JL Carpenter Law

A DWI charge  generally remains on your record forever, whether you are convicted or your case is dismissed. This can permanently affect your career, loan options, housing opportunities, insurance rates, etc. If your DWI charge was dismissed, you can have your record expunged, making it appear as though it never happened. However, in some cases, if you were convicted of DWI and completed probation, you can file a petition for an order of nondisclosure to get your DWI charge sealed . If the judge grants an order of nondisclosure, part of your criminal record is not removed, but it is sealed, preventing courts, court clerks, and law enforcement, and prosecutors’ offices from sharing any information about the sealed offense. The nondisclosure order allows you to omit the offense from most job applications. Here’s how to go about getting a nondisclosure order. 1. Contact a DWI Lawyer Many people make the mistake of filing a petition for an order of nondisclosure themselves. What’s wron...

According to research, there are a whopping 10 million arrests  every year. Some of these cases are dropped, but most of them are subject to standard criminal law procedures. If you’ve been arrested on any number of criminal charges including DWI , DUI, BWI , drug possession, domestic violence, or other crimes, you’ll be required to attend court hearings and post bail. However, some people who are facing criminal charges decide to “skip”—or “jump”—bail. Jumping bail is when you fail to appear in court to face charges after you post bail to get out of jail. The act in and of itself violates both state and federal laws and makes your legal situation so much worse. Here’s how. 1. You’ll Lose Your Bail Money When the court sets bail in certain cases, it gives offenders a “way out of jail” before trial. In essence, you’ll pay cash to keep yourself out of jail. If you skip bail, the judge will order that you forfeit your bond, which means monies posted for your jail release will be lost....

Were you recently charged with DWI? Your lawyer will look for critical evidence to build a strong defense as your case takes shape. While your situation may feel dire, keep in mind that law enforcement has been known to make pivotal mistakes that can potentially change your case’s trajectory. This article will walk you through three of the most common mistakes police officers make when arresting someone for DWI. An experienced DWI lawyer can discover these mistakes and help you protect your future and freedom. 1. Stopping You Without Any Probable Cause or Evidence This is one of the most common law enforcement mistakes that can help your DWI case. Officers cannot stop you without an articulable reason. If you’re stopped simply based on a “gut feeling” or “hunch,” the stop is deemed illegal. The officer’s report must state the reason for the stop—typically it ’ s a traffic violation. You may have a) been speeding, b) unlawfully changed lanes, c) failed to stop at a stop sign, d) been s...

DWI (driving while intoxicated)  and BWI (boating while intoxicated)  are pretty similar charges that hold the same punishment—only one is on land (DWI) and the other is on water (BWI). If you were recently arrested for both offenses, you might feel panicked about what kind of penalties you’re facing. We’re not going to lie—being charged twice within a short amount of time is not good. But with a tenacious lawyer who offers stellar representation on your side, you stand a better chance of protecting your future and freedom. This article will help you understand what happens if you’re arrested for both DWI and BWI in the same week in Texas. First-Offense DWI or BWI Penalties If you committed both crimes, you will receive punishments for both. In Texas, first-offense DWI is classified as a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and 72 hours to 180 days in jail. You will also lose your driver’s license for up to a year. Second-Offense DWI or BWI Penalties The fin...

The teen years are marked by increased curiosity and a desire to experiment. Many teens also fall victim to peer pressure, which may lure them to drugs and alcohol. If your child was recently arrested for drug possession, manufacturing, trafficking, or any related crime, make sure you take the right course of action to ensure one mistake doesn’t deride a promising future. Here are the things you must do if your child is charged with a drug crime in Texas: 1. Stay Plugged In As a parent, you need to understand what your child is going through and participate in the decision-making process. Consult an experienced lawyer who specializes in drug crimes. Understand the ins and outs of the case and what your child’s options are. Your child needs support, reassurance, and guidance. Make sure you fully understand the process, the legal ramifications of the case, and the different options before your child so that you can provide wise counsel to them as well. Under Texas law, drug crimes are cl...

Under Texas law, drug trafficking refers to the act of manufacturing or possessing illegal drugs with the intention of delivering them. Compared to drug possession, drug trafficking is a much more serious crime. In Texas, controlled substances are categorized based on their penalty groups. These groups were introduced under the Texas Controlled Substances Act. To determine your particular offense's penalties, you must carefully understand each penalty group. 1.  Set of Penalties for Group 1 Substances As broken down by the Texas Controlled Substances Act , Group 1 substances carry a high risk of abuse. As a result, the penalties are very serious. These drugs include cocaine, methadol, oxycodone, methamphetamines, ketamine, morphine, fentanyl, heroin, desmorphine, and other types of cocaine. If you’re caught trafficking these drugs, your charges will be as follows:   Sentence Weight (g) Prison Term Fine State Jail Felony Less than 1 g Between 180 days and 2 years Up to $10,000 ...