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Texas Family Law Attorney Says Women in India are Asking for Greater Court Oversight of Divorces

April 30, 2017/in Texas Divorce Cases/by LS_admin

The rules of divorce are not uniform throughout the world. In many countries like the United States, divorce is a legal process that must be done through the court system to be valid. In some places, though, divorce does not always have to pass through the court system. For example, in India, a man may declare a divorce from his wife, irrevocable and effective immediately, simply by saying or writing the word “talaq” three times.

The idea of an instant and irrevocable divorce may seem strange enough because no such provision exists here in the United States, but the rules for divorce in India are even more unlike American divorce rules in that they do not apply equally to men and women. A wife may not declare “talaq” against her husband. If a woman in India would like to divorce her husband, she must consult with a cleric first, and there is a formal process that she must follow if she would like to receive financial support from him.

Women in India are becoming increasingly frustrated with the problems that come from having unequal divorce rules for men and women. One out of every eleven Indian women who have married has had one or more marriages that ended with “talaq” divorce. When women are divorced by “talaq,” it is tough for them to get financial support from their former husbands, so the divorced women and their children are at a high risk for poverty. It is evident from the accounts of many Indian women that “talaq” divorce creates a permissive environment for physical and emotional abuse. Many women remain in physically and emotionally abusive relationships because they have no way of supporting themselves and their children economically and they fear that if they stand up to their husbands and ask them to stop the abuse, then their husbands will get angry and divorce them by “talaq.” Some of the women who have experienced “talaq” divorce have petitioned the Supreme Court of India, seeking a ban on instant divorce. Lest we think that such a ban is unlikely, it is important to remember that some nations like Pakistan, Egypt, and Tunisia that once allowed “talaq” divorces have banned the practice and have given responsibility for overseeing divorces to their judicial systems.

Opposition to a ban on “talaq” divorce comes from some members of the Muslim community who feel that it is an integral practice within the religion of Islam. However, not all Muslims agree. Some Muslims say that the provisions for divorce that are in the Quran not only apply equally to men and women, they also require a couple to think things through and try to reconcile before they may divorce. The Supreme Court of India will examine the issue and determine whether a ban on “talaq” divorce would be constitutional.

In Texas, the laws of the State of Texas govern all divorce proceedings. If you have questions about your Texas divorce, a family law attorney can help you find the answers that you need. Call (903) 753-7499 today to schedule a consultation with Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra. You may also visit us online and submit a convenient online contact form.

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Says State Testing New DWI Blood Test Warrant System

April 30, 2017/in Texas DWI Defense/by LS_admin

If you have experienced a DWI traffic stop in Texas before, you may have a different experience the next time that you get pulled over. The state of Texas is currently testing a new system that could make it quicker for law enforcement officers to obtain blood draw warrants. The testing is taking place in Leander and Liberty Hill. The technology lets officers in the field send DWI blood search warrants directly to a judge, which reduces the amount of time that passes between the traffic stop and the blood draw.

With the traffic stop procedures that are in place right now, a DWI stop in some locations can take between four and six hours from start to finish. The current method also involves locating a judge and meeting with them in person to obtain their signature on the search warrant. Depending upon where the traffic stop occurs, it may also involve placing the suspect in jail for some time, as well as transporting them to a hospital for a blood alcohol test.

If the testing goes well and the state decides to adopt the new system, officers will be able to get more accurate blood alcohol test results because the sample will get taken closer to the time of driving. DWI suspects will benefit because they will be detained for far less time unless, of course, their test results reveal a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit.

Some DWI defense attorneys are concerned that the new system may not give defendants enough protection. For example, electronic documents do not enable a judge to look at the warrant with the officer right there next to them and available to answer questions that the judge may have. There is also the possibility that judges may be quick to approve electronic warrants and not give them a thorough read-through before indicating their approval.

Whether the new blood test warrant technology gets implemented or not, the strategies for getting through a traffic stop with the least amount of damage remain the same. Be as calm and respectful as you can. Say as little as possible while complying with the officer’s reasonable requests for information like your registration, license, and proof of car insurance. Remember that it is possible to be polite and respectful while declining to answer questions regarding where you were and what you did – you can just say that you want to talk to a lawyer. Also, be aware that the officer is looking for any and all evidence that they can use to support the conclusion that they had already arrived at when they decided to pull you over – the conclusion that you are driving under the influence of alcohol. Actions can speak louder than words, so in addition to saying as little as you can, move as little as you can. In other words, do not get out of the car to perform field sobriety tests because even sober people can wobble or falter, especially when they are under pressure.

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra – Protecting the Rights of DWI Defendants

If you are facing Texas DWI charges and you have questions, a Texas DWI Defense Attorney can help you find the information that you’re seeking. Call Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra today at (903) 753-7499 to schedule a consultation or submit an online contact form through our website.

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Says State Testing New DWI Blood Test Warrant System

April 30, 2017/in Texas DWI Defense/by LS_admin

If you have experienced a DWI traffic stop in Texas before, you may have a different experience the next time that you get pulled over. The state of Texas is currently testing a new system that could make it quicker for law enforcement officers to obtain blood draw warrants. The testing is taking place in Leander and Liberty Hill. The technology lets officers in the field send DWI blood search warrants directly to a judge, which reduces the amount of time that passes between the traffic stop and the blood draw.

With the traffic stop procedures that are in place right now, a DWI stop in some locations can take between four and six hours from start to finish. The current method also involves locating a judge and meeting with them in person to obtain their signature on the search warrant. Depending upon where the traffic stop occurs, it may also involve placing the suspect in jail for some time, as well as transporting them to a hospital for a blood alcohol test.

If the testing goes well and the state decides to adopt the new system, officers will be able to get more accurate blood alcohol test results because the sample will get taken closer to the time of driving. DWI suspects will benefit because they will be detained for far less time unless, of course, their test results reveal a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit.

Some DWI defense attorneys are concerned that the new system may not give defendants enough protection. For example, electronic documents do not enable a judge to look at the warrant with the officer right there next to them and available to answer questions that the judge may have. There is also the possibility that judges may be quick to approve electronic warrants and not give them a thorough read-through before indicating their approval.

Whether the new blood test warrant technology gets implemented or not, the strategies for getting through a traffic stop with the least amount of damage remain the same. Be as calm and respectful as you can. Say as little as possible while complying with the officer’s reasonable requests for information like your registration, license, and proof of car insurance. Remember that it is possible to be polite and respectful while declining to answer questions regarding where you were and what you did – you can just say that you want to talk to a lawyer. Also, be aware that the officer is looking for any and all evidence that they can use to support the conclusion that they had already arrived at when they decided to pull you over – the conclusion that you are driving under the influence of alcohol. Actions can speak louder than words, so in addition to saying as little as you can, move as little as you can. In other words, do not get out of the car to perform field sobriety tests because even sober people can wobble or falter, especially when they are under pressure.

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra – Protecting the Rights of DWI Defendants

If you are facing Texas DWI charges and you have questions, a Texas DWI Defense Attorney can help you find the information that you’re seeking. Call Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra today at (903) 753-7499 to schedule a consultation or submit an online contact form through our website.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Says Hate Crime Sentencing Enhancements Depend on Intent

April 15, 2017/in Criminal Defense/by LS_admin

In 2001, Texas enacted the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act in honor of a black man who was killed by white supremacists in 1998. This law lets prosecutors pursue sentencing enhancement when they prosecute cases that allege that the perpetrator of a crime committed that crime intentionally and out of a bias towards the victim’s perceived gender, ethnicity, sexual preference, disability, or religion. The law is intended to discourage hate crimes, but some say that the passage of the law has not resulted in many hate crime convictions despite the fact that many cases get reported as possible hate crimes.

Between 2010 and 2015, nine hundred and eighty-one cases were reported to police throughout the state of Texas as potential hate crimes. Only eight of those cases were successfully prosecuted as hate crimes. There are a few possible explanations for why the number of hate crime prosecutions is so low in comparison to the number of incidents that get reported as possible hate crimes. There are cases in which a crime is alleged, but there is insufficient evidence for any conviction, let alone an enhanced sentence based on the perpetrator’s intent. There are also cases in which the underlying crime is successfully prosecuted, but the sentencing enhancement is not successful because of a lack of evidence regarding the perpetrator’s intent. Sometimes, an incident gets reported as a possible hate crime and prosecutors choose not to allege a hate crime and thereby forego pursuing the sentencing enhancement. Sometimes, the problem is that an incident gets reported, such as vandalism, and no suspect is ever apprehended.

All of the reasons why many more possible hate crimes get reported than are successfully prosecuted reveals that the hate crime legislation may not be accomplishing its intended purpose of deterring hate crimes. The process for pursuing sentencing enhancement for possible hate crimes is simple and straightforward. When police officers file a crime report, they can check a box to indicate whether it is possible that the crime was motivated by bias. When the case gets referred to prosecutors, the prosecutors must first decide if a crime occurred. If a crime did occur, the prosecutors must then determine whether to attach a hate crime enhancement.

Unfortunately, the simplicity of the process for pursuing sentencing enhancement does not make obtaining sentencing enhancement any easier. Motivation is very tough to prove. Most crimes require only proof that the defendant was acting knowingly, recklessly, intentionally, or in a criminally negligent manner. Proving that the crime was motivated by hate requires evidence of motivation, which can be difficult to obtain. In the cases where hate crimes have been prosecuted successfully, circumstantial evidence often provides the necessary support for a conclusion that the crime was motivated by hate.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra – Defending the Accused in Texas

If you are charged with a crime, a Texas criminal defense attorney can help you know what your options are and decide what to do next. If you got arrested in Texas and you have a criminal law question, call Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra, at (903) 753-7499. You can also connect with us through our convenient online contact form.

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Talks About No Refusal Periods

March 28, 2017/in Texas DWI Defense/by LS_admin

If you think that “no refusal” periods are limited to holiday weekends, it’s time that you take another look at Texas DWI policy, including the provisions for “no refusal” periods. Some areas have lengthy “no refusal” periods in March, not because St. Patrick’s Day celebrations last for weeks, but because other events like Spring Break and the South by Southwest music festival bring people from all kinds of places to Texas to have a good time. It is true that many “no refusal” periods cover holiday weekends like the Super Bowl and the Fourth of July, but there are some longer periods as well, such as the current one that lasts for a significant part of the month of March, that motorists should know about.

While the length of specific “no refusal” periods varies from place to place, the timing of patrols is often predictable. In many locations, patrols operate between the hours of nine in the evening and five in the morning. If a driver gets pulled over and asked to submit to roadside blood or breath testing at any time during a “no refusal” period, the officer who pulled them over may apply for a blood search warrant if they do not voluntarily participate in roadside testing.

Law enforcement officials say that they would rather see people plan ahead and arrange for safe transportation than arrest many drivers whom they suspect of driving while intoxicated. There are often multiple options for safe transportation available, including some transportation options that may be available specifically for attendees of individual events, like Spring Break or music festival shuttle services. Ride sharing services are also popular right now, and there may be many options to choose from in your local area. Whenever you and your friends make plans to go to an event, why not spend a little extra time making sure that you know how you will get around before, during, and after the event. Taking the time to arrange safe transportation for yourself and your friends can go a long way towards avoiding DWI charges and, even more importantly, reduce the risk of harm to yourself and others.

Whether you are visiting Texas or you are an experienced Texas driver who does not know the penalties for a Texas DWI, please know that a first offense DWI can carry a fine of up to two thousand dollars. It can also get you a sentence of three to one hundred and eighty days in jail in addition to license suspension. If you get convicted of a second DWI offense, you could be fined up to two thousand dollars and spend between one month and one year in jail in addition to license suspension. The penalties continue to increase for each subsequent offense, and of aggravating factors like a crash or a child passenger are present, additional penalties may be imposed.

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra – Helping Drivers Who Have Been Charged With DWI

If you are currently facing DWI charges in Texas, you may have a few questions on your mind. Call experienced Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra, at (903) 753-7499, or fill out our online contact form to learn more about how we might be able to help you.

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Pets and Your Divorce

March 16, 2017/in Texas Divorce Cases/by LS_admin

Most couples and families regard their pets as members of the family. We take them with us on adventures, we curl up with them on the couch, we play with them, and we love them in so many ways. In return, they love us faithfully and bring so much joy into our lives. When a couple who has pets divorces, they will need to decide how they will handle the care and company of their pets.

A recent change to the divorce laws in Alaska requires courts to consider the “well-being of the animal” in divorce cases where custody of a pet is contested. The change went into effect this past January, and it makes Alaska the first state to require that courts address the needs of an animal when they make decisions about how they will assign ownership of that animal in a divorce case. The law permits courts to assign ownership of an animal to one party or the other or to order joint custody in situations where the well-being of the animal would be served best by that arrangement.

Most states, including Texas, treat animals as personal property. When a couple divorces, the issue of who will get to keep which animals gets addressed in the property settlement portion of the divorce proceedings. Even though animals are considered property under the law, divorcing couples who have pets are free to make agreements about how they want to handle issues associated with pet care and ownership.

If you have pets and you are divorcing, you might already be aware that your pets will experience your divorce on both a physical level and an emotional level. You and your pet may both already be experiencing feelings associated with the change in the amount of time that you spend together if that has already changed for you. These feelings, along with the fact that pets who spend time with each of their “people” adjust more easily to their new lifestyle, are good reasons to do your best to work things out with your spouse as far as agreeing to a schedule for pet care and making an agreement about pet-related expenses. Any agreement that the two of you create on your own will serve your needs and the needs of your pets much better than a judge-designed court order can because the court will simply consider the pets as property and distribute them as part of your property agreement.

If you have pets and you are getting divorced, be sure to take the time to talk about your pets with your spouse. Pets can be treated more like family members and less like property when a divorcing couple makes an agreement regarding their care and custody instead of leaving the matter of their disposition to a judge. If you have questions about how to address the needs of your pets in your Texas divorce, please contact Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra at (903) 753-7499 to schedule a consultation. Alternatively, you may visit us online and submit a convenient online contact form.

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Pets and Your Divorce

March 16, 2017/in Texas Divorce Cases/by LS_admin

Most couples and families regard their pets as members of the family. We take them with us on adventures, we curl up with them on the couch, we play with them, and we love them in so many ways. In return, they love us faithfully and bring so much joy into our lives. When a couple who has pets divorces, they will need to decide how they will handle the care and company of their pets.

A recent change to the divorce laws in Alaska requires courts to consider the “well-being of the animal” in divorce cases where custody of a pet is contested. The change went into effect this past January, and it makes Alaska the first state to require that courts address the needs of an animal when they make decisions about how they will assign ownership of that animal in a divorce case. The law permits courts to assign ownership of an animal to one party or the other or to order joint custody in situations where the well-being of the animal would be served best by that arrangement.

Most states, including Texas, treat animals as personal property. When a couple divorces, the issue of who will get to keep which animals gets addressed in the property settlement portion of the divorce proceedings. Even though animals are considered property under the law, divorcing couples who have pets are free to make agreements about how they want to handle issues associated with pet care and ownership.

If you have pets and you are divorcing, you might already be aware that your pets will experience your divorce on both a physical level and an emotional level. You and your pet may both already be experiencing feelings associated with the change in the amount of time that you spend together if that has already changed for you. These feelings, along with the fact that pets who spend time with each of their “people” adjust more easily to their new lifestyle, are good reasons to do your best to work things out with your spouse as far as agreeing to a schedule for pet care and making an agreement about pet-related expenses. Any agreement that the two of you create on your own will serve your needs and the needs of your pets much better than a judge-designed court order can because the court will simply consider the pets as property and distribute them as part of your property agreement.

If you have pets and you are getting divorced, be sure to take the time to talk about your pets with your spouse. Pets can be treated more like family members and less like property when a divorcing couple makes an agreement regarding their care and custody instead of leaving the matter of their disposition to a judge. If you have questions about how to address the needs of your pets in your Texas divorce, please contact Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra at (903) 753-7499 to schedule a consultation. Alternatively, you may visit us online and submit a convenient online contact form.

Latest News

Texas Family Law Attorney Says Women in India are Asking for Greater Court Oversight of Divorces

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Says State Testing New DWI Blood Test Warrant System

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Says State Testing New DWI Blood Test Warrant System

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Says Hate Crime Sentencing Enhancements Depend on Intent

Texas DWI Defense Attorney Talks About No Refusal Periods

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Pets and Your Divorce

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Pets and Your Divorce

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