Law Office of Jorge Vela, PLLC

09/23/2022

Meet Attorney Miguel Aguilera. Miguel is veteran with multiple combat tours of service. He also spent twelve years as a law enforcement officer in California. Today, Miguel continues to serve the Austin community as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. We are incredibly proud to have him on the Vela Law criminal defense team. To read more about Miguel, checkout the “About” section on our website link in the bio.

02/20/2022

Arrested? Accused of a crime? We got your back! Set up a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney today!

512-537-1237

09/17/2021

Heads up, Austin! Starting October 1st, Austin Police Department will enforce a “no refusal initiative.” This means that if police suspect you of driving while intoxicated they will obtain a search warrant (court order) to draw your blood and test it for the presence of alcohol.

Yes! Under the law, police are allowed to draw your blood, without your consent, if they have a search warrant.

Part of my job is keep people out of jail. Take a ride share if you drink!

If you are arrested for DWI, then we will work to get you out of jail.

Call our office - 512-537-1237

That means that officers can get a blood search warrant for anyone suspected of driving while intoxicated.

07/23/2021

A confidential informant (CI) is a private citizen that secretly assists law enforcement in criminal investigations by providing information.

In many cases, CIs are promised a reduction (or dismissal) of criminal charges they themselves may be facing if they provide info.

What may surprise most people, is that in most cases cases, the CI is actually being paid cash for the info they provide. Yes. An untrained, unqualified, criminal is being paid BY police to “snitch.” This creates obvious perverse incentives to lie, corrupting almost every drug trafficking investigation. Need proof? Read the article below

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/07/21/three-people-wrongly-convicted-after-informant-planted-drugs-bexar-county-da-says/?fbclid=IwAR1MDyUqdlLW3UCOS-RwJ8Nf_05a-P9A_Pumn9Sp6ein8FtTxp6EOkTYWH0

The Bexar County Conviction Integrity Unit helped three people clear their names after an informant’s planted drugs led to their convictions, the district attorney’s office announced Wednesday.

02/21/2021

Great time volunteering with Hustle For The Cause, Contigo Wellness, Del Valle Community Coalition, and other organizations as they prepped bags with basic necessities for individuals affected by the winter storm. Each organization does great things for the Austin community.

09/21/2020

Before Ginsburg...

Google honored a Laredo journalist, educator, nurse and activist Jovitar Idar today, celebrating her birthday with today's Google Doodle.

08/15/2020

Visite nuestra nueva página web en español!

Jorge Vela is a criminal defense lawyer located in Austin, Texas. Attorney Jorge Vela represents individuals accused of state and federal crimes including driving while intoxicated (DWI), drug possession, assault, family violence, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, manslaughter, and murder.

03/01/2020

Three of Laredo’s finest were wrongfully accused of assault after they defended themselves. Our office is grateful the jury saw the truth and exonerated these officers.

The community of Laredo should support them as they move past the injustice they experienced.

Charges have been dropped against two Laredo cops accused of taking part in a fight where a man was beaten two years ago in the Sixth Street entertainment district in Austin.

02/18/2020

Officer Juan Ángel Leal did what any honorable person should do when a friend is attacked. Defend them.

None of these officers should have ever faced criminal charges. Evidence at trial clearly showed Officer Leal lawfully defended his friends and himself after they were assaulted.

Officer Leal, along with Officer Solis and Officer Escamilla, are some of Laredo’s finest. They should be reinstated to their original positions at the Laredo Police Department as soon as possible.

A Laredo police officer has been found not guilty of taking part in a fight where a man was beaten in the Sixth Street entertainment district in...