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Austin Bars with most DWI arrests 2011
I got a phone call from an out-of-Stater last week about our old blog post- the Austin Bar DWI list from 2010. While talking, I realized that we had neglected to post (or see, lol) the list from 2011. Not that there's that much difference, but we do have an appearance from Antone's as well as the Yellow Rose. As before, it has more to do with the area and time you're driving than any other factor. If you're driving home from happy hour at the Dog & Duck Pub at 5 p.m., you're a lot less likely to get arrested than leaving Oilcan's at 3 a.m. Here's the top 20 Austin DWI arrest bars for 2011, according to Fox Austin
Top 10 Dos and Don’ts for DWI cases in Texas
Every time I meet with a new client on a DWI case, I am reminded of all the different things I think people should know about DWI, and what they actually know. The State spends a great deal of money to give you the impression that you have no rights or choices when you are suspected of DWI. In reality, every citizen still maintains valuable rights vital to the defense of a DWI charge. Beyond rights, there are a number of things everyone should commit to memory in case they are ever charged with DWI. Think this doesn’t apply to you? Even if you drink responsibly, drive, and get pulled over, more likely than not you will be arrested. Whether the charge sticks is another question, and the following simple rules can go a long way toward making sure it doesn’t. With that in mind, I offer the following top 10 dos and don’ts for DWI cases in Texas:
Why you should hire a Trial Lawyer to handle your DWI or criminal case
For years, I have privately held a theory about how I think people choose a lawyer to represent them in a criminal case or DWI. It's not flattering, but it is what it is... I think it's like choosing a dentist. You don't really want to have to go, but you can't ignore it, so what do you do? You pick one and you go see them, and if they don't completely turn you off, you go ahead and hire them because you're clueless and they seem smart enough (and you don't want to have to see another one). The thought just kills me, but I still go to that same dentist and I have no idea if his work is great or awful, but I think he's all right. Just like lawyers, they're all expensive so how do you know if you should pay a premium or is a cheaper one just as good? Here's my perspective, for what it's worth. I'm not going bargain hunting when I look for a dentist, or an electrician, or a babysitter, or anything Important. A criminal charge is just not something you can afford to skimp on, not in this job market, in this age of electronic data, and certainly not if you have plans for your future. If you are charged, you should look for a trial lawyer, even if you don't even think you would go to a jury trial yourself.
It's Official- No Refusal for Austin Mardi Gras 2012
I KNEW it!! Here they come again with their shiny needles, the better to stick you with! Well, I can't say it's any surprise. I mean, APD does so many no refusal weekends (or blood warrants, as others say) that it's like keeping up with your relatives' birthdays. Let's see, New Year's, Super Bowl weekend, so now Mardi Gras. Interesting that Valentine's Day is still sacred, I suppose they don't expect a lot of people driving around drunk. So drink up, lonely people, you own Valentine's!
2012 Great Texas Warrant Roundup is coming to your town!
Well just as regular as the rodeo in this state, and on February 25, 2012, it's time again for the coordinated Texas Warrant Roundup! For those of you who take care of all your business, good for you- the rest of you should really look up the info on your traffic tickets. And clear up that old bond forfeiture and check for county warrants too. Get squared up with your child support payments, or your driver license surcharges. Because the roundup is coming for you. I foresee a lot of scurrying, and a lot of laying low. Just remember that those guys sometimes come EARLY in the morning before last night has fully worn off! And whatever you do, don't be drawing any any attention to yourself out in public!
Vermont inmates pull an ingenious prank
Please give yourself a moment to read something short simply for pleasure. It's fluff, and I only include it becuse it happened in the county where I used to practice in Vermont. Who knows, I could have even represented the mystery prankster once. Here's to the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Franklin County, Vermont, nestled in the northeast corner of Lake Champlain. Way to represent! Good to see prison doesn't completely destroy your sense of humor.
Feds go Commando on White Collar Internet Criminals Overseas
I don't really have a distinct angle on this story, I just find it fascinating. It has ties to white collar crime, the internet, New Zealand, copyright, the Department of Justice and FBI, the film and music industries, Hong Kong, Kim Kardashian, Bob Bennett, Kanye West, and on and on... but that's what makes it so good. What also makes it compelling is the darkness of it, a perfect study in what it's like when the Feds decide you are worth pursuing and put their weight behind getting you.
No police GPS tracking without a warrant, Supreme Court says
Aaaaaah, you should get up in the morning and take a deep breath of that FREEDOM that the Supremes just dished out today!! It's hard to recall the last time that this Court (the same one that says corporations are "people") ruled unanimously in favor of civil liberty instead of some institution, in this case, law enforcement. That's right, all NINE of them. Of course they didn't all agree for the same reason, but they dovetailed into unison where it counted. My married readers will understand.
More reason not to give a DWI breath sample in Texas
This is actually old news, but I've started seeing some of these lately so it's relevant. Back in September the legislature passed a new law affecting DWI's, for enhancement purposes. As things were, all regular DWI first offenses were class B misdemeanors, which carried a maximum punishment of 180 days in jail and up to a $2000 fine. In their wisdom, the legislature decided that if a DWI breath test is done (or blood) and the result is .15 or over, the charge will now be a class A misdemeanor, which doubles the max penalties from a class B. So your new exposure is a year in jail and $4000 fine.
Can Police Really Put a GPS Tracker on my Car?
And from the outset here, I want to clarify that I'm talking about without a warrant- no probable cause at all, just wanna see what you're up to. So if you've got nothing to hide then why would you care? Seriously, it's not even on the inside, you'll never even know it was there...