Criminal Defense Case Results in Austin, TX

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Williamson County, County Court at Law #3

Allegations

Police approached the client's parked car after a companion was detained for suspected shoplifting. Officers said they smelled marijuana, questioned the client, and then found a firearm in the glove box after the client disclosed its presence. We scrutinized the legality of the initial contact, the basis for the vehicle search, and whether the state could prove every element of unlawful carrying. We emphasized there was no evidence our client participated in the store incident and raised suppression issues regarding the search and statements. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

DWI - Third Offense

Location

Bastrop County, 423rd District Court

Allegations

After a crash with another vehicle that ended in a rollover, officers found open containers and arrested our client for a third DWI. The client refused a breath test, and a blood sample was taken. With two prior convictions making it a felony, we dissected the crash investigation and the circumstances of the draw while pushing back on overreaching restitution. We presented insurance documentation showing the other driver’s medical claim was resolved. Coupled with the client’s treatment efforts, we negotiated straight probation.

Charge

Illegal Dumping

Location

Williamson County, County Court at Law #5

Allegations

The client was accused after assisting two others with a cleanout and leaving household debris near dumpsters when a usual site was closed. Law enforcement contacted them later, and they gave statements by phone and at an office about the items and vehicles. We reviewed the investigative materials and analyzed each statement, noting they were non-custodial and equivocal about roles and location. We pressed the State on proving the alleged volume that elevated the charge and the lack of direct proof tying our client to a specific dump site. Faced with these weaknesses, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Travis County, County Court at Law #9

Allegations

After a late night crash triggered by a lane drift, the client was arrested for DWI. They reported eye irritation, admitted to a few drinks, completed field sobriety tests, and provided breath samples reportedly over .15. An interlock was ordered while the case was pending. We gathered the crash and testing records, addressed the circumstances with the prosecutor, and pushed to avoid an enhanced conviction. The State agreed to waive enhancements and accept deferred probation with credit for time already on the interlock, allowing removal and keeping a conviction off the record.

Charge

Assault - Family Violence

Location

Williamson County, County Court at Law #3

Allegations

After a domestic argument, a relative called 911 after hearing commotion, but no one outside the couple saw what happened. Officers arrested our client based on the complainant's statement. We reviewed the reports and evidence, noting she was intoxicated during the interview, her account shifted, and there were no independent witnesses. The injury documentation was minimal and inconsistent with the allegations. The complainant later made clear she did not want to pursue the case. We presented these issues to the prosecutor, who dismissed the charge.

Charge

Possession of Marijuana

Location

Williamson County, County Court at Law #3

Allegations

The client was in a parked car when officers approached after a store incident involving another person. They reported the odor of marijuana, searched the vehicle, found a small amount, and our client acknowledged it was theirs. We analyzed the police reports, challenged the expansion of a detention that began with someone else, and questioned the scope of the search. We also highlighted the client’s cooperation and minimal history. After negotiations, the state reduced the charge and agreed to a sentence of time served.

Charge

Illegal Dumping of Trash

Location

Williamson County, County Court at Law #5

Allegations

After clearing out a residence, the client and two others left bulky items at dumpsters behind a commercial complex when their usual facility was closed. Investigators later traced them through a document found in the debris. The client promptly cooperated, met with officers, and tried to fix it by going back to clean up, providing a truck receipt as proof. We got involved early, documented the remediation, and challenged the reliability of the statements taken and the lack of clear notice against dumping. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Bell County, County Court at Law #3

Allegations

After a traffic stop for speeding, our client was a passenger in a rental when the driver consented to a search. Officers found ammunition in the console and two unloaded pistols in boxes in the trunk, with paperwork showing they belonged to another individual. No weapon was on or near our client, yet he was arrested for unlawful carrying. We obtained and reviewed the body camera footage, documented the location of the items, and emphasized lack of access and ownership. After pressing the state on proof of possession, we secured a dismissal, with the client completing brief online classes and agreeing to forfeit the seized firearm.

Charge

Possession of Marijuana

Location

Bell County, County Court at Law #3

Allegations

After a traffic stop for speeding, officers obtained consent from the driver of a rental car and searched the vehicle. Marijuana was located in a door pocket and behind a seat, not on our client, and officers did not question him about ownership at the scene. We obtained the body camera footage and reports, highlighting the lack of evidence tying him to the contraband and the shared control of the car. We negotiated a resolution requiring a brief online class. After completion, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

DWI (BAC Over .15)

Location

Hays County, CC2

Allegations

After a tire issue, the client parked in a commercial lot with the engine running. Officers checked on the vehicle, reported an odor of alcohol, and the client admitted to drinking. He completed field sobriety tests, declined a breath test, and a warrant blood draw later showed a high BAC. We reviewed the bodycam, scrutinized the instructions and conditions of the tests, and challenged the timeline between driving and the draw. Leveraging these issues, we persuaded the state to waive the over .15 enhancement and reduce the charge, with deferred probation.

Charge

Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transport

Location

Hays County, County Court at Law #2

Allegations

Officers alleged our client resisted while being detained during a chaotic incident. He had blacked out and left the encounter with a serious facial injury, raising concerns about the force used and whether any resistance was intentional. We dissected the arrest paperwork and timeline, pinpointing gaps in the sequence of commands and the basis for the detention. We compiled those issues and pressed the prosecution, signaling we were ready to litigate the proof of intent. The state dismissed the charge.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Hays County, County Court at Law #3

Allegations

The client was stopped for failing to signal after leaving a gathering and was arrested for DWI. They performed field sobriety tests at the roadside, declined a breath test, and a warrant blood draw later alleged a high BAC. We scrutinized the basis for the stop, the timeline between drinking and driving, and the administration of the sobriety tests. We also highlighted that there was no crash and the client cooperated throughout. After sustained negotiations with the prosecutor, the charge was reduced from the enhanced level to a standard first offense.