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What Evidence Will Help Me Avoid a Theft Conviction in Texas?

2026-09-27 00:00:00

A theft case in Texas is about more than whether property was taken. The state must prove more than the fact that you had or took someone else’s property. The prosecutor must show that you unlawfully took or kept the property and intended to deprive the owner of it. Evidence that raises doubt about either point can be important to your defense.

If you’ve been charged with theft in 2026, a Dallas, TX theft defense attorney can review the evidence and help you build a defense.

What Must Be Proven for a Conviction in a Texas Theft Case?

Under Texas Penal Code Section 31.03, a person commits theft if they unlawfully take or keep property with the intent to deprive the owner of it. This can include taking property without the owner’s consent or taking or keeping property you know was stolen.

What Effect Will Divorce Have on My Taxes in Texas?

2026-09-14 00:00:00

Divorce changes more than your living situation. Divorce can change how you file taxes, who can claim the children, and how some property is taxed.

A Tarrant County, TX divorce lawyer can help you understand how tax issues may affect your 2026 divorce.

How Does Dividing Property in a Texas Divorce Affect Your Taxes?

Dividing property in a divorce usually does not create an immediate federal tax bill. Under federal law 26 U.S.C. Section 1041, transfers between spouses generally do not create a taxable gain or loss. The same is generally true for transfers between former spouses if the transfer is related to the divorce.

For example, if a couple bought a home for $250,000 and it is now worth $400,000, the spouse who keeps it generally does not get a new $400,000 tax basis. If the home is sold later, the earlier gain can affect how much tax is owed. This means two assets that are worth the same amount today can have very different tax costs later.

Can Police Arrest You for DWI Without a Breath or Blood Test in Texas?

2026-08-24 00:00:00

Although it may be surprising, an arrest for DWI in Texas doesn’t always require a breath or blood test. An officer generally needs a legal reason to stop the driver and probable cause to believe the driver was intoxicated before making an arrest.

If you were arrested for DWI without performing a chemical test in 2026, a Dallas, TX DWI attorney can help you understand if the officer was acting within the bounds of the law.

Do Police Need a Breath or Blood Test to Arrest You for DWI in Texas?

A DWI arrest in Texas doesn’t require a breath or blood test. Rather, it’s based on reasonable suspicion and probable cause.

An officer might have reasonable suspicion to make a traffic stop based on driving behavior or other facts suggesting that a driver is impaired. During the stop, the officer may notice other signs of intoxication. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 14.01, an officer can make a warrantless arrest for an offense committed in their presence or view. The officer can consider the total circumstances when deciding whether there is probable cause for a DWI arrest. Therefore, a breath or blood test is not required before an arrest.

Do I Have to Pay Child Support in Texas if We Have Joint Custody?

2026-08-10 00:00:00

Sharing custody does not cancel child support in Texas. Even in cases of nearly equal possession and access (part of what Texas calls custody), parents may still be ordered to pay child support. A Tarrant County, TX child support lawyer can walk you through child support might work in a 2026 custody case.

Who Gets Child Support When Parents Share Custody in Texas?

Understanding the two parts of Texas conservatorship can clarify who is entitled to receive child support in a joint custody case.

Conservatorship

Conservatorship is the decision-making authority of a parent over their child. It often covers significant choices like schooling, non-emergency medical care, and psychiatric treatment. Conservatorship also refers to a parent's court-ordered responsibilities for their child.

Will I Go to Jail for Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs in Texas?

2026-07-27 00:00:00

Prescription drugs can lead to serious criminal charges when someone has them without a valid prescription. This can include jail time if you are convicted. Having a family member's leftover pills can potentially result in an arrest. Carrying your own medication outside its original container is not necessarily illegal, but it may make it harder for officers to confirm that you have a valid prescription.

A Dallas drug possession defense attorney can advise you if you have been charged with illegal possession of prescription drugs in 2026.

What Happens If You're Caught With Drugs Without a Valid Prescription in Texas?

Texas law prohibits the possession of many prescription drugs without authorization. Many common prescription medications fall into what's called Penalty Group 3. This group includes drugs like Xanax, Valium, Ritalin, and certain anabolic steroids.

What Should I Avoid Doing in a Texas Custody Battle?

2026-07-12 00:00:00

Custody issues are often extremely emotionally charged, with good reason. It can be difficult as a parent to think about an outcome that harms your child or limits your rights to them. However, it’s important not to let fear dictate how you approach your custody case. Doing so will only add strain to your life in the short term. It may also hurt your position in court.

If you're heading into a custody case in 2026, a Tarrant County, TX custody attorney can help you go into it with confidence.

What Are the Most Damaging Mistakes in a Texas Custody Case?

Many behaviors that hurt a parent’s custody case are fairly small. The parents themselves may not even register them. However, the following behaviors can be very telling for a judge reviewing the case.

Speaking Negatively About the Other Parent in Front of Your Children

Will Domestic Violence Accusations Stay on My Record if the Charges Are Dropped?

2026-06-27 00:00:00

Criminal charges can substantially alter your life, even if you never end up being convicted. If you’re charged with family or domestic violence but the charges are later dropped, your record is not automatically cleared. Certain steps need to be taken to clear, or expunge, the charges from your record.

If you find yourself in this situation in 2026, a Dallas, TX criminal defense attorney can help you understand what is required to get your record cleared.

Does an Arrest Disappear From My Record if Charges Are Dropped in Texas?

Regardless of charges being dropped, an arrest record remains part of your criminal history until a court formally orders it removed. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55A gives people the right to petition for expunction in some circumstances. These may include if charges were dismissed, no grand jury indictment was ever presented, or the case ended in an acquittal.

Does My Spouse Get to Keep the House in Our Divorce if They Make More Money?

2026-06-10 00:00:00

Higher income alone doesn't give your spouse the right to keep the house in a Texas divorce. Texas law covers dividing property fairly between spouses based on the total value of the assets they shared during marriage. If you're worried about asset division in your 2026 divorce, a Tarrant County, TX divorce attorney can help you understand what you're actually entitled to.

How Does Texas Law Decide What Gets Divided in Divorce?

Division of assets is done based on what is considered the couple’s "marital" or "community" property. Texas Family Code § 3.002 defines community property as any property acquired by either spouse during the marriage. It doesn’t matter whose name is on the title or deed. This includes the family home if it was purchased after the wedding.

Can My DWI Record Be Dropped in Texas?

2026-05-28 00:00:00

A DWI charge can follow you for years if it isn't cleared from your record. It can show up in background checks, making getting a job or housing much more difficult.

Texas does allow for the expungement, or erasing of, a criminal record. However, it can only happen under some circumstances. A Dallas, TX criminal defense attorney can review your situation and help you understand what options might be available to you in 2026.

When Can You Expunge a DWI in Texas?

Expungement comes with strict eligibility requirements in Texas. Many DWI convictions don't qualify. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 outlines the circumstances under which a record can be expunged.

What Happens if My Spouse Goes to Prison During Our Divorce?

2026-05-13 00:00:00

Few things can complicate a divorce as much as a spouse being arrested. Criminal charges mean another legal process starts while your divorce proceedings are already in progress. It can be overwhelming to try to figure out how this will affect your own case.

If your spouse gets arrested before a divorce is finalized, our Tarrant County, TX divorce attorney can help you understand what to do to keep your case moving forward.

Does Your Texas Divorce Case Stop if Your Spouse Goes to Prison?

Incarceration doesn't stop a divorce from moving forward. Texas law doesn't require both spouses to be free and available for a divorce to be filed or finalized. The most important thing is that your spouse be properly served with divorce papers and given the opportunity to respond during proceedings.

If your spouse is jailed or incarcerated, they can typically be served through the prison system they are in. From there, they have the right to take part in the proceedings. In 2026, this may mean appearing via phone or video. They could also submit written responses through an attorney. Courts take steps to ensure that an incarcerated spouse isn't shut out of the process, even when they're in custody.