What Can An Arlington Criminal Defense Lawyer & DWI Attorney Do If A Detective Has Called You?

If you are a first-time offender and have received a phone call from a detective informing you that you are under investigation for a crime, do not assume the detective has an interest in helping you clear your name. In fact, Arlington detectives are trained to perform an initial investigation and gather evidence from the alleged victim and other sources prior to calling you.

If an Arlington detective has called you, they have one primary goal: get you to start talking so that they can claim they have evidence to establish a confession. The temptation, particularly if you are innocent of the charges, is to demand to meet with the detective so that you can share your side of the story and clear you name. It would be a mistake to assume that you would ever be permitted to tell your side of the story when meeting with an Arlington detective.

To the contrary, the Arlington Police Department regularly trains their detectives to start friendly with suspects but then at the meeting, it turns into an interrogation. You can expect the detective to use closed-ended, direct yes-or-no questions that act as an interrogation. For example, many detectives will tell you that they already know what happened on the criminal case and it will only get better for you if you just admit your role in the crime now. They will then claim to be your friend and want to save you from jail and conviction. Don’t believe it! Their primary goal is to get you talking!

What if you talk and you are innocent? Have you ever been misunderstood? Have you ever spoken to someone and attempted to explain something that you know you did not do but they twist your words and claim you admitted to something or misinterpret what you meant? This happens all the time when citizens of Arlington, Texas meet with a detective to attempt to clear their name. The problem is that if the detective misinterprets or twists what you say and writes in a police report that you “confessed” to something, it now comes down to your word versus the detective’s word. Who do you think the judge will believe? Who do you think a jury will believe?

This scenario is precisely how many people are charged and convicted of a crime they did not commit. If a detective is looking for an answer to use against you, they will find it every time. What is the solution? The simple solution is to hire an experienced and aggressive Arlington criminal defense attorney to step in and speak for you.

Here is the big difference: Everything you say can and will be used against you; everything your criminal attorney says is hearsay and can NOT be used against you! This is a critical point when dealing with an Arlington detective. You want to limit your risk when dealing with a detective! You need a firewall between you and the detective to protect you from words being twisted and manipulated in a manner that results in a wrongful criminal charge. Remember, you have a 5^th Amendment right to remain silent and you have a 6^th Amendment right to hire a criminal attorney to help you through this process.

Arlington Criminal Defense Lawyer & DWI Attorney and Your Criminal Case

Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas is the city of Arlington, Texas. Arlington is known for being the home of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Franchise and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. With a population near 400,000 residents, Arlington, Texas has been rated as a top place to live in Tarrant County, Texas. Arlington, Texas has been growing. However, along with the growth, comes an increase in crime throughout the city.

If you are facing a criminal case in Arlington, Texas, your number one priority should be to locate a top criminal attorney that services the Arlington, Texas area. Your criminal lawyer should take the time to answer all your questions and provide you a clear plan of action on how your criminal case can be defended and protect your freedom and clean criminal record. Not only must your Arlington criminal lawyer be familiar with the courts of Arlington, Texas and Tarrant County, Texas, they should have a proven track record of delivering great results for citizens of Arlington, Texas.

Did you receive a phone call from a detective at the Arlington Police Department? Maybe the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department came to your home looking for you? These are the signs that the Arlington Police have decided they are pursuing an arrest warrant and want to speak to you or arrest you. It is critical that you call a criminal defense attorney that is willing to reach out to the detective and investigate the options available to address the warrant and keep you out of jail.

For example, we have had instances in the past where our office contacted an Arlington criminal detective and learned that the entire criminal case was based upon the statement of a single person who claims to have witnessed a crime. After discussing the situation and gathering facts from the Arlington detective, we met with our client and determined that other witnesses were present who were available to provide a sworn affidavit as to what they observed and to contradict the location and line of sight that the detective’s witness claimed to have had when they gave their statement. This new evidence persuaded the detective that the criminal case lacked probable cause, which prevented an arrest warrant and subsequence criminal case!

Jeff Hampton and his team of criminal lawyers at The Hampton Law Firm are the attorneys you need to protect your clean criminal record and keep you out of jail. Mr. Hampton and his team of 5 Former Tarrant County Prosecutors have been able to help people in and around Arlington to get their charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed, and the team of attorneys at The Hampton Law Firm will ensure that all efforts are made to get you the most positive outcome possible.

Our Team Of Arlington Criminal Defense Lawyers & DWI Attorneys Are Committed To Protecting You

If you have been informed you are facing a criminal charge out of Arlington, Texas, you will be dealing with a misdemeanor crime of a felony crime.

Misdemeanor crimes are defined under Texas law as a crime that carries a maximum sentence of one year in the Tarrant County jail and a maximum fine of $4,000. Misdemeanor crimes range from petty theft to DWI.

Being charged with a felony crime in Arlington creates higher stakes and serious consequences if the felony is not handled properly. The range of punishment on a felony crime ranges from a minimum of six months in a state jail facility to life in prison at the Texas Department of Corrections and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Being convicted of a crime in Arlington, Texas is not an option. The consequences of a felony conviction can have long-term devastating effects on your future. A felony conviction makes it much harder to find a job and generally taints your reputation in the Arlington community. At The Hampton Law Firm, we work diligently to limit the adverse consequences of a misdemeanor or felony conviction. These devastating consequences may include:

• A criminal record that is revealed in criminal background checks.
• Denial of loans from banks and finance companies
• Barriers to employment in specific occupations
• Ineligibility for certain professional licenses
• Removal and exclusion from entry to the United States under immigration laws
• Public record of your conviction available to landlords and employers
• Expulsion or denial of admission at some universities

The Hampton Law Firm Can Fight Your Arlington Criminal Charges

If you are facing a criminal charge in Arlington, Texas, you need an attorney that not only specializes in criminal law, but also has experience in the specific area of criminal law that you are facing charges from the Arlington police.

It is so critical to your success on your criminal case to work with a Texas criminal defense lawyer who has successfully handled your specific charge or charges before. Jeff Hampton and his team of 5 Former Tarrant County Prosecutors have experience in a wide range of charges, including:

• 24/7 Bail Bonds
• Aggravated Assault Crimes
• Assault
• Burglary
• Child Endangerment
• Criminal Mischief
• Criminal Trespass
• Deadly Conduct
• Domestic Violence
• Driving with a Suspended License
• Drug Crimes
• Drug Manufacturing
• Drug Possession
• Drug Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver
• DWI
• DWI ALR Hearing
• Evading Arrest Charges
• Expunction / Non-Disclosure of Criminal Records
• Failure to Identify
• Failure to Stop and Render Aid
• False Report to a Peace Officer
• Felony Crimes
• Felony DWI
• Forgery
• Harassment
• Identity Theft
• Indecent Exposure
• Injury to a Child
• Interference with Emergency Telephone Call
• Interference with Public Duties
• Juvenile Crimes
• Misdemeanor
• Murder / Manslaughter
• Obstruction of a Highway Charges
• Occupational Driver’s License
• Probation Violation
• Prostitution Charges
• Public Intoxication
• Public Lewdness
• Racing on a Highway Charge
• Resisting Arrest
• Retaliation Charges
• Robbery
• Sexual Assault
• Shoplifting
• Stalking Charges
• Tampering with a Government Record
• Theft by Check
• Theft Crimes
• Theft of Service
• Types of DWI Breath Tests
• Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
• Violation of Protective Orders
• Weapons Possession

If you do not see your charge listed above, we handle every type of Texas criminal offense, whether it be felony or misdemeanor. Simply get in touch and explain the specifics of your situation. Our office will be able to tell you whether we are able to help.

The Hampton Law Firm Is The Best Criminal Defense Law Firm For Your Arlington Criminal Case

Please do not make the mistake of believing that all criminal lawyers are created equal. Unfortunately, not all criminal attorneys have a track record of delivering good results consistently for their clients. Your criminal lawyer needs to be willing to push your case as far as it takes to ensure you receive the best result for your case.

Do you want to maintain your freedom and reputation? DO NOT cooperate with the police. Retain a criminal defense attorney who can begin protecting your rights at the earliest possible stage of your criminal case.

Experienced Arlington criminal defense attorney Jeff Hampton and his Team of 4 Former Tarrant County Prosecutors make it their top priority to always provide a zealous defense of our clients’ Constitutional rights. We are constantly looking to explore the full range of potential defense strategies, which may include but is not limited to the following:

• Violations of Miranda rights
• Improper stop of your vehicle or person without reasonable suspicion
• Unlawful searches conducted without a warrant or a valid exception to the warrant requirement.
• Lack of substantive evidence to prove necessary elements of the offense.
• Challenging the accuracy of witness identification
• Improper collection, storage, or contamination of forensic evidence
• Chain of custody issues
• Unreliable lab testing
• Confessions obtained by use of force or that are otherwise not voluntary.
• Police misconduct or lying

These only constitute a few examples of the types of defenses our criminal attorneys may employ because we will formulate a clear plan of action carefully tailored to the precise facts of your case. An effective defense to criminal charges in Arlington begins with a careful investigation, as well as a review and analysis of the facts and police procedure.

Jeff Hampton’s success as a former assistant district attorney has provided the basis for a comprehensive understanding of how prosecutors and law enforcement investigate criminal offenses and build effective prosecution strategies. This knowledge allows Mr. Hampton to identify potential procedural violations of his client’s rights, evidentiary issues, and lack of proof on substantive elements of the criminal offense. We frequently seek exclusion of evidence obtained in violation of Fourth Amendment search and seizure rights or other substantive rights of our clients.

His methods have enabled him to get fantastic results, and many have taken notice:

National Trial Lawyers

• Top 100 Trial Lawyers (2014-2020)
• Top 40 Under 40 (2014-2017)

Avvo

• 10/10 Rating
• Top Attorney DUI & DWI (2020)
• Top Attorney Criminal Defense (2020)

Lead Counsel

• Lead Counsel Rated (2021)

Fort Worth City Magazine

• Top Attorney in Fort Worth (2016-2021)

Arlington DWI Arrest? What Can Your DWI Lawyer Do And What Should You Expect?

Have you or a loved one been arrested in Arlington, Texas for a DWI or DUI? If so, it is critical to know how Texas DWI law affects you and what steps you must take to preserve your rights and protect your freedom and criminal record.

When I receive a call from an Arlington citizen that has been arrested for a DWI by the Arlington Police Department, I break down the analysis into two parts: driver’s license implications and the DWI case in criminal court.

First, being arrested for DWI triggers a clock by the Texas Department of Public Safety that puts a deadline of 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing. Failure to make this request within 15 days will result in an automatic suspension of your license 40 days after the date of your arrest.

Under Texas DWI law, you provide implied consent to provide a sample of your breath, blood, or urine every time you drive on the roads of Arlington, Texas. If a DWI officer has reasonable suspicion to pull you over and probable cause to arrest you, it is implied that you will give a sample of your breath, blood, or urine. Failure to provide a breath or blood sample can result in a suspension of your driver’s license ranging from 90 days to 180 days on a first offense DWI and up to 2 years on a 2^nd DWI or Felony DWI.

If your DWI attorney timely makes the request for the hearing, you can be heard in administrative court. If your DWI lawyer can show that your traffic stop was illegal, your license will NOT be suspended. If your DWI attorney can show that there was no probable cause to arrest you based upon defective Field Sobriety Testing or lack of specificity in the DWI officer’s report, your license will NOT be suspended.

In the event your license is suspended, your DWI attorney can help you obtain an occupational driver’s license that will permit you to continue to drive the roads of Arlington, Texas, and other locations in Texas so long as you carry SR-22 insurance and may, but not necessarily, require you to install an ignition interlock device.

Secondly, after taking care of your fight to keep your Texas driver’s license, your DWI lawyer will need to get access to the DWI police report and videos that accompany your case. It is critical that you review this evidence! The best Arlington DWI attorneys take the time to allow their client to review both the reports and the videos to determine what is accurate and what has been exaggerated. It is not uncommon for us to find that the DWI reports are written in a fashion that make you appear to be highly intoxicated. Why? Because DWI reports are generated after the arrest decision, and it is human nature for a DWI officer to write a report that makes his arrest decision look justifiable. Frequently, we find that the DWI video will show something different than the police reports and this difference can sometimes establish reasonable doubt in fighting the case. Remember, you have no burden to prove anything! The State of Texas must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

Under Texas DWI law, the prosecutor must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt to convict you of a DWI in Arlington, Texas:

1. You operated
2. A Motor Vehicle
3. In A Public Place
4. While Intoxicated

What does it mean to “operate” a motor vehicle?

“Operate” means you must have done something more than merely sit a vehicle that is not running or moving. Most people think that “operating” means you needed to be driving. However, that is not the case. You can be sitting still and still be deemed to be “operating” a motor vehicle. For example, previous court rulings have established there are circumstances where someone sitting in a vehicle with the car running and in “drive” but not moving, is still considered “operating” under Texas DWI law. However, merely sitting in your car in “park” and the keys in the turned off position does NOT constitute “operating.”

What is a public place?

A public place is an area in Arlington that the public has access or a substantial portion of the public has access. For example, apartment complex parking lots and public building parking lots are seen as “public places.” However, being on someone else’s private property that is not substantially available to the public, does NOT constitute a “public place.”

What Does Intoxication Mean Under Texas DWI Law?

Under Texas DWI law, intoxication can be proven in one of three ways:

1. Loss of normal use of mental faculties due to the introduction of alcohol or drugs into the body OR
2. Loss of normal use of physical faculties due to the introduction of alcohol or drugs into the body OR
3. Blood alcohol level of 0.08 higher at the time of driving

Arlington DWI officers attempt to prove that you have lost the normal use of your mental and/or physical faculties by having you complete Field Sobriety Tests. Field Sobriety Tests are divided attention tests that are designed to require you to complete both a mental and physical task at the same time. Arlington police officers will offer these to you to mark off any violations to use as probable cause to arrest you for being intoxicated.

Arlington DWI officers attempt to prove that you have a blood alcohol level of 0.08 at the time of driving by seeking consent or forcing you to provide a blood draw. You have a right to refuse both field sobriety tests and blood, breath, or urine testing. If you refuse a breath, blood, or urine test, the DWI officer will be required to go to an Arlington magistrate or judge and present a search warrant affidavit laying out the facts establishing probable cause that the crime of DWI was committed. Failure to adequately prepare the search warrant affidavit could render the DWI blood warrant illegal and a Tarrant County judge could order your DWI case to be dismissed.

What if your blood test was performed several hours after your DWI traffic stop? Does that mean the prosecutor can prove you were intoxicated at the time of driving? Not necessarily! To establish that you were intoxicated at the time of driving, the Arlington Police Officer would have to ask you a series of questions to attempt to “extrapolate” back in time to determine your estimated blood alcohol level. Sample questions include time of last drink, how many drinks, time of first drink, what you had to eat, etc. If you refuse to answer these questions at the time of your DWI arrest, your Arlington DWI officer will be unable to provide sufficient evidence to a toxicologist to “extrapolate” back in time to calculate your blood alcohol level at the time of driving.

As a result, think twice before answering questions from an Arlington DWI officer. He is not asking you questions to help you! He is only asking these questions to use them against you and to attempt to make you appear guilty of driving while intoxicated. If the DWI officer can not extrapolate back to determine your blood alcohol level, the jury will be left with some uncertainty about what your blood alcohol level would have been at the time you were operating a motor vehicle. This is particularly important on DWI cases where the blood was taken many hours after the traffic stop. The longer it takes to obtain a blood sample, the less reliable the blood sample is in determining your intoxication!

If your friend or family member has been arrested, your first order of business is ensuring that you are able to post a bond at the Arlington jail and secure your loved one’s immediate release.

Arlington, Texas Jail Release Information

We understand that navigating the process of posting a bond and determining where your loved one has been taken can be a stressful and overwhelming task. The criminal attorneys at The Hampton Law Firm stand ready to give you guidance and lead you through the process of how to secure the release of your loved one from jail.

If you need immediate assistance in securing the release of your friend or loved one from the Arlington jail, contact The Hampton law firm for immediate bond assistance. Unlike most other law firms in Arlington, Texas, our firm can provide direct bonding services to ensure your loved one is released immediately.

You should never have to pay twice for a criminal lawyer and the services of a bail bondsman. Most people in Arlington, Texas do not understand how the bail bond process works. They feel they have no other choice than to pay a bail bondsman the percentage of the bond necessary to get their loved one or friend out of jail. This is money wasted!

The Hampton Law Firm offers the unique option of hiring a team of criminal lawyers to work for you and the bail bond is provided at no additional cost to you. In other words, you pay no additional charge for our law firm to post your criminal bond to release your family member or friend from the Arlington jail:

Arlington Police Department Jail
620 W Division St
Arlington, TX  76011
817-459-5648
https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/police/crime/jail_arrests_offenders

Arlington Police Department – Main Station/North District Service Center
620 W Division St
Arlington, TX  76011
817-459-5700
https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/police

Arlington Municipal Court
101 S Mesquite St
Arlington, TX  76010
817-459-6777
https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/municipal_court

The First Step to Fighting Your Arlington Criminal Charge Is Reaching Out For A Free Consultation

If you are under investigation or have been arrested, you need to contact Arlington criminal defense attorney, Jeff Hampton, and his team of 5 Former Tarrant County Prosecutors, to schedule a confidential free consultation as soon possible. At your initial consultation, we will discuss your rights, answer your questions, and make sure you fully understand the situation that you are in.

Call us today at 817-826-9885 or email us at jeffhampton@thehamptonlawfirm.com. A criminal charge or investigation does not have to end in a conviction, but your best bet at obtaining a positive outcome is to get a skilled Texas defense attorney on your side fast.