Posted on April 21, 2026 in Criminal Defense

A fatal car accident leads to criminal charges in Texas when there is evidence that the driver did something more than make an honest mistake. Not every crash that results in a death will lead to a criminal case. The difference between a tragic accident and a crime comes down to what the driver was doing and how they were acting at the time of the crash. If you’ve been charged with manslaughter or a related charge, a Houston criminal defense lawyer can help you understand what you are up against and what your options are.

What Charges Can Follow a Fatal Car Accident in Texas?

Texas law gives prosecutors several options when someone dies in a car accident. The charge they pursue depends on what the evidence shows about how and why the crash happened. The most common charges include:

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 Posted on April 15, 2026 in DUI/DWI

Each state has its own acronyms it uses for drinking while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These acronyms include DUIL (driving under the influence of liquor), DWI (driving while intoxicated), OMVI (operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated), DUI (driving under the influence), OWI (operating while intoxicated), and OUI (operating under the influence). Each state may use one or more of these acronyms.

In Texas, DWI and DUI are used. So, you may ask, what is the difference between a DWI and DUI in Texas? The answer refers to the operator of the motor vehicle's age. In Texas, DUI generally applies to drivers under 21 under a zero-tolerance standard, while DWI applies to drivers of any age who are intoxicated. If you are facing either charge, a Houston DUI/DWI defense lawyer can help you understand what you are up against.

What Is the Difference Between a DWI and DUI in Texas?

Regardless of your age in Texas, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) at or above 0.08 percent or to exhibit a lack of control over your mental and physical faculties, meaning, for example, slurring your words or struggling to walk straight. For some persons, however, the legal limit is less than 0.08 percent: (1) persons operating a commercial vehicle and who have a commercial driver's license are not permitted to drive if their BAC level is at or above 0.04 percent, and persons under the age of 21 are not permitted to drive at all with any trace of alcohol in the system.

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 Posted on April 09, 2026 in Violent Crimes

Fighting a false allegation of family violence in Texas starts with getting a defense attorney involved as fast as possible. False allegations are relatively common, especially during divorces, custody disputes, and breakups. Being accused does not automatically render you guilty in the eyes of the law, and there are real ways to fight back. If you are facing a false family violence allegation in 2026, the Houston family violence defense lawyers at Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. can offer experience and aggressive representation.

What Is Family Violence Under Texas Law?

Under Texas Family Code § 71.004, family violence is an act by one family or household member against another that is meant to cause physical harm, bodily injury, or assault. It also includes threats that make someone reasonably fear they are about to be hurt.

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 Posted on April 02, 2026 in Sex Crimes

An arrest for solicitation of prostitution sets off a legal process that moves quickly and can have serious consequences for your life, your reputation, and your future. However, you have rights, and there are real defenses available depending on the facts of your case. If you are facing charges related to the solicitation of prostitution in 2026, Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. can help. Our Houston sex crimes defense attorney has the experience and reputation you need to help you build a strong defense.

What Is Solicitation of Prostitution According to Texas Law?

Under Texas Penal Code § 43.021, a person commits an offense if they offer or agree to pay another person for sexual conduct knowingly. It does not matter whether the sexual act actually took place. Simply offering or agreeing to pay is enough for a charge to be filed.

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 Posted on March 30, 2026 in DUI/DWI

The problem with DWIs is that they happen to good, hard-working Americans. They happen to you, your neighbor, and even law enforcement agents. They happen to any of us who drink alcohol and then drive. They happen because we think we are sober enough to drive. Sometimes we may be, sometimes we may not be. In either circumstance, you could potentially find yourself arrested and charged. It's usually a poorly maintained portable breathalyzer or an unscientific field sobriety test that becomes the deciding factor that gets you arrested. And it's because of these things, alongside a breath or blood test taken at the station, you think the verdict is already in, so why fight it? If you are facing DWI charges in Harris County, our Houston DUI defense lawyer can help you understand your options.

Fighting a DWI has its pros and cons, and experienced, Board Certified DWI and criminal defense lawyer Doug Murphy shares some of these pros and cons with you. Full disclosure, though: Doug Murphy is the kind of attorney who routinely fights DWI cases and does not give up or settle. That means he isn't interested in plea deals if they are not in your best interest. That means he goes all the way to trial – in fact, preparing for trial from day one – because it is in your best interests almost always to do so unless he gets the case dismissed before trial. But those kinds of dismissals usually materialize because you are preparing and negotiating with a trial in mind. With that said, here are some of the most common pros and cons of fighting your DWI in Harris County.

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 Posted on March 24, 2026 in DUI/DWI

Breath tests are administered when a police officer suspects you are operating a vehicle, including a watercraft, under the influence of alcohol. Generally, these tests are given after a failed sobriety test or after the officer finds probable cause to believe that you are under the influence of alcohol illegally.

Sometimes, people in this situation refuse to take a breath test, and this is your right. However, it can carry certain consequences. If you have been charged with a DWI or related offense, seek legal assistance right away. The Houston DWI defense attorneys at Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. can help you understand your rights and build a strong defense.

What Are Texas Implied Consent Laws?

When you obtain a license in Texas, you commit to obey the rules of the road. Part of this responsibility is your implied consent (Texas Transportation Code § 724.011) to submit to a breath test if a law enforcement agent believes there is probable cause to detain you for driving while intoxicated. You are not required to provide information or evidence that can be used against you later in court. Thus, you have every right to refuse to take a breath test.

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 Posted on March 16, 2026 in Drug Crimes

A drug possession arrest doesn't have the same outcome for every minor in Texas. How the case is handled depends on the drug involved, the amount, the child's history, and how quickly a family acts to get legal help. Understanding the process is the first step toward protecting your child's future. A Houston drug possession defense lawyer can help you understand what your child is facing and work to protect their future.

How Does the Texas Juvenile Court System Handle Drug Possession?

In Texas, most minors arrested for drug possession go through the juvenile justice system, not adult criminal court. Under Texas Family Code § 51.03(a), a minor can be treated as a juvenile delinquent if they do something that would be a crime if an adult did it. Drug possession falls into that category.

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 Posted on March 14, 2026 in Theft

Theft and robbery might sound like variations of the same thing, but under Texas law, they are entirely different charges with very different consequences. The distinction comes down to one factor: the presence of a person and what happened during the encounter.

If you've been charged with robbery in 2026, you're facing something far more serious than a property crime. However, you do not have to face it alone. Our Houston, TX robbery defense lawyers can help you understand exactly what you're up against and how to fight it.

How Does Texas Law Define the Difference Between Theft and Robbery?

Theft, under Texas Penal Code § 31.03, is taking someone's property without their consent and with the intent to deprive them of it. It's a property crime. The severity depends on the value of what was taken.

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 Posted on March 03, 2026 in Criminal Defense

A resisting arrest charge can happen quickly and make an already difficult situation much worse. In Texas, this charge can be added on top of whatever else you were arrested for, which means the consequences can pile up quickly.

One thing that surprises many people is that under Texas Penal Code § 38.03, saying the arrest was unlawful is not a legal defense. Even if the officer had no right to arrest you, resisting can still result in a separate charge.

If you're facing resisting arrest charges in 2026, our Houston criminal defense lawyers can help you understand your options and start building your defense.

What Does Texas Law Say About Resisting Arrest?

Under Texas Penal Code § 38.03, a person resists arrest when they intentionally prevent or obstruct a peace officer from making an arrest, conducting a search, or transporting a person by using force against the officer or another person.

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 Posted on February 28, 2026 in DUI/DWI

Texas felony DWI defense is a complex skill involving sophisticated possibilities. Texas DWI Specialist attorney Doug Murphy has devoted his career and passion to Texas DWI defense because of the special opportunity to help good people in bad situations, using peculiar scientific, legal, and procedural knowledge.

Attorney Murphy's substantial experience not only defending Texas felony DWI cases but also teaching other lawyers felony DWI defense has enabled him to develop a large toolbox of sophisticated tactics and strategies for felony DWI defense. Attorney Murphy also speaks to DWI judges and lawyers nationwide on felony DWI defense.

Texas felony DWI defense isn't easy. But your successful defense may well be possible when your Texas DWI Specialist has strong skills honed from substantial experience. Contact our Houston DWI defense attorney today to get started on the best strategy for your case.

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