Criminal Defense Case Results in Denton, TX

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Duty on Striking an Unattended Vehicle

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #5

Allegations

Police alleged our client struck a parked, unoccupied vehicle and left without leaving information. We moved quickly to obtain the crash report and full discovery, and pressed the state on proof of identity and the statutory notice elements. We compiled mitigation and addressed the property damage to resolve any concerns. Following negotiations, the prosecution agreed to reduce the case. The court credited the client with time served and closed the matter.

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Failure to Identify as a Fugitive

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #5

Allegations

Officers made contact with our client and alleged a failure to identify, enhanced as a fugitive. The arrest report claimed the client gave inaccurate identifying information during a brief investigation. We obtained the available recordings and paperwork and picked apart the timeline and language used, focusing on whether the elements of the offense and the fugitive enhancement could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We also presented mitigating circumstances, including the client’s cooperation once counsel was involved. After negotiations, the State reduced the case and agreed to a sentence of time served, closing the matter with no additional jail time.

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DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, CCC1

Allegations

Police stopped our client after a wrong-way turn and arrested for DWI. Dash and body cam showed clear speech and mostly steady field sobriety performance, but a later blood draw reported a 0.123 BAC. We scrutinized the videos and the blood-draw procedure, raising concerns about the swab used and chain of custody and signaling we were ready to challenge the result. Using that leverage in negotiations, we focused on protecting the client’s record. The case resolved with deferred adjudication probation, keeping a conviction off the client’s record.

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DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court No. 4

Allegations

After a late-night equipment stop, the officer reported an alcohol odor and conducted field sobriety tests on a dark roadside. The client consented to a blood draw about an hour later that came back just over the legal limit. We obtained the dash and body camera video, which showed steady performance on the tests, and emphasized how the timing of the sample related to the stop. Pushing back on an initial harsh offer, we used those weaknesses and completed classes to negotiate deferred adjudication, keeping a final conviction off the record.

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DWI (BAC Over .15)

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #1

Allegations

The client was stopped at night after an officer claimed the vehicle had no headlights. Video from the stop showed the lights were on, and the officer later suggested they were not bright enough. We challenged the basis for the stop and used the footage to impeach the testimony. A blood draw later reported a high BAC, but we argued the jury must disregard evidence that flowed from an unlawful stop. After cross examination and a closing built around the video, the jury returned a not guilty verdict.

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Accident Involving Damage Over $200

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #5

Allegations

After a minor contact at an intersection, the client kept driving and was later called by an investigator, then voluntarily turned himself in. We obtained the police reports, the other driver’s statement, and repair estimates, and pressed the state on whether any claimed losses should be handled through insurance rather than criminal restitution. We also supplied mitigation and had the client complete a driver safety course. After sustained negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to reduce the case and resolve it for time served, with no probation or community service.

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DWI - Second Offense

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #5

Allegations

The client was stopped after leaving a bar and trying to get an injured passenger to the hospital, and was arrested for a second DWI after officers ordered a blood draw. We gathered the reports, video and lab records, and highlighted the emergency circumstances that led to the drive and the client’s limited ability to complete roadside testing. We also addressed hardship caused by an interlock condition and pushed for relief. Using those issues, we leveraged negotiations, and the prosecution reduced the charges with straight probation.

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DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court 3

Allegations

Stopped for driving without headlights on, the client was investigated for DWI, performed roadside tests, and was taken for a blood draw well after the stop. We obtained the videos and reports, emphasizing the lack of bad driving, the confusion over automatic lights, and the lengthy delay before the blood sample. We pressed the state, which lagged in reviewing the file, and outlined our evidentiary concerns and trial posture. The prosecution agreed to deferred adjudication, keeping a conviction off the record upon successful probation.

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Resisting Arrest

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court 3

Allegations

During a traffic stop for a minor equipment issue, officers moved to arrest the client. Startled, the client instinctively pulled back, and officers took the client to the ground and used a stun device. The incident resulted in a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge. We obtained and reviewed the video, emphasizing the brief, nonviolent reaction, the client’s panic and breathing issues, and the officers’ rapid escalation. We presented mitigation, including therapy and no prior record, and negotiated deferred adjudication to avoid a conviction.

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DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, CCC1

Allegations

Stopped at night for driving without headlights, the client admitted to drinking and officers noted an open container in a cup. After roadside tests the client felt were poorly explained and not set on a clear line, he consented to a hospital blood draw that later came back over .15. We focused on how the field tests were conducted and the circumstances of the stop, and scrutinized the blood collection and handling for weaknesses. Leveraging those issues in negotiations, we secured a reduction of the charge, and the client received deferred probation instead of a DWI conviction.

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DWI - Third Offense

Location

Denton County, 16th Judicial District Court

Allegations

Police encountered our client parked and not moving after pulling over to rest. The client acknowledged drinking earlier in the evening, performed field sobriety tests, and a blood sample was taken. We dug into the stop and the lab records, but the turning point was the state's attempt to use two old DWI convictions to make this a felony. We obtained the prior judgment files and found they lacked key identifiers tying them to our client. Armed with those gaps, we pushed negotiations until the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor with straight probation.

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Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Denton County, CCC3

Allegations

Police contacted our client after a late night call while the client was near a parked vehicle outside a residence. A handgun was found in the vehicle, and the client said it routinely stayed there. Officers claimed a separate offense was occurring, turning otherwise lawful possession into a UCW allegation. We reviewed body cam video and reports, focusing on whether the client was actually operating the vehicle and whether the facts met the statute. Leveraging those issues, we secured deferred adjudication.