Tanglewood, TX Criminal Defense Attorney

Board Certified DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyer in Tanglewood, TX

Just outside of the 610 Loop in Uptown Houston is an upscale Houston neighborhood known as Tanglewood. The long-time home of President George H.W. Bush, the neighborhood was developed in the 1930s. It first opened to the public in 1949 and has developed a long-standing reputation as a safe part of Houston. In an effort to keep the neighborhood safe, local police are often overzealous. If you believe you were arrested unfairly, contact an experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer right away.

Despite the low crime rate, Tanglewood is no stranger to arrests. While there are arrests for a variety of charges, driving while intoxicated (DWI) remains the most common charge leading to an arrest in Tanglewood. Other charges that commonly lead to arrests in the neighborhood include drug crimes or violent crimes. No matter the charge, you are entitled to defend yourself in a court of law.

Attorney Doug Murphy has built a reputation of one of Houston's best criminal defense lawyers by strongly advocating for his clients. He is Board Certified in both DWI defense and criminal defense law. These certifications are only awarded to attorneys with proven legal skill and experience.

If you are charged with a crime, you have the right to hire the defense lawyer of your choice. Criminal charges are complex, so your choice of attorney could play a crucial role in your case. To discuss your defense options with a seasoned Houston defense attorney, contact attorney Doug Murphy right away.

What Happens if I am Arrested for DWI or Another Crime in Tanglewood?

Upon your arrest in Tanglewood, your first stop will be at the Harris County Jail Inmate Processing Center in Houston. It does not matter what law enforcement agency makes your arrest. If you are arrested in Harris County, you will be booked at the processing center. The Processing Center is located at:

Harris County Jail Inmate Processing Center
700 North San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002

Once booked, you could be released on your own recognizance if your charges are minor and you do not have outstanding warrants. For more serious charges, however, you could be held until your arraignment.

An arraignment is the first hearing in your criminal case. It allows you to either plead guilty or not guilty. It is never in your best interest to plead guilty at arraignment, as you lose the opportunity to consult with an attorney or take your case to trial. By pleading not guilty, you and your attorney will have the chance to review the charges against you and build a strong defense.

What is the Punishment for a Tanglewood DWI Conviction?

Any conviction for DWI has serious consequences. However, the statutory penalties can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. The most important factor is whether or not you have prior DWI convictions. While a first-time DWI offender will be charged with a misdemeanor and face little to no jail time, a multiple DWI offender could face felony charges and a prison sentence. These penalties only grow more significant with each conviction.

There are also collateral consequences related to a DWI conviction. These consequences include:

• Losing a professional license, e.g., pilot's license, nursing license, medical license, teaching license, real estate license, or CPA license
• Losing security clearance
• Losing a commercial driver's license (CDL)
• Difficulty finding a job in the financial sector
• Difficulty finding good housing
• Difficulty traveling outside the country
• Difficulty with child custody
• Difficulty obtaining loans
• Difficulty getting into a higher educational institution
• Losing the right to vote (in felony cases)
• Losing the right to own a firearm (in felony cases).

A Tanglewood DWI conviction has serious consequences for anyone. However, these consequences are especially significant for Tanglewood residents working in the following professions:

• Doctors or surgeons
• Teachers
• State employees
• Oil executives
• Lawyers
• Real estate agents

Contact a Tanglewood Defense Lawyer Right Away

A criminal conviction could turn your life upside down. In addition to the risk of jail time, you also face the inherent challenges that come with a conviction on your permanent record. However, not every arrest results in a conviction. To discuss your chances of beating the charges against you, contact the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. at 713-229-8333 right away.