In most criminal trials, the prosecution cannot introduce evidence of a defendant’s “prior bad acts” to establish their guilt of the charged offense. But Texas law makes a notable exception for domestic violence cases. When the alleged victim of a crime is the defendant’s spouse or dating partner, or a member of their household, Section […]

Have you ever become frustrated with the flow of traffic and decided to try and “ride the shoulder” of the road? In most cases, this is a traffic violation. The Texas Transportation Code specifies only seven cases where driving on an “improved shoulder” to the right of the main road is legal: To stop, stand, […]

You probably already know that possession of certain drugs–or “controlled substances,” as they are technically known under Texas law–is illegal. For example, if an officer arrests you and finds a baggie filled with cocaine in your pocket, it is a pretty safe bet the prosecution will cite that as proof you knowingly possessed a controlled […]

The United States Constitution and Texas law guarantee a criminal defendant’s right to seek and receive reasonable bail pending trial. That does not necessarily bar a judge from setting a high bail. But it does require the court to consider a number of factors in setting bails, such as the nature of the alleged crimes […]

There are numerous criminal offenses lumped together under the unofficial term “white-collar crime,” and racketeering involves some of the most severe charges under Texas law. In general, the crime of racketeering occurs when an organized crime ring uses or poses as a legitimate business operation to embezzle funds. This type of conduct first became unlawful […]

Being accused of a sex offense in Texas can not just be life-changing; it can potentially ruin many aspects of life if you are convicted. Unfortunately, due to their nature, police, prosecutors, and other members of the criminal justice community vigorously prosecute sex crimes cases. The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that there are […]

Even when a drunk driving arrest does not lead to a criminal DWI conviction, there is still a public record. This means that if someone conducts a background check on you for any reason, the record of your DWI arrest will come up. There is, however, a way to prevent such a scenario, and that […]

There are few things more terrifying than being a victim of ongoing domestic violence. When you are a victim of domestic violence, you may constantly fear for the physical and emotional wellbeing of yourself and others in your household, including aging parents, young children, or even pets. If you are experiencing domestic violence in Texas, […]

Operating a motor vehicle is a privilege that comes with a lot of responsibility. Motor vehicles are large machines that have the potential to cause serious damage when they are unsafely operated, and the state is aggressive about finding drivers committing traffic violations that endanger public safety. At the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & […]

Possession of a controlled substance in Texas is a big deal, and one that can result in serious fines and years in prison, as well as a permanent mark on one’s criminal record. At the office of Tad Nelson, our Texas drug crimes lawyer provides focused defense for clients facing drug charges. Here’s an overview […]