The foundational explainer for the series” who the Commission is, what it can and cannot do, who sits on it, what each level of discipline means, and how Proposition 12 changed the rules in 2026 THE QUICK ANSWER The State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) is the independent Texas agency that investigates complaints of […]
On May 13, 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously vacated Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 double-murder conviction and ordered a new trial. The 5-0 opinion did not reach the merits of the murder case. It reached the conduct of Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill, the Colleton County Clerk of Court who served during the six-week trial. The […]
The question: Do I have to take a field sobriety test in Texas? The short answer: No. Field sobriety tests are voluntary in Texas. You are not required to perform them, you cannot be charged with a separate offense for refusing, and there is no automatic license suspension for declining (unlike the breath or blood […]
The question: What should I do if I’m pulled over and the officer thinks I’m drunk? The short answer: Be polite. Pull over safely. Provide your driver’s license, registration, and insurance when asked (required). But understand that you are not required to answer questions about whether you’ve been drinking, where you’ve been, or how much […]
By Deandra Grant, J.D., M.S. (Pharmaceutical Science), ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist The question: Should I fight my DWI in Texas? The short answer: In almost every case, yes. A DWI conviction in Texas carries lifelong collateral consequences that extend far beyond the courthouse including background checks, professional licensing, security clearances, commercial driving privileges, insurance, immigration status, […]
By Deandra Grant, J.D., M.S. (Pharmaceutical Science), ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist The question: How long does a DWI stay on my record in Texas? The short answer: Forever, unless it is sealed or expunged. Texas does not automatically remove DWI convictions or DWI arrests from your criminal history record after any waiting period. A DWI conviction […]
Pending decision notice: The Supreme Court heard oral argument in United States v. Hemani on March 2, 2026. A decision is expected by late June or early July 2026. This blog reflects the law and the state of the argument as of May 2026. We will update it when the decision issues. If you have […]
Deandra Grant Law is proud to announce that veteran Texas trial lawyer Jason Bowes has joined the firm. Jason brings nearly two decades of courtroom experience and a hard-fought trial record to our criminal defense team, and will represent clients across Central and North Texas facing serious felony charges, child abuse and sex crime allegations, […]
Deandra Grant Law’s Knowledge Vault Blog has been recognized by Feedspot as one of the 60 Best Texas Law Blogs to Follow in 2026, ranking #36 on their annual list of the most credible, active, and valuable Texas law blogs on the internet. Feedspot’s rankings are based on content relevancy, subject-matter expertise, posting frequency, and […]
By Deandra Grant & Griffin Grant Welcome to The Defense File where we examine the criminal cases of public figures through the lens of Texas criminal law. Each entry looks at what happened in court, what the defense argued, and what a defendant would have faced (and how they might have been defended) if the […]