Criminal Defense Case Results in Austin, TX

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

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

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 - 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

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

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.

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

Assault (Class C)

Location

Western District - Federal County, None

Allegations

A parking dispute on federal property escalated when someone tried to hold a space and our client attempted to park. During a brief confrontation there was contact, and federal officers issued a citation for simple assault instead of making an arrest. We gathered the citation, the client's statement, and context showing the contact occurred amid the parking dispute. We engaged the prosecutor early, emphasized the client's cooperation and clean history, and presented the mitigating circumstances. The government dismissed the case.

Charge

Speeding (Class C Citation)

Location

Lampasas County, jp4

Allegations

A routine traffic stop for alleged speeding resulted in a Class C citation. Our team stepped in immediately, filed our appearance, and demanded all evidence, including the officer’s report, dashcam, and bodycam. We reviewed the materials and assembled a mitigation package tailored to the client that included a completed driving safety course and documented community service. We then pressed the prosecution with the full context and our client’s proactive steps. The state dismissed the speeding case.

Charge

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Lampasas County, jp4

Allegations

After a traffic stop for speeding, officers reported finding a small bag with rolling papers and only trace marijuana residue. The client immediately took a lab drug test, which returned negative. Our team demanded the police reports and video, documented that the amount was not a usable quantity, and challenged any link between the bag and our client. We also provided mitigation, including the clean test and voluntary coursework and service. Faced with those issues, the state dismissed the paraphernalia charge.

Charge

Public Intoxication

Location

Travis County, Downtown Austin Community Court

Allegations

Officers were called to a bar after staff told our client to leave. The officers told him to order a ride, which he did, and he waited on the sidewalk. Staff continued to confront him, and when he briefly stepped into the doorway to tell them he was leaving, police returned and arrested him for public intoxication. We obtained the reports and video, highlighting that he had already requested transportation and was not a danger to himself or others. After we challenged the sufficiency of the evidence, the prosecutor dismissed the case.