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THE TEXAS DEFENDER TexasCriminalDefenseGroup.com | (888) 818-7130 NOVEMBER 2025
When Should You Call a DWI Lawyer? Sooner Than You Think
Near the end of the month, many Americans will gather with their loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. Some plan to watch the Cowboys play and enjoy a delicious turkey feast while having a few drinks to keep the celebration lively and festive. After the get-together quiets down and they decide to head home, law enforcement will pull over a few members of our community under suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Thanksgiving is notorious for DWI and DUI charges nationwide, but you can take one specific action to help protect you and your rights. I want you to take a second to consider a question that may have never crossed your mind before: When should I call a lawyer regarding DWI charges? Imagine you get pulled over after having a few drinks at your local bar the day before Thanksgiving. The law enforcement officer asks the standard identification questions before asking whether you had anything to drink. Should you call a lawyer now, or is there no harm in answering the question? Let’s say you answer it honestly, and law enforcement decides to arrest and detain you. You get to the detention center, where they offer you a phone call. Do you use it to call a lawyer or let your spouse know what is happening? Many people assume they have no need to call a lawyer until the entire series of events has played out, and they know precisely the charges they face and how serious their situation could be. However, you could jeopardize your future with each second you let pass without calling an attorney. Generally, the best time to call a DWI lawyer is as soon as the discussion between you and the law enforcement officer goes beyond the initial identifying questions. If they ask you whether you’ve had anything to drink or eat this evening, whether you’ve taken any drugs or medication, where you just came from, or even if you know your speed before they pulled you over, you should stop answering and call an attorney immediately. In that moment, the conversation has evolved from simply asking questions to a custodial
interrogation. You have the right to legal counsel during this interrogation. Any information you provide during this discussion could be used against you later in court. Keep in mind that law enforcement officers are not acting on your behalf after they pull you over and start asking these questions. They may act like they’re on your side or trying to help you, but they are not. Be polite and ask to call your attorney. As a good practice, you should add our number to your phone contacts so you can quickly call us if you find yourself in this situation. Finally, just because you ask the arresting officer to make a phone call does not mean they will allow it. If this happens, do not raise your voice or start arguing with the officer. It will not make things easier for you in the slightest. Instead,
stay respectful and call a lawyer as soon as possible, whether it’s with your given phone call in the detention center or after you are released. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start building your defense.
—Stephen Hamilton
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Help Your Child Manage Anxiety STRONGER IN THE STRUGGLE
Watching a child suffer anxiety is hard, and some children worry more than others. Some psychologists say smartphones, social media, and overprotective parenting have made it more difficult for an entire generation of youngsters today to manage their anxiety. Some 21% of kids ages 3–17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, public health data show. At its heart, anxiety is an inability to tolerate uncertainty and a lack of confidence in oneself to handle whatever happens. Gaining courage to face one’s fears and learning to endure unpleasant feelings without letting them control you are areas where children can greatly benefit from a parent’s support and guidance. If your child is prone to anxiety, it’s important to avoid the knee-jerk instinct many parents experience: to
offer comfort and try to make things easier. Instead, acknowledge their nervousness and reassure them that feeling a little scared can be normal. Don’t engage in magical thinking by comforting your child with promises that they’ll pass a test, find countless new friends, or perform perfectly in a game or concert. And steer them away from comparing themselves with others, a habit that undermines their confidence. Instead, reassure them that they can manage the outcome, regardless of what happens, and that all anyone expects is their best effort. If your child is worried about tryouts for a competitive team, it may help to talk through what might happen if their anxiety about failing comes true.
may feel doomed to fail a test, but those feelings aren’t facts, and no one can foresee the future. Reassure them that if they practice managing their fears, staying calm and collected will become easier. And model healthy responses to your own anxieties, describing your coping mechanisms and self-care strategies. The responses children learn as youngsters are likely to stick with
Empower your child to embrace two seemingly conflicting realities — they them into adulthood. Taking a thoughtful approach to teaching emotion regulation tools will go a long way toward instilling resilience, flexible thinking, and other hallmarks of good mental health. Law Enforcement Wants to Search Your Phone
law enforcement must obtain a warrant to search the contents of a cellphone seized during an arrest. Law enforcement must have a search warrant to gain access to your cellphone. This essentially means they must prove probable cause for them to seize and search it. However, this is not the only Do You Have to Let Them?
Few things in life are more personal and valuable to us than our cellphones. We use them to communicate with friends and family, watch our favorite shows, and keep up with current events. Most of us wouldn’t feel comfortable passing our phones to someone we know, let alone a stranger, due to privacy concerns. But what should you do if law enforcement requests your phone so they can look through it? Do you have to comply? Thankfully, the law is on your side.
way law enforcement can access your personal device. If they ask and you give permission, they no longer need a warrant to search through your phone. If law enforcement believes there is an immediate threat to public safety or risk of destruction of evidence, they may claim the emergency overrides their lack of a warrant. This does not happen often; however, when it does, it’s usually challenged in court successfully. While we’d like to think every law enforcement officer follows the rules, some overstep and decide to search through your phone without a warrant or consent. If this happens, don’t overstress; that evidence will likely be deemed inadmissible in court. If you think law enforcement violated your rights or privacy during a recent interaction, call an experienced defense attorney immediately.
The Fourth Amendment protects Americans against unreasonable
searches and seizures by government officials. Although our Founding Fathers ratified this amendment over 200 years ago, long before cellphones, it still applies to our high-tech personal devices. The Supreme Court upheld this ideology in the Riley v. California case in 2014, in which the court ruled that
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When you’re charged with a crime and have to appear in court, most people in the courtroom know nothing about you other than the charges you face. You could be a model citizen, performing community service weekly and regularly donating to charity, but the judge won’t be privy to that knowledge. At least, not without a little help from those closest to you. Character reference letters are written statements addressed to the court that offer a personal and honest picture of the defendant. Character reference letters do not make an appearance in every court case. In Texas criminal cases, they’re most often submitted during the sentencing phase of cases, after the defendant has pleaded guilty or been convicted of a crime. However, they can also be used in plea negotiations, probation requests, and even presentencing reports. These letters can come from anyone who knows the defendant personally and can speak to their good character, including family members, friends, employers, religious leaders, coaches, teachers, or even other community members. That said, letters from people outside your immediate family are often more valuable because judges tend to view them as more objective. The Impact of Character Reference Letters Your Words Could Make a Difference
HAPPY TCDG CLIENTS
“They have come through time and time again with favorable results!
I like to say that they ‘work their magic’!” - Brandon P.
Baked Pineapple Salmon
A sweet and savory entree that the whole family will keep asking you to make!
Ingredients • 1 can pineapple slices, drained, reserving 1/4 cup of juice • 2 1/2 lbs side of salmon • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
• 4 tbsp hoisin sauce • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped • Lime slices
Not all character reference letters are equal. Instead of following a template you find online, most successful letters will read like short stories, providing further insight into the defendant’s character. A strong structure is to start by introducing yourself. Provide your name, where you live, and your relationship to the defendant. State why you’re writing a character reference letter and provide specific examples. Mention any remorse or effort to change you’ve noticed, and ask the court to take your words into account as respectfully as possible. Character reference letters may seem like a small piece of the legal puzzle, but they can have profound effects when done properly. Your letter will never erase the charges, but it will humanize the defendant and make the judge realize they are more than a single action.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 3. Place pineapple slices on baking sheet. 4. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper and lay over pineapple. 5. In a small bowl, whisk together chili sauce, melted butter, hoisin sauce, garlic cloves, lemon, and pineapple juice. Pour over salmon. 6. Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through. 7. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime slices.
Inspired by ChefJar.com
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INSIDE 1 When to Stop Talking and Start Dialing Your Lawyer 2 When Comfort Collides With Courage: Parenting an Anxious Child What to Do if Police Ask to Search Your Phone 3 The Role of Character Reference Letters in Criminal Sentencing Baked Pineapple Salmon 4 Bundle Up and Step Out
Less Scrolling, More Strolling
The Case for a Daily Walk
As the temperatures dip and daylight starts to dwindle sooner in the evenings, staying active often falls to the bottom of the priority list. It’s easy to settle into the routine of indoor
even a casual stroll. That quick burst of movement in the cold can also boost circulation, improve energy levels, and clear mental fog, especially if you’ve been sitting at a desk for most of the day.
comfort with more screens and less movement. However, carving out time for a daily walk, even in the chillier months, is a simple and effective way to stay physically and mentally sharp.
CREATE A COZY ROUTINE YOU LOOK FORWARD TO. One of the best ways to stay consistent
during these cooler months is to make your walk enjoyable. Layer up in comfortable gear, choose a playlist or podcast you love, and set a daily reminder to step outside. Whether it’s 10 minutes around the block or a long weekend loop, consistency matters more than intensity. MAKE IT SOCIAL, REWARDING, OR BOTH. If you aren’t feeling motivated solo, ask a friend or neighbor to join you a few times a week. If you prefer going alone, add a small reward: a stop for a warm drink, or the satisfaction of checking it off your daily goals list. These little incentives can make your walk something to look forward to.
FALL AND WINTER ARE NATURE’S UNDERRATED WORKOUT MONTHS.
There’s something calming about a quiet sidewalk covered in fall leaves or a peaceful neighborhood dusted with frost. The colder seasons offer a refreshing and grounding change of scenery. A short walk outdoors allows you to unplug and take in the subtle beauty that’s easy to miss when you’re rushing from one indoor task to the next. THE SCIENCE OF SEASONAL MOVEMENT IS REAL. Cooler air does more than wake you up. It makes your body work harder to stay warm, thus increasing the calorie burn of
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