Medlin Law Firm - April 2019

‘THE SULTAN OF SWAT! THE KING OF CRASH! THE COLOSSUS OF CLOUT! THE GREAT BAMBINO!’

The Legend of Babe Ruth

Even legends have to start somewhere, and Ruth began his baseball career in the minor league Baltimore Orioles, where his teammates gave him the nickname “Babe.” He was soon acquired by the Boston Red Sox, and he helped them win the World Series in 1916 and 1918. The following year, he was traded to the Yankees. His popularity in the Big Apple allowed the Yankees to move from a shared ballpark to one of their own in the Bronx, which was aptly known as “The House That Ruth Built.” Even through the 1919 World Series gambling debacle, which cast doubt over the sport’s future, the fans’ attention was still centered on the Sultan of Swat and what he would do next. The New York Times reported that as “home runs began to scale off his bat in droves, crowds jammed ballparks in every city in which he appeared.” All those home runs resulted in his record-breaking year in 1927, when he hit 60 over-the-fence home runs in a single season. While his home run record was eventually broken in 1961, the continued celebration of Babe Ruth Day keeps his love for the game and unmatched ability alive. To quote the classic baseball film “The Sandlot,” “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” In the Great Bambino’s case, the legend of his baseball career has survived for over a century and will continue to do so for decades to come.

On April 27, 1947, the New York Yankees hosted the first Babe Ruth Day to honor the ailing baseball star, who had terminal throat cancer. As he rose to give a speech for the 58,339 fans in the stadium, Ruth’s condition caused him to have a coughing fit. With the thunderous cheers from the stands encouraging him to continue, he lovingly spoke to the thousands of people who had followed his career from his early years as a free- spirited Baltimore school kid to the world-renowned baseball legend he became.

THE WEIGHT OF PAST MISTAKES

How Old Arrests Impact a Case

If you’re charged with a crime and have a prior arrest or conviction on record, you need to think carefully about your next move. Having a criminal record, even if it was only an arrest, can have significant ramifications for your case. Before deciding whether you want to take such a case to trail, you should speak with an experienced defense attorney. Am I More Likely to Be Found Guilty? Thankfully, no. You can only be tried for the crime of which you are accused. References to your record are inadmissible as evidence; part of your right to a fair trial means not being prejudged by your past. What Happens If I’m Convicted? While juries won’t consider your criminal record when issuing a verdict, a judge or jury can certainly factor it into your sentencing, which can have a severe impact. This is especially true if the two events have a lot in common, like repeated DWI offenses. The prosecution may argue that your current and past arrests speak to a larger pattern of behavior, requiring a stronger sentence. Any experienced defense lawyer will weigh the risk of

this harsher punishment before deciding whether or not to take your case to trial. If you do decide to fight the charges against you with an existing record, you’ll want a seasoned attorney by your side. How Do I Prevent This Situation? The increased consequences of having an existing record underscore the value of expunging past convictions. If you aren’t currently facing any criminal charges but have an existing record, you may be able to take action. For example, if you were charged with certain alcohol- related offenses as a minor, had a conviction overturned in an appeals court, or successfully completed a diversion program in lieu of sentencing, your record may be eligible for expungement. Regardless of whether you are charged with a crime in the future, taking steps to clear your record can open opportunities for jobs and education. An experienced team of Texas criminal defense lawyers, like the Medlin Law Firm, can help you get a fresh start in life.

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