

Charge

Assault - Family Violence by Strangulation

Location

Dallas County, 292nd Judicial District Court

Allegations

After a domestic argument at a residence, our client was accused of family violence strangulation based on a report made after the fact. The accounts were disputed and there was no 911 call at the time. We obtained a sworn affidavit of non-prosecution from the complainant and submitted it to the prosecutor. We highlighted problems with the timeline and reliability of the original statement and made clear we were ready to fight the allegation. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Second-Degree Felony)

Location

Atascosa County, 81ST-218TH DISTRICT COURTS

Allegations

The case stemmed from a late night crash. Responding officers searched the vehicle without consent and found a small pill bottle in the center console, its label worn off. The client told them the medication was his from prior treatment. We attacked the legal basis for the search, demanded full lab documentation on the tablets, and compared it to pharmacy records we obtained. Those records undercut the officer's notation about what the pills were and established lawful prescriptions. Faced with those problems, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Unlawful Installation of a Tracking Device

Location

Tarrant County, CCC5

Allegations

Police alleged our client secretly placed an AirTag on a vehicle and used it to track the complainant. We obtained the device materials and reports, scrutinizing where the tag was recovered, who had access to the vehicle, and the shifting explanations about how it appeared there. We also presented the complainant’s written clarification expressing uncertainty and a desire not to move forward. Although the state pointed to a link between the tag and our client, those evidentiary gaps gave us leverage. We negotiated deferred adjudication, avoiding a conviction and jail time.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Brazoria County, CC1

Allegations

The client had pulled over to check directions when an officer approached and began a DWI investigation. Field sobriety tests were given and an open container was noted, but the client refused both breath and blood testing, leaving no chemical result in evidence. We obtained the dash and body camera footage, highlighting the lack of bad driving and questioning the basis for the investigation and the manner of the roadside tests. We also challenged whether the state could prove actual operation of the vehicle at that moment. Confronted with these proof problems, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Discharge of a Firearm

Location

Bexar County, County Court-at-Law 4

Allegations

Police were called to a neighborhood after reports of gunfire during a small gathering at a rented home. Officers alleged the client fired a 9mm into the dirt, a neighbor said they saw it, and two casings were recovered, while another person fired a rifle that chipped concrete. We obtained the 911 call and bodycam, tested whether the spot met the public place element, and compared witness claims to the video. We emphasized that the gun was secured before contact and that no one was threatened or injured. With targeted mitigation, we negotiated deferred adjudication, avoiding a conviction.