News - Alex Tyra Law Office

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Discusses Possible Relief for Job Seekers with a DUI or Other Offense on Their Records

January 1, 2015/in Criminal Defense/by LS_admin

When you have a DUI on your record, you may be facing an uphill battle when it comes to pursuing a career or even just finding a job that will help you put food on the table and a roof over your head. Fortunately, one lawmaker from Dallas, Representative Eric Johnson, is trying to make obtaining certain jobs and professional licenses a little less difficult for individuals who have convictions for DUI or other offenses on their records.

Johnson has proposed legislation that would not completely remove inquiries about an individual’s criminal background from the state’s hiring processes, but would have that inquiry take place later on in the hiring process instead of on the initial job application. Johnson and others who support the proposed legislation feel that leaving the issue of an individual’s criminal background alone until later on in the hiring process enables prospective employers to place whatever answers job applicants provide to those inquiries in context with the other things that they have come to know about the applicant through the beginning stages of the hiring process. This would give job applicants with criminal backgrounds a better chance at obtaining employment, especially in situations where the offenses took place some time ago or are unrelated to the type of employment that they are pursuing.

State boards are responsible for granting many different kinds of professional licenses. Unfortunately, people with DUIs or other offenses that are not related to the licenses that they are seeking are often denied those licenses after they apply for them. Johnson feels that in situations where a state board denies an applicant a license, they must clearly disclose their reasons for refusing the license and also allow the applicant to make a case for themselves by testifying on their own behalf.

While the proposed legislation would only affect state jobs and the granting of professional licenses by state boards, people with a criminal history can take some comfort in the fact that many private-sector employers are removing questions regarding criminal history from their job applications, saving such inquiries for later on in the hiring process where they can consider that information in context with their impression of the person from their interview as well as their other credentials. The list of employers who are “banning the box” on their applications continues to grow, opening more and more doors to those with convictions on their records.

A DUI conviction can make it harder for you to get a job, among other things. If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, you deserve the very best defense against those charges and the negative impacts that a conviction could have on your future. To learn how Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra can help you, call our office today, at (903) 753-7499. You may also reach us by submitting a convenient contact form on our website.

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Talks About the Role of Gender in DUI Cases

November 30, 2014/in Texas DUI/by LS_admin

At the present time, women make up approximately one quarter of all DUI arrests. While this means that significantly fewer women are being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol than men, it also means that the number of women who are being arrested for DUI in recent years is much higher than it was twenty years ago. Specifically, during the 1980s, only about nine percent of all DUI defendants were women.

The increase in the proportion of women who are being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol is not often publicized, as well as the idea that women’s drunk driving cases may actually be different than those of their male counterparts. Nonetheless, there are differences between men and women’s DUI cases, and these differences may have a significant impact on the outcomes of the cases of female DUI defendants who acknowledge them.

Scientific evidence is important in DUI cases. The manner in which alcohol affects a person’s body is dictated, at least in part, by their metabolism. Men and women metabolize things differently, so a man and a woman with the same body weight could drink the same amount of alcohol and end up with different blood alcohol levels. The woman’s blood alcohol level would be higher than the man’s after drinking the exact same amount of alcohol over the same period of time because she metabolizes alcohol more slowly than he does. Also, women experience fluctuations in hormone levels throughout the course of their menstrual cycles. These changes affect metabolism, and, can therefore affect blood alcohol levels. The differences in how men and women metabolize alcohol are important because breath testing devices are calibrated to produce an accurate reading for the average male driver. This difference in calibration can cause breath testing devices to produce readings that are not only inaccurate for female drivers, but which overestimate the amount of alcohol in their bodies.

The differences between men and women carry over into other areas of DUI arrests, too. Field sobriety tests are designed to measure the physical performance of men. Women who engage in these tests are more likely than men to perform them poorly, even when they are sober. The experience of a traffic stop is stressful, and under that stress, many women act on the mistaken belief that compliance will prove their innocence or reduce the consequences. They may comply with every request that is made of them and answer every question that the officer asks without realizing that they have a right to answer very few questions and even to refuse the field sobriety tests without a penalty. In other words, a woman’s willingness to answer every question and comply with every request does not decrease her chance of being arrested. It actually increases the chance that she will be arrested because she has given the police more information that they could use to support their arrest.

Men and women deserve equal treatment under the law. Unfortunately, there are differences between men and women which make getting equal treatment difficult in DUI cases. To learn more, contact Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra today. Schedule your consultation now, by calling (903) 753-7499, or use the convenient contact form on our website.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses Weapons Offenses

November 15, 2014/in Criminal Defense/by LS_admin

If you own a weapon (or several weapons, for that matter), you may find yourself in a position where you are charged with one or more state or federal weapons offenses. Weapons offenses often carry severe punishments, like steep fines and lengthy periods of incarceration. Also, a conviction can have effects on other areas of your life, including the ability to get a job, secure housing, and your right to possess firearms. Fortunately, an experienced Texas Criminal Defense Attorney could help you to get the weapons charges against you dismissed or, in the event that a dismissal is not possible, could help you to reduce or eliminate the consequences associated with your weapons charges.

The circumstances of each weapons case are unique, but your knowledgeable Texas Criminal Defense Attorney knows how to assess each case and determine which types of defenses are likely to be the most successful under each different set of circumstances. For example, a search and seizure defense may be available to you if the facts of your case suggest a lack of probable cause. Possession defenses are also available in some cases where law enforcement is unable to provide evidence that a particular weapon was in your care. In weapons cases, there are often multiple possibilities for defenses that are based upon things that the government either did incorrectly or did not do. This is just one of the reasons that no defendant who has been charged with a state or Federal weapons offense should ever try to defend themselves against the charges without the aid of a seasoned Texas Criminal Defense Attorney.

Weapons offenses are an interesting category of crimes because both state and Federal laws apply. Your Texas Criminal Defense Attorney understands both state and federal laws, as well as the rights which are guaranteed to all United States citizens under the Second Amendment.

Whether your weapons charges are state or federal, and whether they are related to felony possession of a firearm, violation of concealed handgun laws, possession of a stolen or unregistered weapon, or some other form of weapon-related offense, retaining a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney early on in your case can greatly improve your chances of mounting a successful defense against the charges. Since weapons violations are often connected with other criminal charges like drug charges and motor vehicle violations, it is essential that you select an attorney who is skilled at defending against any other state and federal charges that you may be facing as well.

If you have accused of or charged with one or more weapons offenses, be sure to seek assistance from a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney right away. The penalties for state and Federal weapons offenses are harsh, and your rights are at stake. To learn more about how attorney Alex Tyra can help you to preserve your rights and your freedom, call (903) 753-7499 to set up a free, initial consultation. You may also contact us through our website via the online contact form.

Texas Family Law Attorney Shares Tips for Co-Parenting Success

November 2, 2014/in Texas Divorce Cases/by LS_admin

Divorcing couples have the freedom to choose how they will care for their children as they part ways and move from one household into two. Many couples are foregoing sole custody by one parent and visitation by the other in favor of co-parenting, which divides parenting time more or less right down the middle. Parents who have chosen to co-parent their children acknowledge that it isn’t without its challenges, but that it is so very worth it. If you decide to co-parent, the following things can be useful as you begin your co-parenting journey.

At the heart of every successful co-parenting relationship is a carefully planned parenting schedule. Work, school, and extracurricular activity schedules play a large role in what a parenting schedule looks like, but there is more to it than that. Including daily routines that provide structure and continuity for the children can help them to maintain a sense of security and predictability. Reviewing a parenting schedule carefully before agreeing to it is an absolute necessity, and keeping the temperaments of everyone in the family in mind as you review a proposed parenting agreement can help you to spot areas which could prove troublesome later on if they are not reworked prior to implementing the schedule.

Parents who share parenting responsibilities successfully work to keep the lines of communication open between them. Effective communication is a skill which can be learned and improved upon over time, but it is also one of those things where the very fact that you are making an effort often brings noticeable results. One way to set the stage for productive communication with your children’s other parent is to set up ground rules for communication ahead of time and then abide by them.

Another key ingredient for a successful co-parenting experience is avoiding the temptation to say negative things about the other parent. The damage that such negative messages can cause has been well documented. Children tend to perceive criticisms that they hear about people that they love as negative messages about themselves. While it may be difficult to avoid negative thoughts about your child’s other parent, there are ways to address those thoughts without letting them out where the kids could hear them.

Parents who choose co-parenting are often highly invested in helping their children adjust to the new look and feel of family life. When these parents invite children to share their feelings with them and the listen closely as their children talk about how they feel, children feel heard, understood, and able to count on their parents to be sensitive to their feelings.

Co-parenting is one way in which Texas couples can choose to divide up parenting time and responsibilities. Your Texas Family Law Attorney will help you to work with the other parent and his or her attorney to develop a parenting plan that works for everyone. To learn more about co-parenting or other topics related to divorce, call Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499 or fill out a contact form on our website.

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Explains Why Every DUI Defendant Needs an Attorney

October 30, 2014/in Texas DUI/by LS_admin

Now that you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, you may be wondering whether you should seek the assistance of a Texas DUI Defense Attorney. Every DUI charge can have serious consequences, and a Texas DUI Defense Attorney can give you the best chance at a positive outcome under the unique circumstances of your case. If you are on the fence about contacting a Texas DUI Defense Attorney, consider the following ways in which your Texas DUI Defense Attorney can assist you during your DUI case.

Being charged with a DUI involves more paperwork than you might expect. If you are unrepresented by counsel, you are on your own as far as understanding the paperwork, completing it, and filing it with the court in accordance with the applicable deadlines. Errors in understanding the paperwork or in filling it out and returning it in a timely manner could harm your case.

A DUI case passes through a series of stages from beginning to end. Participating in a DUI case as a defendant can be confusing and frustrating if you do not know what to expect at each stage of the process. Fortunately, when you work with a Texas DUI Defense Attorney, your attorney can help you to understand the sequence of events that is likely to occur in your case, so that you can be prepared for the experience.

The crime of driving under the influence of alcohol involves multiple elements, each of which must be proven before you can be convicted. Your Texas DUI Defense Attorney knows the elements of DUI inside and out, and they can identify areas in which the state may not be able to meet its burden of proof in their case against you. An experienced DUI attorney has more than likely represented many clients in situations that are similar to yours, and that experience helps them to build a solid case on your behalf.

As a DUI defendant, you may have options available to you which could possibly help you to avoid conviction, and the devastating consequences that come along with it. Your attorney can explain things like diversion, plea bargaining, or dismissal if they are available in your case. Your attorney can also help you to decide whether any of the options that are available to you are a good choice for you, given your priorities and the possible consequences of each potential course of action.

A DUI conviction could have a devastating impact on many different areas of your life. With so many things at stake, it is absolutely essential that you give yourself the best shot at successfully reducing or eliminating the impact of your DUI charges on your life. To learn more, contact Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra today at (903) 753-7499 today to arrange an initial consultation. If you prefer to contact our office online, please visit our website and fill out the online contact form.

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Explains Why Every DUI Defendant Needs an Attorney

October 30, 2014/in Texas DUI/by LS_admin

Now that you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, you may be wondering whether you should seek the assistance of a Texas DUI Defense Attorney. Every DUI charge can have serious consequences, and a Texas DUI Defense Attorney can give you the best chance at a positive outcome under the unique circumstances of your case. If you are on the fence about contacting a Texas DUI Defense Attorney, consider the following ways in which your Texas DUI Defense Attorney can assist you during your DUI case.

Being charged with a DUI involves more paperwork than you might expect. If you are unrepresented by counsel, you are on your own as far as understanding the paperwork, completing it, and filing it with the court in accordance with the applicable deadlines. Errors in understanding the paperwork or in filling it out and returning it in a timely manner could harm your case.

A DUI case passes through a series of stages from beginning to end. Participating in a DUI case as a defendant can be confusing and frustrating if you do not know what to expect at each stage of the process. Fortunately, when you work with a Texas DUI Defense Attorney, your attorney can help you to understand the sequence of events that is likely to occur in your case, so that you can be prepared for the experience.

The crime of driving under the influence of alcohol involves multiple elements, each of which must be proven before you can be convicted. Your Texas DUI Defense Attorney knows the elements of DUI inside and out, and they can identify areas in which the state may not be able to meet its burden of proof in their case against you. An experienced DUI attorney has more than likely represented many clients in situations that are similar to yours, and that experience helps them to build a solid case on your behalf.

As a DUI defendant, you may have options available to you which could possibly help you to avoid conviction, and the devastating consequences that come along with it. Your attorney can explain things like diversion, plea bargaining, or dismissal if they are available in your case. Your attorney can also help you to decide whether any of the options that are available to you are a good choice for you, given your priorities and the possible consequences of each potential course of action.

A DUI conviction could have a devastating impact on many different areas of your life. With so many things at stake, it is absolutely essential that you give yourself the best shot at successfully reducing or eliminating the impact of your DUI charges on your life. To learn more, contact Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra today at (903) 753-7499 today to arrange an initial consultation. If you prefer to contact our office online, please visit our website and fill out the online contact form.

Texas Family Law Attorney Discusses the Art of Dividing an Art Collection

October 16, 2014/in Texas Divorce Cases/by LS_admin

The collection of assets in a couple’s marital estate is as unique as the people who own them. When spouses decide to part ways, some collections of items may easily be dealt with as part of the couple’s property distribution because the items are much more important to one spouse than to the other. For example, you may want nothing to do with your spouse’s collection of antique tools, and your spouse may have no interest in your collection of Hummel figurines. In these situations, where spouses agree as to which of them should keep a particular item or group of items, an accurate assessment of the value of each item is often all that is needed for the items to be accounted for as part of the couple’s proposed property distribution.

Sometimes, items or collections of items are more difficult to divide. Couples who own art together often disagree about who should get to keep each piece. People buy art because it is beautiful or meaningful to them, and when two people choose a piece together to display in their home, it is often because both of them agree on its beauty or significance. Also, some pieces of art are very valuable, which can make them difficult to fit into the overall property distribution scheme because the end result must be “just and right”, which often means that each spouse receives roughly the same dollar amount worth of property.

Texas is a community property state, so both spouses have an ownership interest in the property and income that either of them acquired during the marriage. Some items, such as items that were owned by a spouse prior to the marriage or which were acquired by a spouse as a gift or inheritance may be considered that spouse’s separate property. Unless an item is specifically excluded from the couple’s collection of marital property because it can be classified as one spouse’s separate property, it will be disposed of through the property division process.

Divorcing couples who own art should take care to ensure that its disposition is handled properly. This includes working with a Texas Family Law Attorney who is skilled in handling property division issues. Another essential action step in dealing with the disposition of your art collection is making an inventory of the entire art collection, including information about when and how each piece was acquired and, of course, photographs and current appraisals for each piece.

Each divorcing couple has unique concerns in the area of property distribution. An experienced Texas Family Law Attorney can help you work through all of your property division concerns, whether your collection of marital property includes art, real estate, investment, retirement accounts, or other types of assets. To learn more about property division or other aspects of your Texas divorce, call attorney Alex Tyra today at (903) 753-7499. Alternatively, you may schedule a consultation by filling out a contact form on our website.

Latest News

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Discusses Possible Relief for Job Seekers with a DUI or Other Offense on Their Records

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Talks About the Role of Gender in DUI Cases

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses Weapons Offenses

Texas Family Law Attorney Shares Tips for Co-Parenting Success

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Explains Why Every DUI Defendant Needs an Attorney

Texas DUI Defense Attorney Explains Why Every DUI Defendant Needs an Attorney

Texas Family Law Attorney Discusses the Art of Dividing an Art Collection

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