Not all traffic violations involve actions you make while driving a vehicle. Even if you are simply walking down a public street, an officer may stop and ticket you for violating certain traffic laws applicable to pedestrians. And if in the course of this “pedestrian stop,” an officer suspects you may be guilty of some […]

Even if you are a careful, responsible driver, there may be situations where you are cited for a traffic violation where you were unaware of the underlying cause. For example, under Section 504.945 of the Texas Transportation Code, a driver may be cited if the license plate on their vehicle “has a coating, covering, protective […]

Many traffic violations do not involve anyone besides the driver. For instance, if you run a red light through an otherwise empty intersection, you broke the law but did not hurt anyone. Of course, if a police officer saw you, she will still issue you a ticket. But when you are involved in an accident […]

Traffic violations are commonly used by Texas law enforcement to justify what would otherwise be an unlawful detention of a motorist. But as with any criminal offense, the officer must have “reasonable suspicion” that a traffic violation did, in fact, occur. That is to say, the officer must be able to articulate specific facts that, […]

Anytime that you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation, you must present your driver’s license. Most Texas driver’s licenses are valid for six years, after which time they must be renewed. Driving with an expired license is itself a violation punishable by a $200 fine for a first offense. Multiple violations […]

Many Texas residents’ first experience in dealing with a traffic violation came as the result of a red-light camera. These devices automatically capture images of people who allegedly speed through red lights. But over the years, the use of these devices have raised serious ethical and constitutional concerns. In response to this growing opposition, the […]

A speeding ticket is perhaps the most common traffic violation committed by Houston-area residents. And if you have just received your first ticket, you may be shocked by the amount of the fine. You may also be unaware of your legal rights to challenge the ticket in court. So here is a brief overview of […]

A simple traffic violation is often the first step towards a police officer arresting someone for a more serious crime, such as drug possession or DWI. That is why all Houston-area motorists need to be aware of the rules of the road. Even a seemingly innocent act may technically violate the Texas Transportation Code–and in […]

One of the most common traffic violations that get drivers ticketed in the Houston area is failure to yield the right-of-way. All drivers need to be aware of the basic rules of the road when it comes to right-of-way. And if a police officer observes you failing to yield when required, you may be facing […]

It’s hard to remember there was a time–say, 10 years ago–when people were not constantly looking at their smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, driving while operating an electronic device can be just as dangerous–and deadly–as operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Indeed, after a fatal a young woman named Alex Brown lost her life […]