Dallas Family Law Blog | The Shapiro Law Firm

Challenging the evidence in a Texas impaired driving case

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

Whether you have allegedly driven while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication, facing an impaired driving charge in Texas doesn't mean a conviction is inevitable. In fact, you should try to do everything you can to avoid entering a guilty plea or getting convicted. Texas has harsh penalties that get worse for repeat impaired driving offenders.

Many people think that there is no successful way to defend against Texas impaired driving charges, but that isn't true. The evidence gathered at the time of arrest could be unreliable because of how law enforcement officers administered the test. It's also possible that the laboratory involved in testing or handling the evidence made a mistake.

Can I dispute a prenuptial agreement during divorce?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Generally speaking, divorcing spouses will divide marital assets according to state laws. In Texas, community property is recognized, which means that divorcing spouses are likely to split their assets roughly 50/50. However, when a prenuptial agreement is enforced, the division of marital assets will not be subject to state law, and will, instead, be divided in accordance with the agreement.

If you are going through a divorce and you have previously signed a prenuptial agreement, you may be worried about what this will mean for your financial future. You may also wonder whether it is possible to challenge the prenuptial agreement. It is important that you prepare yourself by thoroughly understanding the law.

Be safe: Avoid drinking and driving in Texas

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Thursday, April 18, 2019.

Like anywhere in the United States, drinking and driving is frowned on in Texas. When you're over the limit or obviously impaired, you can face harsh penalties following an arrest.

In Texas, someone is hurt or killed approximately every 20 minutes due to crashes involving alcohol. With so much at risk, it is important for people to know how much is too much to be safe to drive.

Peer pressure and teen crime: A concern for parents

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Parents often act shocked and surprised when they find out that their teenager committed a crime. They can't believe their child got arrested. Sometimes, they honestly do not believe that the police officers are telling the truth. They think there has to be another explanation.

The reason for this is often that the teen simply acts differently around their parents than they do around their friends. The parents honestly do not know this "other person" that the teenager becomes. And that is problematic when the teen falls in with the wrong crowd and faces peer pressure to break the law.

Can you legally protect your retirement account in a divorce?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

For many couples, choosing how to split up assets in a divorce is one of the hardest parts of the process. Each spouse probably has their own opinion about what is reasonable and fair given the circumstances of the marriage. In many cases, neither opinion really lines up with what the law states is appropriate.

Adjusting your expectations to reflect what is reasonable and likely is an important step for those going through divorce. Failing to work with the realities of how the courts divide assets could lead either to wasted time and money litigating unnecessarily or the accidental violation of the law if you try to hide assets.

How can a Texas DWI affect your career?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Monday, February 25, 2019.

Most people understand that there are legal consequences to getting charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas. The fact that a DWI carries jail time, steep fines, the loss of one's driving privileges and potentially the requirement for an ignition interlock device is common knowledge.

What fewer people stop to consider is how a DWI could affect their job. Anyone charged with criminal offense, including DWI, may find that the consequences to their professional career are as significant as the criminal consequences.

Want to ask for a prenuptial agreement? Do these things

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

As your wedding day closes in, it's natural to face a bit of stress and anxiety. When you throw in a conversation about creating a prenuptial agreement, you could soon find yourself needing a break.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease the tension that's often associated with discussing the creation of a prenuptial agreement.

Lindsey Wynne Best Lawyer Under 40 by D magazine

By The Shapiro Law Firm on Friday, February 8, 2019.

Lindsey Wynne of The Shapiro Law Firm is a passionate, committed and experienced trial attorney. In recognition of those attributes, D magazine recently named her to its 2019 list of Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas. To compile its list, D magazine surveyed more than 5,000 attorneys. Only 73 attorneys made the list, though there are 3,000 or more attorneys under the age of 40 in the Dallas area.

How juvenile justice differs from adult justice in Texas

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

The criminal justice system is confusing, even for those facing straightforward charges. When a criminal offense involves complicating factors, such as a teenage offender, the system may become much more convoluted and difficult to understand.

Many people lack an understanding of how Texas really handles juvenile offenses and approaches juvenile justice. Contrary to popular belief, juvenile offenses do not receive identical treatment to adult offenses. The focus is not solely on incarceration and punishment.

Struggles with addiction can lead to criminal charges in Texas

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Drug addicts often face serious social stigma, along with criminal consequences for their choices. Although many people like to imagine that addiction is a choice, there is plenty of reason to believe that addiction is really a disease. Some people have a genetic proclivity toward addiction that they inherit from their families. This can explain why some households have multiple generations of drug addicts or alcoholics.

Family environments and culture can also strongly influence someone's likelihood to abuse drugs later in life. Everything from neglect to overt physical abuse can contribute to drug abuse issues in the future. Unfortunately, our society still treats those who struggle with addiction as nothing more than criminals. These individuals often face castigation and shame instead of support and rehabilitative services.