Posted on January 27, 2023 in DWI

If a person is pulled over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in the state of Texas, there is a good chance that they will be asked to take field sobriety tests. These tests will involve certain types of physical tasks that are meant to help determine a driver's level of impairment and whether they have been drinking alcohol or have used other substances that have affected their ability to operate a vehicle safely. It is important to understand the role that field sobriety tests will play in a DWI case, including their purpose, their validity, and when they can be refused.

Understanding Field Sobriety Tests

When a police officer pulls a driver over because they believe the person may be intoxicated, they will observe the person and look for a reason to perform an arrest. To establish probable cause, or a strong belief that a person has violated the law, the officer may ask the driver to submit to field sobriety tests. These tests are designed to measure an individual’s physical coordination and their ability to follow instructions.

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 Posted on January 11, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Every year, the Texas legislature and the federal government pass new laws, and in many cases, these laws go into effect on January 1 of the following year. Keeping abreast of changes to the law is not always easy, but in some cases, it can be important to understand how these changes may affect the lives of regular people. One law that recently went into effect involved the Protective Order Registry of Texas (PROTECT), which is a database of orders of protection that are issued in cases involving domestic violence and some other types of crimes. 

What Is the Protective Order Registry of Texas?

In 2019, the Texas legislature passed a bill known as "Monica's Law," which was named after a woman who was murdered by an ex-boyfriend. In this case, the ex-boyfriend had a history of domestic abuse, and he had previously had protective orders issued against him. However, law enforcement officials in the county where the murder occurred did not have access to information about the previous protective orders, and they did not respond appropriately to help prevent violence from occurring.

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 Posted on December 16, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Despite what the news would have people believe, crime has been on a downward trend in the United States in recent years. Fewer crimes are being committed, fewer arrests are made by law enforcement, and fewer people are convicted of criminal offenses. However, this does not mean that crime has been completely eradicated or that those who commit crimes will go unpunished. In Tarrant County alone, tens of thousands of people are arrested and charged with crimes each year. Recently, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney released a report detailing some statistics related to crimes that were prosecuted over the past year. This report provides an indication of the types of offenses that are most likely to lead to arrests and criminal charges. Those who are facing these or other charges can seek representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney to determine the best approach to take during their cases.

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 Posted on December 12, 2022 in Announcements

The Dameron Law Firm is pleased to announce that attorney, Craig Dameron, has been named a Top Attorney in the field of criminal defense for 2022 by Fort Worth Magazine. The magazine works to create a comprehensive list of the best attorneys in the area each year, receiving nominations from people in the legal field and reviewing these nominations to ensure that the attorneys recognized meet high standards and can provide quality legal services to clients. This is the seventh year in a row that Mr. Dameron has been recognized as a Top Attorney, demonstrating that he can provide excellent legal representation in criminal defense matters.

Why Craig Dameron Is a Top Attorney in the Field of Criminal Defense

Attorney Dameron understands the problems faced by those who have been arrested and charged with criminal offenses. People in this position are often forced into a frightening, unfamiliar situation. They may worry that if they say or do the wrong thing during their case, they could face serious consequences such as fines, the loss of a driver's license, restrictions on where they can go and what they can do, or even jail time. People in this situation need a compassionate advocate who can guide them through the legal process, help them understand what to expect, and fight to protect their rights.

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 Posted on November 21, 2022 in Theft

People who have been arrested for property crimes in Texas may be confused about the differences between theft, robbery, and burglary. Although these crimes are similar, they are actually quite different and can carry different penalties. If you have been charged with a property crime in Texas, it is important to understand the nuances of these crimes so that you can know what to expect and how to defend yourself.

What Is Theft?

Theft is defined as taking something that does not belong to you without the owner's consent and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the thing taken. Additionally, theft can also occur when someone obtains services without paying or by deception. For example, if you go into a store and take an item off the shelf without paying for it, you have committed theft. If you order a meal at a restaurant and then leave without paying, you have committed theft. If you lie about your identity in order to obtain services that you would not otherwise be entitled to, you have committed theft. 

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 Posted on November 11, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Domestic disputes can occur in a variety of situations, and they can sometimes escalate to the point where a person may be arrested and charged with domestic assault or other offenses involving family violence. Many people believe that domestic assault only occurs when there is a physical altercation between spouses, family members, or people who are in a romantic relationship. However, domestic assault charges can be filed in other situations as well, even in cases where there was no physical contact between the alleged victim and the accused (Terroristic Threat). It is important to understand the specific charges that may apply in these situations and the consequences you may face if you are convicted. With the help of a criminal defense attorney, you can determine your best options for defending against domestic assault or family violence charges.

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 Posted on October 27, 2022 in Criminal Defense

In Texas, it is illegal to drive while intoxicated. However, DWI charges do not just apply in situations where a person drank alcohol before driving. Intoxication may also occur in situations involving the use of drugs, including illegal controlled substances, prescription drugs, and marijuana. If you have been pulled over by a police officer, questioned about your use of marijuana or other drugs, and arrested on DWI charges, you will need to understand the specific criminal charges that may apply. By working with an experienced lawyer, you can determine your best options for defense.

Texas DWI Laws Regarding Drugs

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a criminal offense in Texas. When it comes to alcohol use, intoxication is defined as having a blood alcohol content of at least .08 percent. However, the Texas Penal Code also states that a person may be considered to be intoxicated if they do not have the normal use of their physical or mental faculties due to the use of alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances. The combination of different types of substances, such as alcohol and prescription drugs, may also cause a person to become intoxicated.

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 Posted on October 13, 2022 in Drug Crimes

After you are arrested for a crime, there is a record of that arrest that can follow you around for the rest of your life. A criminal history can make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a job, rent an apartment, be accepted into college, or take out a loan. This can be especially problematic if you have been arrested on charges related to marijuana. Even though marijuana is considered by most people to be a non-harmful drug, and it has been legalized in some states, it is still an illegal substance in Texas. Arrests, charges, or convictions for marijuana possession or distribution can create a permanent black mark on your record.

Fortunately, in some cases, you may be able to have your record "expunged," which means that an arrest or a criminal charge will be erased from your criminal history. If you are concerned about how a marijuana arrest may affect your future, you will want to understand whether expunction will be a solution that will allow you to clear your record.

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 Posted on September 27, 2022 in Drug Crimes

In most cases, criminal charges related to illegal drugs will involve accusations that a person was in possession of controlled substances. However, there are other items that may also be related to drugs, including manufacturing equipment, packaging materials, or devices used to consume drugs, and possession of these items may also lead to criminal charges. For those who are involved in criminal cases related to drugs, it is important to understand how the laws in Texas address the possession of drug paraphernalia.

What Is Drug Paraphernalia?

Under Texas law, drug paraphernalia may include any equipment, products, or materials of any kind that are used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, processing, packing, injecting, ingesting, or inhaling controlled substances. In general, anything that can be used to cultivate, package, or consume illegal drugs can be considered drug paraphernalia. Common examples include bongs and pipes used for smoking marijuana or methamphetamine pipes. Other examples include syringes and needles used for injecting drugs like heroin. Devices used to package and distribute drugs may also be considered paraphernalia, such as scales and other measuring devices used to weigh drugs or baggies used to package and distribute substances. 

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 Posted on September 09, 2022 in Criminal Defense

There are multiple reasons why Texas courts may issue a protective order (commonly known as a restraining order). These orders are often put in place in cases involving allegations of family violence, although they may also be used in situations where a person is accused of offenses such as sexual assault or harassment. In cases where a protective order has been issued, a person will be required to follow its terms, even if they believe that it was based on false accusations. Violating a protective order can result in serious criminal penalties, and anyone who is subject to this type of order will need to work with a criminal defense lawyer to determine their legal options.

Consequences for Violating the Restrictions Put in Place by a Protective Order

A protective order will generally prohibit a person from taking any illegal actions against their alleged victims, such as committing family violence or engaging in behavior that could be considered harassment. Numerous other restrictions may be put in place, and a person could be charged with violating a protective order if they:

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