Blog

“Free Consultation” – It May Not Be What You Think It Is

• By Phillip Goff
• 4 Dec 2019
• 0

Most criminal defense lawyers offer a “free consultation”. That term doesn’t have a strict definition, and its meaning may vary dramatically from lawyer to lawyer. It may not be what you think it is.  This is my take on the topic. What may be free to one lawyer is 5 minutes, but another lawyer may […]

Lawyering Isn’t For The Faint of Heart

• By Phillip Goff
• 27 Nov 2019
• 0

Being a lawyer can be tougher than you might believe.  Popular culture and belief associate lawyers with importance, power, and money, among other glamorous attributes.  Reality is much more grounded. As lawyers, our mental and emotional well-being are at extreme risk.  We abuse alcohol and drugs far more than other people.  Our suicide rate far […]

Why are Lawyers So Expensive?

• By Phillip Goff
• 20 Nov 2019
• 0

 Why are Lawyers So Expensive? Lawyers are expensive for good reason. Becoming a lawyer is expensive, time consuming, and hard.  The same is true about practicing as a lawyer.  It’s not as simple as trading time for money.  Bringing together massive monetary investment, years of arduous study, and years of experience produce a big price […]

5 Things Criminal Defense Lawyers Commonly Hear, Explained, Part 2

• By Phillip Goff
• 13 Nov 2019
• 0

1) How much? And you can’t even guarantee a result? Yes, and yes. It’s common knowledge lawyers are expensive. People want the best lawyer they can get. If money were no object, I’m sure most people would hire the most expensive lawyer they could find. The cost of what you “save” on a lower lawyer […]

5 Things Criminal Defense Lawyers Commonly Hear, Explained — Part 1

• By Phillip Goff
• 12 Nov 2019
• 0

We criminal defense lawyers hear from many people from all walks of life. Many of the things we hear are the same. Most people are unfamiliar with the process or find it incredulous the legal system has significant flaws. Here are a few of the things we commonly hear. 1) “I’m not a bad person.” […]

CDL Drivers Beware!

• By Phillip Goff
• 8 Nov 2019
• 0

Some “Good” Employers Can Ruin Your Career if they automatically pay the fine. Many commercial carriers require their CDL* drivers to turn in any ticket they are issued.  Good reasons exist for this practice. Each company has a wide range of ticket policies.  Some employers mistakenly think paying the ticket for their driver is somehow […]

Spring Break: 11 things you should know, legally

• By Phillip Goff
• 28 Feb 2019
• 0

That sweet time finally has come after a dreary winter: Spring Break.  Countless thousands of partying college students will flood beaches from South Padre Island to Port Aransas to Galveston.  Try your best to stay safe while you have a good time. While you’re at it, try not to regret it the rest of your […]

Expunction and Nondisclosure FAQs and Concerns

• By Phillip Goff
• 10 Feb 2019
• 0

The information on this post has now moved to a new FAQ page.

Brooks County, Texas: Ground Zero

• By Phillip Goff
• 10 Feb 2019
• 0

Brooks County, Texas, is a sleepy rural county with more than its share of poverty.  You’d never suspect it was a hotbed of activity, but it is.  Federal law enforcement there boasts the nation’s busiest Border Patrol checkpoint.  It leads the nation in apprehension of undocumented migrants.  It seizes illegal drugs at a record pace.  National […]

Grand Jury: Constitutional Protection, But Easily Manipulated

• By Phillip Goff
• 15 Jan 2019
• 0

You have a right to a grand jury.  Yes, you really do. Really.  It’s right there in The Fifth Amendment of our country’s Constitution.  It’s important.  It matters.  Seriously, it does.  Grand juries are fundamental to freedom. They stretch back at least 800 years and appear in the Magna Carta, one of the most important […]