FAQs

DWI stands for “driving while intoxicated”. Texas law defines intoxication as “not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug…”. Read more about what is DWI in Texas.

We all go through great lengths to protect our private information, but often overlook one of the most important and powerful elements of our personal profiles. A Houston criminal record expunctions lawyer is ready to help you and will check if you are legally included in the record expungement procedure.

You only have one chance to make a great first impression. There are usually a lot of people in the court wearing all sort of things. We’ve seen people in court wearing pajamas, pants ripped in the crotch, halter tops, etc. Our clients don’t wear those things, we encourage clients to make an effort to look nice. It doesn’t matter if you have to borrow a suit that is four sizes too big, that shows you are trying. Everyone has different financial abilities and that is OK, the point is, show that you are trying.

You’ll be in court as long as it takes. Usually, once the docket is called, we can get you out fairly quickly. Criminal court isn’t run in a very organized way, so it can be anywhere from 1 hour to all day. Most of our clients are only in court for a few hours.

Usually, the only time you have to say anything is when the Judge or coordinator calls the docket. At a minimum, you’ll need to let them know you’re there. Some courts will also ask you to say your lawyer’s name.

The arresting officer only has to be in court during trial. On typical court dates before trial, the arresting officer will not have to attend.

The complaining witness is only required to be in court during trial. The district attorney will contact them outside of court hours to interview them. We have had complaining witnesses show up at other times when they weren’t needed. This usually helps our case because this shows the district attorney they are crazy and / or have a different motive.

If you like to read, bring a book. There is a lot of waiting. We recommend taking a notepad and writing down what you observe in court. You will want to forget being in court as quickly as possible, tearing up the notes you made is very rewarding.

You can bring a cell phone with you to court. Be sure to turn your cell phone off and put it in your pocket or bag once you enter the courtroom. If you are seen using a cell phone in court there is a good chance you will be asked to put it away. Some courts will even take the phone until the end of the day.

No, you cannot bring a gun to court. Guns are not allowed in the courthouse. Please leave all guns at home.

You can bring whoever you want to court, but it’s probably not the best idea. Space is usually limited in the courtroom and a lot of courts will ask your significant other to wait in the hallway alone. They obviously came to court with you to be supportive, and it’s hard to do that sitting in the hallway alone. We frequently see public displays of affection in the elevator or on the benches outside the courtroom. If that’s what you are into, that’s OK, just make sure to keep it outside the courtroom. Condoms have been seen on the elevator floor, the elevators in court are slow, but they aren’t that slow.

The Harris County Community Supervision & Corrections Department defines the rate at which someone on probation should complete community service hours. Community service hours are now called Community Service Restitution Program hours. This means your probation officer will tell you how many hours you need to complete a month.

This timeframe varies, but it’s usually around 30 days. The county notifies TDCJ to pick up the inmate. If the inmate stays in the county jail more than 45 days, the State has to pay the county $45 per day. Money talks, so they’re usually picked up before the 45th day.

It depends. The government has 30 days from the date of seizure to file a law suit called a forfeiture. The government will serve you with notice and we must respond quickly. We have represented many clients in asset forfeiture cases and have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for our clients.

It is possible to early terminate deferred adjudication sentences. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 42A.111 states, the Judge may early terminate before the term of deferred adjudication ends if, in the judge’s opinion, the best interest of society and the defendant will be served by termination. You cannot early terminate a deferred when the defendant is charged with an offense requiring the defendant to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62.

Getting in someone’s face can be considered assault in certain situations. Texas Penal Code § 22.01 defines assault as intentionally or knowingly threatening to cause imminent bodily injury to another person. Read more to see if Getting in Someone’s Face is Considered Assault.

How long you go to jail for drug possession depends on several factors including the weight of the controlled substance and whether you have any prior convictions. If you face charges in Texas, a Houston drug possession attorney can offer further guidance based on the specifics of your case. Read more to see How Long Do You Go to Jail for Drug Possession.

Once you’re eligible, plan on at least two months from the day the petition is filed to the day the order reaches the agencies holding your records. The court can’t hear the petition sooner than 30 days after filing, and the clerk can’t send the order out until it’s final, roughly another 30 days. The bigger variable is when you become eligible at all, which depends on how your case ended. Read more about how long it takes to get your record expunged in Texas.

Usually not. Article I, § 11 of the Texas Constitution makes most people bailable, and the exceptions are narrow. A judge can deny bail in a capital case when the proof is evident. Sections 11a through 11c add a few more: certain defendants with two prior felony convictions, a new felony committed while already on bail for another one, violating bond conditions tied to a victim’s or the community’s safety, and violating a family violence protective order. And since November 2025, § 11d requires a judge to deny bail for a short list of violent and sexual offenses, including murder and aggravated sexual assault, if the State proves at a hearing that no bail would secure your appearance or keep the community safe. Even then you get a hearing and a lawyer, and the burden is on the State. If someone you love is being held without bond, call (713) 664-4000. The bond hearing is often the first fight worth having.

A first DWI conviction in Texas usually costs $10,000 to $20,000 once everything is added up, and very little of that is the fine a judge hands down. The largest pieces are the lawyer, the $3,000 state fine that comes with a conviction, and three or more years of higher insurance. Read more about how much a Texas DWI costs.

In Texas, assault causing bodily injury has three elements the State must prove: you acted intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, you caused bodily injury, and the person hurt was someone else. That’s Penal Code § 22.01(a)(1). The statute also covers threats and offensive contact, and Texas has no separate crime called battery. If you’ve been charged, call (713) 664-4000. Read more about the elements of assault in Texas.

Anyone who is the victim of a crime or who witnesses a crime can call their local police department to make a complaint or request law enforcement to come to the scene. In Texas, the prosecutor, not the alleged victim, files charges and prepares criminal proceedings against the defendant in an assault case. Read more to see if you Can File Assault Charges for Someone Else.

The Texas State Bar notes that certain misdemeanor and felony charges can be expunged in Texas. The details and outcome of your offense will determine whether or not it can be removed from your criminal record. These details include the outcome of the case, how long ago the offense took place, whether you were a minor, and the offense’s severity. Read more to learn What Crimes Can be Expunged in Texas.

Only if you were never convicted and never placed on probation or deferred adjudication for it. That usually means the case was dismissed, you were acquitted, or no charge was ever filed. A DWI conviction can’t be expunged, though a first misdemeanor DWI can sometimes be sealed with an order of nondisclosure. Learn more from our Houston DWI expunction lawyer page.

An administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing is your one chance to stop the license suspension DPS starts when you’re arrested for DWI. It runs separately from the criminal case, in front of a different judge, and you have 15 days from the notice to ask for it. It’s also the first chance to put the arresting officer under oath. Read more about what happens at an ALR hearing.

Yes, a family can sue for wrongful death if the death was caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or carelessness. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §71.002, a person can be held liable for damages that arise from an individual’s death if “the injury was caused by a wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.” Read more about who can sue for wrongful death in Texas.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §71.002 notes that any death that results from a wrongful act, carelessness, neglect, unskillfulness, or default constitutes a wrongful death. Read more about what constitutes a wrongful death in Texas.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that driver error, vehicular malfunction, and environmental hazards are the leading causes of car accidents nationwide. Read more about the main causes of car accidents.

Following any accident, whether it be a collision, dog bite, or slip and fall, you are not required to have a lawyer, but making that decision is usually a mistake. Read more about whether you need a lawyer after an accident.

Yes, you can settle a car accident injury claim without a lawyer, but it is a wise decision to work with a personal injury attorney. Read more about settling a car accident claim without a lawyer.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most motorcycle crashes involve passenger vehicles failing to detect riders and striking them, with driver error a factor in 94% of collisions. Read more about the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.