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As a Texas motorist, you can be charged and convicted with a DWI if you operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated by drugs, alcohol, or medications, or have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more, according to Nolo. While the immediate consequences of being convicted with a DWI can be very severe – ranging from fines to jail time – the long-term consequences are also significant and can potentially have life-altering negative implications. If you are convicted with a DWI, you need an aggressive and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.

Keep reading to understand some of the long-term consequences of DWI convictions in Texas, and why you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you avoid these challenging implications. Remember that DWI convictions can affect:

● Driver’s License Privileges – According to BacTrack, a DWI conviction can result in your driver’s license being revoked – up to two years for your first conviction. This means that a DWI conviction makes it difficult to get to work or even keep your job. Losing the privilege of driving makes running simple errands stressful, and can prevent you from visiting friends and loved ones.
● Background Checks – Most employers conduct criminal background checks before they hire job applicants. A felony or misdemeanor DWI conviction will appear in a background check and could hurt even your best efforts to secure a job. According to BacTrack, background checks may also be triggered by college financial aid applications and admissions processes, and housing applications. Landlords often conduct background checks and a DWI conviction could jeopardize your chances of getting the living arrangements you want.
● Employment Opportunities – Besides affecting your ability to get a job in the future, your current job may be also be affected by a DWI arrest and conviction. Court dates, jail time, and community service hours can disrupt your work schedule and put your job security at risk. In addition, job seekers may be at a severe disadvantage to other applicants if they have a DWI on their records. Many employers are uncomfortable hiring applicants who have DWI convictions. While your DWI conviction may not have anything to do with the job you are applying for, it could hinder your prospects or even disqualify you, according to BacTrack. In addition, jobs that require driving a company vehicle, such as sales, truck driving, pizza delivery, catering, or cab driving jobs, may be closed to you by default.
● Auto Insurance Rates – Following a DWI conviction, your car insurance rates will likely increase significantly because drivers who have been convicted of a DWI are considered “high-risk” drivers by insurance companies. Your insurance rates may double or triple for at least several years. Some insurance companies may even terminate your coverage.
● Professional Relationships – A DWI arrest, and not even a conviction, can adversely affect the way you are perceived by your coworkers and employer. Even if you try to keep it under wraps, your DWI arrest may be publicized by local media and permanently stain your reputation. Depending on your company’s policy pertaining to DWI convictions, you may even lose your job.
If you’re charged with DWI, don’t risk suffering these long-term effects. Get help from a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in Texas DWI law and cares about defending your rights. Call Juan Tijerina at (956) 261-5609 or send a message online today!

Tijerina Law Firm, PC
4016 N. 22nd Street
McAllen, Texas 78504
Phone: (956) 261-5609
Phone: (512) 900-1126
FAX (877) 395-1707

Texas has very strict laws against sexual assault, and getting experienced legal representation is vital if you want to prove that you don’t deserve conviction.

The most important thing to remember if you’re facing charges is to talk to an attorney before giving a statement to law enforcement. Anything you say to the police might be used against you.

Even if you are innocent, allegations of sexual assault can tarnish your reputation and affect your professional and social life. Even if you didn’t commit a crime, you could still be convicted unjustly on false charges. And even if you are partly at fault, you might be charged with much more serious crimes than you deserve. If you’re facing sexual assault charges, talk to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Possible Defenses Under Texas Sexual Assault Law

While Texas sexual assault laws are strict, there are defenses available to people charged with sexual assault, explains HG.Legal. A criminal defense attorney can defend your case, possibly using the following defenses:

• Alibi: The defendant was not, in fact, present at the time of the alleged assault and has an alibi for the time the crime was reportedly committed
• Mistaken Identity: The victim mistook the defendant for someone else who actually committed the crime

• Inconsistencies Testimony: A criminal defense attorney will look for inconsistencies within the testimony of a witness, inconsistencies between two separate pieces of evidence and lack of evidence in the medical examination conducted right after the alleged attack.

• Questionable Behavior: A criminal defense attorney can look for evidence regarding behavior that is questionable in light of the allegations. An experienced criminal defense attorney can look for testimonies that reveal lies or conflicting information. An exposed lie can be a powerful tool in turning a case around and proving innocence.
• Consent: The alleged victim gave consent to the sexual act. The defendant did not use force or threats, or place the alleged victim under duress at the time of the alleged offense.

How To Get Help

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and scared if you’re facing charges of sexual assault in McAllen, Texas. Proving your side of the story might feel impossible. But remember that the legal representation you deserve is available to you! There’s still time to turn your case around. With over 12 years of experience, Juan Tijerina is here to help you review all the criminal defense options available to you. The Tijerina Law Firm is your trusted source of legal advice and assistance during a time when your future is at stake! Call today for a free 30-minute consultation. For immediate assistance, you can reach our legal team at (956) 261-5609 or (512) 900-1126.

 

 

Tijerina Law Firm, PC

4016 N. 22nd Street

McAllen, Texas 78504

Phone: (956) 261-5609

Phone: (512) 900-1126

FAX (877) 395-1707

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Animal abuse is a federal and state crime in Texas, and criminal charges of animal cruelty should not be taken lightly. Without the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, your charges could turn into convictions with serious consequences. Keep reading to understand Texas law regarding animal cruelty, the possible defenses available to you, and what steps to take if you’re accused in McAllen, Texas.

Texas Animal Cruelty Law

Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. The law defines animal cruelty as any action or neglect that causes unnecessary pain or suffering.

Animal cruelty is a felony in Texas and punishable for up to 10 years in prison, with a fine of up to $10,000. Children who have committed animal cruelty are required to go to counseling. Neglect is a misdemeanor until the third offense, when it becomes a felony, according to USAToday.

The criminal law only applies to domestic animals, such as house pets, livestock, and wild animals “subject to a person’s care and control,” according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Animals in the circus, in labs for testing, and wild animals are excluded.

Under Texas law, animal cruelty includes:

• Torturing an animal
• Failing to provide food, care or shelter
• Abandoning an animal
• Transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner
• Killing, seriously injuring or poisoning an animal
• Causing an animal to fight with another
• Using a live animal as a lure in a dog race
• Tripping a horse
• Injuring an animal belonging to another person
• Seriously overworking an animal

To help avoid accusations of animal cruelty, remember that it’s illegal in Texas to:

• Abandon Pets. This includes leaving a sick or maimed animal to die, leaving an animal to suffer injury or malnutrition, and abandoning an animal without proper care, food, water, protection, or shelter in a street or public place.
• Treat a Domestic Animal in a Cruel Manner. According to Nolo, “cruel manner” includes a manner that causes or permits unjustified or unwarranted pain or suffering

• Participate in Animal Fights. In Texas, it’s a felony to be involved in cockfighting or dogfighting – including attending or betting on the fights, or participating in the earnings or operation of a dog or cockfighting facility, according to SPCA.

Legal Consequences in Texas

In Texas, two types of laws protect animals from cruelty: civil laws and criminal laws. The laws are similar but differ in the penalties they impose.

In a civil case, if a judge rules that a person or people have been cruel to animals, the judge may take away their animals and/or order them to pay restitution.

If prosecuted in a criminal case, a person may face penalties including fines, jail or both. If the accused person is under the age of 18, they might be required to undergo counseling if convicted of animal cruelty.

If more than one animal is involved, animal cruelty charges can multiply quickly. It’s important to get a criminal defense attorney involved as soon as possible to avoid conviction.

Possible Defenses

Compared to other states, Texas’ animal cruelty statutes are very narrow in scope because they exclude certain types of animals from protection from animal cruelty laws.

According to AnimalLaw, Texas laws allow for some possible defenses to animal cruelty charges, including:

• Some situations where a person killed someone else’s animal if the animal was discovered on another’s property and was found killing or injuring another domestic animal.
• Sometimes, tripping a horse is allowed if done for identification purposes or for veterinary care purposes.
• In some situations, a person may kill an animal if they fear bodily injury to themselves or another person.

What To Do Next

Sometimes animal cruelty charges affect honest and kind owners who, through a series of unforeseeable circumstances, have ended up neglecting or abandoning an animal. Animal cruelty charges can result from accidental negligence or a psychological issue. A criminal defense attorney can help you tell your side of the story. An attorney can help explain the circumstances that resulted in the animal’s situation, and also present character witnesses who have seen you care for the animal in the past.

Why risk the life-long legal consequences of a criminal conviction? The Tijerina Law Firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of the accused in the McAllen, Texas area. If you’re facing criminal accusations or criminal charges, we can help you get your charges reduced or dropped! Get started with a free consultation! Call (956) 261-5609 or send a message online.

 

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Tijerina Law Firm, PC

4016 N. 22nd Street

McAllen, Texas 78504

Phone: (956) 261-5609

Phone: (512) 900-1126

FAX (877) 395-1707

Criminal charges should never be taken lightly. Even if the charge and resulting penalties seem relatively mild, a criminal charge can turn into something much more serious. If you’re convicted of a crime, you will have a criminal record, and that can impact your life in countless ways long after any immediate penalties are seen to.

Criminal convictions have specific negative effects when it comes to higher education. If you’re a student or hoping to pursue more education in the future, a crime on your record can have many life-altering repercussions you might not have considered.

Keep reading to understand some of the ways a criminal record can impact your higher education, and what you can do about it:

1. A criminal record can impact your ability to get into certain schools. According to Criminal Watchdog, one study shows that 66.4% of colleges collect criminal background information on at least some of their applicants. Depending on your criminal history, you may or may not have a strong chance of getting into college. Violent crimes and sexual offenses are the types of crimes that are likely to prevent a felon from being accepted by a college, says U.S. News.
2. A criminal record can make it harder or impossible to enroll in certain courses, programs, and degrees. Depending on your conviction, you might not be able to enroll in programs that prepare you for jobs working with children, vulnerable adults, and other groups. Even if you can enroll, sometimes a criminal record will prevent you from later entering certain job fields.
3. A criminal record can impact your chances of qualifying for financial aid, grants, and scholarships, and your ability to take out student loans. According to Federal Student Aid, you cannot qualify for a Federal Pell Grant if you are in a state or federal institution. Even after your release, Federal Student Aid says it can be difficult to qualify for benefits such as student loans and federal grants if your crime falls into certain categories, including sexual and drug-related crimes. Federal Student Aid also says that in most cases you will not be able to get federal student aid once on probation or parole if your offenses were sexual or drug-related. Private student loans can be hard to acquire if you’ve been convicted of a crime – including a less severe misdemeanor.

1. A criminal record can make it difficult or impossible to qualify for student housing. A criminal record can complicate your ability to qualify for student housing and can lead to applications getting immediately rejected.
2. A criminal record can impact the kind of job, salary, and work experience you will have after graduation. According to Online Paralegal, students with criminal histories may face barriers in completing internships, teaching hours or laboratory work. This particularly impacts medical and nursing graduate programs that require supervised clinical hours. Students with criminal convictions need to be wary of professional programs that accept students with criminal backgrounds even if those students won’t be able to join the profession. Students should keep in mind that admission to an advanced education program doesn’t guarantee acceptance into the corresponding profession. Some career paths will be closed to people convicted of felonies or misdemeanor offenses. For example, attorneys are required to pass a character and fitness assessment before becoming licensed, the National Jurist reminds prospective students. Some criminal offenses, such as a violent crime, may prevent a law school graduate from being allowed to practice law. Medical professionals with misdemeanors related to the mistreatment of vulnerable populations or misuse of drugs may have trouble obtaining the necessary licenses for their careers. Other fields like teaching, accounting and policing can also be difficult for people with criminal records to join.

What If You’re Already in School and are Convicted of a Crime?

What happens next depends on the type and severity of the crime you’re convicted of, and the college or university you are attending. Contact a criminal defense attorney for more information.

What Can You Do to Save Your Future?

If you have criminal charges threatening to impact your future and restrict your educational and professional opportunities, act now to protect yourself. Work with an experienced criminal defense attorney in McAllen, Texas to get your charges reduced or dropped. Taking initiative now is an investment that can totally transform your future for the better. The Tijerina Law Firm can fight for your case today, to give you the best chance of avoiding the lifelong and far-reaching repercussions of a criminal record.

Get started with a free consultation! Call (956) 261-5609 or send a message online.

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Tijerina Law Firm, PC

4016 N. 22nd Street

McAllen, Texas 78504

Phone: (956) 261-5609

Phone: (512) 900-1126

FAX (877) 395-1707

When most people think of sex offenders, they think of serial child molesters who stalk their next victims at playgrounds, or brutal rapists who violate the rights of women. These cases, of course, do happen. However, as many people have discovered the hard way, these cases aren’t the only offenses that can force someone to register as a sex offender.

Many individuals are required to publically register as sex offenders because of offenses involving consensual sex or other acts that the individuals might not have known were crimes.

Unfortunately, even when an individual means no harm, the repercussions of minor sex offenses can quickly escalate. Under certain circumstances, something as seemingly harmless as urinating in public or having consensual sex in a car could land you on the sex offender registry. Regardless of the crime committed, registered sex offenders all face the same social stigmas, challenges, and restrictions. Let’s say you had consensual sex in a way that the law deemed illegal – you could face the same difficulties as a violent rapist who was also forced to register as a sex offender.

According to Business Insider, here are 6 surprising ways that could result in registration as a sex offender in McAllen, Texas:

1) Taking nude photos — if you’re a minor.

Teenagers who take pictures of themselves while naked could get charged with child pornography and be put on sex registries, according to a 2013 report from Human Rights Watch. It gets worse – kids who send naked photos that are viewed in another state could be charged with a federal crime, according to Avvo.

For example, a 15-year-old girl in Pennsylvania was charged in 2004 with spreading child porn after taking nude photos of herself and putting them online, according to Human Rights Watch. She was forced to register as a sex offender.

2) Visiting a prostitute.

In all states except Nevada, prostitution is illegal. Even inquiring as to a prostitute’s rates can be seen as a crime. Visiting a prostitute can be considered a “registerable offense” in some situations.

3) Urinating in public. At least 13 states require sex offender registration for public urination, according to Human Rights Watch’s comprehensive review of sex offender laws in 2007. In Texas, you can get a ticket if you’re caught urinating in public. However, under Texas law, it’s possible for urinating in public to turn into an “indecent exposure” charge which can turn into a sex offense.

4) Flashing or streaking. You can get arrested for indecent exposure and that can land you on the sex offender registry. Even if you flash breasts or genitals as a joke or go streaking as a dare – those harmless intentions could possibly mean you end up on the sex offender registry.

5) Having consensual sex with a teenager, even if you’re a teenager, too. At least 29 states require teenagers who have had consensual sex with each other to register as sex offenders, according to the Human Rights Watch Report from 2007. In Texas, even consensual sex between two teenagers who are in a loving relationship can be considered a crime and can land individuals on the sex offender registry.

6) Sleeping with a relative. Incest is not just a social taboo in Texas, it’s illegal. Sex between blood relatives can be considered a sex crime in Texas and could result in penalties that include registering as a sex offender.

These are just six surprising ways that harmless intentions or thoughtless actions could result in years, decades, or even a lifetime of having to register as a sex offender. Registered sex offenders face challenges with employment, housing, law enforcement, and society in general. If you’re facing criminal charges, it’s time to act to protect your future. You deserve aggressive criminal defense!

Where’s the Justice?

Sex crime laws exist to provide justice for the innocent and the laws surrounding what counts as a sex crime aren’t always fair. But, regardless of your guilt or innocence, a criminal conviction will turn your life upside down. If you find yourself facing accusations for sex crimes, you need to talk with a qualified criminal defense attorney right away. A criminal defense attorney can help you convince the courts of your side of the story. If you’re already on the sex offender registry, a criminal defense attorney can help you appeal for deregistration. Juan Tijerina has over 12 years of legal experience representing clients in federal, state, and county courts. The Tijerina Law Firm offers free 30-minute consultations. Get started by calling (956) 261-5609 or by sending a message online.

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Tijerina Law Firm, PC

4016 N. 22nd Street

McAllen, Texas 78504

Phone: (956) 261-5609

Phone: (512) 900-1126

FAX (877) 395-1707

Are you facing criminal charges in McAllen, Texas? But what about your side of the story? With the growing tragedy of police brutality, the details of your arrest and treatment by law enforcement officers matter more than ever!

When you are accused of a crime, a criminal defense attorney helps tell your side of the story – including the way that police treated you. Even if the police pulled you over or issued you a ticket without arresting you – you still could have been the victim of police brutality.

Keep reading to understand how to fight for justice in the event of police brutality in your criminal defense case.

What is Considered Police Brutality?

Britannica.com defines police brutality as “the unwarranted or excessive and often illegal use of force against civilians by U.S. police officers,” yet many individuals still need a clearer understanding of what police brutality actually is.

According to USAttorneys, police brutality is when a police officer becomes violent and aggressive toward a compliant suspect.

Police brutality can also happen when a police officer sexually assaults a victim who is seeking support from their law enforcement agency. An excess of police brutality cases has caused an understandable lack of trust between civilians and law enforcement.

Police brutality is often a topic in criminal defense cases. Whether someone is guilty or innocent of criminal charges, police brutality is unjust. If you’ve been a victim of police misconduct or believe your rights may have been violated by an officer, we recommend you consult with an attorney as soon as possible to find out how you can defend your rights.

According to USAttorneys, common examples of police brutality can include:

• excessive force
• wrongful death
• sexual assault
• deploying a taser when a suspect is lying on the ground obeying an officer’s commands
• beating an individual who is evoking their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent
• harassing a teen because of their race
• taking possession of a person’s property without a viable reason for doing so
• arresting an individual without probable cause.

Real-Life Stories of Police Brutality

In 2008, suspect Angela Garbarino was brought into a police booking room in Shreveport, LA. where officer Wylie Willis proceeded to “manhandle her to the floor” and then turned off the surveillance camera in the room. When the camera was turned back on, Garbarino was seen “lying in a spreading pool of blood on the floor and was removed from the room on a hospital gurney.” The incident left Garbarino with two black eyes, broken teeth and a broken nose. The officer alleged the woman fell on her face while trying to exit the room, reports The Guardian.

In 2016, officer Jeronimo Yanez claimed he pulled over Philando Castile for a broken tail light. Shortly after Castile informed Yanez he had a gun in the car (for which Castile had a permit), Yanez shot Castile twice in the heart. Additional bullets came within inches of Castile’s girlfriend, who was also in the car, reports USA Today.

In 2015, four women accused former Hialeah Police Sgt. Jesus Menocal Jr.of sexual abuse. No action was taken on those complaints at the time, but in 2019 Menocal was arrested by the FBI for violating the civil rights of citizens, kidnapping a girl, and sexually abusing several others. According to the Miami Herald. The officer was allegedly taking girls and women into custody and using his authority to coerce them into having sex with him.

These are just three of thousands of stories of police brutality. Often, instances of police brutality go unreported. To help put an end to this injustice, it’s important to tell your criminal defense attorney about any possible indications of police brutality that happened during your traffic stop, arrest, questioning, or other encounters with law enforcement. Providing a qualified attorney with claims or evidence of police brutality can help turn your case around and bring justice to your situation.

Get Justice in McAllen, Texas!

Police brutality isn’t limited to the kinds of cases described above. Many people don’t realize that even a seemingly “small” act committed by an officer can be classified as police brutality. A common example that doesn’t make headlines as often is verbal abuse. Anytime an officer of the law violates a person’s rights or inflicts physical or psychological harm that is deemed excessive and beyond reason, it can be considered police brutality.

If you believe you are the victim of police brutality in McAllen, Texas, it’s time to talk to a criminal defense attorney.

Get started by calling (956) 261-5609 or by sending a message online.

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Tijerina Law Firm, PC

4016 N. 22nd Street

McAllen, Texas 78504

Phone: (956) 261-5609

Phone: (512) 900-1126

FAX (877) 395-1707