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Austin County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Trusted Austin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Advocating for Your Rights

Have you been arrested for a DWI or a criminal offense in Bellville or Sealy in Austin County, Texas? You may think Austin County, Sealy, or Bellville, are too small for your DWI charge or other criminal offense to really matter, but it does matter. If you do not fight a criminal charge, you could face fines and jail time, among other penalties imposed by the court system. You may think you would rather pay the fine and do the time just to be done with it.

But what is often never considered at an arraignment when the defendant pleads guilty or during the process of retaining an attorney are the other kinds of consequences associated with a criminal conviction.

Collateral Consequences that Endure Long After a Sentence is Completed in Sealy, Bellville, Austin County, TX

If you plead guilty or are found guilty by a jury, you will be sentenced according to the law and the judge's whim. Your sentence could be mitigated for things like no prior criminal record or community support. But regardless of the sentence, your conviction still stands, and that could be more detrimental to you and your future than any sentence could have imposed.

You may not know that:

  • If you are looking for a safe place to rent a home in Bellville or another city, your lease application could be denied if you have a conviction. Leasing agents regularly conduct background checks and some market their properties as crime/criminal-free.
  • If you intend to go to college or graduate school or another type of educational institution, your financial aid package could be denied and you could lose access to on-campus living. You can be denied federal loans, private loans, scholarships, and housing for many different criminal convictions.
  • If you are a pilot, doctor, nurse, or commercial truck driver, your professional license can be restricted, suspended, or revoked after a conviction. In some cases, you have to report the arrest, which can also impact the status of your professional license.
  • If you have custody of a child or are in the middle of a custody battle, you could lose your rights to custody or visitation if you are convicted of certain crimes. The court determines custody according to what's in the best interest of the child(ren), and a criminal conviction, especially a DWI and violent crime, can indicate custody is not in the child's best interest.
  • If you commute to a job in the greater Houston metro area and your job requires security clearance, regardless of the level, a charge or conviction could impact the renewal or obtainment of security clearance. If, for instance, you have been charged with or convicted of driving while intoxicated, then there are specific guidelines related to DWI that the government considers when (re)issuing security clearance.
  • If you are applying for jobs, you could face difficulty depending on your criminal conviction. In some cases, you can be viewed as a liability. In other cases, the law may simply prevent you from certain positions, like a conviction of fraud and a finance position – finance being one of the highest paying industries in Austin County.
  • If you are a convicted felon, you lose your constitutional right to vote and to possess and use a firearm. To reinstate these rights, at least in part, it is a long and often unsuccessful venture.
  • If you were convicted of a DWI or other criminal traffic violation, you could face a driver's license suspension and higher auto insurance premiums.

These and other consequences are collateral to your criminal conviction. Though fines and jail time are scary enough, these consequences can prove to be life-altering. To avoid the implications of your conviction, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney who is committed to taking your case to trial if that is what it takes to have your charges dismissed or the case acquitted by a jury of your peers.

Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. Provides Comprehensive and Aggressive DWI & Criminal Defense in Bellville, Austin County, TX

Doug Murphy is a veteran trial attorney; his aim is not to settle but to free you from all charges and respective penalties and consequences. He knows your career, your family, your education, your social status, among other things, are far too important to your quality of life to let a plea deal or guilty verdict preclude your path to a record free of convictions. Doug Murphy fights, and he has a history of legal representation that confirms his status as one of the best criminal defense attorneys and DWI attorneys in Texas.

Doug Murphy Qualifications

  • Doug Murphy is a Board Certified Specialist in DWI Defense Law through the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), the only DUI certification approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), and accredited by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
  • Doug Murphy is Board Certified as a Criminal Defense Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Only around 7 percent of all Texas lawyers are Board Certified in one of 22 legal specializations. The qualifications and testing are rigorous and the distinction must be maintained on an annual basis.
  • Doug Murphy does not just say he is committed to your defense, he has previous client testimonials and case results that confirm the same.
  • Doug Murphy's passion for criminal defense transcends his own practice; he is routinely invited to continuing legal education seminars to share education and trial techniques in speaking engagements throughout Texas and the United States to help other criminal defense lawyers provide the same kind of quality, aggressive legal representation as Doug Murphy provides his clients.
  • Doug Murphy's legal services are recognized by a number of accolades that further attest to his DWI and criminal defense capabilities.

Represented Cases in Austin County, TX

Doug Murphy has spent the last several decades representing persons charged with DWI and other criminal offenses in Austin County. He has made it his practice to thoroughly investigate each case and challenge the State at trial. He makes each case personal because it is personal. If you need a comprehensive, smart legal defense, then contact Doug Murphy. Approximately half of his practice is devoted to the defense of driving while intoxicated charges, and the other half to other misdemeanors (Class A and B) and felonies.

DWI Offenses
Criminal Offenses

DWI in Austin County

Arrests for DWI can occur anywhere within Austin County. Most municipalities, including Bellville and Sealy, have their own police force. The Austin County Sheriff's Office also routinely patrols throughout the county with an eye for intoxicated drivers. Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers patrol the busy highways like Interstate 10 and State Highway 36.

Arrests are most common within the towns themselves, compared to the unincorporated parts of the county. Some of the areas that commonly lead to DWI arrests include Fowlkes Street in Sealy, Holland Street in Belleville, and Gresham Street in Wallis. Any street that offers any form of nightlife is also a likely candidate for roving police hoping to stop an intoxicated driver.

Like many counties in Texas, those arrested for DWI within the county typically end up in the Austin County Jail. However, the officers might first take the defendant to a nearby police station to obtain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) sample prior to taking them to the county jail.

You have the right to defend yourself against allegations of driving while intoxicated, regardless of where you were arrested or which agency was responsible for bringing you in. A board-certified attorney in DWI defense can help you get the most out of your defense in any circumstance.

Prevalent Drug Offenses in Austin County

While it is important to remember that the crime rate in Austin County is lower compared to the state and national average, drug arrests do occur on a fairly regular basis. In some cases, these arrests can involve major busts. While a drug arrest can occur anywhere in the county, the specific offense will often determine where an arrest is more likely to take place. For example, charges of drug possession are more likely to occur within larger towns, while many manufacturing and distribution arrests occur outside of city limits.

The rate of arrests might be lower, but the distribution of drug offenses in Austin County follows statewide patterns. In other words, drug possession is far from the most common drug-related offense within the county. While these charges often involve marijuana, arrests also frequently relate to the possession or use of hallucinogenic substances, methamphetamine, or cocaine. Charges of possession of drug paraphernalia are also common in these cases. Many of these cases are from passing through Austin County on Interstate 10 after a traffic stop.

The vast majority of drug possession cases in the State of Texas are treated as felonies under the law. Any measurable amount of hard narcotics like cocaine, heroin, or unlawfully obtained prescription drugs is charged as a felony. The potential for serious consequences only goes up as the volume of the drug increases.

The only illegal substance in Austin County that could lead to a misdemeanor possession charge is marijuana. Even then, anything above 4 ounces of marijuana is considered a felony. Unlike some other counties, Austin County has not suspended the prosecution of marijuana possession.

While less common, Austin County also sees its fair share of alleged drug distribution and manufacturing cases. This often results from marijuana grow operations, but could also involve any form of narcotic or unlawful use of prescription medication.

Represented Cities and Towns in Austin County, TX

Austin County, Texas, is primarily rural, with a few cities, and Bellville was established as the county seat. There are approximately 29,000 people living in the county with a diverse socio-economic and racial/ethnic make-up. Just over 82 percent have a high school degree, while another 28 percent have a Bachelor's degree or higher. According to the 2021 U.S. Census, the median income is just above the State of Texas' median at $67,321 compared to $68,400. The poverty rate is just below the State of Texas' rate, at 10.4 compared to 14.0%

Crime in Austin County does not mirror the trend of being slightly above the State of Texas in other statistics. Crime in Austin County is relatively low compared to the rest of the state. The highest rates of crime involve property crimes and larceny, with violent crimes and aggravated assault ranking further below. In 2019, there were 1835 reports of property crimes, 1107 reports of larceny crimes, 136 reports of burglary, 166 reports of violent crimes, and 136 reports of aggravated assault crimes.

Not all allegations, however, resulted in convictions. In some cases, there were misunderstandings; in other cases, the reports were wrong. In some cases, an experienced criminal defense attorney was able to successfully challenge the prosecutor's case.

If you have been charged with a crime in Austin County, it is in your best interest to fight it. Cities represented by Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. include the following:

Resources You May Need if Charged with a Crime in Austin County, TX

The criminal defense process can be a daunting experience. Many people charged with a crime for the first time are unsure of what happens or what specific court hearings mean. In a place like Austin County, Texas, where you have limited access to resources, the process can be even more intimidating. If you face a criminal charge or know someone facing one in Austin County, you can lookup information yourself. Below are resources to help you find information from the courts, the jail and prison system, or law enforcement agencies.

But remember, to navigate the criminal system successfully, an experienced, knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can benefit you in unexpected ways. From filing the proper motions at the right time, helping ease your anxiety, protecting your future, and upholding your constitutional rights. See the resources below, but contact Doug Murphy for further guidance.

Austin County Court System

Austin County is relatively small in terms of population. The court system reflects this size. There is only one Austin County Court at Law and one District Court.

County Court at Law

All misdemeanor cases, generally Class A and B, are filed with the County Clerk. All city violations and most Class C misdemeanors are filed at the Justice of Peace or municipal courts. Still, the County Court at Law hears all appeals from the Justice Courts and municipal courts and appeals from administrative hearings – if you were arrested for a DWI or DWI related charge and fought your driver's license suspension via an administrative hearing and appealed the verdict.

County Court at Law
Judge Daniel W. Leedy
Austin County Court At Law Judge

One East Main
Bellville, Texas 77418
979-865-5911

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor and want to look into your case, you can do so via Austin County's Case Record Search.

District Court

The 155th District Court handles most felony cases filed in Austin County. Criminal pre-trial and trial dates can be found in the 155th District Court's Schedule of the Court.

155th District Court
District Judge Jeff Steinhauser
Fayette County Courthouse

151 N. Washington
LaGrange, TX 78945
979-968-8500

Austin County Jail & Prison System

There is only one jail in Austin County, Texas: the Austin County Jail. There are no prisons. The jail is located at 417 North Chesley Street, Bellville, Texas 77418. You can contact the jail at 979-865-5321. The Jail Administrator is Captain Valdo Paredes, and the Lieutenant is Rebecca Kmiec.

*Due tohurricane seasons, inmates may temporarily be housed at Fort Bend County Jail. The jail is located at 1410 Williams Way Boulevard, Richmond, Texas 77469. You can contact Fort Bend County Jail at 979-865-5321 to inquire about visitation days and hours.

Austin County Law Enforcement Agencies

Texas Highway Patrol

Texas Highway Patrol is a division of the Department of Public Safety. Highway Patrol monitors traffic violations and crimes that occur on state highways, particularly in rural areas. Austin County is a part of the Houston Region Texas Highway Patrol Division. There is not a local Highway Patrol office in Austin County.

Austin County Sheriff's Office

Austin County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Jack W. Brandes

417 North Chesley Street
Bellville, Texas 77418
979-865-3111

Local Police Departments

City of Bellville Police Department
37 North Bell
Bellville, Texas 77418
979-865-3122

San Felipe Police Department
4220 6th Street
San Felipe, Texas 77473
979-885-2888

Sealy Police Department
1320 Rexville Road
Sealy, Texas 77474
979-885-2913

City of Wallis Police Department
6810 Guyler, Building B
Wallis, Texas 77485
979-478-6712

Contact a DWI Defense & Criminal Defense Lawyer in Austin County, Texas

If you have been charged with a DWI or another crime and want to fight the charge because you care about your future, retain a DWI and criminal defense attorney committed to the same. In Austin County, like anywhere, police give false testimony, coerce witnesses, and handle evidence improperly. In Austin County, the prosecution may use evidence that should be suppressed. Not all criminal defense attorneys have the insight and skill to address these matters. Doug Murphy, however, has the insight and skills developed from extensive experience and personal motivation.

At Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C., you can expect commitment and the best result according to the facts and circumstances of your case. Contact us today at 713-229-8333.

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