DWI
DWI vs DUI in Texas: What's the Difference?
DWI and DUI are different charges in Texas. DWI is the Penal Code offense at any age. DUI applies only to drivers under 21, with zero tolerance.
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[ Blog / Field Notes ]
Notes on criminal defense in Texas.
Plain-language articles on Texas criminal law, written for the person facing a charge, not for other lawyers. What an arrest means, what to do in the first days, how a Collin County case actually moves, and what the statutes really say.
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Sex Crimes
Threatening to Disclose Intimate Photos in Texas: Penal Code 21.16
Threatening to disclose intimate photos to obtain sexual favors or money is a crime in Texas. Learn about Penal Code 21.16 and your rights.
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How Bond Is Set at the Collin County Detention Facility
How bond is set after a Collin County arrest: the Article 15.17 magistrate hearing at the McKinney jail, bond types, the schedule, and conditions.
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Field notes
What Happens at Your First Court Hearing in McKinney
What to expect at your first court date in McKinney: what the judge does, why almost everyone pleads not guilty to start, and what to do…
Field notes
Bail Bond Scams: Protect Your Family and Your Money
Scammers are targeting Collin County families after an arrest, demanding bail money by phone. Learn the red flags and how to protect your…
Field notes
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity in Texas: What You Need to Know
Facing an organized crime charge under Texas Penal Code 71.02? This serious offense carries enhanced penalties. Call Starr Law for a free…
Drug Crimes
Are THC Edibles a Felony in Texas?
In Texas, THC oil, wax, vapes, and edibles are Penalty Group 2 felonies, not misdemeanor marijuana. Even a few gummies can be charged as a…
DWI
Can You Refuse a Breathalyzer in Texas?
Can you refuse a breathalyzer in Texas? Yes, but implied consent triggers an automatic license suspension. What really happens, and the…
Probation
Deferred Adjudication vs. Probation in Texas: What's the Difference?
Deferred adjudication means no guilty finding and a dismissal if you finish; regular probation follows a conviction. Both are Texas…
Field notes
Do You Have to Talk to the Police in Texas?
Do you have to talk to the police in Texas? No. What Miranda actually covers, how to invoke your right to remain silent, and what to do…
Field notes
How Long Can They Hold You in Jail in Texas?
In Texas you must see a magistrate within 48 hours of arrest, who sets bond. If the State is not ready for trial, you may have a right to…
Field notes
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in Texas?
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Texas? What drives the fee, flat fee vs. hourly, what to ask before you hire, and why the…