Houston & Alexander's online newsletter for April and May 2018
TNDUIATTORNEY.COM
APR/MAY 2018
CALL US: 423-267-6715
DEFENSE DOCKET MY MOTHER
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I’m sure many are scrambling to find the right way to show their appreciation. I’ll definitely be giving my mom a call if I can’t make it over to Memphis to visit her in person. We talk almost every other day, but on a special day like this, it’s important to reflect on and appreciate what she means to me. My mother had me when she was a month shy of 18, so she was pretty much a child herself. We kind of grew up together. Her marriage to my father was short, and given that they divorced when I was three, I don’t have any recollection of their time together. Even though she had some trying periods, she always had time for me. As I grow older, I am more and more appreciative and understanding about what she had to deal with and go through as a young mother. One of the things that my siblings and I have never doubted, though, is our mother’s love for us. She worked hard to keep a roof over our heads and managed to keep all of us on track. “As I grow older, I am more and more appreciative and understanding about what she had to deal with and go through as a young mother.” Today, my mother finally has some time to herself. After a life of hard work both at the office and at home, she’s earned some serious R&R. She likes going out to dinner and playing cards with her friends, but what she enjoys most is spending time with her grandchildren. My sister has a 7-year-old and a 2-year-old, and our mother’s face lights up every time she sees them. In fact, she enjoys the little ones’ company so much, she’s planning on moving to Utah to be closer to them. Moving out West after spending most of
her life in Memphis will certainly be a difficult adventure for her. But I know my mom; she’s never let life’s difficulties get in the way of being there for her family. Mom, I’m sorry to see you move so far away, but I know it’ll mean the world to be closer to your grandkids. I always look forward to our conversations, so you don’t have to worry about me losing touch. Thanks for always being there for me. I’ll always be grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made to keep me on the path to a better life.
Happy Mother’s Day,
–Johnny Houston
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Family Time in the Great Outdoors
Family adventures are a great way to grow closer and develop meaningful connections. But with lodging prices rising and the logistical nightmare that traveling with the entire family can be, many Americans are looking at a new option: ditching the beaches and resorts and heading to the great outdoors. Actually, we know this option isn’t new at all. Spending time outdoors with family may very well be one of the most time-honored traditions ever.
Camping
grandkids who aren’t up for the challenge of an arduous daylong trek, there’s sure to be a shorter scenic trail. If nothing else, you can always turn around and backtrack the way you came.
Lodgings and flights are expensive, so going on a family vacation can cost thousands of dollars — and that’s just for the basics! But camping only requires a tent, a fire, picnic food, and water. Rather than scarfing down fast food between flights and dealing with airport security, departure delays, and long flights, take a deep breath and roast marshmallows over the fire with the people you love. A hike with family is an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. All a hike requires is a trail and a sense of adventure. The best part of hiking is that you can tailor the distance to fit your family’s needs. If you have children or Hiking
Fishing
Fishing is a great way to get out and do something relaxing yet challenging. It doesn’t require a lot of skill or investment. All it takes is the willingness to learn and the desire to connect with nature. This is why fishing is the perfect activity for youngsters of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and reel and head to the nearest lake or river. While these are all great stand-alone options, together they form an amazing three-headed monster for your next
family outing. By combining camping with a hike to a river or lake where you can go fishing, you are sure to create lasting memories with your family that will draw you closer together. Ditch the lines at the airport and the stress of travel. Unleash the possibilities of adventure in the great outdoors.
Client Testimonials
Johnny provided excellent defense in my case. Extremely knowledgeable and professional, and his years of experience were evident as he not only knew the law, but also how to apply it to help my defense. I couldn’t have asked for better representation. –James My case was very complicated, and they were able to put my mind at ease to get the best possible outcome for my case. Their knowledge of the law (the minute details), the process (putting together a game plan), and professionalism played a major part in ensuring what I consider to be a win. They kept me in the loop every step of the way! –James B.
Represented me for DUI. I cannot say enough good things about them. Prior attorney recommended a plea. Johnny Houston took it to a jury trial. I was very scared but was kept informed and reassured the entire time. End result: NOT GUILTY on all counts, and I KEPT MY LICENSE. I cannot say enough good things about this firm. If I had been convicted, my life would have been ruined. You would be crazy to go anywhere else whether you are charged with DUI, another criminal charge, or even if you have had a car or motorcycle wreck. –C.M.
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Involuntary manslaughter charges can ruin your life. Living with the guilt of your actions is a heavy enough burden, but the state and the court may also try to send you to prison. If you’ve been accused of involuntary manslaughter after a car crash, it’s vital that you hire an expert criminal defense attorney. Their knowledge and experience can help reduce the charges and penalties you face. The Charges If you were involved in a car crash that caused death, the charges you face can depend on whether or not your driving was considered reckless. If the court determines you were intoxicated or otherwise operating your vehicle recklessly, you will face a class B felony charge for vehicular homicide. Your strongest defense is to have a skilled attorney prove that you were not reckless at the time of the collision. This can reduce your charges to a class C felony. The Penalties The differences between class C and class B penalties are night and day. Class C felonies have sentences that range from 3–15 years and fines of up to $10,000. Class B felonies, on the other Proving You Weren’t Reckless Helps Your Case Vehicular Homicide:
hand, have sentences of 8–30 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. Comparatively, class C is definitely preferred over class B, and your chance of avoiding incarceration is much better. Every case has its own factors and details to consider. Helping you prove that your driving was not reckless is just one example of how a competent and experienced defense attorney can reduce the severe charges against you. Accusations of vehicular homicide are serious, and you need to do all you can to defend yourself and your freedoms. Avoiding putting yourself in the situation of being arrested is the best solution. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE and NEVER TEXT AND DRIVE. If you or a loved one are facing these serious charges, call us at 423-267-6715. Our expert attorneys will listen to your unique situation and help you defend these charges.
Turkey & Broccoli Pasta With This simple, delicious recipe only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s also a great way to encourage kids to eat their broccoli. The next time you make pasta, leave the canned sauce in the pantry and make this instead!
(Recipe inspired by realsimple.com.)
• 3/4 pound pasta (shells or orecchiette) • 2 cups broccoli florets • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 pound ground turkey Ingredients
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt • Parmesan cheese
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese. Directions
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TNDUIAttorney.com CALL US: 423-267-6715
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Thank You, Mom PAGE 1
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3 Awesome Ways to Create Lasting Memories
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Client Testimonial s
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Help Your Vehicular Homicide Case
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Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli
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Why You Should Consider a Media Detox
Do You Need a Media Detox? The Dangers of Overstimulation
With the current trend of getting TV, social media, and news alerts sent to our phones, we have access to more media than we could ever consume. While constant connectivity is a boon for many aspects of our lives, researchers are discovering that too much stimulation is cause for concern. One study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that too much social comparison, spurred by the likes of Facebook and cable news, can lead to an increased risk of depression. If you find yourself pressured to live up to the public lives of friends and family, or if you feel like you’re being bombarded with too much news and entertainment, consider a media detox. A detox doesn’t require you to unsubscribe from social media services or unplug your TV forever. Instead, think of it as a vacation from the overstimulation so many of us experience. Ask yourself which aspects
of your media diet are causing more stress than they’re worth, and take a break from them for a little while. “In the same way we think about what we eat, we should think about what we read, what we’re seeing, what we’re engaging in, and what we’re interacting with every day,” Emma Watson told CNN in an interview about her selective social media use. If you’re not mindful of your media consumption and participation, it tends to pile up. When you detox, it’s a lot easier to identify which parts of your media diet are essential and which are only a burden. Another benefit of a media detox is that you’ll have more time to pursue new and dormant hobbies. Because most of us consume media in small chunks throughout the day, it’s easy to overlook how much that time adds up. All those hours you spend on Facebook could be
used to start a garden, knit a quilt, or join a soccer league. Unless you have an unlimited supply of leisure time (and who does?), you need to be selective in the way you spend it. Remember, media isn’t the cause of all your ills. Used mindfully, it can actually increase happiness and satisfaction. The problem is that we are so mired in the media muck that we can’t get a perspective on how much is too much. A detox will allow you to reassess the media you’re consuming and build a better plan for the future. You can still keep up with your grandkids on Facebook, but it shouldn’t be the only way you interact with the world.
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