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THE TEXAS DEFENDER TexasCriminalDefenseGroup.com | (888) 818-7130 SEPTEMBER 2025
Criminal Defense With a Creative Twist Meet the Attorney Who Marches to Her Own Beat
We don’t always know where we will end up as we progress through life. We can make grand plans, put time and effort into bringing them to fruition, and still take a different route than we initially anticipated. Take my life, for example. When I first started my undergraduate studies, I never imagined I would end up working as an attorney representing clients facing criminal charges. I was a music major back then! Yet, I found this path and have never looked back. I couldn’t be happier to be where I am today. My name is Jessica Paige, and I am the lead associate attorney at Texas Criminal Defense Group’s Dallas office. You’ll often hear attorneys say a close relative told them they would excel in the profession, prompting them to explore it once they went to college. I grew up hearing my grandmother say I would be a judge someday. That was her story, and she stuck to it! However, I had plans of my own. I was a musician and determined to study music at Midwestern State University of Texas. As time passed, I gravitated to a different field — social work. I operated as a social worker for 13 years, and even earned my master’s degree in social work. Working as a social worker gave me an inside look at the everyday work of an attorney. Although I wasn’t practicing law, I worked alongside the district attorney, strategizing for upcoming family law trials. It didn’t matter if it was a civil or criminal case; I was involved. As the years passed, I worked my way up the Child Protective Services system ranks until I became a program director, supervising over 60 staff within five caseworker units in Dallas county. I participated in hundreds of cases, and eventually, my passion for the legal field was reignited. I was already operating as a mother, wife, and full-time program director, but I still had the ambition to reach for more. I was accepted to the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law and earned my Juris Doctor in 2023. I began my career working as an Assistant District
Attorney in Dallas County before joining the Texas Criminal Defense Group team!
Since joining the team and diving deeper into the legal field, I’ve greatly enjoyed discovering creative outcomes for our clients. I’m a big outside-of-the-box thinker, so when someone comes to me saying we have these five go-to resolutions, I’m going to ask about the sixth. Negotiating with the prosecutor and developing beneficial solutions outside of routine expectations is always interesting. Another thing I enjoy about my role is advocating for our clients. Advocacy is a strong part of who I am, even before I was an attorney or social worker. I know many people get bogged down by the details and stressors of a criminal case, especially when they don’t see an end in sight. However, I can see past the shroud, help you navigate the process, and gain more strength to carry on! I am here for you whenever you need me! Outside of work, I live a very busy life. First and foremost, I am a mother of two young children and one older one who is getting ready to start college in Atlanta this year. I’m also a culture vulture, trying to travel as often as possible. Although I never pursued a music career, it has remained one of my biggest passions. Other than that, you can
usually find me mentoring aspiring attorneys through my work with the Dallas Bar Association and as a J.L. Turner Legal Association board member.
—Jessica L. Paige
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Home Café Vibes
The Viral Trend Making Mornings Magical
If your morning coffee run is the highlight of your day, you’re not alone. But what if you could bring that cozy café vibe home? That’s the idea behind the wildly popular home café trend circling the internet, where people are turning their kitchens into photo-worthy coffee and bakery pop-ups. The best part is that you can do it, too! This trend taps into the power of cozy rituals and aesthetic spaces. It goes
beyond just making a cup of coffee; it’s about creating an experience. Think rustic pastry displays, handwritten chalkboard menus, syrup pumps lined up like your favorite café, and fresh- baked muffins in a tiered stand. The vibe is charming and personal! Clear a designated “café corner” in your kitchen to get started. This doesn’t require a remodel — a small counter section or rolling cart works perfectly. Add your coffee essentials: a machine, frother, and your favorite mugs. Then, style it up! Install baskets for pastries, a tiny vase of flowers, and even a café bell for fun. If you want to go the extra mile, you can print a mini menu for your family with drink or bakery specials, try your hand at homemade syrups or infused cold foam, or even use glass jars for sugar and stirrers!
According to Eater, an online resource for all food-related trends, the home café craze exploded as a creative outlet during the pandemic and has stuck around to slow down and make mornings feel special. Hosting “pop-ups” for your family or friends on the weekend is also incredibly fun. Set out croissants, brew something fancy, and let them “order” their drink. You don’t need to be a trained barista, just someone who enjoys making a little magic. So, whether you’re channeling cozy bakery vibes or your favorite local roaster, a home café is a great way to have fun hosting. All it takes is a little creativity, some coffee beans, and the desire to add a little extra to your routine. Your dream café may be one kitchen counter away!
Traffic Stop Tips
What Cops Can Ask — And What You Can Refuse
Picture this: You’re driving home after a tough day at work. Your speed gets away from you, and soon, flashing lights appear in your rearview mirror. You pull over to the side of the road with your license and proof of insurance ready to go, trying to get through the situation as quickly as possible. Law enforcement has other ideas in mind. They suspect you’ve been drinking and start asking questions, leading you to wonder, “Do I have to comply with these requests?” Let’s explore some of the most common questions about traffic stops and your rights. Do I have to identify myself? One of the first things an officer will ask you when they approach your vehicle
is to get your license and proof of insurance. At this moment, you already have the right to remain silent, but that doesn’t mean you can roll your window up and sit there. You are legally required to present your driver’s license if an officer pulls you over. This is only true for drivers. Everyone else in the vehicle can refuse. However, if you don’t have your license and decide to give a fake name to avoid a ticket, you could receive an additional charge for failure to identify. Should I allow law enforcement to search my vehicle? The Constitution gives us many rights, and the Fourth Amendment defends us against unreasonable search and seizures. This means that law enforcement cannot force their way into a search. They have
to get your permission or have probable cause to search the vehicle. If they have probable cause, they should explain their reasoning to you. Allowing law enforcement to search your vehicle will only hurt you and your case.
Must I comply with field sobriety tests?
Nobody wants to be on the side of the road performing field sobriety tests, but how can you get out of it when law enforcement demands it? Most people don’t realize that field sobriety tests are completely voluntary. Refusing to take them is not a crime, but it may raise suspicion from the officer. They may decide to arrest you and request a blood or breath test instead, which you can’t opt out of.
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Most parents could not imagine putting their child in harm’s way. They check the backseat diligently whenever they exit their car to ensure no child is left in a hot vehicle, keep their children close by whenever they go in public, and stay far away from drugs and alcohol when around their children. But what happens if you make a mistake? Could you face criminal charges? What actually counts as child endangerment? How Texas Courts Judge Parenting Decisions Reckless or Reasonable?
“Texas Criminal Defense Group is an exceptional legal team that provides top-tier criminal defense HAPPY TCDG CLIENTS knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated to protecting their clients’ rights.” - Liz G. representation. Their attorneys are highly
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
Child endangerment is a fairly unique crime that can apply to various circumstances. However, the individual charged must have acted in a manner that intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently placed a child under the age of 15 in a dangerous situation that puts them at risk for bodily injury, physical impairment, mental impairment, or death. Some situations will almost always lead to this charge, including unlawfully possessing and consuming a Penalty 1 group drug while caring for the child, receiving a DWI when a child is in the vehicle, engaging in sexual activity in the vicinity of a child, and leaving an unsecured weapon in the presence of a child. For other situations where child endangerment or abandonment may have occurred, the Texas courts depend on the reasonable person standard to determine the outcome. They try to decide if the defendant’s actions align with what a reasonable person would do in the same situation. Some situations that often qualify as child endangerment include leaving a young child at home alone for hours, not requiring kids to wear a seatbelt, driving recklessly with a child in the car, and failing to seek medical care when a child needs it. Every year, we hear countless news reports of adults charged for leaving their children in the car while they run into a store. If you ever contemplate doing this, even if you’re just stepping in for one item, it’s never worth the risk. It could quickly become longer without your realizing it. Receiving a child endangerment charge puts you at risk for a felony that comes with up to two years in jail and fines up to $10,000. You could also risk your custody rights.
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Ingredients • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak Marinade • 2/3 cup red wine • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari • 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sesame oil • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/4 tsp ginger powder • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE 1 Jessica Paige’s Journey From Social Work to the Courtroom 2 From Countertop to Coffee Shop Don’t Let a Routine Traffic Stop Turn Into a Legal Disaster 3 What Puts You at Risk for Child Endangerment Charges?
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak 4 Have a Chat With Yourself — It’s Good for You TALKING TO YOURSELF ISN’T CRAZY — REALLY!
It’s Self-Care!
You’ve probably caught yourself muttering under your breath or talking out loud when no one else is around. While it may feel strange, research shows that talking to yourself is perfectly normal and can be good for your mental well-being. Gain Mental Clarity When you talk to yourself out loud, your brain slows down and organizes thoughts more clearly. This is especially helpful when you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or need to make a tough decision. Saying things out loud forces you to process information more deeply, almost like giving yourself advice from a trusted friend — after all, who knows you better than yourself? Boost Focus and Performance If you sometimes talk yourself through a difficult situation or task, keep it up! Research shows verbal cues can sharpen focus and improve task performance. Athletes, for example, often use
motivational self-talk like “Keep going!” or “You’ve got this!” during training and competition. That same technique can help you power through a challenging work project or stressful situation with more confidence and drive. Find Lost Items Faster Have you ever lost your keys and started saying, “Where are my keys?” as you look around? That’s not just habit — it’s science at work. A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that speaking the name of a lost object out loud can speed up the search process. When you vocalize what you’re looking for, your brain can use verbal and visual cues, helping you locate the item more efficiently. Improve Mental Health What you say to yourself matters. Practicing positive self-talk — like encouraging yourself after a mistake or giving yourself a confidence boost — can reduce stress and improve
emotional resilience. Phrases like “I can handle this!” or “Let’s take it one step at a time!” support a healthier, more optimistic mindset. Here’s the bottom line: Talking to yourself is a powerful tool for improving focus, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. As long as the self-talk is constructive and kind, don’t hide it — embrace it instead. So, go ahead and have a chat with yourself. Your brain will thank you.
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