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THE TEXAS DEFENDER TexasCriminalDefenseGroup.com | (888) 818-7130 AUGUST 2025
How One Mistake Can Derail Your College Career From Dorm Room to Courtroom
Thousands of young Americans leave their childhood home to start their college careers every year. It’s one of the most exciting moments in a young person’s life; they get an opportunity to pursue their passion, meet new people with similar interests and values, and explore the world around them. This is when they’ll establish many aspects of their lives, but they must be smart and careful to keep all doors and options open. Many will make a mistake, face an arrest, and even receive criminal charges that could jeopardize their future. Most Texas college campus arrests follow the same pattern. An incident will occur, or a law enforcement officer will stop you based on suspicion before asking questions. At this point, you’ll need to provide your ID to the officer, but you are not required to answer their questions. Anything you say can be used against you in court! If the officer has enough evidence, they will initiate the arrest. You’ll be handcuffed, read your Miranda rights, and transported to a jail or detention facility where you’ll be searched, photographed, fingerprinted, and asked basic identifying questions. Within 48 hours, you’ll be in front of a judge who will tell you your charges, set bail, and explain your rights. No college student wants to experience an arrest and put their future at risk. Here are some of the
most common criminal charges college students face and how to protect yourself. Drugs, Alcohol, and DWI It’s no secret that college is where most Americans will experiment with drugs and alcohol. While many may consider this a vital part of the college experience, those who partake must be extremely careful and make wise decisions. If you plan to partake, you should always keep your emotions in check and never get behind the wheel. Our decision-making abilities weaken whenever we consume alcohol, which can lead to fights, car accidents, and acts that lead to public intoxication charges. If you get caught for underage drinking, driving while intoxicated, selling drugs, or participating in other drug and alcohol-related crimes, your future will look cloudy. You could lose your license, making getting to class or your job more challenging. If convicted, you may have to pay fines or face jail time. Your school may even rescind your enrollment. It’s not worth the risk. Theft Many college students barely scrape by trying to make ends meet. They might work a part-time job that barely pays above minimum wage, or simply try to survive on the bare minimum as they finish their education. Some may feel desperate enough to steal what they cannot afford, whether it’s
a video game, clothes, or even food from the local grocery store. While you might feel like you have no other option, there are ways to avoid the need for theft or shoplifting. Get a job, find organizations in your community that provide for those in need, or rework your budget to ensure you can afford everything. Facing criminal charges while in college is no laughing matter. The judge and law enforcement officers will not let things go simply because you’re a student. They will hold you accountable for your actions. If you find yourself in this precarious situation, all hope is not lost. Just because you were arrested and charged does not mean you will be convicted. Every decision you make after an arrest can impact your future, and your best move is to obtain experienced legal counsel to provide guidance and representation. Our team knows your education, potential career, and freedom are all at risk when facing criminal charges. Our team is here to protect your rights and help you move forward. Give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance!
—Stephen Hamilton
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Scroll Smart Social media is a huge part of growing up today. From sharing pictures to keeping up with friends and family, it’s become a daily routine for many kids. But it also comes with serious risks. Here’s how to help your kids use social media wisely. How old should they be? The American Academy of Pediatrics advises children to be at least 13 before opening a social media account. But that is not an absolute: Some kids may be ready at 13, others not until 16. Research has identified serious negative effects on children under 13, such as not enough sleep, poor body image, and cyberbullying. Start the conversation on your terms. Before your child opens their first account, ensure they know social media isn’t just likes and filters — it’s
A Parent’s Guide to Helping Kids Navigate Social Media
a public space where people share their lives and opinions. Help them understand the permanence of what they post. Even if something “disappears,” screenshots and digital
shouldn’t post it. It’s also important to talk about how what they post today could impact them in the future, from college applications to job opportunities. Be a good role model. If you constantly scroll or overshare, kids will think that’s normal. Show them what balanced, thoughtful social media use looks like. Put the phone down. Enjoy time offline. Keep the conversation going. Social media is always evolving, and so are its challenges. Let your child know they can come to you if something makes them uncomfortable or if they’re unsure about what to do. Being smart on social media is a life skill. With the right guidance, kids can enjoy everything it offers, without falling into the pitfalls. A frank conversation now can make a big difference later. LSD, ketamine, ecstasy, PCP, psychedelic mushrooms, or amphetamines on your person can lead to a state jail felony. Although marijuana is considered a controlled substance in Texas, possession of it results in a different charge. Texas considers possession to be the act of having actual care, custody, control, or management of a controlled substance. Which is worse? While the specific circumstances of the offense play a role in determining which is worse, generally, possessing a controlled substance will lead to more severe penalties. Even getting caught with less than a gram will lead to a felony charge that often comes with jail time and fines up to $10,000. A standard unlawful carrying of a weapon charge is a misdemeanor with the potential for jail time and fines.
footprints last forever. Chat about privacy.
Privacy settings are your child’s first defense, but they are not perfect. Explain why it’s important to protect personal information. Ensure they never share things like their school name, home address, or phone number online — even with people they think they know. And never become “friends” with anyone they don’t know in person. Remind them that kindness counts. The internet can be a harsh place, but it doesn’t have to be. Teach your kids to treat others with kindness online, just like they would in person. If they wouldn’t say it face-to-face, they
Which Texas Crime Packs a Bigger Legal Punch? Weapons or Drugs
One of the most common questions people ask attorneys in casual settings is, “Which is the worse crime to get convicted for? Crime A or Crime B?” While it’s never a good idea to premeditate committing any crime, this can be a fun thought exercise and a great way to learn more about our state’s laws. Let’s explore two common charges in our state and determine which leads to worse outcomes if convicted. Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon Texas is known for having more relaxed gun laws, but you can still get in trouble for carrying a handgun, an illegal knife, or a club under specific circumstances. You can receive an unlawful carrying of a weapon charge if you are a minor carrying a handgun without a license, a felon carrying a firearm in public, intoxicated while carrying, subject to a
protective order that prohibits firearm possession, or carrying a weapon in a restricted location such as a school, government building, polling place, hospital, or liquor store. You can also receive this charge if you carry a weapon while driving intoxicated, possessing illegal drugs, evading arrest, or acting disorderly. You can still be charged even if you have a license to carry. Possession of a Controlled Substance Drug use has become more popular across the country over the past decade, but that doesn’t mean you can walk around with drugs. Texas classifies controlled substances into four groups. We will only focus on the top two groups, as they lead to the worst punishments. Having less than a gram of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine,
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Whether you know someone involved in a criminal case, have experienced one firsthand, or enjoy your nightly legal dramas, you’re probably familiar with the concept of plea bargains. These occur when the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for something the prosecution offers, such as reduced or dropped charges or a lighter sentence. Over 90% of criminal cases in Texas are resolved through plea bargains. There are essentially three different types of plea bargains in Texas. Charge bargaining happens when the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense than their original charge, such as accepting the consequences of a reckless driving conviction when initially charged with DWI. Sentence bargaining gives the defendant a lighter sentence, so someone facing a five-year sentence could get it reduced to two years if they agree to the plea bargain. The last type is count bargaining, when the defendant pleads guilty to one or two charges while the rest get dismissed. Plea bargains follow a specific structure. In most cases, the prosecution will initiate the negotiations by making an offer based on the severity of the crime, the strength of evidence, and more. The criminal defense attorney will review the offer and potentially negotiate for a better deal. The defendant has to determine if they will accept or reject the deal. If they accept, a judge still needs to review and approve the plea bargain. If accepted, they will push the case directly to the sentencing stage. By this point, it is borderline impossible to revoke the deal. If you receive a plea bargain, the first and most important question is: “Should I accept this?” It depends on your unique circumstances and what they are offering you. Accepting a plea bargain has many advantages, such as reduced charges and sentencing, lower legal costs, less public scrutiny, and more predictable outcomes. However, there are some drawbacks. When you plead guilty, that likely means the conviction will stay on your record, potentially affecting your employment, housing, and other areas of life. There are no take-backs when accepting a plea bargain, so you must weigh the pros and cons before making an informed decision that will impact your future. Should You Accept a Plea Bargain? Deal or No Deal
“My lawyer did an excellent job on my case. Professional, knowledgeable, and HAPPY TCDG CLIENTS
always kept me informed. Highly recommend!”
-Faruk
Barbecue Chicken French Bread Pizza Inspired by FromValeriesKitchen.com
Ingredients • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces • 1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt • Fresh ground pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce • 1 loaf French bread • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
barbecue sauce, divided
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Line baking sheet with foil. 2. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. 3. Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp barbecue sauce. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, remove skillet from heat, and set aside. 4. In a small bowl, combine remaining barbecue sauce and marinara sauce. 5. Cut French bread in half and place on prepared baking sheet. Coat with the sauce mixture, top with chicken and red onions, then add shredded cheeses. 6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 7. Remove from oven and top with chopped cilantro. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes before serving!
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What to Do When College Life Collides With the Law
Helping Kids Stay Safe in the Social Media World Carrying a Weapon vs. Carrying a Controlled Substance What You Need to Know About Plea Deals in Texas Barbecue Chicken French Bread Pizza
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Why Pets Beat Pay Raises The $100K Reason to Get a Pet
New Study Says Pets Are Worth Plenty
Most pet owners already know their furry friends make life better, but according to a new study, the value might be higher than anyone realized. Some researchers say it’s close to $100,000. Researchers in the U.K. aimed to measure how much happiness dogs and cats bring to people’s lives. Using data from more than 700 people, they found that owning a pet can boost life satisfaction as much as getting married or landing a massive raise. In economic terms, it’s the emotional equivalent of earning nearly $93,000 more per year. To determine whether pets actually improve happiness, rather than the opposite — happy people are more likely to have pets — the team factored in things like age, income, personality traits, and family size. This helped researchers isolate the impact of pet ownership. It’s not just a fun fact, either. Experts say findings like this could affect everything from housing laws to public health programs. If pets fight loneliness and lift people’s moods, it
might make sense to rethink rules that prevent pet ownership in some apartments and assisted living facilities. While the researchers focused only on cats and dogs, the message came through clearly. Pets matter, maybe even more than we thought. And if you already live with one and know how they benefit your well-being, the science now backs you up. That wagging tail or soft purr might be worth more than you ever guessed.
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