Have you been arrested for a DWI or other criminal offense in Montgomery County, Texas? If so, you want experienced legal representation to help guide you through the process. An experienced DWI defense and criminal defense lawyer will not only guide you, but will aggressively and successfully advocate for your rights and defend you against the allegations made by the prosecution. Doug Murphy Law Firm represents clients in Montgomery County who have been charged with a DWI or other misdemeanor or felony charge. Doug Murphy has been successfully committed to criminal defense for several decades and has made his name known in the prosecutor's office as a tireless and successful defense lawyer who never quits. Contact Doug Murphy today, the sooner you do, the sooner he can start protecting your rights and developing your defense.
DWI Defense
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Montgomery County is a serious offense. Out of all counties in Texas with a population greater than or equal to 500,000, Montgomery County has consistently -- for the last five out of seven years -- surpassed all other counties with regard to the number of DWI fatalities experienced in the county. As such, there are higher rates of charges of intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter in Montgomery County than there are in most other counties.
Because of these alarming statistics, Montgomery County law enforcement and the Montgomery County District Attorney are extremely aggressive in enforcing DWI laws. Montgomery County law enforcement officers receive specific DWI training from the Montgomery County district attorney's office. Accordingly, police are much more alert and aggressive about seeking DWI drivers in Montgomery County. Police will use utilize any legal justification for a traffic stop so that they can question you about drinking and driving, or being potentially under the influence of drugs while driving. Police will request you perform field sobriety tests, and request you to submit to either a breath test or blood test. If you refuse to voluntarily provide a breath or blood sample, DWI officers will most likely seek and obtain a search warrant to take a sample of your blood without your consent. This is the new reality.
If you are arrested for a DWI, whether it is your first time ,or you have prior DWI arrests, or whether you are arrested for a felony DWI, like DWI with a child passenger under 15, or a DWI associated with prescription drugs or illicit drugs, you need to retain a competent and skilled DWI lawyer with an extensive and successful trial record.
In Montgomery County, the system can be stacked against you. The police rush to judgment in their investigation. Many citizens on a jury inherently are inclined to trust the testimony of the police. Many otherwise law-abiding citizens who find themselves in the unfortunate position to be arrested for DWI are, therefore, also inclined to bargain for a plea deal, if possible, so that they can get the whole thing over with and start on with their lives again.
The problem is: your life will never be the same again if you are convicted of a DWI charge. You need an attorney like Doug Murphy who has spent his entire career committed to successfully defending DWI and criminal other criminal allegations. You need a lawyer like Doug Murphy who has not only the experience and expertise in fighting for your rights and your freedom, but who is also repeatedly able to convince and persuade juries where to find reasonable doubt against otherwise insurmountable evidence. Doug Murphy routinely demonstrates the know-how on strategic and winning defenses for his clients. Doug Murphy understands how jurors think, he knows how to introduce evidence, challenge the state's evidence, he knows how to frame legal arguments designed to neutralize and mitigate the prosecution, and how to demonstrate reasonable doubt. At Doug Murphy Law Firm, we are committed to a comprehensive an aggressive defense that defeats the State's case against you.
Criminal Defense
If you have been charged with a crime, whether by mistake or with reason, it is important to remember that you are not guilty--unless a jury finds you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You have the right to a jury trial. The prosecution has the burden to prove all the elements of the alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If the state cannot prove any elements of the crime, a judge will instruct the jury that are required to find you not guilty as a matter of law. This is why it is so important to hire a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in the law and trying criminal cases before a jury.
A criminal charge often carries with it two contradictory objectives: (1) not to be convicted and sentenced; and (2) not to be judged by peers. Crimes like drug possession or prostitution are good examples of this dichotomy. For instance, if illicit drugs were found on your person, you will face a drug possession charge. You want to fight the charge because you do not want to end up in jail. Fighting the charge, however, may indicate you must go to trial, and that means you must confront a jury of your peers who likely already made a judgment about you due to the charge itself. Thus, going to trial means you already face an uphill battle, which brings you back to the point when you want to deal for a lesser charge rather than confront adversity.
But to sign-off on a plea deal is to commit yourself to a conviction -- even if it is a lesser crime -- and that means a sentence -- even if it is a lesser sentence. It also means a criminal record.
To fight the charge and go to trial means facing uncertainty, and that can be difficult, but for the guidance of an experienced, aggressive, strategic criminal defense attorney like Doug Murphy.
Collateral Consequences
There are serious collateral consequences to a DWI or criminal conviction, especially if it is a felony conviction. In addition to the standard incarceration, steep fines, and -- if it is a DWI offense -- suspension of driver's license, you also must endure consequences imposed by society, and these consequences often have reverberating effects on your life. A conviction means a criminal record, and for many convictions, like a DWI, you cannot have the record expunged, sealed, vacated, or otherwise removed. Any future background checks will likely reveal your criminal record, and that can materialize into a lot of frustrations for you and reduce your quality of life.
For instance, if you are convicted of a felony, your civil right to possess and use a firearm or to vote will be stripped from you. On the other hand, regardless if you are convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, future or current employers may choose not to hire or not to continue with your employment. A DWI conviction has a direct impact on a person who requires security clearance or special licensing, like a pilot, doctor, or nurse: a DWI or felony conviction could mean revocation, suspension or restrictions placed on the security clearance or the professional license. If you have academic aspirations, you may be denied financial aid or admissions. If you are looking to rent in a nice, safe location, your application could be turned away. If it was a DWI conviction, your insurance premiums will go up. If it was a violent crime or DWI conviction, you could face problems with child custody. And so on.
There's a lot that could happen to impact your life. The worst for some people, of course, is the impact a conviction has on their social or familial status. And in that sense alone, a criminal record matters long after the sentence has been successfully completed.
How to Fight a Criminal Charge
Fighting an allegation made against you is imperative if you are concerned about your and your family's future. It is in your better interest to fight a criminal charge. To do so, consider the following:
- Retain an Board Certified DWI lawyer. DWI cases are now some of the most complex and technical cases an attorney can handle because of the pseudo-science tactics employed by law enforcement. Fighting these phony tactics requires specific knowledge on fighting field sobriety exercises, breath tests, blood tests, accident reconstruction, and even DNA analysis in accident cases. One means to determine if your attorney has the appropriate qualification is to inquire if he or she is Board Certified by the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), and the only accredited DWI certification by the American Bar Association. Doug Murphy is certified by the NCDD as a Board Certified Specialist in DUI Defense Law. Doug Murphy also serves on the Board of Regents for the NCDD, as well as serving on the faculty, which is further testimony to his DWI defense abilities.
- Retain an Board Certified criminal defense lawyer. Some attorneys practice in all areas of the law; they may represent a personal injury case one day, but then turn around and defend an assault suspect the next day. If you are truly interested in fighting your criminal charge, you want someone who has spent their entire career dedicated to criminal defense. You want a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense, knows how the State operates, and has insight into the court system and trial process. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in the state of Texas in the area criminal defense. The certification process is rigorous and includes steep qualifications and an oral and written exam. Doug Murphy is also Board Certified in criminal defense. In fact, Doug Murphy is one of only two attorneys in Texas to be board certified in both DWI and criminal defense.
- Do not immediately entertain the prosecution's offer to plea. There are attorneys who take cases with the primary intention to strike a deal with the prosecutor's office rather than prepare the case for trial. Prosecutors recognize plea lawyers when they walk in the courtroom. Lawyers who do not prepare the case for trial will never being able to find the issues that could end to a dismissal or provide a window of opportunity to prevail at trial. You need a lawyer who will work the case up extensively to know what your true options are before discussing or even considering a plea bargain offer. Before retaining a lawyer, make sure you know what his or her trial experience is so that you you can be assured whether your lawyer has the experience and credentials to know what legal issues to look for that could be the difference between a dismissal or not guilty verdict, versus a conviction.
The Court System of Montgomery County
The Court system of Montgomery County is pretty extensive. Unlike some counties in Texas whose populations are so small that there is one District Court to accommodate several counties, in Montgomery County, tthere are 7 District Courts alone. Of course, District Courts do not make up the entirety of the complex court system. There is a hierarchy to the court system, and your case will be assigned to one of these courts according to the charge, location of arrest, and/or who charged you -- whether it was the Sheriff's Department or local police. Below is a compilation of the courts in Montgomery County and their corresponding jurisdictions.
County Courts at Law in Montgomery County
Class A and Class B misdemeanors are heard by three of the five county courts at law in Montgomery County. These county courts at law also have appellate jurisdiction over Justice of the Peace and municipal court cases. Although there are five county court at laws in Montgomery County, only the three Montgomery County Courts handle misdemeanor criminal cases:
County Court at Law 1Judge John C. Haffley |
County Court at Law 4Judge Echo Hutson |
County Court at Law 5Keith Stewart Mills |
Montgomery County District Courts
Felony cases are heard in the seven district courts in Montgomery County. You can go to the Montgomery County District Court website to look up information on your case via the searchable court docket.
9th District CourtMontgomery County Courthouse |
221st District CourtMontgomery County Courthouse |
284th District CourtMontgomery County Courthouse |
359th District Court207 West Phillips Street |
410th District CourtMontgomery County Courthouse |
418th District Court301 North Main, Suite 217 |
435th District Court207 West Phillips, Suite 302 |
Drug Court in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Texas, has several courts with specific functions, one of which is a court specific to substance abuse and DWI cases; it is more akin to a program to help rehabilitate persons convicted of drug crimes and/or DWI and who have substance abuse issues. You must meet certain qualifications in order to participate in this program.
Montgomery County Drug Court
207 West Phillips, Suite 302
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-8107
Montgomery County Jail, Probation & Police Stations
If you have been convicted of a DWI or other criminal offense, you may be sentenced to a county jail or state prison.
Montgomery County Jail
1 Criminal Justice Drive
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 760-5870
Montgomery County Adult Probation
2245 North 1st Street
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-8200
Conroe Police Stations
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Police Department 2300 Plantation Drive Conroe, Texas (936) 522-3200 Map & Directions |
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office 1 Criminal Justice Drive Conroe, Texas 77301 (936) 760-5871 Map & Directions |
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Panorama Village Police Department 98 Hiwon Drive Conroe, Texas 77304 (936) 856-7777 Map & Directions |
Cut & Shoot Police Station
14391 TX-105
Cut and Shoot, Texas 77306
(936) 264-2173
Map & Directions
New Caney Police Stations
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Montgomery County Sheriff Police Station 21130 US-59 B New Caney Texas 77357 (281) 577-8971 Map & Directions |
Roman Forest Police Department 2430 Roman Forest Boulevard New Caney, Texas 77357 (281) 399-8182 Map & Directions |
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Woodbranch Police Department 58 Woodbranch Drive New Caney, Texas 77357 (281) 399-2034 Map & Directions |
Magnolia Police Stations
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Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Department · Westwood Village 32878 FM 2978 Road Magnolia, Texas 77354 (936) 760-5800 Map & Directions |
Magnolia Police Department 18111 Buddy Riley Boulevard Magnolia, Texas 77354 (281) 356-2500 Map & Directions |
Montgomery Police Stations
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Montgomery Police Department 101 Old Plantersville Road Montgomery, Texas 77356 (936) 597-6866 Map & Directions |
Walden Sheriffs Sub Station 11901 Walden Road Montgomery, Texas 77356 (936) 788-8366 Map & Directions |
Shenandoah Police Station
299551 I-45
Shenandoah, Texas 77381
(281) 367-8952
Splendora Police Station
26090 FM 2090 Road
Splendora, Texas 77372
(281) 689-3448
Stagecoach Police Station
16930 Boothill Road
Stagecoach, Texas 77355
(281) 259-9333
Willis Police Stations
200 South Bell Street
Willis, Texas 77378
(936) 856-4039
Representation by Jurisdiction
Doug Murphy, a veteran DWI and criminal defense trial attorney, represents clients throughout Montgomery County. Doug Murphy Law Firm is located in Houston, Texas, but he regularly represents clients in Montgomery County, and The Woodlands. Doug Murphy knows Montgomery County.
Montgomery County: Population, Cities & Towns
Montgomery County, Texas, is the state's 11th largest county according to population, which is about 550,000 people, according to the U.S. census in 2016. This population is composed of persons with relatively mixed socioeconomic and racial or ethnic backgrounds. The population enjoys a comparatively good economy. The median household income is $70,805, but this fluctuates drastically depending on location within Montgomery County but is overall much better than the State of Texas's median of $54,727. There are 179,587 households consisting of 2.87 persons. Per capita income averages about $35,912 for Montgomery County, which is also better than the overall average per capita income for Texas at $27,828.
Part of Montgomery County is connected to the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX metro area. Conroe is the largest populated city by far in Montgomery County with over 63,000 residents with a median age of 32.8. Conroe is also the county seat. The Woodlands, however, has a larger population at 105,000 residents, median age 39.1, but only a small part of this city is within the border of Montgomery County. The median household income in The Woodlands is $110,000 while it is $71,000 in Conroe.
Overall, Montgomery County is quite affluent compared to other counties in Texas. Its crime rate, however, does not parallel this affluence; its crime rate is neither the highest nor the lowest in the state. Out of 254 counties, Montgomery is ranked at 151 for crime. Most crimes committed in Montgomery County include drunk driving, drug possession, and assault. These are crimes that often involve socio-economic context that can provide greater insight into your criminal case.
Cities and Towns of Montgomery County, TX
- Conroe
- Cut and Shoot
- Magnolia
- Montgomery
- New Caney
- Oak Ridge North
- Panorama Village
- Roman Forest
- Shenandoah
- Splendora
- Stagecoach
- The Woodlands
- Willis
- Woodbranch
- Woodloch.
Experienced, Smart DWI Defense & Criminal Defense Lawyer in Montgomery County, Texas
If you have been charged with a DWI or another crime and want to fight the charge because you care about your future, you need to retain a DWI and criminal defense attorney committed to the same. At Doug Murphy Law Firm, you get commitment and results. Contact Doug Murphy Law Firm today.
