Posted on May 05, 2023 in Uncategorized

Teens and young adults make mistakes. They'll often encounter alcohol at parties or on outings with friends, and sometimes they don't fully understand the ramifications of getting behind the wheel after just a few drinks. If your child is a student-athlete in high school or a good college prospect, a DWI conviction can become a very serious matter instead of simply a learning moment for a young adult finding their way in the world. But the good news is that you don't have to figure this out alone. An expert in DWI law, like attorney Doug Murphy, can help.

It's important to take an arrest for a DWI seriously and seek legal guidance as soon as possible. If you're a promising young athlete, or if your child is, a DWI conviction can devastate your future in football. That's what a University of Missouri linebacker discovered after a March arrest for a DWI.

Mizzou Football Player Charged with DWI

On March 19, 2023, the Boone County, Missouri, Sherriff's Office arrested a University of Missouri linebacker shortly after 3 am. Sherriff's deputies pulled the linebacker over near the Columbia, Missouri, campus for a lane violation and driving with expired plates. He reportedly failed a sobriety test, and the deputies took him into custody. He was released on a $500 bond.

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 Posted on May 05, 2023 in Uncategorized

Accidents happen. Sooner or later, all of us will be in a motor vehicle accident. But if you've had a drink or two, you may be concerned that you could face heightened scrutiny from the police. While that may be true, leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Texas. If you leave the scene, even if you haven't been drinking, you could face criminal charges.

If the police do arrest you for DWI or leaving the scene of an accident, the good news is that this isn't something you have to figure out on your own. Call an experienced DWI defense attorney like attorney Doug Murphy. They can help you from the beginning, protecting your rights and advising you on your options and the possible ramifications of a DWI conviction.

Man Attempted to Leave San Antonio Crash

A good example of what not to do comes from a crash in February of 2023 in San Antonio. Police arrested a man after a crash in the 3600 block of Roosevelt Avenue. The victim was attempting to turn left. When she stopped to turn with her blinker on, a San Antonio man crashed into the back of her car, pushing it into a nearby parking lot. The man reportedly then made a sharp left turn, ran into a grassy area, and ran into a telephone pole. Witnesses say he exited his car and attempted to walk away without checking on the victim. Police arrived, found the suspect, and arrested him after determining that he was intoxicated. Police also reported that the man had two prior convictions for DWI.

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 Posted on May 05, 2023 in Uncategorized

We all know that driving after you've had too much to drink is not a good idea. Most people don't intend to drive drunk when they get behind the wheel after having a few drinks. But you can also face charges far more serious than a DWI if you get into an accident and injure or kill someone in your family riding in the car. That's what a former truck driver in Waco recently discovered in this horrifying scenario.

DWI Crash in Waco

In April 2020, Waco police arrested a retired truck driver on suspicion of DWI after a crash in the 1400 block of Dallas Street. His wife died in the crash. According to the arrest affidavit, witnesses reported the couple appeared to be arguing in the car while driving. A witness saw the woman reach over and grab the steering wheel, "and that they lost control and hit the curb." The 2005 Ford Focus then rolled, ejecting the man and his wife from the car. The woman died at the scene.

Police reported that the man admitted to drinking a 12-ounce beer and a shot of liquor but denied police a blood sample for a BAC test. After the police obtained a warrant for a blood sample, testing revealed a BAC of.162, more than twice the legal limit of.8 percent. The man pled guilty to intoxication manslaughter in January of 2023.

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 Posted on May 05, 2023 in Uncategorized

When you're facing a DWI charge, it's already a stressful situation. You're undoubtedly concerned about whether you could end up serving jail time, lose your driver's license, or pay hefty fines. But on top of that, a DWI can affect your professional career, especially if you hold a trusted position in the community, like a teacher. That's what an 8th-grade teacher from Houston ISD discovered recently.

Teacher's DWI Arrest in Harris County

Police arrested the teacher, an employee of Patrick Henry Middle School, in March of 2023 when they found him allegedly passed out behind the wheel of his car in the 22300 block of Hildebrandt Road. According to law enforcement officials, he was asleep behind the wheel of his car and stopped in a lane of moving traffic. Police reported that he showed signs of intoxication when he woke up, and they performed standard field sobriety tests.

In a statement to ABC13, HISD said, "The employee is still employed with the district. The district receives notification and follows standard procedures for reviewing and addressing any case of an employee's arrest." This was the man's third DWI charge. He was already out on bond related to two previous DWI charges from 2019 and 2022.

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 Posted on May 05, 2023 in Uncategorized

As a religious leader in the community, you undoubtedly face a great deal of pressure. Not just to hold your congregation together and give religious guidance but also to act as a pillar of the community. We hold our religious leaders like pastors, priests, and rabbis to impossibly high standards. Clergy make mistakes too. But if you make the mistake of driving after you've had too much to drink, you could face serious consequences beyond potential jail time and fines.

Fortunately, you don't have to handle a DWI charge on your own. With an expert in DWI Defense by your side, like attorney Doug Murphy, you'll have a better chance for a successful outcome. If you receive a conviction, a DWI can impact your professional future as a religious leader and devastate your reputation in the community. That's what the leader of a prominent Texas Baptist church recently discovered.

Texas Baptist Pastor Resigns

The lead teaching pastor at a prominent North Texas Baptist church resigned in March after a DWI arrest. The following week the church's elder board emailed a statement to the congregation noting that the pastor had resigned effective immediately and reporting, "We assure you that Drew was not fired and that no improprieties have occurred at TABC."

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 Posted on May 05, 2023 in Uncategorized

We've all seen street racing in the movies and on TV. A woman stands in the middle of the street, waves a scarf or flag, and the two studs in their souped-up cars burn rubber at top speed. But while this may look romantic and exciting in the movies, it can put pedestrians and other cars on the road in danger.

Street Racing in Texas

But after the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are taking to public streets to race their cars. Street takeovers and street races are happening more frequently in Texas and states across the U.S. Street "takeovers" involve cars coordinating to block off public intersections while cars do tricks like donuts, drifting, or ghost riding, where a driver jumps out of the car to dance or perform alongside a moving vehicle.

In mid-January of this year, a TikTok video of a street takeover in San Antonio went viral. Police reported that the takeover resulted in a four-vehicle crash and a shooting. To keep the streets safe, police are cracking down on enforcing street racing laws. Moreover, if you're arrested during a street racing or takeover incident and have been drinking, you could face additional charges for DWI. If that happens, attorney Doug Murphy is an expert in DWI Defense and Criminal Defense Law, and he can help. Call the Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C. at 713-229-8333">713-229-8333.

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 Posted on May 05, 2023 in Uncategorized

We all make mistakes. Sometimes that can include drinking too much and realizing you shouldn't drive. For example, you head out to dinner with friends and have a few beers or glasses of wine. But when you head home, you realize you may not be in the best shape to drive. So, maybe you pull over to the side of the road and decide to sleep it off before continuing home. Or maybe you head out to the parking lot, put the keys in the ignition to turn on the radio, close your eyes, and nap.

If the police show up and decide that you are intoxicated, but you weren't actually driving, can they still arrest you? Unfortunately, they may charge you with DWI. The good news is that an expert in DWI Defense, like Attorney Doug Murphy, may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor or use it in your defense.

What is a DWI in Texas?

You can face a charge for a DWI in Texas if you are "operating a motor vehicle" in a public location while intoxicated. Unfortunately, the Texas statute isn't as clear-cut as it seems. "Intoxicated" in our state isn't always black and white. You're considered "intoxicated" if:

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 Posted on April 04, 2023 in Uncategorized

If you're facing a DWI charge, it's always a stressful situation. You're undoubtedly worried about the possible consequences of a criminal conviction and how it might interfere with your life. But if you hold a public office, have a high-profile job, or are well-known in your community, a criminal DWI charge can have serious consequences beyond potential jail time and fines. After a recent arrest, a Texas councilman discovered that the impact of body cam footage from a DWI arrest could go beyond the courtroom.

Body Camera Footage as Evidence

On November 6, 2022, San Antonio police arrested a local councilman after he allegedly crashed his Jeep Wrangler into a Honda Civic at Jones Maltsberger and Redland. Police charged him with DWI and fleeing the scene of a crash after he drove home, and police found him in his front yard. Police reported the councilman had difficulty standing and was slurring his words. News reports indicated that the councilman was on his way home from a bar, reportedly consuming 14 drinks within a few hours. He then drove to Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, where he engaged in some erratic behavior. Police are currently investigating the bar for overserving.

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 Posted on April 04, 2023 in Uncategorized

The consequences can be serious if you're facing a DWI in Texas. But if someone dies as a result, the penalties can be even more severe. We don't typically anticipate a pedestrian running across a highway in front of us, especially at night, but it does happen. Unfortunately, if you've been drinking, alcohol can slow your reaction time and make it harder to respond quickly to obstacles in your path while driving, including pedestrians. That's what led to tragedy on the Gulf Freeway in February.

On February 20, 2023, a pedestrian died after being struck by a car while trying to cross the Gulf Freeway around midnight. A white Nissan struck the man, flipping him over the hood. A second car then struck the man. Paramedics declared the pedestrian dead at the scene. Police reported that the driver of the white Nissan showed signs of intoxication and took him into custody.

DWI Conviction in Texas

A first DWI in Texas is typically a Class B misdemeanor. A conviction is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, license suspension, and a mandatory administrative fine of $3,000. However, if someone dies in a crash related to your DWI, you could face more serious charges.

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 Posted on April 04, 2023 in Uncategorized

Facing a DWI can be a scary situation because it's hard to know what will happen next and the consequences you could face. But for a police officer or other first responders, an arrest for a DWI could end a career. That's what a Dallas police officer recently discovered. In February, the Dallas police arrested an off-duty Dallas police officer on suspicion of DWI. She's now on administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation.The consequences of a DWI can be even more serious when your job is on the line. That's why it's essential you remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. You need an expert in DWI law to ensure the best possible chance of successfully resolving your case. Attorney Doug Murphy is an expert in DWI defense and can help you. Call the Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C. at 713-229-8333">713-229-8333 or contact them online to schedule your consultation.

Consequences of a DWI Conviction

Police officers and other first responders aren't supposed to receive special treatment when arrested, so you'll likely face the same process and consequences as anyone else arrested for a DWI. But you may also face consequences to your career due to your arrest.

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