Dallas Family Law Blog | The Shapiro Law Firm

You can get a limited license with an ignition interlock system

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in DWI-DUI on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

People make mistakes. Some of them are just more dangerous than others. If you put the dishes back in the wrong cupboard, the risk is minimal. If you get behind the wheel after a few drinks, however, the risk for yourself and others on the road could be substantial. If you made a mistake and are now facing driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges in Texas, you should consider all of your options.

One of the biggest hassles about a DWI is the likelihood that you'll lose your driving privileges. If you were previously convicted on DWI charges, your driving privileges may be suspended for even longer on any subsequent convictions. Thankfully, the state of Texas recognizes that driving vehicles is a necessity for many people. There is an alternative solution available to many of those who need to drive while dealing with a DWI.

Expungement of a criminal record in Texas can improve your life

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Expungement on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

A criminal record in Texas can haunt you for many years. Even minor offenses from your youth can have a profound negative impact on your life, career and prospects for the future. While criminal records can help society as a whole, they can also damage the lives of people who have learned from past mistakes and made an effort to improve their lives.

For those with a criminal record, those facing criminal charges and parents of minors in legal trouble, expungement and non-disclosure of criminal records can offer hope. Understanding how Texas approaches this process can help you make informed decisions about your initial criminal defense and your future.

Why growing marijuana in Texas is not a wise decision

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

There are many reasons why people may decide to grow marijuana. Perhaps the person needs to make some money and believe that growing marijuana will be a quick and effective way to raise some capital. Maybe marijuana can alleviate the symptoms of a severe medical condition. Growing your own marijuana in that situation may seem like a better option than supporting the black market and buying from drug dealers. Some people choose to grow marijuana because they like it and want a steady supply.

Whatever the reason, there are serious consequences in Texas for getting caught growing marijuana. Despite how popular opinion on the drug has changed in the last decade, laws on the topic have not changed as quickly. It only takes one nosy neighbor to draw the attention of law enforcement and potentially change your life forever.

Important things to know about parenting agreements

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Child Custody on Friday, April 27, 2018.

If you decide to divorce and have at least one child with your spouse, you can rest assured that you'll need to work through a variety of things regarding child custody.

While most child custody cases reach a resolution before litigation, there is no guarantee this will happen. Fortunately, when you understand the power of negotiation, whether done by the lawyers for the spouses or through formal mediation,it may be possible to work things out without the intervention of the court.

Protect your assets with a property division checklist

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Property Division on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Are you going through a divorce? Are you worried about losing your property and assets? Do you want to put yourself in the best possible position regarding asset and debt division?

There is no denying the fact that property division can be a contentious issues during the divorce process. While you have one idea of what should happen, your soon to be ex-spouse may have another.

Codify who will pay for your child's health insurance in advance

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Child Support on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

You might think that you and your ex-spouse have come to agreement on various issues regarding child custody and how you will handle certain things after the divorce. But unless you've agreed to these things in writing, there aren't any guarantees. This is why parents use what are called "parenting provisions," or written statements, that allow them to codify the terms of their parental activities and relationship as co-parents.

One area that parents will definitely want to cover with their parenting provisions is health insurance and health care. Here are four parenting provisions that parents could use to establish various agreements in this area of parenting:

How do I invoke my Fifth Amendment rights?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, March 16, 2018.

Imagine the police pull you over and frighten you so badly that you confess to a crime you didn't commit. Or, maybe you answered police questions in the wrong way and now the prosecution is using what you said against you in court. These kinds of situations happen a lot, but they can largely be avoided by invoking your Miranda rights.

Your Miranda rights are the rights that you often hear police reciting to individuals as they arrest them in the movies.

A racketeering conviction carries serious consequences

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

Like many other criminal offenses, racketeering charges in Texas can have some serious consequences. The state has enacted racketeering laws in order to combat the activities of gangs and organized crime.

In general, racketeering involves participating in illegal enterprises or other activities that are part of any kind of organized crimes. In addition, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) laws also make it illegal for any criminal organizations to profit from or operate legal businesses. The reason for the RICO and racketeering laws is to stop organized crime rings from engaging in activities that might provide funding for illegal acts.

Don't mess with Texas on DWI charges!

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in DWI-DUI on Friday, February 2, 2018.

Obviously, no one sets out to get arrested for drunk driving. Yet, approximately every 20 minutes, somewhere in Texas a person gets killed or injured in an alcohol-related collision.

Part of the problem is that consuming even a small amount of alcohol adversely affects judgment. After consuming just a single drink, a person gets impaired to some degree. Multiple factors influence the level of impairment that affects drinkers, including:

Body weight
Gender
Ability to handle alcohol
Whether or not the individuals have eaten
How much alcohol they consume

Popular marijuana dabs can result in serious felony charges

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.

If you're a marijuana user who also participates in social media or reads marijuana publications like High Times, chances are very good that you've heard of dabs. These increasingly popular marijuana extracts have been around for years, but now they have become the preferred form of marijuana for many regular users.

There are a number of reasons people cite for the popularity of dabs, also called BHO (butane hash oil), wax, glass, shatter and similar nicknames. People enjoy their stronger potency, allowing them to obtain greater effects with less time spent consuming marijuana. These extracts also make it easy for people to use vaporizer pens in public. Finally, many extracts lack the strong, tell-tale sign associated with natural-state marijuana, making it easier to transport or hide. Unfortunately, people in Texas face serious penalties for possessing or using marijuana extracts.

Dallas, Texas Family Law Blog