News - Alex Tyra Law Office

Texas Family Law Attorney Shares Tips for Working with Your Divorce Attorney

May 31, 2015/in Texas Divorce Cases/by LS_admin

If you are getting divorced in Texas, enlisting the aid of a Texas divorce attorney is the best way to ensure that you come away from your marriage with as many of the things that are most important to you as possible. Divorce is a legal process, and there are rules that must be followed. There is also a lot of room for couples to choose how they will settle their divorce cases, within the framework that is provided by those rules. Your divorce attorney is an expert guide who knows the divorce process inside and out, and who is there to help you make decisions throughout the course of your divorce that are likely to bring you to a favorable resolution of your case. The following tips can help you to make the most out of your relationship with your Texas divorce attorney.

When you decide to get divorced, you may develop ideas about what you expect to get out of it. These ideas may be things that you simply feel as though you are entitles to, or they may be based upon information that you know about what friends, family members, or others have gotten in their divorce cases. Each divorce case is unique, so each couple’s divorce has a different result, one that is based upon their unique circumstances. Your attorney can provide you with valuable guidance about what you might realistically be able to obtain during your divorce, as far as assets, parenting time, and the like.

As is the case with any type of legal matter, divorce clients often have a lot of questions. Your divorce is an important part of your life, and your attorney understands that. If you have a question, ask your attorney, because not only will you get the information that you need, your questions may actually help your attorney to provide you with the best representation that they possibly can.

When you work with a Texas divorce attorney, it may seem like your attorney asks you to provide them with a lot of information. You may not want to give them all of that information, either out of a concern for your privacy or because you think that they do not need all of it. However, you must provide your attorney with any and all information that they ask you to provide. If you have concerns, ask them why they need specific information, and they will explain it to you.

A Texas divorce attorney can help you to obtain a settlement or court decision in your divorce case that will provide you with many of the things that are important to you. Texas Divorce Attorney Alex Tyra can help you to understand the divorce process, as well as the options that are available to you for resolving your divorce case. If you have questions or concerns regarding your Texas divorce, please call our office today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Says Be Careful if you Travel on Memorial Day Weekend

May 15, 2015/in Texas DUI, Texas DWI Defense/by LS_admin

If you plan to travel out of state to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, it is important that you know that in many states, law enforcement officers will have DUI checkpoints set up along major roadways. Texas does not currently use DUI checkpoints to enforce drunk driving laws, but they are common in other states, and holiday weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day are time when drivers should expect to encounter them.

In states where DUI checkpoints are used, they may be present at any time of day or night. That said, most checkpoints are set up late at night or early in the morning, as that is when there are likely to be the greatest number of intoxicated drivers on the road. If you do encounter a DUI checkpoint while you are traveling, the following tips may help your experience go more smoothly.

Drivers who are prepared for an encounter with law enforcement at a DUI checkpoint are more likely to be let through quickly, instead of being detained for investigation. Your attitude will, in large part, shape your experience at the checkpoint. Try your best to be polite and cooperative without providing too much information, because any information that you provide could be used against you in the future. Do give the officer basic information, like your license, car insurance, and vehicle registration if you are asked to provide them.

Whatever you do, remember that you do not have to answer every question that is asked of you. Many well-meaning and legally sober drivers are accused of driving under the influence of alcohol after answering questions about where they have been and what they have been doing, or by participating in field sobriety tests. In most places, you cannot be penalized for refusing to perform a field sobriety test. Many tests are set up for the driver to fail, even if they are sober. Nerves, footwear, and agility can cause sober drivers to fail field sobriety tests, and their effectiveness has come into question many, many times.

Sometimes, despite a driver’s best efforts to cooperate with law enforcement officer, an arrest may occur. If you are arrested at a DUI checkpoint, it is essential that you immediately exercise your right to remain silent, after respectfully asking the arresting officer to permit you to speak with your attorney. Your attorney can further advise you regarding whether you should participate in blood or breath testing, because the rules for those tests and the consequences of refusal vary from state to state.

If you have been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, it is important that you have someone by your side who can protect your rights. Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra works hard to protect the rights of DUI defendants, and it is possible that he can help you, too. Please call our office today, at (903) 753-7499, or contact us online via our website.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses the Consequences of Fleeing from Law Enforcement

May 1, 2015/in Criminal Defense/by LS_admin

When a police officer attempts to stop a driver who has a suspended license, or who is concerned that they may be arrested for DUI, they may be in for a surprise. Drivers who fall into these two categories, as well as drivers who are in other precarious situations, sometimes fail to stop for a police officer who is attempting to stop them. As you might imagine, refusing to stop for a police officer has consequences of its own, in addition to any consequences that are likely to be imposed due to drug possession or use, suspended license, alcohol use, or other unlawful activity.

In Texas, there are two separate offenses that cover situations in which an individual attempts to get away from a law enforcement officer who is pursuing them. The first of these offenses is evading arrest or detention, and the second is fleeing or attempting to elude the police. The crime of evading arrest or detention occurs when six specific criteria are met. These criteria are that the person who is accused of attempting to evade is indeed the person who did evade the police, they actually evaded law enforcement for a period of time, they did it intentionally, they did it with the knowledge that an officer was pursuing them, the officer was attempting to detain or arrest them, and the arrest or detention, had it occurred, would have been legal. Evading arrest or detention is a class A misdemeanor if the individual escaped on foot, but it is a Texas jail felony if they used a vehicle. The crime of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer occurs when someone who is driving a motor vehicle refuses to stop when a marked law enforcement vehicle signals, either visibly, audibly, or both, for them to do so.

Defendants who are charged with either of the aforementioned offenses need to know that there are defenses which can be brought against the charges. Drivers do sometimes make mistakes when they are driving, and this includes not stopping for a vehicle that appears to be pursuing them. The signal that is given by the officer and/or their vehicle may be unclear, or you may have been looking for a safe and visible place to pull over. The circumstances under which you were arrested for these offenses play a large role in determining which defenses you may be able to bring against the charges.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys know the laws regarding evading arrest or detention and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer inside and out. If you have been accused of one of these offenses, Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra may be able to help you reduce or eliminate the negative consequences associated with your arrest. If you have questions about a criminal law matter, please call our office today, at (903) 753-7499. You may also visit our website and contact us via our online contact form.

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Discusses Enhanced Penalties for Certain DUI Situations

April 18, 2015/in Texas DUI/by LS_admin

If you are facing DUI charges, you may feel that the penalties that you will experience if you are convicted are harsh. While the penalties for a DUI conviction are harsh, there are a few situations in which a driver who is convicted of driving while intoxicated could receive penalties that are even greater than those that they would receive for a regular DUI conviction.

Driving with an open container of alcohol is one situation which could increase the penalty that you could receive. If a driver is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol with an open container of alcohol, they could receive the standard DUI penalty in addition to a minimum of six days in jail and a fine of up to two thousand dollars.

A DUI conviction can also have effects on future criminal charges. For example, if you have a prior DUI conviction and you are charged with drag racing, your drag racing charge will be classified as a Class A Misdemeanor instead of the usual Class B misdemeanor. Drag racing is also classified as a Class A Misdemeanor if the driver has an open container of alcohol in their vehicle at the time of the offense.

Another situation in which a driver is likely to receive a penalty greater than they would for a standard DUI offense is if they are arrested in Texas for driving while intoxicated and there is a child passenger in the vehicle with them. Texas law considers any person under the age of fifteen to be a child passenger. If you are charged with driving while intoxicated with a child passenger in your vehicle, know that this particular offense is considered a state jail felony, which means that you could be sentenced for up to two years in state jail and fined up to ten thousand dollars.

Automobile accidents can also increase the penalties associated with a DUI arrest. For example, if you are arrested for driving while intoxicated in connection with an accident where someone was seriously hurt and it is determined that your intoxication was the proximate cause of the victim’s injuries, you could be charged with intoxication assault, which is a third degree felony that is punishable by a sentence of two to ten years in jail and a fine of up to ten thousand dollars. If someone dies in an accident or because of other injuries that were caused by your intoxication, you could be charged with intoxication manslaughter. A person who is convicted of of intoxication manslaughter could face two to twenty years in jail and up to ten thousand dollars in fines.

Whether you have been charged with a standard DUI or a related offense which carries an enhanced penalty, it is important that you contact a Texas DUI Defense Attorney. Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra is here to help you, so please call our office at (903) 753-7499, or contact us online via our website.

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Discusses Enhanced Penalties for Certain DUI Situations

April 18, 2015/in Texas DUI/by LS_admin

If you are facing DUI charges, you may feel that the penalties that you will experience if you are convicted are harsh. While the penalties for a DUI conviction are harsh, there are a few situations in which a driver who is convicted of driving while intoxicated could receive penalties that are even greater than those that they would receive for a regular DUI conviction.

Driving with an open container of alcohol is one situation which could increase the penalty that you could receive. If a driver is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol with an open container of alcohol, they could receive the standard DUI penalty in addition to a minimum of six days in jail and a fine of up to two thousand dollars.

A DUI conviction can also have effects on future criminal charges. For example, if you have a prior DUI conviction and you are charged with drag racing, your drag racing charge will be classified as a Class A Misdemeanor instead of the usual Class B misdemeanor. Drag racing is also classified as a Class A Misdemeanor if the driver has an open container of alcohol in their vehicle at the time of the offense.

Another situation in which a driver is likely to receive a penalty greater than they would for a standard DUI offense is if they are arrested in Texas for driving while intoxicated and there is a child passenger in the vehicle with them. Texas law considers any person under the age of fifteen to be a child passenger. If you are charged with driving while intoxicated with a child passenger in your vehicle, know that this particular offense is considered a state jail felony, which means that you could be sentenced for up to two years in state jail and fined up to ten thousand dollars.

Automobile accidents can also increase the penalties associated with a DUI arrest. For example, if you are arrested for driving while intoxicated in connection with an accident where someone was seriously hurt and it is determined that your intoxication was the proximate cause of the victim’s injuries, you could be charged with intoxication assault, which is a third degree felony that is punishable by a sentence of two to ten years in jail and a fine of up to ten thousand dollars. If someone dies in an accident or because of other injuries that were caused by your intoxication, you could be charged with intoxication manslaughter. A person who is convicted of of intoxication manslaughter could face two to twenty years in jail and up to ten thousand dollars in fines.

Whether you have been charged with a standard DUI or a related offense which carries an enhanced penalty, it is important that you contact a Texas DUI Defense Attorney. Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra is here to help you, so please call our office at (903) 753-7499, or contact us online via our website.

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Financial Concerns Associated with Divorce

April 11, 2015/in Texas Divorce Cases/by LS_admin

Financial considerations are an important part of every divorce case. It can be difficult to predict all of the ways in which your divorce will affect your finances, but it is important to try and anticipate at least some of them. Learning about the types of financial situations that can arise during divorce can help divorcing people prepare themselves for issues that may be relevant to their situation so that they can think about how they want to handle them in their divorce case.

One way in which divorce and finance are connected is that each person who gets divorced must choose whether they will retain an attorney to help them with their case or whether they will represent themselves in their divorce proceedings. If finances are tight, you may be wondering how you could ever justify spending money on attorneys’ fees. Retaining an attorney is more like making an investment than spending money, because representing yourself in your divorce could actually cost you more than you would pay in attorneys’ fees. For example, attorneys are often able to help couples settle their divorce cases instead of having a trial, which results in a lower total cost. An attorney can also advise you of the possible financial consequences of the decisions you will make during your divorce, so that you can make informed choices about how to proceed.

The cost of hiring a divorce attorney varies, so it is important that you obtain detailed estimates from the attorneys that you consult with as you look for someone who is a good fit for you. The estimate should include the fees that your attorney is likely to charge for each service associated with your divorce case, in addition to other costs that they anticipate will be a part of your divorce, such as fees for accountants and appraisers in cases with high-value assets.

In addition to retaining an attorney, you may want to consider working with a financial planner. A financial planner can give you in-depth advice regarding decisions that you may have to make during your divorce case, such as the likely short and long term consequences of accepting any particular settlement offer or pursuing any particular asset, such as the marital home. As is the case with retaining an attorney, money spent on obtaining the services of a financial planner is a sound investment because it is likely to decrease the total amount that your divorce will cost you.

Financial considerations are an important part of any Texas divorce. If you are considering divorce, Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra can help you to understand the financial decisions that are part of your divorce case, and he can help you pursue a resolution of your divorce case that reflects the things that are most important to you. To learn more about the types of financial issues that are associated with divorce, please call us today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses Immigration-Related Consequences of Criminal Convictions

April 1, 2015/in Criminal Defense/by LS_admin

The laws of the United States and the laws of each individual state apply to everyone, whether or not they are a United States citizen. However, some people face more serious consequences than others would if they are convicted of the same crime. If you are a United States citizen and you commit a crime, you may receive any or all of the penalties that state or federal law sets forth as punishments for the crime that you have committed. If you are an immigrant, you may receive the same penalties that a citizen would, as well as other penalties that could put your ability to remain in the United States at risk.

If you are an immigrant and you have been charged with a crime, there is a lot at stake. You are facing harsh penalties, as well as immigration-related penalties that could drastically affect your ability to remain in the United States with your family and friends and pursue the dreams and goals that you have been working towards during your time in the United States. Since there is so much at stake, it is absolutely essential that you retain an experienced Texas Criminal Defense Attorney. In addition to pursuing the best possible outcome in your criminal matter, your Texas Criminal Defense Attorney may be able to help you obtain relief from the immigration-related consequences associated with the crimes that you have been charged with.

In criminal cases, defendants are often presented with options for resolving their criminal matters which could provide a better outcome for them than a criminal trial would. It can be difficult for any defendant to understand these options, but Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys help defendants decide whether any of the options would work well for them by explaining them in the context of what the overall impact of choosing a proposed course of action is likely to be. If you are an immigrant, your attorney can help you understand the options that are available to you by explaining the way that choosing a particular course of action will affect each area of your life, including your immigration status. When you have a clear picture of the possible ways that you could choose to resolve your criminal matter and how each option is likely to work out for you, it is much easier to make a decision that will bring you the best overall result.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys know that immigrant defendants have a lot at stake. If you are an immigrant who has been charged with a crime, Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra may be able to help you. It is possible that the penalties that you are facing right now, including any consequences that are related to immigration, could be avoided or reduced. If you have questions about a criminal law matter, please call our office today, at (903) 753-7499. You may also visit our website and contact us via our online contact form.

Latest News

Texas Family Law Attorney Shares Tips for Working with Your Divorce Attorney

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Says Be Careful if you Travel on Memorial Day Weekend

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses the Consequences of Fleeing from Law Enforcement

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Discusses Enhanced Penalties for Certain DUI Situations

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Discusses Enhanced Penalties for Certain DUI Situations

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Financial Concerns Associated with Divorce

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses Immigration-Related Consequences of Criminal Convictions

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