DWI, DUI, and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Collin County, Texas

The Shapiro Law Firm

701 E. 15th Street
Suite 204
Plano, Texas 75074
USA

(972) 423-0033

(972) 423-0077

www.theshapirolawfirm.com

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Law Firm Overview

At The Shapiro Law Firm, we alleviate stress associated with legal proceedings. We have a thirty-year history of representing clients a wide range of legal issues. Committed to providing focused, attentive personal service, our firm has organized its resources in order to adapt to the unique needs of each client who walks through our door. Especially in family law and criminal defense cases, we take the time needed to understand your situation and your side of the story.

During the thirty years since The Shapiro Law Firm's founding, the Plano, Texas community has experienced a whirlwind of change. Our Collin County firm has been a part of that change. Howard Shapiro worked as a prosecuting attorney for the Collin County District Attorney's office and later served as a municipal judge. Todd Shapiro served in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney before joining the family firm.

Over the years our reputation has grown among other attorneys, judges, and former clients. A large percentage of our clients come from referrals by other lawyers and referrals by former clients. We are proud to be a part of the Plano, Texas community because we share their hard working values. We bring these values to every case and every client we represent.

In addition to our reputation in the legal community, our attorneys have been involved in a wide range of civic and charitable activities, These activities including the Plano School Board, the Plano Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, the Plano Sports Authority, the Men's Athletic Council at the University of Texas, and president of the Plano and Collin County bar associations.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Underage Drunk Driving, License Suspension/Revocation, Aggravated Sexual Assault, Lewd Conduct, Public Indecency, Sexual Assault with a Child, Solicitation of a Minor, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Sealing a Juvenile Record, Terrorism, Kidnapping, Racketeering, Counterfeiting, Insider Trading, Bail and Bond Hearings, Larceny, Grand Theft Auto, Car-jacking, Bank Fraud, Corporate Fraud, Health Care Fraud, Parenting Time, Parent Relocations, Property Division, SUV Accidents, Rear End Auto Accident, Drunk Driving Car Accidents, Alcohol-Related Crashes

Practice Areas Description

The Shapiro Law Firm provides legal advice and representation for clients in the following areas of law:

- Criminal Law

The Shapiro Law Firm is a Plano, Texas law practice that is dedicated to helping people faced with criminal charges. Our attorneys have been a part of the Plano and Collin County, Texas community for over thirty years. We routinely handle a wide variety of criminal matters. We understand that every case is unique and every client deserves an attorney that will take the time to understand the particular circumstances involved in their situation. We pride ourselves on being available to our clients twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Some of the criminal matters we have successfully handled include:

• DWI/DUI

If you have been arrested and charged with a DWI / DUI in the Dallas metroplex, you only have fifteen days after notification of a driver's license suspension to challenge the suspension. DWI / DUI has become a hot button political issue in Texas and across the nation. In recent years fines for DWI / DUI convictions have increased dramatically. You can no longer afford to represent yourself in a DWI / DUI case. Additionally, depending on your driving record and previous DWI / DUI history, you could face jail and the loss of your license if convicted. At the Shapiro Law Firm, our Collin County lawyers work with prosecutors and the court in exploring alternatives to harsh sentences and loss of driving privileges in DWI / DUI cases.

• Drug Offenses

Even minor drug charges can have serious consequences. A felony drug conviction can follow you around for the rest of your life, hindering your ability to get a job. At The Shapiro Law Firm, we know that many innocent people get swept up in drug cases. Our Collin County attorneys also understand that being charged with a drug offense is not the same as being guilty. Our North Texas drug defense attorneys have thirty years of experience helping clients contest drug charges. We have handled a wide variety of drug and narcotic offenses including: Conspiracy, Cultivation, Possession, Trafficking, Distribution, Manufacture of Illegal Substances, and Distribution of Controlled Substances Without a Prescription.

• Sexual Crimes

Our skilled criminal defense lawyers represent people accused of all types of sex offenses, including: Aggravated Sexual Assault; Lewd Conduct; Public Indecency; Statutory Rape; Sexual Assault with a Child; Child Pornography; Solicitation of a Minor; Failure to Register as a Sex Offender; Prostitution; and Solicitation of a Prostitute. When you come to our law offices, you can expect compassionate representation and an aggressive defense. We will work diligently to protect your rights and interests.

• Juvenile Crimes

Our commitment to juvenile justice issues stems from our desire to make our community a better place to live. We understand that juveniles who commit crimes often do so impulsively. We also know that juveniles in the criminal justice system are in a very sensitive position in their lives. How their case is handled can have a dramatic effect on the course of their lives. The Shapiro Law Firm is sensitive to the needs of families dealing with juvenile crime issues. Our lawyers know that when the future of your child is at stake you need an attorney that is familiar with the juvenile justice system. The justice system for juveniles is different than that for adults and it is extremely important to have an attorney that is familiar with the juvenile justice system on your side.

• Assault

When police respond to calls involving people fighting, they usually arrest anyone involved. Even in cases where someone is simply defending themselves against an aggressor, it's not uncommon for police to arrest them too. At the Shapiro Law Firm, our defense lawyers investigate the circumstances surrounding assault charges against our client. Working with private investigators, we interview witnesses, review security camera footage when available, and present the context within which the allege assault took place. We're also prepared to hire psychologists and other medical experts when the effects of medication, post traumatic stress disorder, or other psychological conditions are involved.

• Firearms and Weapons

Texas may give high regard to the right of an individual to own a gun, but that regard is not without limits. Some individuals are prohibited from owning guns due to previous criminal activities. Certain types of gun ownership, such as military-style weapons and silencers are illegal for anyone to possess. There are multitudes of other violations that can get you in trouble. You need an attorney that understands guns, the rights afforded you by the Constitution; and federal, as well as state gun laws.

• Federal Cases

Cases involving violations of federal law usually involve federal agencies like the FBI, ATF, or the DEA. As a result, an investigation using surveillance, wire tapping, review of financial transactions, and information gathered from informants is usually involved. By the time authorities charge someone with committing a federal crime, there is usually a substantial body of evidence in place, as well as witnesses ready to testify for the government. However, in more instances than the government would like to admit, federal investigations often raise serious questions regarding whether or not a suspect's Constitutional rights were violated, whether informants can be trusted, and whether authorities themselves aided and abetted the very crimes they were supposed to prevent. At the Shapiro Law Firm, our Texas attorneys work with private investigators, forensic analysts, computer experts, and a host of other professionals in challenging charges against those arrested on federal crimes. We will protect your rights and put the government's case on trial.

• Bail and Bond Hearings

The purpose of bail is to give assurance that the defendant in a criminal trial will appear. The amount of bail is not a part of punishment, as there as been no conviction. Our firm is familiar with the factors that are appropriate to determine bail. A good lawyer knows the financial limitations of his or her client and can fight for a bail that reasonably ensures presence at trial while avoiding the constraint on family members who may have insufficient resources for daily living expenses.

• Theft and Burglary

Taking property that does not belong to you, no matter how you do it, or how you try and justify it, is a crime. The severity of that crime varies depending on the amount of property involved and the manner in which you take it. These types of crimes range from obtaining property by false pretense, larceny, burglary, or embezzlement. They can include such crimes as grand theft auto, dealing in stolen property and passing worthless checks.

• Violent Offenses

At the Shapiro Law Firm, we handle a wide variety of state charges involving violent crimes such as arson, assault, battery, burglary, car-jacking, homicide, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, robbery and sex-based offenses. Many of these types of offenses are "three-strike" offenses, meaning that the third conviction for a violation can mean permanent loss of your freedom. When it comes to something that serious, you need the best representation you can get.

• White Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes got their name from the fact that they can be committed by persons that look honest, maybe hold decent jobs in the community, and don't dirty their hands to commit their crimes. While violent crimes have always been a prime target for law and order types, white collar crime in the wake of corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom are growing in prosecution due to public outcry. Before you become a scapegoat and take the fall for all the people perceived as being the problem with corporate America, you should consult with a lawyer. You need an advocate who is not afraid to tackle the complex issues involved in prosecutions involving accounting or bank fraud, on-line and computer-based crimes, corporate fraud, insurance and health care fraud, money laundering and RICO violations.

- Family Law

The Shapiro Law Firm is a Collin County, Texas law practice dedicated to helping families find solutions that work. While divorce and other family law disputes are often fraught with emotion, we focus on financial issues and concerns that will effect our clients for years to come. We explain how child support and spousal support is calculated, the effect of a divorce on your taxes, how your retirement plan and other assets will likely be impacted, and what we can do to protect your rights and interests throughout the process. We have been serving the family law needs of people throughout Dallas, Denton and the Collin County area for over thirty years. Our Collin County family law attorneys understand how to achieve solutions that protect the interests of our client and their children regarding the following matters:

• Divorce

Divorce is often emotionally taxing and financially stressful. Nothing will change this. After you have intertwined your life with another's, the separation process is going to be difficult. At The Shapiro Law Firm in Plano, Texas, we focus on helping people get through divorce effectively and efficiently. It may not be easy, but our attorneys will work diligently to make sure that your divorce is resolved as smoothly as possible.

• Child Support

At The Shapiro Law Firm in Plano, Texas, our family law attorneys are dedicated to protecting children. When you come to our law firm to address child support concerns, we will protect your interests while always emphasizing the impact your decisions will have on your children.

• Child Custody, Visitation and Placement

When parents separate, custody over the children is often one of the central conflicts. Most parents going through divorce will seek either sole custody or joint custody of the children, and Texas courts no longer automatically grant child custody to the mother - meaning that child custody is often a point demanding compromise and negotiation. At The Shapiro Law Firm in Plano, Texas, our family law attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients secure child custody, visitation rights and parenting time. We are talented negotiators and skilled advocates, and can effectively resolve your disputes over child custody matters, addressing both physical custody and legal custody concerns.

• Property Division

In the eyes of the law, property division after a marriage is a matter of equity. Viewing marriage as a partnership, the presumption is that the assets accrued during the partnership should be distributed equally after the marriage ends. When you come to The Shapiro Law Firm for your divorce, we'll make sure that your interests are protected in all aspects of the divorce, including property division matters.

- Personal Injury

The Shapiro Law Firm is a Plano, Texas law practice that is dedicated to helping individuals and families facing personal injuries and wrongful death. Our Collin County firm has been a part of the Plano community for over thirty years. We routinely handle personal injury and wrongful death cases for clients from throughout Dallas, Denton and the Collin County area. Personal injuries often have devastating effects on individuals and families. Our personal injury attorneys routinely handle personal injury and wrongful death cases caused by: Car, Semi-Truck, and SUV Accidents; Motorcycle Accidents; Bicycle Accident; Construction Site Injuries; Animal Attacks and Dog Bites; Rear End Auto Accident; Drunk Driving Car Accidents; Alcohol-Related Crashes; Nursing Home Negligence and Elder Abuse; Premises Liability - Slip And Falls; Products Liability; Toxic Torts; and Trucking Litigation - Semi-Truck Crashes. Our lawyers have thirty years of experience negotiating with insurance companies. We know that insurance companies work to minimize compensation in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our lawyers understand that many personal injuries have serious long-term and even permanent consequences. Injuries such as amputations, back injuries, brain damage, spinal cord injuries, burns, fractures, breaks and neck injuries can cause serious physical, emotional, and financial hardship. We are committed to assuring our personal injury and wrongful death clients receive the compensation necessary to get their life back on track.