Criminal Defense Case Results in Denton, TX

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court No. 4

Allegations

After a late-night equipment stop, the officer reported an alcohol odor and conducted field sobriety tests on a dark roadside. The client consented to a blood draw about an hour later that came back just over the legal limit. We obtained the dash and body camera video, which showed steady performance on the tests, and emphasized how the timing of the sample related to the stop. Pushing back on an initial harsh offer, we used those weaknesses and completed classes to negotiate deferred adjudication, keeping a final conviction off the record.

Charge

DWI (BAC Over .15)

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #1

Allegations

The client was stopped at night after an officer claimed the vehicle had no headlights. Video from the stop showed the lights were on, and the officer later suggested they were not bright enough. We challenged the basis for the stop and used the footage to impeach the testimony. A blood draw later reported a high BAC, but we argued the jury must disregard evidence that flowed from an unlawful stop. After cross examination and a closing built around the video, the jury returned a not guilty verdict.

Charge

DWI - Second Offense

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #5

Allegations

The client was stopped after leaving a bar and trying to get an injured passenger to the hospital, and was arrested for a second DWI after officers ordered a blood draw. We gathered the reports, video and lab records, and highlighted the emergency circumstances that led to the drive and the client’s limited ability to complete roadside testing. We also addressed hardship caused by an interlock condition and pushed for relief. Using those issues, we leveraged negotiations, and the prosecution reduced the charges with straight probation.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court 3

Allegations

Stopped for driving without headlights on, the client was investigated for DWI, performed roadside tests, and was taken for a blood draw well after the stop. We obtained the videos and reports, emphasizing the lack of bad driving, the confusion over automatic lights, and the lengthy delay before the blood sample. We pressed the state, which lagged in reviewing the file, and outlined our evidentiary concerns and trial posture. The prosecution agreed to deferred adjudication, keeping a conviction off the record upon successful probation.

Charge

Resisting Arrest

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court 3

Allegations

During a traffic stop for a minor equipment issue, officers moved to arrest the client. Startled, the client instinctively pulled back, and officers took the client to the ground and used a stun device. The incident resulted in a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge. We obtained and reviewed the video, emphasizing the brief, nonviolent reaction, the client’s panic and breathing issues, and the officers’ rapid escalation. We presented mitigation, including therapy and no prior record, and negotiated deferred adjudication to avoid a conviction.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, CCC1

Allegations

Stopped at night for driving without headlights, the client admitted to drinking and officers noted an open container in a cup. After roadside tests the client felt were poorly explained and not set on a clear line, he consented to a hospital blood draw that later came back over .15. We focused on how the field tests were conducted and the circumstances of the stop, and scrutinized the blood collection and handling for weaknesses. Leveraging those issues in negotiations, we secured a reduction of the charge, and the client received deferred probation instead of a DWI conviction.

Charge

DWI - Third Offense

Location

Denton County, 16th Judicial District Court

Allegations

Police encountered our client parked and not moving after pulling over to rest. The client acknowledged drinking earlier in the evening, performed field sobriety tests, and a blood sample was taken. We dug into the stop and the lab records, but the turning point was the state's attempt to use two old DWI convictions to make this a felony. We obtained the prior judgment files and found they lacked key identifiers tying them to our client. Armed with those gaps, we pushed negotiations until the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor with straight probation.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Denton County, CCC3

Allegations

Police contacted our client after a late night call while the client was near a parked vehicle outside a residence. A handgun was found in the vehicle, and the client said it routinely stayed there. Officers claimed a separate offense was occurring, turning otherwise lawful possession into a UCW allegation. We reviewed body cam video and reports, focusing on whether the client was actually operating the vehicle and whether the facts met the statute. Leveraging those issues, we secured deferred adjudication.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, CCC3

Allegations

Officers responded to a call and contacted our client near a residence, not from a traffic stop. As they arrived, he sat in the driver’s seat of his parked truck and was put through field sobriety tests. He declined a breath test, and a warrant-based blood draw was taken several hours later. We obtained the videos, challenged how the tests were administered, and disputed that he was operating the vehicle. We also stressed the delay before the blood draw. With those issues, we negotiated deferred adjudication.

Charge

DWI - First Offense

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #5

Allegations

After a multi-vehicle crash where the client’s car rolled and airbags deployed, police opened a DWI investigation. The client declined field sobriety tests and initially refused a blood draw, which officers later obtained by warrant. We reviewed body and dash video and highlighted witnesses who reported another speeding vehicle that forced an evasive swerve, challenging the driving narrative. We pressed the state to produce the blood warrant and scrutinized the blood draw and processing. Once the warrant was confirmed and the BAC came back high, we focused negotiations and secured straight probation.

Charge

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon

Location

Denton County, County Criminal Court #5

Allegations

Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash and opened a DWI investigation. While processing the scene, they recovered a handgun from our client’s vehicle and filed a misdemeanor unlawful carrying charge. We pulled the bodycam and reports, reconstructed the timeline, and challenged how the firearm was discovered and whether possession and statutory elements were actually met. We also presented mitigation, including the client’s clean record. After sustained negotiations, the state agreed to deferred adjudication on the UCW.

Charge

Theft (Class C)

Location

Denton County, Roanoke Municipal Court

Allegations

After a self checkout mis-scan at a retail store, the client received a Class C citation, not an arrest, and had no prior history. We requested discovery and engaged the prosecutor, highlighting the lack of intent and the hectic checkout while supervising children. At our direction, the client completed a theft awareness course to show accountability. We pressed for outright dismissal and used those mitigators as leverage. The case resolved with a short term of deferred adjudication and a modest fine, keeping a conviction off the record.