Comanche Family Law And Criminal Defense Blog

Is it illegal to give prescription drugs to another person?

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in drug possession on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

Since prescription drugs are obtained and used by so many people in Texas every year, it might seem like an innocent gesture to share your prescription medicine with a person who is suffering from an allergy or muscle pain. However, prescription drug distribution is strictly regulated by law. Giving your prescription medication to anyone else may land you in serious legal trouble.

While you may have legally obtained prescription medication from your doctor, that does not mean you can freely give that medicine to anybody you please. According to Findlaw, prescribed drugs can only be consumed by the person the medicine is prescribed to. No one else can take the medicine or possess it, so giving prescribed medication to others can put you in serious legal jeopardy.

Make the most of your visitation time

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in child custody on Friday, June 1, 2018.

One of the most difficult tasks we have to perform during the divorce process is to help our clients negotiate child custody agreements and visitation schedules. Texas parents want to spend time with their children, and the fact that our clients at Woodley & Dudley are going through divorces does not change that fact.

You probably would probably have many conflicting emotions and demands on your attention if you were going through a divorce. We often find that focusing on lasting solutions helps alleviate some of this short-term stress for our clients, especially when it comes to deciding the future of children.

Parents who serve alcohol share alcohol risks

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in dwi on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

Texas authorities have charged four people for their part in serving alcohol to a 20-year-old who killed a mother and her infant after drinking at a bar, according to ABC 13 Eyewitness News. It is illegal in Texas to provide alcohol to anyone under age 21. The bartender, as well as the owner, his son and another patron who bought drinks for the woman, have been charged with selling and serving alcohol, or purchasing and providing alcohol, to minors. They all now face fines of several thousand dollars and jail time as well.

If you are a parent who believes children are safer drinking at home than elsewhere, you should know that you still run the risk and responsibility for underage drinkers who harm themselves or others. Texas laws that allow parents to serve their underage children alcohol in their presence also make it clear that those parents share the responsibility for any resulting issues, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

3 things to know about child custody in Texas

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

If you are going through a divorce and you have children, then child custody is likely to take center stage as part of your divorce negotiations or litigation. Depending on whether your divorce is relatively amicable or hostile, child custody can become a complicated and emotionally fraught situation with high stakes.

Every state has different laws regarding child custody in divorce cases. If you are facing a divorce in Texas, here are a few basic things you should know about child custody in the state.

What Is a Home Study?

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in adoption on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

Adoption can be a long and arduous process for parents in Texas. The home study is one particularly stressful component that involves assessing prospective parents’ ability to properly raise a child and ensuring that the living conditions are conducive to a healthy and happy lifestyle. Adoption.org offers the following tips to adoptive parents on how to best navigate the process.

What Happens During a Home Study?

What is a BWI?

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in dwi on Monday, April 16, 2018.

Hot Texas summers mean a lot of activity on area lakes. Boaters who are looking forward to long days on the lake need to be aware of laws related to drinking while operating a personal watercraft. Just as the driver of a vehicle can be arrested for a DWI, boaters can get a boating while intoxicated charge.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, half of all boating accidents are related to alcohol use. A BWI is charged when the boat's operator's alcohol level is .08 or higher and/or they appear to be impaired, just like for operators of motor vehicles. Those who are arrested for a BWI face the possibility of a number of consequences. These include:

Immediate license suspension
A maximum fine of $2,000 and/or
Up to 180 days in jail

Social media and custody disputes

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in child custody on Friday, March 30, 2018.

When it comes to child custody, there are a wide variety of factors for parents to consider, from financial issues and daily schedules to factors that courts go over when making a custody decision. That said, it is important to bear in mind that other challenges may arise, especially in the digital era. For example, a parent may run into problems as a result of social media, either from their activity on an online platform or online actions carried out by their child’s other parent.

If you are in the midst of a custody dispute, you should be careful with respect to the information you share online. For example, certain types of information related to your financial condition, your lifestyle, or negative feelings could have an impact on your case. Whether this activity takes the form of videos, blog posts, or short amounts of text, some information can be damaging to one’s custody case. Moreover, you may notice that your child’s other parent has shared inappropriate or accusatory information on the internet. In some instances, it might be best to ignore the posts and move ahead, staying focused on the case. However, there are also times when it might be important to bring this up in court, such as situations which involve a parent posting threats online.

How Can I Prepare for a Child Custody Hearing?

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in child custody on Sunday, March 25, 2018.

Texas couples going through divorce often find child custody negotiations to be exceedingly difficult. Being fully prepared for your hearing is crucial in this case, especially if you’re arguing for full custody of a child. TheSpruce.com offers these tips on how to properly navigate a custody hearing and ensure the best interests of your child remains at the focus of any court proceedings.

Your state laws can have an influence on the court’s decision, so it’s best for parents to be aware of which apply. For instance, in Texas a parent must meet certain requirements in order to be rewarded sole custody. Things like conflicting views on moral or religious issues, a record of violence or neglect, or being convicted of criminal activity can render you unqualified in the eyes of the court. If one parent receives sole custody, a visitation schedule will need to be determined for the non-custodial parent.

Never represent yourself in a DWI case

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in blog on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Dozens of Texans face arrest every weekend for DWI. One recent campaign led by the Odessa Police Department led to the arrests of 22 drivers in a single weekend for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Even if you do not have a previous criminal record, you need to take a DWI charge seriously. Having a DWI conviction on your record could prevent the types of jobs you can get and where you can live. Many people think they can save money by representing themselves in court, but when it comes to your livelihood, hiring a DWI attorney is well worth the investment.

It’s time in Texas for spring break and DWI enforcement

On behalf of Woodley & Dudley posted in dwi on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

With a number of colleges near Comanche County, it might not be news to many of our regular readers that spring break is here. It's a time for college students across the nation to take a break from studies and have fun.

It's also a time when many Texas law enforcement agencies ramp up drunk driving enforcement. The goal is always to deter people from driving while impaired by making as many drunk driving arrests as possible.

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