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Formidable Friendswood DWI & Criminal Defense

Friendswood, Texas, is located in Harris and Galveston Counties and is just over 22 miles southeast of Houston – you take the I-10 and I-45 to get to Houston. Friendswood is a nice community with very low crime. In fact, it has been listed as one of the top 100 safest cities in the United States:

  • Friendswood has a lower crime rate than 67% of all other cities, towns, and villages in the United States; and
  • Friendswood has a lower crime rate than 76% of all other cities, towns, and villages in Texas.

There isn't much to worry about in Friendswood, except for getting pulled over for drinking while intoxicated (DWI). These types of crimes do occur and they are almost always victimless crimes, but they can still get a person into a lot of trouble. The first things to consider are the penalties: possible jail, a steep fine, and license suspension. These three things can have an immediate impact on a person's life in Friendswood. Just think: being jailed overnight and then within a month or so, you can't drive your vehicle due to an automatic administrative license suspension – this fundamentally affects your home and work life.

Doug Murphy, a nationally renowned and veteran DWI attorney, understands how a DWI (or, for that matter, another crime) can detrimentally impact a person's immediate and future quality of life. One mistake – one drink too many – can destroy a person's life in Friendswood. Doug Murphy focuses his practice to DWI and criminal defense; he is:

His commitment extends to helping other DWI attorneys in Texas and beyond develop their skills -- he frequently accepts speaking engagements to provide his insight and knowledge on DWI and criminal defense matters.

If you have been arrested for a DWI or another crime in Friendswood, Texas, contact Doug Murphy to learn more about his approach to criminal defense. His office is located in Houston, Texas, but he represents clients in Friendswood as well as the greater Houston metropolitan area.

What Happens After an Arrest in Friendswood, Texas?

When you are arrested for a DWI or another crime in Friendswood, Texas, you will likely be taken to the City of Friendswood Police Department located at:

1600 Whitaker Drive
Friendswood, TX 77546
Phone: 281-996-3300

Once processed through Friendswood, you will either be transported to the Harris County Jail or Galveston County Jail, depending upon which county you were arrested in.

After an arrest, you will be formally informed of the charges against you at an arraignment hearing. The arraignment will usually take place within 7 days after your release from the Harris County Jail. In Galveston County, it will take several months before your first court date. The arraignment is a significant hearing because you learn of the exact charges against you and you plead guilty or not guilty. You are also informed you have a right to an attorney. It is always beneficial to hire an attorney well before the arraignment date so that strategic investigation and legal decisions can be made that could make the difference in your case.

Once you know of the charges against you and plead not guilty, retain a smart, aggressive DWI and criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Remember: if you don't fight the charges, you can expect to suffer from the penalties and collateral consequences that flow from a conviction.

Consequences of a DWI or Another Criminal Charge in Friendswood, Texas

When convicted of a DWI, you can expect license suspension, possible jail, and a fine. Convictions of other crimes can lead to incarceration, fines, probation, and other penalties. Once you have done your time and paid your so-called debt back to society, you still suffer consequences collateral to a criminal record.

A criminal record can make life difficult in many different ways. A criminal record with a felony can lead to more serious consequences, but misdemeanors can also have their effect. Here are just a few of those ways:

  • Difficulty obtaining loans
  • Difficulty finding good housing
  • Denial of your right to vote
  • Denial of your right to use and own a gun
  • Problems with travel
  • Difficulty maintaining or obtaining child custody
  • Problems generally finding a job
  • Problems specifically getting a job in the financial sector
  • Challenges to security clearance
  • Challenges to a professional license.

The situation with your job and a criminal record are of particular concern. For many of you in Friendswood, you probably have a good position. For instance:

  • 14.4% of you are in management;
  • 11.1% of you are in sales and related occupations;
  • 10.4% of you are in office and administrative support occupations;
  • 7.34% of you are in health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations;
  • 7.3% of you are in business and financial operation occupations; and
  • 6.88% of you are in education, training, and library occupations.

Many of these positions require a security clearance or a professional license, like a:

If you want to keep your security clearance, your professional license, or your job, you need to fight the charge.

Resourceful, Aggressive DWI and Criminal Defense Lawyer in Friendswood, Texas

Your family, your livelihood, your happiness matters. Doug Murphy is the type of defense lawyer who understands this. He isn't about to sell you out to a plea deal that benefits the prosecutor over you. He isn't about to do whatever needs to be done just to get the case to move along.

Doug Murphy is only about providing the best defense in your unique circumstances. It is just as much pride in his legal capabilities as it is the want to make sure you avoid a criminal record that he does what he does. His former clients can testify to the same.

If you want the best defense for you and your situation, contact Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. for an initial consultation. You will learn more about Doug Murphy's approach to DWI and criminal defense and how he can best help you. Call today at 713-229-8333.

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