West Columbia, Wimberly, Woodlands DWI Lawyers

West Columbia

Wes Griggs: Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of driving under the influence. A conviction on DUI/DWI charges may result in fines, the revocation or suspension of your driver's license, and possible jail time. In addition, your insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable level. In defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. An experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference in such a difficult case.

Wimberly

Richard Ursha: Many states have enacted statutes that grant non-law enforcement citizens the right to detain others if the citizen knows that the detained individual is engaged in the commission of a crime. This detainment is frequently referred to as a "citizen's arrest." These statutes usually set forth specific guidelines regarding the circumstances under which a person may place another under citizen's arrest. Even states without specific statutes, such as Florida, often allow average citizens the right to arrest others, based on general principles of law.

Woodlands

Case Law: The U.S. Constitution grants an accused the right to "a speedy and public trial, before an impartial jury" in "all criminal prosecutions." The alternative to a jury trial is a "bench" trial; i.e., a trial by a judge. In a jury trial, the jury determines facts and applies legal principles to reach a verdict. In a bench trial, however, the judge decides virtually everything.