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DWI & Criminal Defense in Harris County Constable, Precinct 1
Harris County Constable, Precinct 1, was previously well known for corruption. Criminal activity occurs in the Precinct, but so does police corruption where intentional mishandling of evidence and false testimony have been known to occur. In fact, lives have been destroyed because of it. Precinct 1 is doing a significantly better job under new leadership.
But Harris County Constable, Precinct 1, is not just about corrupt police officers. This community of communities reaches into the northern and eastern sections of Harris County and is home to good schools and good careers in the medical industry, oil industry, tech industry, management, teaching, and other good-paying industries.
There are some people in this vibrant community who commit crimes, like property crimes, assault crimes, and theft crimes, but what happens more often than not are driving offenses. Harris County Precinct 1 Constable works hard to arrest anyone who allegedly drives while drunk. Their pursuit of these arrests is often overreaching, and innocent people get caught up in it. These people have families and jobs. Even when there was a lapse in judgment, and a community member operates a vehicle when he probably shouldn't have, he is often treated unfairly and his constitutional rights are violated.
Doug Murphy is a Board Certified DWI attorney and a Board Certified criminal law attorney, one of only two attorneys in Texas to hold both distinctions simultaneously. He has extensive working knowledge of police corruption in Harris County Constable's Precinct 1. He understands how community members can fall victim to the police efforts to acquire DWI arrests. He understands how that arrest can negatively impact the lives of those arrested. And he uses his experience, insight, and resources to defend his clients. Contact his office today at 713-229-8333 to learn more.
DWI and Crime in Harris County Precinct 1 Constable
Harris County Constable, Precinct 1, has a location in downtown Houston at:
1301 Preston, 3rd Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-5200
If you were arrested for a crime, you will be taken to a central processing center to be booked:
Harris County Jail Inmate Processing Center
700 N. San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002
After you are booked, it depends on the crime and the circumstances if:
- You will be released on your own recognizance on the promise you will return to court for your arraignment; or
- You will be held until your arraignment, at which time bond may be considered for your release.
Crime in Precinct 1 can involve any of the following but is not limited to the following:
- Drug Crimes
- Property Crimes
- Theft
- Assault Crimes
- Homicide
- Prostitution & Solicitation of Prostitution
- White Collar Crimes
- Driving Offenses
A conviction of any crime can lead to penalties that could involve probation, jail, prison, license suspension, and steep fines, among other penalties. It requires an experienced, strategic criminal defense attorney based in Houston to help you defend against allegations of criminal activity.
One crime that stands out with particular importance is driving while intoxicated (DWI). These crimes are never committed intentionally and almost always never involve a victim. If convicted, however, DWI offenses can lead to serious penalties both court-ordered and driven by society. Careers can be destroyed. Families can be broken up. Educational pursuits can be halted. Life can change dramatically after a DWI conviction.
And now first-time DWI suspects are eligible for deferred adjudication, making people believe they can escape the consequences of a DWI. That, however, is far from accurate. The only way to escape the consequences as best you can is to fight a DWI charge.
The arrest starts the criminal process, and the criminal process can go in many different directions – some to your benefit – depending on what you do next by:
- Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney, or
- Hiring a relatively inexperienced criminal defense attorney, or
- Choosing to represent yourself when you do not qualify for a public defender.
Retaining an experienced, formidable DWI or criminal defense attorney is almost always in your best interests. But experience alone isn't enough. The attorney must have insight, resources, and a commitment to getting the best outcome for you as opposed to settling to get the case done and over. Doug Murphy always has your best interests in mind and his commitment to DWI defense is unparalleled. In fact, he is often asked to speak at workshops and conferences to provide his skill and insight to other defense attorneys so they may put their clients' interests as a top priority, too.
Keep in mind, if you have been arrested for a DWI (or another crime for that matter), you can beat the DWI charge. You just need to find the best DWI lawyer to help you do it.
Collateral Consequences for DWI or Criminal Convictions in Harris County, TX
As mentioned, first-time DWI offenders, as many other first-time criminal offenders, are now eligible for deferred adjudication. But this program does not come without its hidden consequences. One mistake can mean harsher penalties than if you had been convicted of the DWI or criminal offense in the first place. It is also a costly and highly invasive program, making it hard for any otherwise well-intentioned person to successfully complete.
Plus, you still end up with a criminal record, maybe without a conviction but with the arrest and court hearing records. And that criminal record can still lead to collateral consequences.
Collateral consequences refer to things that happen to people with a criminal record after they have paid their so-called debts to society. These include:
- Difficulty obtaining loans – personal, education, auto, or mortgage loans
- Difficulty maintaining or obtaining child custody
- Denial of your right to vote (if the crime committed is a felony)
- Denial of your right to use and own a gun (if the crime committed is a felony)
- Problems with travel
- Problems generally finding a job
- Problems specifically getting a job in the financial sector
- Challenges to security clearance
- Challenges to a professional license, like:
If you want to keep or obtain a good job and maintain your status in the community, you need to fight the DWI charge.
Formidable, Strategic DWI & Criminal Defense Attorney in Harris County, Precinct 1
Doug Murphy is committed to DWI and criminal defense. He sees you as a person and as a community member and a fellow citizen. He is committed to your defense, and he gets results his clients expect.
Contact Doug Murphy at 713-229-8333 today to schedule an initial consultation if you want to know more about his approach to DWI and criminal defense and how he may be able to help you.