Posted on January 22, 2026 in Gun Crimes

Understanding state and federal laws about carrying a gun can be tricky. Gun laws vary from state to state, and while Texas has gun-owner-friendly legislation, knowing where you can carry a gun and whether and when you need a license can be challenging.

That's why we're answering some of the most common questions we hear from our clients about Texas gun laws. If you have already been charged with a gun crime in 2026, our Houston board-certified criminal defense attorneys can help.

Who Can Carry a Gun in Houston?

In recent years, Texas enacted new legislation making it easier to carry a gun. If you qualify, you can carry a gun in a public place without a license to carry it, as long as you carry it in a holster. You may qualify to carry a gun under Texas state law if:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 13, 2026 in Criminal Defense

When you are sentenced to community supervision in Texas, commonly called probation, you can avoid or reduce your jail time and remain at home. While you are on probation, you have much more freedom than you would in jail, but there will be conditions you must follow.

It is easier than you might think to make a simple mistake that could get you re-arrested for a probation violation. According to the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, as many as 50 percent of probation cases are revoked in some years. Many of these are for simple technical violations.

Simply being around the wrong people can lead to a violation. You should be represented by an experienced Houston, TX probation violations attorney while you are under court supervision.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 06, 2026 in Criminal Defense

Anyone who is involved in a car accident is required to stop and give their information or help if someone is injured under Texas law Section 550.023. It does not matter how minor the accident appears to be. You cannot keep driving, even if you feel certain that no one is injured and there is little or no damage to the cars.

Every year, around 700,000 hit and run crashes happen in the U.S according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Texas law takes these cases very seriously. If you are caught after leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to give your information or render aid, you can be criminally charged. Depending on the severity of the accident, you might also be charged with the lesser crime of failure to stop and give information. You may even face the more serious offense of failure to stop and render aid. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 30, 2025 in DUI/DWI

If you have watched a televised crime drama or paid attention to any of the high-profile criminal cases over the years, you are no doubt aware that you have the right to defend yourself in court. But having the right to do so doesn't make acting as your own attorney a good idea.

A DWI conviction can cost you your money and your freedom. Even after your sentence is over, a DWI can make it difficult to find a job. Felony DWI convictions can even make it harder to find a place to live.

With the stakes so high, hiring the best Houston DWI defense attorney is your best chance of winning your DWI case. Don’t take the risk of trying to beat your case on your own. To discuss your case, contact Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. today.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a DWI in Harris County?

Abraham Lincoln has been attributed with the quote, "A man who represents himself has a fool for a client." And while that sentiment may seem harsh, the reality is that there are serious risks involved with taking on the legal system without any formal training.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 27, 2025 in Drug Crimes

The state of Texas is well known for its harsh drug possession laws. But does that mean that all drug possession laws in Texas result in felonies? While many possession cases are charged as a felony, what happens in your case depends on the type and quantity of controlled substance you are alleged to be in possession of.

It's important to understand that no matter what, being charged with possession of a controlled substance in Texas can have an enormous impact on your life. That's why your first call should be to a Houston drug possession lawyer. A Houston drug possession attorney may be able to help you have your charges reduced or even dismissed entirely.

When it comes to legal counsel you can trust, Attorney Doug Murphy is the best Houston has to offer. An experienced trial attorney, Doug Murphy has a long track record of obtaining favorable results for his clients in and around the Houston area. To discuss your case with an experienced Houston defense attorney, contact Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. today.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 17, 2025 in Drug Crimes

It can be shocking to be arrested and charged with a drug offense even when no usable drugs are recovered. These cases often rely more on lab reports and assumptions than on real evidence of possession or intent. Texas prosecutors often file charges when residue is detected on packaging, pipes, or personal items, even without a measurable amount of drug presence.

Under Texas law (Texas Health and Safety Code Section 481.115), trace or residue amounts (that may even be invisible to the naked eye) can still lead to criminal charges, felony enhancements, and life-altering consequences. Cases where drug charges are based on trace amounts are highly defensible when the correct legal issues are identified early on in the process. An experienced Houston, TX drug crimes attorney from Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. can help you do just that, building a strong case on your behalf and fighting for your rights.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 12, 2025 in Criminal Defense

On November 28th, two drivers were involved in a hit-and-run in South Austin in the 700 block of West William Cannon Drive. The first driver struck a moped rider and failed to stop to render aid. A second driver ran over the victim while he was on the ground and also did not stop to help. The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. While this appears to be a clear case of a hit-and-run crime, in some situations, the driver is honestly unaware that he or she hit a person.

Perhaps you are driving home on a dark Texas highway when a sudden thud jolts your vehicle. You assume it was an animal or debris in the road and continue on your way. Later, you learn that the police are investigating a hit-and-run accident (Texas Transportation Code Sections 550.021-550.025) in the same area, and you are overwhelmed with panic. Will you be arrested? Should you turn yourself in? Do you have any valid defenses? Should you contact an attorney?

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 04, 2025 in DUI/DWI

Although blood draws are one of the most powerful tools in Texas DWI prosecutions, that does not mean that every blood test is legal. In most cases, a warrant is required for a blood draw absent the driver's consent. When law enforcement skips this step, the courts are likely to suppress blood test results. You may have been taken straight to a hospital after your car accident, confronted with medical staff and police officers at the same time.

In such a stressful, chaotic environment, law enforcement officers may take the opportunity to obtain a blood sample without a warrant or clear consent. Although Texas relied heavily on "mandatory blood draw" laws for many years, today those provisions are restricted, and almost always require a warrant. Unfortunately, some officers still operate under outdated assumptions, and while blood test results can make or break a Texas DWI (Texas Penal Code Section 49) case, the legality of the procedure is every bit as important as the resulting BAC number.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 29, 2025 in Criminal Defense

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.

We've all heard this common refrain from cop shows and legal dramas over the years. But while most people understand that they have certain rights guaranteed by the Constitution, many are unclear about just how far those rights extend.

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects you from incriminating yourself. This protection prevents you from being arrested or punished by the government for refusing to make a statement that may indicate your guilt. The Fifth Amendment is where the common colloquialism of "pleading the fifth" comes from.

But the right to remain silent isn't limitless; you can be required to provide your name and contact information or prove to law enforcement that you have a valid driver's license. It is critical to understand your rights if you have been stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence in Texas. An experienced Houston, TX DWI attorney from Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. can help ensure your rights and your future are protected.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 21, 2025 in DUI/DWI

It happens, sometimes. You are out having a few drinks with friends that last throughout the night, and by night's end, you think you are fine to drive. You may be. You may not be. You get pulled over for a traffic stop, and the police suspect DWI. A DWI investigation ensues. You are arrested and charged. The problem: a few weeks or months later, you took some new prescription medication and then drove home.

But before you got home, you were pulled over for a traffic stop. The officer then suspected you were intoxicated. Your second problem: You already have a DWI case pending. How will this new arrest and charge impact the first DWI case? Alternatively, how will the pending case affect the new DWI (Texas Penal Code Section 49.04) case?

Basically, what happens in Texas if you are arrested for DWI while another DWI case is pending? The answer is, nothing specific. Both DWIs are considered on their own merit as separate offenses. DWI cases are technical cases, and no two are the same. Also, a DWI charge is not a conviction, and only DWI convictions can impact a pending DWI case.

Continue Reading ››