Criminal Defense Case Results in Austin, TX

Charge

Assault - Family Violence

Location

Bell County, CCL 3

Allegations

Police responded to a domestic dispute after a child called 911. Officers interviewed everyone separately and noted two superficial marks after a necklace broke; the complainant told them she did not want to press charges. The case was initially screened as a felony but was ultimately filed as a misdemeanor. We pulled the reports, bodycam, and 911 audio, and the complainant later signed an affidavit of non-prosecution. Even so, prosecutors pressed forward. We used those weaknesses to negotiate deferred adjudication, avoiding a conviction and any jail time.

Charge

Duty on Striking Structure, Fixture, or Highway Landscaping

Location

Hays County, CCL2

Allegations

On a rainy night, our client lost a windshield wiper and, with limited visibility, missed a turn and went off the roadway into brush. He got the car moving again despite bumper and tire damage and was later contacted by police. Officers claimed he had hit a fence and left, filing a duty on striking structure charge. We reviewed the video, 911 log, and reports, found no identified property owner, no documented fence damage, and shifting descriptions of what was struck. We presented those gaps to the prosecutor, and the case was dismissed.

Charge

Interference with an Emergency Call

Location

Travis County, County Court at Law #4

Allegations

After a domestic dispute at a residence, officers alleged our client interfered with an emergency call. We moved quickly, filed our appearance, and obtained the 911 and non-emergency recordings, body-worn camera footage, and police reports. The complaining witness told authorities he did not wish to pursue the matter and later signed an affidavit of non-prosecution, which we provided to the prosecutor. The audio and video raised serious doubts that our client intentionally prevented a call for help. Confronted with these issues and our readiness to litigate, the state dismissed the charge.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Hays County, County Court at Law #1

Allegations

After a minor crash and arrest, officers discovered a personal handgun in our client's vehicle and added an unlawful carrying allegation based solely on the circumstances of the stop. We obtained the reports and video, scrutinized how the firearm was found, and documented that it was lawfully owned and secured. We pressed the state on the legal elements and the lack of any independent weapon-related conduct, and highlighted inconsistencies in the paperwork. Faced with those issues and our readiness to litigate, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Violation of Bond or Protective Order, Two or More Times Within 12 Months

Location

Travis County, 403rd District Court

Allegations

After a protective order was issued, the client was accused of violating it by sending a few messages and was charged with a continuous violation within a year. The client explained the messages were brief, nonthreatening, and limited to coordinating time with a child. We documented the context of those communications, showing no harassment and no attempts to meet, and sought to narrow the no contact terms to permit child related written coordination. We presented this record to the prosecutor and challenged whether the evidence supported a criminal violation. The State dismissed the case.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Hays County, CCL1

Allegations

The client was contacted by police while asleep in a parked vehicle. After being questioned, he disclosed a pistol stored in a bag in the back seat, and officers found it during a search tied to a separate arrest. Prosecutors filed UCW on the theory that he possessed a gun while committing another offense. We obtained the reports and video, highlighted that the firearm was secured and not readily accessible, and challenged the link between the weapon and the predicate offense. After pressing these issues with the prosecutor, the UCW was dismissed.

Charge

Unlawful Restraint

Location

Coryell County

Allegations

A domestic dispute at a residence escalated when the complainant and a relative tried to leave. Officers alleged our client prevented the complainant from leaving by blocking a doorway and holding a car door, leading to an arrest for unlawful restraint. We gathered the client’s medical records and photos showing injuries from being struck, obtained Ring footage and bodycam video where available, and identified witnesses. The accounts proved inconsistent and did not show an intent to restrain, and the State dismissed the case.

Charge

Felony Motion to Revoke Probation

Location

Coryell County, 440th District Court

Allegations

The client was on felony probation for an older case when the state filed a motion to revoke after a positive drug test. Before contacting us, the client had self reported the relapse and entered counseling, psychiatric care, and an intensive outpatient program. We compiled proof of treatment, attendance, recent clean tests, steady employment, and provider statements. We also resolved a supervision mix up and coordinated a single plan across matters. After presenting this mitigation and pressing our position, the prosecution withdrew the motion and the court dismissed the revocation.

Charge

Theft (Misdemeanor)

Location

Gillespie County

Allegations

The client was accused of taking a coin collection from a neighbor’s safe. She never had the key or combination, and any coins in her possession were prior gifts that she promptly returned. An investigator suggested a polygraph and further questioning. We intervened during the investigation, advised against unrepresented interviews, and conducted our own inquiry, gathering messages and third party statements. After our investigator conferred with the detective and outlined access and credibility issues, the agency closed the matter for insufficient evidence and it was dismissed.

Charge

Assault by Contact (Class C Misdemeanor)

Location

Bell County, BELTON MUNICIPALITY COURT

Allegations

The case began after a brief confrontation at a restaurant where the complainant said the client made physical contact during an argument. The client acknowledged a momentary chest bump but denied any injury. We obtained the municipal file, flagged surveillance video from the location, and collected statements describing prior friction between the parties and the limited nature of the encounter. We challenged whether the proof showed intentional, offensive contact. The prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Assault Causing Bodily Injury

Location

Coryell County, County Court at Law

Allegations

Police were called to a domestic disturbance at a home where an argument turned physical after a relative stepped in. The relative used a blunt object, our client was injured, and during the ensuing scuffle he was later charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury for that encounter. We secured medical records and photographs showing head and arm trauma, reviewed body-worn camera footage, and gathered witness accounts to highlight mutual combat and self-defense concerns. We presented these issues to the prosecutor and pushed for a nonconviction path. The State agreed to deferred adjudication with probation, keeping a conviction off the client’s record.

Charge

Reckless Driving

Location

Hays County, CCL2

Allegations

The client was arrested after briefly driving on the shoulder in heavy traffic while urgently trying to reach a restroom. An officer merging onto the highway claimed the maneuver and the vehicle's speed showed reckless disregard, and the car was impounded. We gathered the police paperwork, highlighted the lack of dangerous weaving or near misses, and presented the medical context and the client's clean history. We also helped the client promptly start community service. After negotiations, the state reduced the case to a lesser traffic offense with straight probation.