If you’re facing a DWI or any other alcohol-related charge, you might be wondering what sort of penalties you could face. And you be wondering what you can do to defend yourself. Texas officially uses the term “driving while intoxicated” (DWI) to refer to the act of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but it’s often used interchangeably with “driving under the influence” (DUI). The State of Texas prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle if you have a blood-alcohol level of .08% or more. It also prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle if you’re under the influence of drugs.
You’re considered to be intoxicated if you “lack the normal use of mental or physical faculties” because you have consumed alcohol, narcotics, or any other substance. And the same applies to the operation of a boat. The State of Texas also has a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to underage drivers (those who are under the age of 21) who get behind the wheel while they’re intoxicated or have a blood-alcohol level that’s above the legal limit. The penalties for a DWI will vary based on the circumstances of the case, but it will largely depend on how many convictions you have had.
Even if you’re guilty, we can get the system to work with you instead of against you. Call us today.
Aside from getting a DWI, there are other alcohol-related charges in the State of Texas. These include:
Be sure to speak to a qualified attorney for more information about these types of charges and which penalties you may face if you’re found guilty.
If you’re facing a DWI or any or alcohol-related charge, you’ll need the help of a criminal defense attorney. Not only will this person be able to defend you in court, but he or she can also help you to come up with a defense strategy that will minimize your risk of a conviction — especially if you have been accused of a crime that you didn’t commit. If you want to find the best criminal defense attorney in Corpus Christi, Gale Law Groups is here to help you. We have a qualified staff that can help you throughout the entire process, and we’ll make sure that your rights are protected.
If you want to work with a qualified criminal defense lawyer in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to us. We would be happy to speak with you about how we can help you with your case!
Check out our criminal defense page for more.
According to an FBI report, Corpus Christi has been listed as one of the most dangerous metropolitan areas in the United States. This study took a group of cities with populations of 300,000 or more with the highest crime rates per 100,000 people, and the Corpus Christi area (which includes Nueces, San Patricio, and Aransas counties) has been ranked number 12 in a list of 28 areas in the United States. According to the FBI, the Coastal Bend has a violent crime rate of 632 for every 100,000 people. This include 30 murders, 289 reported rapes, and 1,590 aggravated assaults. Other cities on that list also included Houston and Beaumont, which are both located on the Texas Gulf Coast.
There have been over 14,000 reported incidents in Corpus Christi during the year 2017, which included the following crimes:
This puts Corpus Christi at 42% above the average crime rate in the State of Texas and 55% higher than the entire nation. For violent offenses, the Coastal Bend has a rate that’s 60% higher than the Texas average and 83% higher than the national average. For crimes involving personal property, the city is 39% higher than the Texas average and 51% higher than the national average.
In 2016, the number of criminal cases in Corpus Christi included:
In that same year, they projected the following numbers for 2019:
In 2016, the Coastal Bend has a violent crime rate that was higher than the national average by over 70%, and the property crime rate was at over 50% above the national average. It also had the highest murder rate out of the three Texas cities that made the top ten list, which was at 5.4 per 100,000 people. These statistics proved that Corpus Christi was considered to be one of the most dangerous cities to live in for the entire state of Texas and for the nation, which hasn’t changed much in subsequent years. Corpus Christi was also ranked number seven in the most dangerous cities in the United States, with San Antonio and Houston also being in the top ten.
Because the Coastal Bend is experiencing a higher level of crime than both the national and state averages, the need for criminal defense lawyers is much higher. While everyone should be punished for breaking the law, everyone deserves a fair chance to prove their innocence if they have done nothing wrong. The amount of reported crimes in South Texas has most likely put the local police departments on high alert, and there’s a chance that you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You could be accused of a crime that you didn’t commit. If you don’t have a criminal defense attorney who will fight for your rights, you might be faced with a conviction. Not only will it result in jail or prison time, but it could also affect your life long after you have served your time.
You don’t want to be found guilty of a crime you didn’t commit. But without the help of a criminal defense lawyer, you increase your chances of being convicted. Not only will this person come up with a strategy that will help in your defense, but he or she could also use certain aspects of the law that may work to your advantage. The Gale Law Group has a team of qualified criminal defense attorneys who can help you with your case, which is why we’re one of the best choices in the Coastal Bend.
If you want to work with a qualified criminal defense lawyer in Corpus Christi, feel free get in touch with us. We would be happy to talk about the details of your case!
Check out our criminal defense page for more.
A Corpus Christi municipal court judge decided Wednesday the public intoxication case against a former state district judge should move forward.
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On Thursday, attorneys for Williams and a city prosecutor filed an agreed motion to dismiss the case. It would leave open the possibility the case could be refiled.
If you’re facing criminal charges, getting them dismissed or cleared in a trial is your main priority. The best way to improve your chances of a favorable outcome is to have a criminal defense attorney on your side. There are a lot of things that can help or even hurt your case — from your initial interaction with the police to the day that the jury issues a verdict. But not all criminal defense lawyers are the same. So, you need to find one who is qualified to handle your case. Taking the time to find the best criminal defense lawyer will make sure that you’re being represented in the best possible manner when your case goes to trial. While it may seem like a daunting task (especially if you’re facing the possibility of a criminal charge), it’s one of the most important steps in the entire process.
Finding the right criminal defense lawyer can be a big decision, but you need to find the right one if you want the best chance of getting your charges cleared. Here are some things that you should look for in a criminal defense lawyer:
Being faced with criminal charges isn’t something that you should take lightly. You need to find the best person to help you, because it will increase your chances of getting a favorable outcome. You need to take the time to find a lawyer who is qualified and is able to work with you, so you need to research your options. That way, you can find a lawyer that’s right for you.
If you’ve been having a hard time finding the right criminal defense lawyer in Corpus Christi, you should consider working with Gale Law Group. Our staff has years of combined experience, and we’ll make sure that we build the best possible strategy for your case. We can work in many areas of criminal law — from DWI charges to violent crimes. So regardless of your circumstances, we have the qualifications to handle your case.
Check out our criminal defense page for more.
If you want to work with one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the Coastal Bend, get in touch with us today!
Local attorney Chris Gale has represented a number of clients who have had complaints against law enforcement agencies.
Two recently filed federal lawsuits allege that Corpus Christi police violated the civil rights of two city residents by using excessive force, KRIS 6 has reported. One person died after an incident with police while the other was severely injured.
Just last month, at least two federal lawsuits were filed against the City of Corpus Christi over alleged misbehavior by police officers.
Having a criminal record can hinder your ability to find work, apply for an apartment or home, and even to get a professional license. There are some cases in Texas Law that allow you to make a request for an expungement or sealing of your criminal history, so it won’t be visible to the general public in most circumstances. In Texas, an expungement (which can also be referred to as an “expunction”) and a record sealing have two different processes. Once both are applied, most potential employers who do background checks won’t be able to access this information. And in many cases, you won’t be obligated to disclose this information.
You might be able to expunge your criminal record if you were arrested for a misdemeanor or felony and if any of the following apply:
If you were arrested and was never charged for a crime, Texas Law requires you to wait for a certain period of time before you can apply for an expungement. The length of this period will depend on the seriousness of the crime. Here are the waiting periods for each of the qualified cases:
If you’re a close relative of a deceased person with a criminal record that can qualify for an expungement, you can have it done on this person’s behalf. The law defines this person as any of the following:
Be sure to speak to a qualified attorney for more information.
You can expunge any arrests that didn’t lead to a conviction, as well as any Class C Misdemeanors that received a deferred adjudication and has completed a community supervision. If you were found guilty, pleaded guilty, or entered a “no contest” to any offense that hasn’t been classified as a Class C Misdemeanor, it’s not eligible for an expungement. You can, however, apply for a non-disclosure if you were granted a deferred adjudication.
You might be able to expunge any juvenile offenses if they were misdemeanors that resulted in a fine and were committed before you were seventeen, were listed under the Alcoholic Beverage Code, or fell under the “Failure to Attend School” section of the Texas Education Code. You may not be eligible if you had multiple juvenile offenses or had an insufficient age during the time of your arrest. If you have convictions that aren’t eligible for an expungement, you might be able to apply for an Order of Non-Disclosure in certain circumstances. It doesn’t eliminate your criminal record, but it does keep it away from the public eye.
The following charges aren’t eligible for an expungement or a non-disclosure:
If you want more information about whether you qualify for an expungement, contact the Gale Law Group today!
Check out our criminal defense page for more.