Law Offices of Hector Gonzalez III - 512-501-2344
700 Lavaca St Suite 1400, Austin Texas 78701

On his way home Tuesday from Jim Plain Elementary School in Leander, fourthgrader Marshall May, sitting in the passenger seat of the family minivan, was ticketed for not wearing his seat belt properly.

Problem is, Texas law says a person must be at least 15 years old to commit such an offense. If a child isn’t properly secured by a seat belt, the adult in the car would be at fault, according to the law. But Marshall’s aunt, Ashley Arredondo, 19, who was driving, didn’t receive a ticket.

“I was really scared, I could tell you that,” Marshall said Thursday. “I didn’t know what to do.

“He made me sign my signature, but I don’t have a signature because I’m 10 years old.”

Instead, Marshall printed his full name.

By Thursday, the story landed on Austin talk radio, and reporters began asking questions.

Interim Leander City Manager Robert Powers said Thursday that Marshall should not have been ticketed.

“I think it was just a mistake,” Powers said. “It wasn’t anything egregious or malicious.”

The Police Department has taken procedural steps with the city’s municipal court that will likely lead to the ticket’s dismissal, Powers said. It will be up to the court to dismiss the ticket.

“I don’t know if they requested it be dismissed or if they asked that it be taken into consideration, but that’s certainly the intent,” Powers said.

Marshall was in the passenger seat when he decided to stick his head out the window for some air, he said. As he stretched, the seat belt slipped up toward his neck and shoulder area, he said.

That’s when the police officer pulled over the minivan driven by Arredondo.

After a brief discussion, the officer ticketed Marshall.

“He said: ‘You were wearing your seat belt incorrectly. Sorry, but click it or ticket,’” Marshall said.

Police said the boy wasn’t properly wearing the belt because it wasn’t covering the top of his chest, said Marshall’s stepmother, Kristy May.

“I thought it was a joke until I saw the actual ticket,” said Marshall’s father, Gabriel May. “I didn’t think there was any gravity to it whatsoever.”

Gabriel May said he’s not sure whether the incident will lead to a court visit, but he said he’d show up if necessary.

“I will, because I’m a lawabiding citizen,” he said. “I think they should drop it.”

If you have been charged with murder, sex crime, assault, etc., please contact The Law Office of Hector Gonzalez III at (512) 222-4140 for your free consultation.

Law Offices of Hector Gonzalez III - 512-501-2344
700 Lavaca St Suite 1400, Austin Texas 78701

Texas roads could soon become a text-free zone, after bills to limit cell phone use while driving evoked emotional testimony Wednesday in a state House committee hearing.

Several cities across the state, including Austin and San Antonio, have already banned texting while driving.

State Rep. Tom Craddick, the Midland Republican who authored the main bill, told the House Transportation Committee that his bill is designed to make state laws uniform.

“All of your cities have passed the bill,” Craddick said. “I think it’s better to have one statewide instead of each city doing it.”

The family of Alex Brown, a Texas teen who died in a single-car accident while texting and driving, attended the hearing to back Craddick’s bill. The mangled pickup that Brown died in was parked outside the Capitol on Wednesday. Craddick’s bill was named for Brown.

In 2009, Texas lawmakers made it illegal to text while driving in a school zone, and it is illegal for drivers younger than 18 to use a cell phone while driving.

The committee also heard a bill by San Antonio Democrat José Menéndez that would extend the cell phone ban to drivers of all ages.

John Hildinger, a biker, told the committee that his best friend was killed when a driver using a cell phone hit his motorcycle.

“My best friend — this was his,” Hildinger said, holding up a leather skullcap. “He went 52 years and never got in a wreck. He died just over a year ago, because somebody was under the influence of their social life and they were texting.”

One person spoke out against the bills. Terri Hall from Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom, a nonprofit organization that opposes toll roads, said a ban on cell phone use would be an “erosion of personal freedoms.”

“Of course it’s in the name of safety, but what’s next?” Hall said. “We’d have to ban children, since they’re my biggest distraction while driving.”

The bills were left pending until next week to give committee members time to go over details.

bwermund@statesman.com; 474-2523

AMERICAN STATESMAN STAFF

Law Offices of Hector Gonzalez III - 512-501-2344
700 Lavaca St Suite 1400, Austin Texas 78701

CHAPTER 706. DENIAL OF RENEWAL OF LICENSE FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR

Sec. 706.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:

(1)  “Complaint” means a notice of an offense as described by Article 27.14(d) or 45.019, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(2)  “Department” means the Department of Public Safety.

(3)  “Driver’s license” has the meaning assigned by Section 521.001.

(4)  “Highway or street” has the meaning assigned by Section 541.302.

(5)  “Motor vehicle” has the meaning assigned by Section 541.201.

(6)  “Operator” has the meaning assigned by Section 541.001.

(7)  “Political subdivision” means a municipality or county.

(8)  “Public place” has the meaning assigned by Section 1.07, Penal Code.

(9)  “Traffic law” means a statute or ordinance, a violation of which is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000, that:

(A)  regulates an operator’s conduct or condition while operating a motor vehicle on a highway or street or in a public place;

(B)  regulates the condition of a motor vehicle while it is being operated on a highway or street;

(C)  relates to the driver’s license status of an operator while operating a motor vehicle on a highway or street;  or

(D)  relates to the registration status of a motor vehicle while it is being operated on a highway or street.

Sec. 706.002.  CONTRACT WITH DEPARTMENT.  (a)  A political subdivision may contract with the department to provide information necessary for the department to deny renewal of the driver’s license of a person who fails to appear for a complaint or citation or fails to pay or satisfy a judgment ordering payment of a fine and cost in the manner ordered by the court in a matter involving any offense that a court has jurisdiction of under Chapter 4, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(b)  A contract under this section:

(1)  must be made in accordance with Chapter 791, Government Code;  and

(2)  is subject to the ability of the parties to provide or pay for the services required under the contract.

Sec. 706.003.  WARNING;  CITATION.  (a)  If a political subdivision has contracted with the department, a peace officer authorized to issue a citation in the jurisdiction of the political subdivision shall issue a written warning to each person to whom the officer issues a citation for a violation of a traffic law in the jurisdiction of the political subdivision.

(b)  The warning under Subsection (a):

(1)  is in addition to any other warning required by law;

(2)  must state in substance that if the person fails to appear in court as provided by law for the prosecution of the offense or if the person fails to pay or satisfy a judgment ordering the payment of a fine and cost in the manner ordered by the court, the person may be denied renewal of the person’s driver’s license;  and

(3)  may be printed on the same instrument as the citation.

Sec. 706.004.  DENIAL OF RENEWAL OF DRIVER’S LICENSE.  (a)  If a political subdivision has contracted with the department, on receiving the necessary information from the political subdivision the department may deny renewal of the person’s driver’s license for failure to appear based on a complaint or citation or failure to pay or satisfy a judgment ordering the payment of a fine and cost in the manner ordered by the court in a matter involving an offense described by Section 706.002(a).

(b)  The information must include:

(1)  the name, date of birth, and driver’s license number of the person;

(2)  the nature and date of the alleged violation;

(3)  a statement that the person failed to appear as required by law or failed to satisfy a judgment ordering the payment of a fine and cost in the manner ordered by the court in a matter involving an offense described by Section 706.002(a);  and

(4)  any other information required by the department.

Sec. 706.005.  CLEARANCE NOTICE TO DEPARTMENT.  (a)  A political subdivision shall notify the department that there is no cause to continue to deny renewal of a person’s driver’s license based on the person’s previous failure to appear or failure to pay or satisfy a judgment ordering the payment of a fine and cost in the manner ordered by the court in a matter involving an offense described by Section 706.002(a), on payment of a fee as provided by Section 706.006 and:

(1)  the perfection of an appeal of the case for which the warrant of arrest was issued or judgment arose;

(2)  the dismissal of the charge for which the warrant of arrest was issued or judgment arose;

(3)  the posting of bond or the giving of other security to reinstate the charge for which the warrant was issued;

(4)  the payment or discharge of the fine and cost owed on an outstanding judgment of the court;  or

(5)  other suitable arrangement to pay the fine and cost within the court’s discretion.

(b)  The department may not continue to deny the renewal of the person’s driver’s license under this chapter after the department receives notice:

(1)  under Subsection (a);

(2)  that the person was acquitted of the charge on which the person failed to appear;  or

(3)  from the political subdivision that the failure to appear report or court order to pay a fine or cost relating to the person:

(A)  was sent to the department in error;  or

(B)  has been destroyed in accordance with the political subdivision’s records retention policy.

Sec. 706.006.  PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.  (a)  A person who fails to appear for a complaint or citation for an offense described by Section 706.002(a) shall be required to pay an administrative fee of $30 for each complaint or citation reported to the department under this chapter, unless the person is acquitted of the charges for which the person failed to appear.  The person shall pay the fee when:

(1)  the court enters judgment on the underlying offense reported to the department;

(2)  the underlying offense is dismissed;  or

(3)  bond or other security is posted to reinstate the charge for which the warrant was issued.

(b)  A person who fails to pay or satisfy a judgment ordering the payment of a fine and cost in the manner the court orders shall be required to pay an administrative fee of $30.

(c)  The department may deny renewal of the driver’s license of a person who does not pay a fee due under this section until the fee is paid.  The fee required by this section is in addition to any other fee required by law.

Sec. 706.007.  RECORDS RELATING TO FEES;  DISPOSITION OF FEES.  (a)  An officer collecting a fee under Section 706.006 shall keep records and deposit the money as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 133, Local Government Code.

(b)  The custodian of the municipal or county treasury may deposit each fee collected under Section 706.006 as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 133, Local Government Code.

(c)  The custodian shall keep records of money received and disbursed under this section as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 133, Local Government Code, and shall provide an annual report, in the form approved by the comptroller, of all money received and disbursed under this section to:

(1)  the comptroller;

(2)  the department;  and

(3)  another entity as provided by interlocal contract.

(d)  Of each fee collected under Section 706.006, the custodian of a municipal or county treasury shall:

(1)  send $20 to the comptroller on or before the last day of each calendar quarter;  and

(2)  deposit the remainder to the credit of the general fund of the municipality or county.

(e)  Of each $20 received by the comptroller, the comptroller shall deposit $10 to the credit of the department to implement this chapter.
Sec. 706.008.  CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE VENDOR;  COMPENSATION.  (a)  The department may contract with a private vendor to implement this chapter.

(b)  The vendor performing the contract may be compensated by each political subdivision that has contracted with the department.

(c)  Except for an action based on a citation issued by a peace officer employed by the department, the vendor may not be compensated with state money.
Sec. 706.009.  VENDOR TO PROVIDE CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES.  (a)  A vendor must establish and maintain customer support services as directed by the department, including a toll-free telephone service line to answer and resolve questions from persons who are denied renewal of a driver’s license under this chapter.

(b)  The vendor shall comply with terms, policies, and rules adopted by the department to administer this chapter.

Sec. 706.010.  USE OF INFORMATION COLLECTED BY VENDOR.  Information collected under this chapter by a vendor may not be used by a person other than the department, the political subdivision, or a vendor as provided by this chapter.

Sec. 706.011.  LIABILITY OF STATE OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION.  (a)  An action for damages may not be brought against the state or a political subdivision based on an act or omission under this chapter, including the denial of renewal of a driver’s license.

(b)  The state or a political subdivision may not be held liable in damages based on an act or omission under this chapter, including the denial of renewal of a driver’s license.

Loosing your license will have a negative impact on your family, job & your future.  If you have outstanding warrants, multiple tickets or simply a bad driving record contact a criminal defense lawyer and begin to take your future back.

CAPÍTULO 706. DENEGACIÓN DE LA RENOVACIÓN DE LA LICENCIA POR INCOMPARECENCIA

Artículo 706.001. DEFINICIONES. En este capítulo:
(1) “Queja” significa un aviso de un delito, como se describe en el artículo 27.14(d) o 45.019, código de procedimiento penal.
(2) “Departamento” significa el departamento de seguridad pública.
(3) “Licencia de conducir” tiene el significado asignado por la sección 521.001.
(4) “Carretera o calle” tiene el significado asignado por la sección 541.302.
(5) “Vehículo de Motor” tiene el significado asignado por la sección 541.201.
(6) “Operador” tiene el significado asignado por la sección 541.001.
(7) “Subdivisión política” significa un municipio o condado.
(8) “Lugar público” tiene el significado que le atribuye por sección 1,07, Código Penal.
(9) “Ley de tráfico” significa un estatuto o la Ordenanza, una violación de la que es un delito menor punible con una multa por un monto máximo de 1.000 dólares, que:
(A) regula la conducta del operador o condición mientras un vehículo de motor en una carretera o calle o en un lugar público;
(B) regula la condición de un vehículo de motor mientras es ser operado en una carretera o calle;
(C) se refiere al Estado de la licencia de conducir de un operador mientras un vehículo de motor en una carretera o calle; o
(D) se refiere a la situación de registro de un vehículo de motor mientras es ser operado en una carretera o calle.

Artículo 706.002. CONTRATO CON EL DEPARTAMENTO. puede contratar una subdivisión política con el Departamento para proporcionar la información necesaria para el departamento de denegar la renovación de la licencia de conducir de una persona que no comparezca para una queja o una cita o no pagar o satisfacer un pago de pedidos de juicio de una multa y el costo de la manera ordenada por el Tribunal en cuestión con la participación de cualquier delito que un Tribunal tiene jurisdicción de en el capítulo 4, código de procedimiento penal.
(b) un contrato en virtud de esta sección:
(1) debe realizarse de conformidad con el capítulo 791, código de Gobierno; y
(2) está sujeto a la capacidad de las partes a proporcionar o pagar por los servicios requeridos en virtud del contrato.
Artículo 706.003. ADVERTENCIA; CITA. (a) si una subdivisión política tiene contrato con el departamento, un agente autorizado para emitir una citación en la jurisdicción de la subdivisión política deberá emitir una advertencia escrita a cada persona a quien el oficial emite una cita para una violación de un derecho de tráfico en la jurisdicción de la subdivisión política.
(b) la advertencia de conformidad con el párrafo (a):
(1) es además de cualquier otro aviso requerido por la ley;
(2) deberá indicar en sustancia que si la persona no comparecer ante los tribunales, conforme a lo dispuesto por la ley para el enjuiciamiento de la ofensa o si la persona no puede pagar o satisfacer un pedido de juicio el pago de una multa y el costo de la manera ordenaron por el Tribunal, la persona puede denegar la renovación de la licencia de conducir de la persona; y
(3) puede ser impreso en el mismo instrumento como la cita.
Artículo 706.004. DENEGACIÓN DE LA RENOVACIÓN DE LA LICENCIA DE CONDUCIR. (a) si una subdivisión política tiene contrato con el departamento, al recibir la información necesaria de la subdivisión política el departamento puede denegar la renovación de su permiso de conducir para no aparecen en función de una queja o una cita o no pagar o satisfacer una sentencia ordenando el pago de una multa y los costos en la forma ordenada por el Tribunal en cuestión con un delito descrito en la sección 706.002(a).
(b) la información debe incluir:
(1) el nombre, fecha de nacimiento y número de licencia de conducir de la persona;
(2) la naturaleza y la fecha de la supuesta violación;
(3) una declaración que la persona no aparecen como requerido por ley o no ha podido satisfacer una sentencia ordenando el pago de una multa y los costos en la forma ordenada por el Tribunal en cuestión con un delito descrito por 706.002(a) de la sección; y
(4) cualquier otra información requerida por el departamento.

Artículo 706.005. REMOCIÓN DE AVISO AL DEPARTAMENTO. una subdivisión política notificará el departamento que no hay motivo para continuar a denegar la renovación de la licencia de conducir de la persona basado en el fallo anterior de la persona que aparezca o no pagar o satisfacer una sentencia ordenando el pago de una multa y el costo de la manera ordenada por el Tribunal en cuestión de un delito descrito por la sección de 706.002(a), en pago de una tasa prevista en la sección 706.006 y:
(1) la perfección de una apelación del caso para que se emitió la orden de detención o juicio surgió;
(2) el despido de los cargos que emitió la orden de detención o juicio surgió;
(3) el desplazamiento de bonos o la entrega de otro seguridad a reintegrar el cargo para el que se emitió la orden;
(4) el pago o la aprobación de la gestión de la multa y el costo adeudado en un juicio pendiente de la Corte; o
(5) otro arreglo adecuado para pagar la multa y de costos en la discreción del Tribunal.
(b) el Departamento no podrán negar la renovación de su permiso de conducir en el presente capítulo después de la

Law Offices of Hector Gonzalez III - 512-501-2344
700 Lavaca St Suite 1400, Austin Texas 78701

 Sec. 705.001.  ALLOWING DANGEROUS DRIVER TO BORROW MOTOR VEHICLE;  OFFENSE.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the person:

(1)  knowingly permits another to operate a motor vehicle owned by the person;  and

(2)  knows that at the time permission is given the other person’s license has been suspended as a result of a:

(A)  conviction of an offense under:

(i)  Section 49.04, Penal Code;

(ii)  Section 49.07, Penal Code, if the offense involved operation of a motor vehicle;  or

(iii)  Article 6701l-1, Revised Statutes, as that law existed before September 1, 1994;  or

(B)  failure to give a specimen under:

(i)  Chapter 724;  or

(ii)  Chapter 434, Acts of the 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969 (Article 6701l-5, Vernon’s Texas Civil Statutes), as that law existed before September 1, 1995.

(b)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

In college or at a bar we do alot of stupid things and one of those dumb decisions is when we allow a friend to borrow our vehicle even though the person has been drinking or smoking marijuana. 

A decision like this could me a simple misdemeanor or a more serious felony charge like manslaughter.  If you have been charged with and arrested for allowing a friend to borrow your vehicle  contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately at (888)232-7313.

S 2.01. DEFINICIONES. En este capítulo:
(1) “Proveedor” significa una persona que vende o sirve de una bebida alcohólica bajo la autoridad de una licencia o permiso expedido bajo los términos de este código o que de lo contrario vende una bebida alcohólica a un individuo.
(2) “Disposición” incluye, pero no se limita a la venta o el servicio de una bebida alcohólica.

Agregado por actos de 1987, Leg 70, cap. 303, artículo 3, EFF. el 11 de junio de 1987.

2.02 Seg. CAUSAS DE LA ACCIÓN. el presente capítulo no afecta el derecho de toda persona a una causa de derecho común de acción contra cualquier individuo cuyo consumo de una bebida alcohólica supuestamente resultó en el origen de la persona que el traje de sufrir daños personales de lesión o propiedad.
b proporcionar, venta o al servicio de una bebida alcohólica podrá efectuarse la base de una causa legal de acción en el presente capítulo y puede hacerse la base de un procedimiento de revocación en virtud de la sección 6.01(b) de este código a prueba:
(1) a la fecha la disposición era evidente al proveedor que el individuo se venden, sirvió, o con una bebida alcohólica estaba obviamente intoxicado en la medida en que presentó un claro peligro para él mismo y otros; y
(2) la intoxicación del destinatario de la bebida alcohólica fue una causa inmediata de los daños sufridos.
(c) un adulto mayor de 21 años de edad es responsable de daños causados aproximadamente por la intoxicación de un menor de 18 años, si:
(1) no es los adultos:
(A) el menor padre, tutor o cónyuge; o
B un adulto en cuya custodia se ha comprometido a la menor por un Tribunal; y
(2) el adulto a sabiendas:
(A) servido o proporciona a la menor cualquiera de las bebidas alcohólicas que contribuyeron a la intoxicación del menor; o
(B) permitió la menor ser servido o proporciona cualquiera de las bebidas alcohólicas que contribuyeron a la intoxicación del menor en los locales de propiedad o arrendado por el adulto.

Agregado por actos de 1987, Leg 70, cap. 303, artículo 3, EFF. el 11 de junio de 1987.
Modificada por:
Actos 2005, Leg 79, cap. 643, Sec. 1, EFF. el 1 de septiembre de 2005.

2.03 Seg. EXCLUSIVIDAD DE RECURSO LEGAL. la responsabilidad de los proveedores en este capítulo de las acciones de sus empleados, clientes, miembros o invitados o convertirse en estado de embriaguez es en lugar de derecho común o otras garantías de ley y obligaciones de los proveedores de bebidas alcohólicas.
(b) el presente capítulo no imponer obligaciones a un proveedor de bebidas alcohólicas, excepto los expresamente en el presente capítulo.
(c) este capítulo proporciona la causa exclusiva de acción para proporcionar una bebida alcohólica a una persona de 18 años de edad o más.

Agregado por actos de 1987, Leg 70, cap. 303, artículo 3, EFF. el 11 de junio de 1987. Modificado por actos 2003, 78 Leg, cap. 456, Sec. 1, EFF. el 1 de septiembre de 2003.

Law Offices of Hector Gonzalez III - 512-501-2344
700 Lavaca St Suite 1400, Austin Texas 78701