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July 19 2017

The Value of Board Certified® Legal Counsel

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson Blog Board Certified, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Considering that a defendant facing severe penalties on the basis of an allegation has enough to contend with, fostering concerns related to the integrity of their legal counsel should be the least of their concerns. When you’re represented by a Board Certified© criminal law attorney you can be assured that your legal representation was fully vetted by other experienced criminal defense attorneys and criminal court judges as a best of breed professional prior to being certified.

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization, or the TBLS for short, is an organization that was created by an order of the Texas Supreme Court that’s charged with certifying attorneys in certain specific areas of law with criminal-law being one of them.

Texas is one of only 11 states in the United States where the state examines attorneys in a specialty area of law and awards the certification if the attorney meets the skills, competency and knowledge criteria to be Board Certified®.

In order to become Board Certified® an attorney must have 5 years of practice under their belt, and receive a predetermined number of recommendations for a specific number of attorneys and/or judges. In addition, the successful completion of a monitored exam is also required.

Although some of the best lawyers in Texas aren’t Board Certified®, Board Certified® attorneys are always among the best lawyers in Texas.

Attorneys who are Board Certified® are the only lawyers allowed to display the seal on their business cards, websites, office areas, doors, and stationary.

Why Board Certified® Legal Representation?

Defendants that are represented by a Board Certified® attorney can take solace in knowing their lawyer is good at what they do. When it comes to a criminal court bearing down on a person charged with a DWI offense, having a solid lawyer, that’s among the best, is a good first step to making the problem go away.

Attorney Tad Nelson, an experienced DWI lawyer based in Houston, is not only Board Certified® in Criminal-Law, but also holds a host of other certifications and certificates which demonstrate the high level of competence associated with our practice; DWI defense.

If you’re facing criminal charges in the Houston area related to a drunk driving charge, and if you’re ready to consult with an attorney that’s willing to help you, call our office to schedule a meeting with our defense team. You can reach us by phone at 713-802-1631 or by sending us a message via contact form.

The Value of Board Certified® Legal Counsel

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson

June 13 2017

Texas MIP (Minor In Possession) Cases

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson DWI & Texas Law Austin, DWI, Houston, MIP, Texas

The State of Texas takes underage drinking very seriously. Ask anyone under age 21 who has been caught purchasing, attempting to purchase, or wrongfully in the presence of unopened alcohol. Law enforcement officials will be especially strict if you are caught, underage, in a vehicle, whether stopped or in transit, with beer or alcohol. This misdemeanor criminal offense is known as a Minor in Possession (MIP).

A MIP is a Class C criminal misdemeanor in Texas.

You don’t want to ignore a first offense and blow it off. You can be not only fined; you can lose your Texas Driver License. You need to avoid a conviction if possible. In other words, you need an attorney.

Contact Attorney Tad A. Nelson at 713-802-1631 if you’re facing criminal charges for minor in possession violation in Houston. Tad A. Nelson will help you, your parents and/or legal guardians, navigate the juvenile court system. Our legal team will inform you of the options available to protect your reputation and your rights as a minor.

Texas Minor in Possession (MIP) Cases

MIPs cause a lot of headaches for minors and their parents. It’s time consuming to correct, and it carries unexpected pitfalls for the unwary. If you’re under the age of 21 and are caught by a Texas sheriff or the local police, either purchasing, attempting to purchase or in a vehicle where there is alcohol, you can be charged with a Minor in Possession (MIP) criminal misdemeanor.

It doesn’t matter if the beverage(s) aren’t opened, if you are a guest grabbing a ride home, if you have tasted only a sip, or that you are not drunk. Even if the car is fully stopped and you are parked, chatting with your friends, if you are 20 or younger, and are found by law enforcement with unopened beer, hard liquor, or pre-mixed alcoholic beverages, you can face Minor in Possession (MIP) charges. You could also face Minor in Consumption charges if one of the beers is open and you are also in violation of open container laws in the State of Texas.

PENALTIES

Texas law enforces strict penalties to discourage minors from drinking or to discourage potential repeat offenders from being in possession of alcohol.

First Offense

If you are under age 18, and it is your first MIP, you may be fined up to $500.00. Instead of convicting you, the judge may defer that and require participating in an alcohol awareness class and the performance of at least 8 – 12 hours of community service work. The community service work must be related to education about the pitfalls of excessive alcohol consumption and steps to prevent its abuse.

You can also have your driver’s license suspended for thirty days on a first conviction.

If you are over age 18, but under age 21, your driver’s license can be suspended for up to a year.

Second or Third Offenses

Penalties for second or third MIP’s escalate. For a second offense, you face losing your driver’s license for sixty days. The court will most likely increase community service work up to 20-40 hours and mandate additional participation in approved alcohol awareness and/or treatment classes.

A judge may order special additional penalties for third and subsequent convictions. Your fines could jump as high as $2,000.00, and you could face confinement in jail of up to 180 days.

Facing DWI Charges in Houston or Austin?

WE’LL FIGHT FOR CASE DISMISSAL

Criminal Law Board Certified® (in criminal law) DWI Lawyer and ACS/CHAL Lawyer- Scientist Tad Nelson takes your reputation, your future, and your rights as a minor very seriously. We will search for grounds for case dismissal. If we can’t find an impropriety warranting dismissal, we’ll work to get reduced sentencing and for an expunged record.

To ensure you have the best representation to prevent a smear campaign against your minor child, you need Tad Nelson’s smart, competent legal representation. With the assistance of Attorney Ken Dies & Amber Spurlock, you can be assured that we have the experience to justify confidence in our advice and legal defense.

Be sure to contact attorney Tad Nelson, Amber Spurlock, or Ken Dies for your legal representation or another qualified DWI lawyer in Houston so you can, at least, have a chance of leaving the judge with the best possible conclusion to your child’s ordeal. Contact our office at 713-802-1631 or click here to send us a confidential message.

Texas MIP (Minor In Possession) Cases

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson

June 13 2017

Not In My Courtroom!

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson DWI & Texas Law DWI, Judge Kathleen Hamilton, Montgomery County

If you’re arrested in Texas for drunk driving, you don’t want your case heard in Judge Kathleen Hamilton’s courtroom. She’s a judge in Montgomery County, TX who presides over the 359th District Court and she’s made some landmark rulings during her tenure. In 2016 she sentenced a man to life in prison for his ninth DWI conviction. The man was imprisoned before for DWI offenses, so he was considered a habitual offender.

The Montgomery County DWI Court

Judge Hamilton’s Court

The State of Texas was prone to lenient penalties for his DWIs in the past, but Judge Hamilton doesn’t believe repeat offenders should be dealt with so lightly.

Judge Hamilton was recently honored by the State Bar of Texas for her work and dedication to specialized docketing.

She now oversees the DWI court.

The court is intended for people convicted of their first felony DWI conviction and is meant to serve as an intensive program to help them avoid becoming repeat offenders. The program tests participants five days a week for drugs and alcohol and requires them to attend at least five substance abuse management sessions a week. Participants have to comply with home visits where officials will check for the presence of alcohol and ensure that breathalyzers are installed in their vehicles.

The participants must also appear before the judge every week and verify that they have a job and have made the $83 monthly DWI payment to the court. Over 250 people have graduated from the program, which means they had to refrain from alcohol for six months and maintain a job for six months. Fewer than 8 percent were rearrested, compared to 80% of those on probation alone.

Even though some Texas judges have given lesser sentences in many DWI cases, a conviction for any level of DWI offense may result in a fine, jail time, and the long-term suspension of your driving privileges. With Texas laws in combination with judges like Kathleen Hamilton and their tough stance of repeat offenders, you must ensure that you’re represented by a skilled attorney who’s chief focus is DWI defense. With a proper legal defense in place for the situation, you’ll have a chance of avoiding the hassles of the DWI Court program or even worse, being sentenced to a lengthy prison term.

Facing Prosecution for DWI in Montgomery County?

Contact The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates

Our legal team has had success for our clients with cases that were perceived as impossible. We believe that we offer a benefit to anyone facing serious criminal charges related to Driving While Intoxicated. Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson, since 1991, has continuously practiced law in the state of Texas and has consistently honed his craft by furthering his education and participating in on-going training programs geared to improving the bar.

As a lawyer that’s Board Certified® in Criminal Law per the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, defendants can expect competent legal representation by an attorney who is certified in his field of practice, which in our case is criminal law. As an ACS-CHAL Lawyer-Scientist, defendants can rest assured that our legal team has the specialized training to offer our clients an edge that other DWI attorneys in Houston can’t.

If you need to discuss your legal options with an experienced attorney, contact Attorney Tad A. Nelson at 713-802-1631 to schedule your 100% confidential consultation so we can review your case.

Not In My Courtroom!

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson

March 26 2017

Lack of DWI Defense Nets Life Sentence

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson DWI & Texas Law DWI, Felony DWI, Habitual Offender, Life Sentence, Scurry County, Weatherford

A gentleman was arrested for DWI in Weatherford, TX and sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the charge. To add insult to injury, he pleaded guilty and allowed the judge to assess his sentence.

In a state where we have one trial to determine if the defendant is guilty, and a second trial to determine sentencing, we believe the defendant could have obtained better results in his case, had he put up a fight.

A Habitual DWI Offender

According to the Weatherford Star-Telegram, the defendant was arrested on ten previous occasions for DWI, convicted on four felony DWI charges., and still drinks “because he likes it.”

The judge sentenced the 48-year-old to 66 years in prison.

Your Best Option for Tough DWI Cases…

Consult an Experienced DWI Lawyer

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson has successfully fought the government on behalf of our clients and has won many DWI cases that were said to be impossible. As one of the best trained DWI lawyers in Texas, there’s always an option when facing insurmountable odds as a habitual offender.

In the Weatherford Case, we believe the defendant was exhausted, demoralized, and simply gave up. We have never given up on our clients and invite you to contact us if you have any questions regarding any form of serious DWI offense in Texas.

Since 1995, we’ve successfully defended many Houstonians who were facing prosecution for intoxication manslaughter and other serious felony DWI offenses in Houston.

The phone number to our law office is 713-802-1631.

Attorney Tad A. Nelson is Board Certified® in Criminal Law, a member of the National College for DUI Defense, normally attends specialized training conferences that are geared towards DWI lawyers, and continues to further his education for the interest of our clients.

If you’re facing prosecution for Driving While Intoxicated in Houston, or elsewhere in Texas, Tad Nelson is among the best qualified DWI-focused lawyers to discuss your case with.

Lack of DWI Defense Nets Life Sentence

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson

January 12 2016

Don’t Chance It, Designate It

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson Helpful Information BeMyDD, Designated Driver, DWI Prevention, SafeWay Drivers, Uber

As we rest in the comforts of the availability of modern accouterments to nearly every facet of life, one important area has not gone overlooked, and that segment includes people who drink, own vehicles, and carry smartphones.

In a world of Uber & Wallapop, modern smart-phone apps allowing users to hire drivers and sell goods – respectively, impaired motorists have not been ignored as we’ve seen an increase in the number of transportation based businesses targeting people likely to drink and drive.

These new designated driver & personal chauffeur services are generally geared towards those who may likely need a designated driver, are looking to hire a designated driver, or people who have already been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, but have started to take advantage of a better decision making process which includes avoiding DWI.

Designated Driver Services

Some designated driver services like BeMyDD offers professionals that will drive your car and get you and your car home safely in addition to offering a personal chauffeur service much like SafeWay Drivers. Prices for services like these are manageable ranging from 14$ per hour on up to 200$ per hour for a more elite level of service. Some of the reasons we recommend taking advantage of these services include;

They’re cheap and affordable,
They’re the best option as opposed to drunk driving,
Avoiding arrest in lue of an existing DWI case,
Houston, TX has many drivers available, so any wait time will be limited,
Public safety,
and your safety.

Attorney Tad A. Nelson recommends that you take advantage of such services in order to avoid being arrested for a DWI in Houston or being a party to a dangerous accident as opposed to buzzed or drunk driving. If you’ll be drinking when away from home, consider an alternative to driving. Although we pride ourselves on being successful Houston DWI lawyers, it’s always best to play it safe.

Avoiding Arrest for DWI

Knowledge and strategy are great concepts, but executing what you know is the best way to avoid suffering the embarrassment and inconvenience of being arrested by the Houston Police Department for DWI. You can be charged with DWI or DUI if you’re under the influence of drugs (legal or illegal) or alcohol while operating a motor vehicle in Texas. The consequences for such offenses can be severe, so we advise caution when in relative predicaments.

Facing criminal charges for a DWI offense in the Houston area? Contact Attorney Tad A. Nelson to learn about your legal options and to determine the best strategy for address the charge. You can send us a message using the contact form or by calling our law office direct, at 713-802-1631.

Don’t Chance It, Designate It

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson

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