Was a family member caught shoplifting? In addition to facing criminal charges, Texas state law allows businesses to sue a shoplifter in civil claims court. A Civil Demand Letter is sent by the law firm representing the business and can demand payment for not only the value of the stolen property, but damages, attorney fees and even increased security measures put in place in response to the crime. If a minor committed the offense, the parents can be named. The letter imposes a deadline for payment that if not met, will result in the business filing an official suit against them in civil court. If you receive a civil demand letter, consulting an attorney could save you money. Let The Hyde Law Firm advise you of the best course of action.

The landlord and tenant relationship, whether it’s a residential or commercial property, can be a fragile one. Particularly when a dispute arises. Both parties have obligations and rights and when either believes those rights have been violated emotions flare. Involving a knowledgeable attorney to review (or help draft) contracts and leases is essential to both resolving and preventing disputes. The Hyde Law Firm can assist in recovering security deposits, wrongful evictions, drafting and interpretation of contracts and leases, foreclosure evictions and defense, property use disputes, and more.

You were excited to drive your new car or truck off the lot, but now it seems to spend more time in for repairs than on the road. If you meet the requirements, the Texas Lemon Law can be used to help you get it repurchased, replaced or finally repaired under the manufacturer’s original warranty with less hassle and expense than going to court.

A state law administered by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the Lemon Law applies to new motor vehicles bought or leased such as cars, trucks and vans, but also applies to motorcycles, motorhomes, towable RVs, ATVs, UTVs, and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs). The Hyde Law Firm can help you determine if your vehicle meets the qualifications to file a lemon law complaint and help you navigate the process. In some situations, federal consumer protection laws could require the car manufacturer or dealer to pay your attorney fees. Have you taken your vehicle to a dealership for repairs four times in the first 24 months (or 24,000 miles) and it’s still not fixed? Does the defect pose a serious, potentially life-threatening safety hazard? Has your vehicle been out-of-service for more than 30 days (does not have to be consecutive) during the first 24 months (or 24,000 miles)? If any of these apply, you may be protected under the Texas Lemon Law.

Have you followed through on your end of an agreement only to have the other party fail to do the same or is someone claiming you are the one at fault. In Texas, financial compensation can be recovered through a breach of contract claim as long as they can prove that a valid contract exists, the plaintiff performed according to the contract and the defendant did not which resulted in the plaintiff suffering damages due to the breach. The first step is proving a binding contract exists. In order to be legally valid in Texas, each party must have come to an agreement on the terms of the contract and both parties are exchanging something of value. One-way promises are rarely enforceable. The contract doesn’t have to be a formal written one. Texas recognizes verbal contracts as long as they meet the qualifications for breach of contract. The attorney’s at The Hyde Law Firm will evaluate your case and guide you through the process of filing suit and/or settling the case in a timely manner in the Hood County area.

The Deceptive Trade Practices Act protects consumers against false, misleading, and deceptive business or insurance practices, warranty breaches and unconscionable acts. DTPA states an unconscionable act “takes advantage of the lack of knowledge, ability, experience, or capacity of a person to a grossly unfair degree”.