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Joseph Ruiz

Joseph Ruiz is the founder of the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC in Houston, Texas. A criminal defense attorney with 20 years of experience, he focuses his practice on DWI and other serious charges. Licensed in Texas since 2004, he earned his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law after completing his B.A. at Vanderbilt University. Ruiz has authored articles for the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association on trial strategy and juror persuasion.

LATEST ARTICLES BY: Joseph Ruiz

How to Expunge a DWI in Texas?
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Last Modified on Mar 06, 2026

When you work hard to build up a reputation, a career, and a life for yourself, it can be really life-altering when a mistake threatens to shake the foundations of everything that you have created. Thankfully, there is the option of getting certain charges wiped…

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Texas Crime Rate by City
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Last Modified on Feb 26, 2026

Texas has a population of over 29 million residents, almost 300,000 square miles of land, and is easily one of the largest states in all of the U.S. Because of its size and location; there are thousands of cities across the state that allow residents…

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How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Record in Texas?
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Last Modified on Mar 06, 2026

Most states have laws pertaining to expungement or expunction, and this can be an invaluable legal mechanism if you have a criminal record that is interfering with your life in any way. For example, if you were convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI), the record…

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Texas DWI Laws And Penalties – All You Need To Know
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Last Modified on Mar 06, 2026

Every state upholds different laws pertaining to driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). Texas DWI laws are quite strict compared to other states, and even a first conviction can carry severe consequences for the defendant. If you are arrested and charged…

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What Is the Difference Between Homicide, Murder, and Manslaughter in Texas?
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Last Modified on Mar 06, 2026

Facing criminal charges of any kind can be a life-changing experience, and the penalties for taking another life are some of the most severe that may be assigned under state law. The terms homicide, murder, and manslaughter are often used interchangeably, but the reality is…

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Ruiz Law Secures Dismissal For Client Offered 4 Years In Prison
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Last Modified on Feb 26, 2026

In this post, I’ll talk about the importance of hiring a lawyer that works on his or her craft daily. Many people may not realize this, but the law is not static. Quite the opposite, it’s constantly changing, either by legislative action or judicial interpretation…

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Citizen Tips Leading to DWI Arrests in Texas
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Last Modified on Feb 26, 2026

In this post, we’ll discuss an interesting area of 4th Amendment law and how we were able to secure a dismissal for an undocumented client charged with DWI and facing the specter of a .168 blood test result, not to mention a video of him…

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Threats as Justifiable Force – a defense to Felony Aggravated Assault
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Last Modified on Feb 26, 2026

In Texas, we love our guns.  You almost have to assume that every motorist is carrying a handgun in their vehicles.  Furthermore, many gun enthusiasts love the idea of obtaining a license to carry, so that they can go about their lives with extra peace…

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Sealing a Texas DWI Conviction
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Last Modified on Feb 26, 2026

Prior to the enactment of the new DWI non-disclosure law, a DWI conviction in Texas guaranteed the lifelong stigma of a permanent criminal record, regardless of whether the citizen had never been in trouble with the law before. Such drastic consequences are proof of the…

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Felon in Possession of a Firearm in Texas
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Last Modified on Feb 26, 2026

I recently represented a client charged with felon in possession of a firearm, a 3rd degree felony with a potential punishment range of 2-10 years in prison.  He was stopped on a minor traffic violation and, after police learned that he had several outstanding traffic…

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