Criminal Defense Case Results in Austin, TX

Charge

DWI - Second Offense

Location

Lampasas County, County Court at Law

Allegations

After a tire blowout caused minor property damage, the client parked at a residence and was contacted by officers after exiting the vehicle. He performed field sobriety tests and was initially facing only a crash citation until a later-arriving trooper initiated a DWI investigation. He refused breath and blood, and a sample was later taken under a warrant. We pulled the 911 call, dash and body cams, and the warrant affidavit, then used the license hearing to lock in testimony about timing and observations. Highlighting proof problems, we negotiated a reduced charge with deferred probation.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Lampasas County, County Court at Law

Allegations

During a roadside stop for a minor traffic issue, our client was a passenger when the officer quickly ordered him out, questioned him about weapons, and retrieved a handgun from under a seat. The officer then cited the odor of marijuana to expand the encounter and justify a search, which led to a UCW arrest. We obtained the reports and body camera and mapped the timeline against the stop's stated purpose. The video undercut the claim that grounds existed to prolong and escalate the stop. We pressed a suppression challenge and signaled we would litigate it. The prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of Marijuana

Location

Lampasas County, County court at law

Allegations

A vehicle was stopped for a minor traffic infraction and expired registration. The officer took the driver's information, then removed our client, a passenger, and began questioning about contraband. The officer reported smelling marijuana and searched the vehicle, recovering a small amount from the center console. We obtained the body and dash camera video and challenged the expansion and duration of the stop, the basis for removing and questioning a passenger, and the claimed odor. After we pressed these issues with the prosecutor, the case was dismissed.

Charge

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Location

Travis County, 450TH, DISTRICT COURT

Allegations

Police arrested our client after a domestic dispute where the complainant alleged an assault with a firearm. From day one, the client maintained the gun was never used and was secured in the home, which he later turned over to officers. There were no independent witnesses or video. We dissected the report and compared it to the complainant’s later statements, exposing significant inconsistencies and the lack of evidence tying a weapon to the incident. After sustained pressure and trial readiness, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Felony Motion to Revoke Probation

Location

Hays County, 453rd District Court

Allegations

The client was on deferred probation when a felony motion to revoke was filed after probation reported two positive alcohol tests and a very high ignition interlock reading. We moved quickly to collect proof of compliance, including completion of a family violence program, significant community service credits, and participation in aftercare. We obtained the lab records and interlock logs to examine timing and context of the results. Armed with that documentation and mitigation, we engaged the prosecutor and probation and argued that revocation was not warranted. The state agreed and dismissed the motion.

Charge

Assault - Family Violence

Location

Bell County, County Court at Law #2

Allegations

After a night out, an argument at a residence escalated when property was damaged and our client threw items; a tool allegedly struck the complainant, who reported a minor eye injury. Police responded to a 911 call, separated the parties, and body camera video captured that our client made no incriminating admissions. We obtained the reports, bodycam, a residential video clip of the officer contact, and proof of counseling, and presented a sworn non-prosecution affidavit from the complainant. Faced with those issues, the State dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony)

Location

Bell County, 426th Judicial District Court

Allegations

After a traffic stop near a hotel the officer described as a hotspot, our client was arrested when a search of a rental car turned up a controlled substance. The officer said his dash camera was inoperable, so we dug into the basis for the stop and the justification for the search, pressing the state on the lack of recording and inconsistencies in the reports. We also documented the client's treatment efforts and improved housing stability. With that leverage, we negotiated straight probation, avoiding incarceration.

Charge

Assault on a Peace Officer (Felony)

Location

Williamson County, County Court at Law #5

Allegations

At a government office, security stopped the client from entering. When the guard grabbed the client's arm, the client reflexively turned and there was brief contact. Police later arrested the client for felony assault on a peace officer. We secured and analyzed the surveillance footage frame by frame, emphasizing that security initiated the physical contact and any touch by our client was a reaction, not an intentional strike. Leveraging those issues, we negotiated a reduction to a minor offense with a short, non-reporting deferred resolution and classes, keeping a felony off the record.

Charge

Public Intoxication

Location

Williamson County, Leander Municipal Court

Allegations

After a worried 911 call about possible pill ingestion, the client walked away from home and was contacted by first responders. Startled, he hopped a low fence, was tackled, restrained, and later booked for public intoxication when he refused hospital treatment. He was on blood thinners and sustained visible bruising. No field sobriety tests or chemical tests were performed, and the only reference to alcohol was a claimed odor. We compiled witness accounts and photos, emphasized the lack of proof of intoxication and the medical context, and negotiated a short term of deferred probation.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Bell County, County Court at Law #2

Allegations

The client was found in a parked vehicle with the engine running after a nearby resident called police. Officers noted signs of intoxication and an open container in the car. The client remembered little after leaving a bar and consented to a blood draw, while video evidence supported impairment. We secured the reports, lab paperwork, and video, then focused negotiations on minimizing penalties. By presenting mitigating factors and emphasizing rehabilitation, we resolved the case with a plea to probation and no jail time.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Travis County, County Court at Law #8

Allegations

Police detained our client in a busy public area after noticing the grip of a concealed handgun and alleged improper carry. The client reported the firearm had been concealed, with momentary exposure during a commotion. We engaged the prosecutor early, highlighted the client’s clean history, gathered character letters, and documented completion of a firearms safety course. At the state’s request, we coordinated brief community service and an alcohol education class. With compliance verified and the weapon surrendered, the charge was dismissed.

Charge

Criminal Mischief (Misdemeanor)

Location

Travis County, CCL6

Allegations

A neighborhood dispute escalated into a criminal mischief case after the complainant reported damage to a front door and liquids and debris thrown on the entryway. Police made an arrest. We moved quickly on mitigation, opening dialogue with the prosecutor, securing proof of counseling and classes, and documenting stability steps the client had taken to prevent future conflict. We also arranged full restitution and an apology to the complainant. With those upfronts in place, the State dismissed the case.