Criminal Defense Case Results in Ellis, TX

Charge

Assault on a Public Servant

Location

Ellis County, 504TH DISTRICT COURT

Allegations

Police alleged our client struck an officer during booking after a chaotic mental health episode that began with a minor citation. We obtained the videos and reports, which showed no clear contact and key context missing from the officer’s account. We compiled medical records documenting the client’s condition and addressed the case’s procedural issues, including a warrant that surfaced despite consistent bond check-ins. After sustained negotiations, the state reduced the felony to a misdemeanor with deferred probation.

Charge

Possession of Inhalants

Location

Ellis County, CC2

Allegations

Police were dispatched to a parking lot after a caller reported inhalant use. Officers contacted our client in a parked vehicle, noted a container associated with inhalants, but never observed actual use. The client made statements that the state tried to rely on. We pressed for the 911 recording and bodycam, highlighted the absence of direct observation, and challenged whether the elements could be proved. Leveraging those issues in negotiations, we secured deferred adjudication, keeping a conviction off the client’s record.

Charge

Assault - Family Violence (Class C)

Location

Ellis County, Ennis Municipal Court

Allegations

A domestic dispute led to a Class C family-violence citation after officers responded to a residence. The client said he only escorted the other party from a vehicle, no one was hurt, and the accounts conflicted. We stepped in early, entered an appearance, and demanded the reports, 911 audio, and body camera footage. We pressed the state on the disputed contact and lack of injury, and made clear we were prepared to try the case. At a court setting the prosecutor recommended dismissal in the interest of justice, and the court dismissed the case.

Charge

Tampering with Evidence

Location

Ellis County, 504TH DISTRICT COURT

Allegations

During a late night traffic stop for speeding, the officer claimed our client tossed something from the window and booked them for felony tampering with evidence. We obtained and reviewed the dash and body camera footage and the arrest report. The video showed only a brief spark consistent with a cigarette, nothing was recovered, and the officer’s notes were uncertain about what, if anything, was discarded. We challenged the lack of proof and intent, pressed these gaps with the DA, and secured a reduction to a lesser offense with time served.

Charge

Possession of THC (State Jail Felony)

Location

Ellis County, 504TH DISTRICT COURT

Allegations

The client was stopped for speeding and, after the officer claimed a marijuana odor, was removed from the car while an intensive search was conducted. The roadside investigation yielded only a half‑used vape cartridge the State alleged contained THC. We obtained the dash and bodycam video, challenged the basis for escalating the stop and search, and pressed the prosecution on the small quantity, lab paperwork, and proof issues. Confronted with these problems, the felony was reduced and the client received credit for time served.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony)

Location

Ellis County, COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO 2

Allegations

After a traffic stop for alleged speeding, an officer claimed to smell marijuana and searched the car, finding pills the state identified as oxycodone. We examined the basis for the stop and the justification for expanding it into a search, focusing on the claimed odor and scope. We identified inconsistencies in the state's account and argued that the search lacked probable cause. After we put those issues in front of the prosecutor and prepared to litigate suppression, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Ellis County

Allegations

During a traffic stop for alleged speeding, the officer claimed to smell marijuana and conducted a search. A holstered pistol was found and the client was arrested for unlawful carrying of a weapon. We scrutinized the basis for the stop and the scope of the search, focusing on how the firearm was located and documented. We outlined the legal and evidentiary problems to the prosecutor and made clear we were prepared to pursue suppression. Confronted with those issues, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Ellis County, CCL2

Allegations

The client was stopped for alleged speeding. The officer claimed to smell marijuana and conducted a vehicle search, locating a holstered handgun and filing a UCW charge. We obtained the police records and dissected the basis for the stop, the odor claim, and whether the search exceeded what the law allows. We also examined how and where the firearm was found and whether the elements of UCW were actually met. After we laid out these evidentiary problems and signaled we were ready to litigate, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony)

Location

Ellis County, 443RD Judicial District \u200bCourt

Allegations

Stopped at night for nonfunctioning rear lights, the officer said he smelled marijuana and searched the vehicle over the client’s objection. A very small amount of crystalline substance was found in the center console, and although other items were present, only felony possession under a gram was filed. We obtained discovery, scrutinized the basis for the stop and search, and pressed the state on the lab result identifying MDMA in a trace amount. Leveraging the clean history and swift compliance, we secured pretrial intervention. After completing testing and program requirements, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Assault - Family Violence (Class C)

Location

Ellis County, Waxahachie Municipal Court

Allegations

Police issued mutual Class C family violence citations after a domestic argument at a residence escalated to pushing and a struggle over a phone. The client had visible bruising and was the one who called 911. We got involved immediately and demanded the full file, including 911 audio, body and dash cam, officer photos, and relevant messages. We used that evidence to show the mutual nature of the encounter, the client's cooperation, and the absence of an ongoing threat. After sustained negotiations and review with the prosecutor, the case was dismissed.

Charge

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Ellis County, Italy Municipal Court

Allegations

The client was stopped for an expired registration. The officer said he smelled marijuana, searched the car, and wrote a citation after finding two small pipes in the center console. We forced production of the police report and video, then dissected the search and evidence handling, including the officer’s own notes about spilling material and the lack of clear documentation for other property he seized. We also showed the car was borrowed and registered to someone else, weakening any link to our client. Faced with these problems, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Assault - Family Violence (Class C)

Location

Ellis County, Midlothian Municipal Court

Allegations

A domestic dispute during a pending divorce resulted in a Class C family violence citation. The client reported only brief wrist contact as both reached for a phone, with no visible injury, and 911 was called by a third party. We obtained the police report, bodycam, 911 audio, and the complaining affidavit. Comparing them, we highlighted contradictions in the accounts, the absence of injury, and that officers initially cited both parties before voiding one. Ready for trial, we pressed the prosecutor on these weaknesses, and the case was dismissed.