Blog Articles

DIY Record Expungement

Posted by Brian Laviage on Sunday, Sep 18, 2022
Although you do not need an attorney to manage your petition for record expunction, it cannot be expressed in strong enough terms that these requests are not something that you want to try on your own. Aside from not collecting all the information that will be necessary for you to even file your petition, you run the chance that you may not be able to refile if your petition is dismissed on any technical point.

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National Expungement Week: Helping Those with Cannabis Convictions and More

Posted by Brian Laviage on Wednesday, Sep 25, 2019
The sudden cultural shift to legalizing cannabis and medical marijuana has left a bitter taste in the mouth of those already convicted of possession. It is a cruel irony that marijuana convictions continue to inflict penalties while the newest round of laws make these same practices legal. This change, while welcomed by advocates, is small consolation to individuals, families and entire communities who faced a relentless decades-long assault from the legal system under the euphemistic War on Drugs.

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Do Expunged Records Show Up On Background Checks In Texas?

Posted by Brian Laviage on Thursday, Aug 15, 2019
Expungement of a criminal record can greatly improve your life’s outcome, allowing you to attend college, live in student housing, secure professional licensing and certification, land your dream job or even obtain financing for major purchases. As an experienced record clearing lawyer in Texas, one of the main questions the Law Office of Brian S. Laviage is routinely asked is whether or not expunged criminal records will show up on criminal background checks.

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What Should Your Teen Do If They Get Pulled Over?

Posted by Brian Laviage on Wednesday, Jul 31, 2019
As a teen, getting pulled over for any reason by law enforcement can be stressful and scary – especially if he or she is fairly new to driving. In fact, according to a 2018 report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, nearly 10 percent of all traffic stops in the U.S. in 2015 involves a teen driver under the age of 18. Whether it’s for speeding, talking on the phone or texting while driving, or for suspicion of driving under the influence, it’s vital for your teen to understand how to react to being pulled over by a police officer.

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DUIs and Teenagers in Texas

Posted by Brian Laviage on Tuesday, Jun 25, 2019
The state of Texas has enacted tough alcohol-related laws for minors. Because it’s illegal for anyone who’s underage to consume alcohol in Texas, the state has enacted alcohol “zero tolerance” rules for drivers under age 21. This means it’s a criminal offense for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, attempt to purchase, consume or possess an alcoholic beverage, or operate a motor vehicle with ANY amount of alcohol in their system.

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