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THE TEXAS DEFENDER TexasCriminalDefenseGroup.com | (888) 818-7130 DECEMBER 2025
From Medicine Cabinet to the Courtroom The DWI You Didn’t See Coming
concentration, or impact your ability to drive in any way, you should not drive on your medication. Every time you do, you open yourself up to potentially life-changing charges. The penalties for a DWI charge related to drugs are often very similar to those of alcohol. You’ll face fines and court fees up to $10,000, may receive 90 days in jail, could lose your license for up to two years, be put on probation, and potentially face challenges related to employment. Depending on the circumstances and how many times you’ve offended, the fines could be higher, and the jail time could be longer. Many of the defenses applicable to alcohol-related DWI charges can be used to fight against drug-related driving offenses. In many cases, you may have even more defenses available to you since the prosecution has to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is much harder with drug-related DWI charges. There are no Breathalyzer tests for illegal or prescription drugs, at least not yet. While chemical tests can prove the presence of drugs, it’s nearly impossible to tell how impaired the individual actually was at the time of arrest. Some drugs stay in your system for weeks or even months. This can lead to more intense investigations and a reliance on witness testimony in court to secure a conviction. The last thing you want is to get convicted for DWI, regardless of the source of intoxication. The best bet to protect your future is to hire an experienced and
When many people think about driving while intoxicated, their minds immediately jump to drinking and driving. They may have seen public service announcements that explained the danger involved, or witnessed a friend or family member receive charges after having too much to drink and getting behind the wheel. However, not all DWI charges are related to alcohol consumption. Law enforcement may charge you with DWI if they believe you are on drugs while driving. At first thought, you may believe this is simply an obvious aspect of the law. If someone becomes intoxicated through drugs like marijuana, cocaine, or some other illegal drug, their ability to drive could be just as impaired as someone whose blood alcohol content is over the limit, if not worse. Yet, it’s not just illegal drugs that can lead to DWI charges. Taking legally prescribed medication and getting behind the wheel can potentially get you in trouble. Many prescription medications come with prominent side effects. If you take any right now, look at the side of your pill bottle. Many medications have labels stating that some users may become drowsy and should exercise caution when operating a vehicle or using heavy machinery. Don’t take this warning lightly. It doesn’t matter if you have a prescription; if the side effects make you drowsy, alter your
knowledgeable attorney who has helped countless individuals facing DWI charges. Give us a call if you have questions or need representation.
—Stephen Hamilton
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Traditions That Won’t Cost a Fortune Festive Fun Made Easy The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. Suddenly, the calendar is full, stores are packed, and wallets feel too a movie night complete with blankets, popcorn, and your family’s favorite holiday classics. it’s too chilly to stay outside, warm up with hot cocoa by the fire.
Share the Holiday Spirit The season feels even brighter when you spread joy beyond your own home. Go caroling in your neighborhood or at a local nursing home, attend a school holiday concert, or deliver handmade cards to friends and neighbors. These simple gestures leave lasting impressions and remind everyone what the holidays are truly about. Cozy Traditions That Last For a touch of nostalgia, start a new tradition like sleeping under the Christmas tree one night, creating a DIY advent calendar, or hosting a family game night with holiday music playing in the background. These small rituals are the ones kids and adults both look forward to each year.
light. But here’s the truth: The most memorable moments don’t come from expensive gifts or elaborate trips. We spark them from laughter, creativity, and time spent together. Whether you’re looking for cozy nights in or adventures out in the crisp winter air, here are fun, low- cost holiday activities for the whole family. Festive Fun at Home Let’s turn home into holiday central! You can wrap your front door like a giant present, or craft homemade ornaments from everyday supplies. Popcorn and cranberry garlands, paper chains with gratitude notes, and handmade snowflakes instantly transform your space into a festive wonderland. For extra coziness, plan
Creative Crafts and Tasty Treats You don’t need to buy pricey kits when you can create your own fun. Build a gingerbread house from scratch, or whip up batches of cookies and let everyone go wild with frosting and sprinkles. If you’re looking for something outdoorsy, make birdseed ornaments from pinecones and peanut butter, then watch the backyard come alive with feathered guests. Outdoor Adventures Bundle up and take a nighttime drive (or stroll) to admire the best light displays in your town. It’s a free way to soak up the magic of the season together. If you’re lucky enough to get snow, the options are endless: snowmen, forts, snow angels, or even a friendly snowball fight. And when
Underage Drivers and Child Passengers
2 DWI Scenarios You Can’t Ignore
Under-21 DWI Kids will be kids, and some make the poor decision to get behind the wheel after partying with their friends. If they get pulled over and law enforcement smells alcohol on their breath, they will likely be arrested and brought to the station for further tests. Texas has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drivers. Anyone under 21 caught driving while intoxicated will receive a driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor charge. The punishments vary depending on whether the individual is under 21 or under 17. You can expect a conviction to result in fines of up to $2,000, potential jail time, community service, participation in a mandatory substance abuse program, and license suspension for up to a year. Additional convictions will lead to more severe consequences.
DWI With a Child Passenger Perhaps you went out for drinks after work and received a frantic call from your spouse, stating that you need to pick up your child from their sports practice. If you get pulled over and charged after your child has entered the car, you can face life-changing consequences. You could be charged with a felony that carries fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to two years, community service of up to 1,000 hours, and license suspension for up to 180 days; it may even result in changes to your custody rights. DWI charges are always a serious matter, but they become even more dire when minors are involved in some aspect. Don’t leave anything to chance. Obtain expert legal representation to protect yourself and your future.
When people imagine DWI scenarios, they often picture people leaving the bar in the early hours of the morning and attempting to drive home while intoxicated. While events like this happen, it is just one of many scenarios that can lead to DWI charges. Sometimes, minors are involved, which can further complicate matters. Let’s look at two unique DWI scenarios where minors are involved and explore the potential consequences.
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WHEN COPS COME KNOCKING
“Texas Criminal Defense Group was outstanding from the very first call my wife and I made to them. They helped our family through a difficult time that never should’ve happened in the first place and saw to it that the case was dismissed. Thank you to Breona Pace and the entire team for all that you’ve done!” — Brandon P. HAPPY TCDG CLIENTS
Many Americans consider their homes to be their sanctuaries. It’s where they raise their families, host holiday get-togethers, and relax after a long day of work. We don’t often let people into our homes whom we haven’t invited, especially if we’ve never met them before, but what happens when law enforcement is at the door, demanding entry? Do you have to let them in? It all depends on whether they have a warrant or a good reason for entering your property. The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. The keyword is “unreasonable.” When law enforcement has a good reason, they can approach a judge to authorize a search warrant that allows them to search a specific location or person. Judges will only issue search warrants if there is probable cause, which means law enforcement must provide some evidence to support their suspicions. If law enforcement has a search warrant, you must let them proceed. There are circumstances where law enforcement officers do not need a warrant to search a person or their property. In most cases, officers will ask the individual if they can search or inspect the area before attempting to obtain a warrant. If you give permission, they can conduct a search. However, you can rescind your consent at any moment, and they must stop their search. Sometimes, law enforcement doesn’t need a warrant or permission to search. If they’re arresting someone, they can search that person and the immediate area. They can conduct a search if they see something illegal in plain view while in an area they are legally allowed to occupy. Additionally, they can enter your property if they believe immediate action is necessary or are actively pursuing a suspect who is evading capture. That said, they must leave the property as soon as the event ends unless they have a warrant. If you believe your rights were violated when law enforcement conducted an illegal search that led to criminal charges, you must seek expert legal counsel immediately. Do You Have to Let Them In?
Baked Feta, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet
Ingredients • 2 pints cherry tomatoes • 2 (15-oz) cans no-salt- added cannellini beans, rinsed • 4 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/4 tsp salt • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 6 oz feta cheese, packed in brine, cut into 4 pieces • 1 tbsp hot honey
• Basil leaves, for garnish • 4 slices toasted whole-
wheat country bread, optional, for serving
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large, oven-safe skillet, combine tomatoes, beans, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. 3. Drizzle with 5 tbsp of olive oil and stir gently. 4. Add feta pieces 2 inches apart in the mixture and drizzle with remaining olive oil. 5. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst. 6. Remove from oven and drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with basil leaves, and serve with toast if desired.
Inspired by EatingWell.com
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INSIDE 1 How Prescription Pills Can Land You a DWI 2 Create Holiday Magic Without Spending Big When Minors Are Involved, DWI Charges Get Even More Serious 3 What Law Enforcement Can (and Can’t) Do Without a Warrant Baked Feta, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet 4 The Body’s Natural Reset Button
Deep Breathing Is Your Scientific Shortcut to Stress Relief Inhale the Facts
and more relaxed your breath is, the less your internal systems are gearing up for a battle.
When you feel angry or stressed out, a few deep breaths can be more powerful than they seem. That inhale is like a reset button for your body, sending signals to your nervous system, slowing your heart rate, and quieting the mental storm. Deep breathing isn’t just hot air; it’s scientifically proven to be one of the simplest hacks for calming the mind and body. Inhale deeply, and let’s explore what happens internally when you breathe back to balance. Most of the time, you don’t think about breathing; your body naturally handles this task as you go about your day. But when you control your breath, you trigger a rest and digest mode that slows your heart rate and sends more blood to your gut to help digestion. The brain manages breathing and heart rate in the same parts of the brain, and they work together. With each breath you take, your lungs expand and the pressure on your heart and blood vessels shifts. This rhythm directly links how you breathe and how calm or alert you feel. The slower
Deep breathing reduces stress and triggers your blood pressure and nervous system to relax. It doesn’t just change your mental state; it can also ease minor physical pain, such as headaches or an upset stomach. Pain stresses your body out, so easing your aches will help your parasympathetic nervous system take the reins and focus on recovery rather than alertness. To get the full benefits from this mindfulness technique, sit upright and take a slow, deep inhale through your nose. Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest to feel your rib cage expand and your belly rise as the lungs fill. Keep this up until you feel a wave of calm come over you.
So, next time you’re feeling on edge, inhale and see why, sometimes, the simplest science is a breath of fresh air.
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