Texas Open Carry Law

This article intends to clarify some common misconceptions regarding the new Texas gun law.  Open carry has always applied to rifles.  In Texas, it was completely legal to open carry a rifle without having a license.  It was illegal,however, to carry a handgun unless you had a Concealed Handgun License (CHL).  Even then it had to be concealed.  The major change is that now you can open carry a handgun too, with a proper Handgun License.  Now this doesn't mean that you can go brandishing your handgun in public all willy nilly, like some posts that have recently been circulating on Facebook.  Your handgun must be carried in a shoulder or belt holster.  If not, you can still be charged with Unlawful Carrying, even with a license.  If you would like a full consultation of your legal rights and duties under the new Texas Open Carry laws, drop by the office for a paid consultation.

Drug Testing for Welfare Benefits

Drug Testing for Welfare Benefits is Back?

Despite several prior unsuccessful attempts to pass legislation in this regard, the GOP are putting this issue back on the table.  The logic behind this bill is that we should not have taxpayers pay for peoples drug habits.  While no one can argue with this premise, their logic is flawed.  It does not necessarily follow that because someone is testing positive, that they are misusing the state benefits for thier children.  And even if they are positive, what happens to thier children.  Is the state going to designate a third party to purchase food and other items for the children of otherwise eligible parents.  I am not against drug testing, I just dont think its a fix.  Instead of drug testing, there should be more restrictions of the method of payment or the items that can be purchased.  Sodas, chips, and ice cream are items that are currently available for purchase.  Yet you wont see these items restricted due to the deep pockets of the lobbyists for the companies producing these products.  This shows legislators true intentions of punishing a social economic class rather than trying to fix the problems with the program.

State of the Union

I am glad to hear the discussion of the need for affordable day care.  I have been screaming about this for years.  The family structure is falling apart due to low wages , increased cost of living, the need of both parents to work to get by.  This is also related to the type of jobs families are relying on to support themselves.  Working at retail stores and fast food restaurants is not enough to live off of. Parents are forced to work more hours while at the same time trying to raise their children.  Our youth are being affected by this parental absenteeism.  We are relying too much on public schools to raise our children.   We need to crack the whip at big corporations, bring jobs back to America, allow families to rely on one parents earnings, and get back to raising our kids at home. Oh and a civics class or two won't hurt either. 

New Deferred Action for Adults!!

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a new deferred action for adults.  The criteria for being approved will be forthcoming.  Right now it looks like there will be a five year residency requirement,  a criminal background check,  and children or relative United States Citizens.  If you believe that you or your family member might be eligible, don't hesitate to call THE VARGAS LAW OFFICE, at 956-287-3743.

Expunction of Criminal Records

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony and had your charges dropped, dismissed, unadjudicated, deferred, or acquitted, you may be eligible for expunction of the records.  It was not enough to have your case dismissed, because the record of your arrest will still show up in most criminal history records checks.  If you have ever been denied a job and don't know why....guess again.  The attorney who handled your case may not have informed you thoroughly of your right to expunction under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.  Don't let the record of a case you had dismissed be the reason why you lose out on the perfect job opportunity, call The Vargas Law Office.

Hope is Revived for Immigration Reform!

Top officials are discussing common sense resolutions to today's immigration issues and how to deal with the millions of undocumented people that live among us making an honest living.  Although policy changes from the executive branch may not be a permanent fix, it could pave the road for true immigration reform in Congress.  Similar to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which was a policy set by then secretary Napolitano, benefiting young adults, a new policy benefiting the general populace might be in the works.  There is also mention of forgiving prior deportations for those folks with no serious criminal convictions.  My advice to you...seek counsel at The Vargas Law Office.

Supreme Court Just Sold Our Country to the Wealthy

The Supreme Court ruled that individuals can contribute as much money as they want to candidates, or political committees.  The Wealthy will now be able to buy their candidate of choice by funding their campaigns. They have in essence offered the United States to the Wealthy should they so choose to purchase it piecemeal, one election at a time.