Whalen Law Office

Welcome to our website

The Law Office of James P. Whalen will be happy to help you get through this stressful time. His firm focuses on Texas criminal defense law and family law. His staff will gladly answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

February 22nd, 2010

Federal Crimes

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Texas

Federal criminal charges can carry serious penalties that may have a drastic effect on your entire life. Do not risk your future by attempting to handle this situation on your own. Federal crimes are confidently and professionally handled by attorney James P. Whalen.

Having years of experience representing individuals that are accused of federal crime matters, Mr. Whalen, who is Board Certified in Criminal Law is able to effectively assess your situation and determine the best way in which to structure your defense. He takes the time to thoroughly investigate your case to determine if any violations of your civil rights have taken place that may affect the outcome of the case.

You have a right to fight the federal crime charges that you are facing! Contact Mr. Whalen today.

Some of the federal crime matters that are handled at the office by Mr. Whalen include:

Controlled substance violations
Federal firearm violations
Wire fraud
Mail fraud
Aggravated identity theft
Extortion

False claims against the government
Possession of false documents
Possession of stolen mail,
Embezzlement
Securities fraud
Conspiracy

Federal crime matters are best handled by an attorney with extensive knowledge of the federal sentencing guidelines. Since he has handled numerous federal crime cases, Mr. Whalen is well-versed in these guidelines and can explain how they may apply to you, depending on the way in which you seek a resolution to your case.

Contact a federal crime defense lawyer at The Law Office of James P. Whalen at 214-368-2560 to schedule an appointment. He can then learn more about your case and begin helping you resolve your federal case.

February 22nd, 2010

Drug Charges

The Law Office of James P. Whalen takes a detail-oriented approach to handling your drug offense case. Mr. Whalen has frequently found that suppression of the evidence may secure a dismissal of charges if there was an improper search and seizure. In fact, the search and seizure surrounding your arrest is key when it comes to challenging a drug possession, trafficking, manufacture, intent to sell, prescription fraud cases, or distribution case.

Whether your case involves buying drugs, selling drugs, or possession, Mr. Whalen will fully discuss all of these issues with you in order to determine whether it is best to plead or try your case. Contact the The Law Office of James P. Whalen at 214-368-2560 so Mr. Whalen and his staff can immediately begin helping you resolve your drug charges.

The key to a good defense -

Before your first appointment, prepare a detailed written statement of all the events surrounding your arrest as soon as possible. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information and have them draft a brief statement. They may prove invaluable should you decide to go to trial.

These cases can have many suppression issues, as well as, trial issues. We will discuss all these in order to determine whether it is best to plead or try your case.

My philosophy on drug cases:

If your plea offer involves a “straight probation offer”, that means an automatic conviction and can mean a suspension of your driver’s license as well. If this is your situation, you may have nothing to lose by trying your case.

Contact a The Law Office of James P. Whalen at 214-368-2560 to schedule an appointment. He can then learn more about your case and begin helping you resolve your case.

February 22nd, 2010

White Collar Crimes

State and Federal White-Collar Crime Defense Lawyer

The Law Office of James P. Whalen represents clients charged with state and federal white-collar crimes. White-collar crimes are generally classified in Texas and by the federal government as felony offenses. They carry severe punishments for those convicted, including large fines, imprisonment, probation and other penalties. The nature of the circumstances and the severity of the crime can dramatically increase these penalties.

A white-collar crime is a broad term that encompasses crimes that allege the deliberate deception of another party for the purpose of securing unfair or unlawful gain. Many of our clients who are arrested for white-collar crimes are upstanding professionals who have no criminal history and are dealing with the criminal justice system for the first time. Often, these individuals are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There Is a Defense for White-Collar Crimes

At The Law Office of James P. Whalen, we use experts, investigators and other resources to defend clients who are implicated in fraud and other white-collar crimes. These crimes include:

Business fraud
Securities fraud
Insurance fraud
Internet and mail fraud
Tax fraud
Embezzlement
Counterfeiting
Perjury
Forgery

Given the complex nature of these crimes, law enforcement and state and federal prosecutors typically investigate these cases prior to charges being filed. If you believe that you are under investigation for a white-collar crime, it is important to hire an experienced lawyer right away. We can make sure that your rights are protected at all times during an investigation, and if you are charged with a crime, we will be there to represent you in a court of law.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a white-collar crime, there is a lot at stake. It is important to ensure that your rights are protected by contacting an experienced attorney. For over 10 years, attorney James P. Whalen has represented individuals charged with white-collar crimes. Contact The Law Office of James P. Whalen at 214-368-2560 to schedule an appointment. He can then learn more about your case and begin helping you resolve your federal case. We offer a free initial consultation and case analysis to discuss your case and your options.

February 22nd, 2010

Texas DWI Defense and Drunk Driving Laws

The Key to a Good DWI Defense

1. Request your ALR (Administrative License Revocation) hearing!

You only have 15 days to request your administrative hearing after you were arrested to request this invaluable hearing. If you do not your driver’s license will be automatically SUSPENDED!

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2. Write a statement.

The police wrote a report to convict you. So, you should write a report to help Mr. Whalen DEFEND you.

Your report should be a detailed statement about what happened. Begin with the night before your arrest and detail all events leading up to your arrest. List any witnesses that could help you. Include their contact information and, if possible, have them draft a brief statement of what they would say if called to testify.

3. Hire Mr. Whalen.

Contact attorney James P. Whalen today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.

The Law Office of James P. Whalen in Plano, Texas, handles the following alcohol and intoxication-related cases:

DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) (Misdemeanors and Felonies)
BWI (Boating While Intoxicated)
DUI (Driving Under the Influence – Under 21 Years of Age)
Intoxication Assault
Intoxication Manslaughter
Public Intoxication
Minor in Possession & Minor in Consumption
Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor

Contact attorney James P. Whalen today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. .

Why is Mr. Whalen so successful in defending DWIs?

His answer … “PREPARATION … it starts from the minute client hires me until the trial actually begins.”

In preparation for defending your DWI, Mr. Whalen will obtain copies of the police reports, inventory logs, driving records, and information from the jail booking. Of course this also includes getting a copy of your DWI tape.

James P. Whalen’s philosophy on DWIs:

If you plead, you lose! A plea means the State convicted you by your own admission. If this is your first DWI, you have little to lose by trying your case! I believe that many people plead their DWI because they are afraid of the unknown. I understand this and so we will discuss your fears and concerns at length so that you have a comfort level with whatever decision you make.

DWI BASICS

Criminal Penalty

A DWI 1st is a class B misdemeanor and carries a range of punishment of up to 180 days in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
A DWI 2nd is a class A misdemeanor and carries a range of punishment of up to 365 days in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
A DWI 3rd is a third degree felony and carries the possibility of time in the penitentiary.
Is probation a possibility or will I have to go to jail? – Usually, it is a possibility…but be warned. Probation (now called “community supervision”) can be time consuming and expensive.

Civil Penalty

DWI Surcharges
$1,000.00 per year – upon a DWI 1st conviction (total $3,000.00)
$1,500.00 per year – if you are convicted of DWI and have a previous DWI conviction at any prior time (total $4500.00)
$2,000.00 per year – if it is shown that the breath or blood specimen showed an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more (total $6,000.00)

Contact attorney James P. Whalen today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.