02 June

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Texas Unlawful Possession of a Firearm & Unlawful Carrying Weapon (UCW)

Unlawful Carrying Weapon and DWI sometimes go hand-in-hand. Mimi is used to seeing UCW charges added onto DWIs. Mimi is well-known as one of the most knowledgeable criminal lawyers on the subject of DWI. This is because she is board-certified in DWI by the NCDD. If you are looking for a "criminal lawyer near me", know that she handles most all of North Texas. What is Unlawful Possession of a Firearm? Unlawful Possession of Firearms occurs when a person possesses a firearm a certain amount of time after a criminal conviction. Texas Penal Code § 46.04 defines the offense of Unlawful Possession of...

29 May

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Interlock Devices and Exceptions

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in Helpful Legal Information

Hate having an interlock? Want to get it off? Courts may, and sometimes must, you to install a device in your car called an ignition interlock. This device, in simple terms, is a breathalyzer that you must use to start you car. Some interlocks will also take a picture when you blow into it to make sure it is you (or a technician). If someone else blows for you, you may be at risk for DWI probation revocation or DWI bond revocation. This post aims to explain when courts may order you to install an interlock, and some of the exceptions...

21 May

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Defending Asleep-at-the-Wheel Cases

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in Helpful Legal Information

Defending Asleep-at-the-Wheel Cases By Mimi Coffey Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant. As one ingests more, the body is subject to more central nervous system depressant effects up to and including death. One of the well-known side effects of the ingestion of alcohol is sleepiness. However, an issue in a DWI case is the ability to scientifically distinguish between sleep deprivation and intoxication. Sleep deprivation brings about changes in physical and cognitive behaviors which are very similar to alcohol impairment including disorientation, slurred speech, and the inability to control the body and perform simple tasks.[1] Although they are frequently used interchangeably,...

19 May

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Family Violence: What Are My Options?

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in Helpful Legal Information

Are you kidding me? She called the police because she was mad. Now the police arrested me for Family Violence. Do I need an assault lawyer? (to simplify, I use "she" as an example, but this applies to “he” all the same) Sometimes, calling the police to settle a relationship dispute can lead to bigger problems down the road. Call the police when you encounter a real issue such as burglary or assault. AVOID CALLING THE POLICE BECAUSE YOU ARE UPSET AND ONLY WANT THE POLICE TO INTERVENE. If there is an allegation of assault, the chances of jail time are...

30 April

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Questions About Texas DWI and DWI related Probation Revocations

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in Helpful Legal Information

Oh no! I Screwed Up My Texas DWI Probation! What Can I Do? I failed my interlock device. Am I going to jail? What will happen to me on Texas DWI probation if I test positive for alcohol on my drug test? (Assuming no alcohol is a condition of probation) How long does it take after you have a drink to pass a drug test for alcohol? These are all very common questions for someone who is on Texas DWI probation. Chances are if you are reading this, you may be facing a DWI probation revocation. Please call us immediately so that we...

28 April

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Common Drivers License Questions When You Get a DWI

Posted by hoang nguyen

in Helpful Legal Information

As if a DWI arrest wasn't stressful enough, Texas also has an "administrative" proceeding where Texas DPS tries to suspend your license! Because a DWI arrest triggers both a criminal and administrative process, the Coffey Firm's DWI Lawyers in DFW will help with each process. Here are some common drivers license questions The Coffey Firm has heard from it clients: I got a DWI! Is my license already suspended?! Luckily, the answer is ‘NO.’ After a DWI arrest you have 15 days to request an ALR (Administrative License Revocation) hearing. The Coffey Firm will take care of sending the request...

28 April

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Probation Revocation

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Oh no! I Screwed Up My Probation! What Do I Do? A probation revocation is a very serious legal issue. Often, it is more serious than getting the original charge. There are typically more options available when the original charge is pending. With a probation revocation, the options are much more limited. The case situation is far more serious as the judge, prosecutor, and probation officer view a revocation as a defiance of court orders. The first thing to do is to call our office. It is imperative that we speak with you before you speak with your probation officer. Anything...

24 April

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Mimi’s Humanizing Approach for Handling Your Case

Posted by hoang nguyen

in Helpful Legal Information

Have you ever tried to have an important conversation and felt like you were not heard? Whether with your employer, a parent-teacher conference, or to resolve an issue with a business manager, it all boils down to one guiding principle: being heard. The criminal lawyers at The Coffey Firm understand the importance of humanizing. [caption id="attachment_4976" align="alignright" width="313"] Abraham Lincoln said, “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”[/caption] To hear, one must understand who the person is. Prosecutors and Judges make important decisions about people’s lives every day. So, they need to be able to put an...

01 April

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COVID-19, Violent Offender Release

Posted by hoang nguyen

in Helpful Legal Information

The News reports that jails are releasing inmates due to COVID-19. Is this true? Yes. Reports have confirmed that inmates in Harris County, Dallas County, some Texas prisons and a juvenile detention center have tested positive for COVID-19. This is a problem due to increased community spread in the jail environment. In addition to putting inmates’ health in danger, COVID 19 community spread endangers the lives of the jail and prison staff and adds more pressure to the hospital community. Are jails and prisons releasing inmates due to COVID-19? Yes. This is not a blanket wide release of everyone in jail or prison....

01 April

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Writs of Habeas Corpus

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in Helpful Legal Information

What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus? A writ of Habeas Corpus is a legal document prepared by a lawyer. When signed by a judge, it releases a person from jail. The term is Latin for "turn the body over". A person is eligible for a writ when they are incarcerated with no bond set. In rare cases, it is also a form of appeal in limited circumstances when the time tables for appeals has run. The United State Constitution, Article 1, Section 9 provides “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of...

Texas Unlawful Possession of a Firearm & Unlawful Carrying Weapon (UCW)

Interlock Devices and Exceptions

Defending Asleep-at-the-Wheel Cases

Family Violence: What Are My Options?

Questions About Texas DWI and DWI related Probation Revocations

Common Drivers License Questions When You Get a DWI

Probation Revocation

Mimi’s Humanizing Approach for Handling Your Case

COVID-19, Violent Offender Release

Writs of Habeas Corpus

Marijuana Possession in Fort Worth

Texas DWI & UCW Charges: “I got a DWI and They Took My Gun!”

Helpful Things to Know About Being a Coffey Firm Client

Police Encounters: “Voluntary Encounters”- Where the Law and Common Sense Diverge

North Texas Specialty Courts & other Specialty Courts: Veterans Court, First Responders Court, DWI courts, Drug Courts, Diversion Courts

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