San Antonio Attorney Rudy M. Vasquez

Why Choose Board Certified

Mark of Excellence

Board Certification is a mark of excellence and a distinguishing accomplishment.
Within the Texas legal community, Board Certification means an attorney has substantial, relevant experience in a select field of law as well as demonstrated, and tested, special competence in that area of law.

A Distinguished Few

There are more than 70,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas. Only 7,000 are Board Certified.
Board Certified lawyers earn the right to publicly represent themselves as a specialist in a select area of the law. In fact, they are the only attorneys allowed by the State Bar of Texas to do so. This designation sets them apart as being an attorney with the highest, public commitment to excellence in their area of law.
The process is voluntary and can only take place after an attorney has been in practice for five years, with a minimum of three years experience in the specialty area.
Moreover, Board Certification is not a one-time event. It requires an ongoing involvement in the specialty area which is periodically substantiated with references from peers in that field.

QUESTIONS, CALL MY CELL AT 210 789-2828

QUESTIONS, CALL MY CELL AT 210 789-2828
San Antonio Bexar County Courthouse

Thursday, December 2, 2010

San Antonio Policeman Sentenced to 15 years for Car Wreck Causing Death



A San Antonio Police Officer who was speeding and responding to a low level shoplifting crime two years ago was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his actions.   The now former officer was found guilty this week by a Bexar County jury of manslaughter and assault for a car wreck where it was reported that he was responding to a reported shoplifting at a speed in excess of 100 miles per hour when he crashed into a private citizens' vehicle and then struck and killed another San Antonio Police Officer who happened to be out in the area putting out warning flares.   The former officer facing charges rejected a plea bargain offer of 10 years with the possibility of probation and fired his first lawyers to take his chances with the jury.   The maximum range of punishment he was facing was twenty years, thus the district attorney had offered him one-half of the possible maximum to agree to a plea bargain without a trial.  After hearing the evidence from both sides, the jury found him guilty and sentenced him to 15 years.  Because there was a jury finding that he used his vehicle as a deadly weapon, he must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Speed and distracted driving is the main reason for deaths and injuries on our roads. The common term "car accident" is in error.   Car wrecks are only "accidents" when no-one or thing actions or conduct contributed to the wreck.    As you can see, excessive speeds can even lead anyone to serious criminal charges including charges that one is using their vehicle as a deadly weapon.  

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

San Antonio Catholic Priest accused of sex assault on child and murder for hire




A San Antonio Catholic priest who  was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 16 year old teenage boy in 2008, was arrested again last week in Dallas on charges of trying to hire someone to a hitman to kill his accuser.
Father John M. Fiala, was in Dallas County Jail on a charge of solicitation to commit murder and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
The Texas Rangers and Department of Public Safety troopers arrested Fiala after he negotiated a murder for hire deal with an undercover officer at his house in Garland, Texas according to statements attributed to DPS spokesman Tom Vinger.
For more information, the article can be read at the San Antonio Express News.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Sports Law



Former LSU Lineman Suing Lloyd's over $2Million Dollar Insurance Policy
Former Louisiana State University offensive lineman Ciron Black is seeking $4 million in a lawsuit claiming that underwriters at Lloyd's of London did not pay an insurance policy he bought before a career-ending knee injury.
In a federal lawsuit filed Oct. 29, Black said he was projected as a first-round NFL pick before the 2009 season. After the season, he was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. He also received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is given to the SEC's top offensive lineman.
Black hurt his knee in a Nov. 7 game against Alabama, was not drafted by any NFL team and was told by doctors on April 20 that his career was over, the lawsuit said.
"He' s told he can't play football again," Black's attorney, Patrick Jackson, told The Advocate. "To suddenly not be able to play football, you can imagine how devastating that is for any young man who had his sights on a career in the NFL."
Jackson said the suit is aimed against underwriters that were supposed to insure Black against a career-ending injury. Jackson said Black paid $14,758 in premiums for a $2 million policy. The suit also seeks $2 million in additional damages for failing to act in "good faith and fair dealing."

Thursday, October 28, 2010

If you shop at Dollar Tree, and have little kids, check this out.

 

 

Dollar Tree Recalls Children's Projector Flashlights Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Wolverine, Spider-Man and Iron Man 2 Projector Flashlights
Units: About 275,000
Hazard: The flashlights can cause the batteries and/or bulb to overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.


Description: The recalled projector flashlights are about 6 1/2 inches in length and have the Wolverine, Spider-Man and Iron Man characters and names printed on them. The flashlights come with five extra mini discs that attach to the flashlight to project various images. The back of the packaging contains the number 16879-20012-003-1003 and UPC 6 39277 16879 5.
Sold at: Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Tree $1 Stop, Deal$ and Dollar Tree Deal$ stores nationwide from August 2010 for about $1.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled flashlights away from children immediately, remove and properly discard the batteries and return the flashlights to the store where purchased for a full refund.


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Wake up San Antonio its a car crash not a car "accident"

drunk driving
WAKE UP SAN ANTONIO…ITS NOT A CAR ACCIDENT…it’s a car CRASH!!!

Your child, teenager, or young adult greatest risk of death is in someone else’s hands.

Car crashes (not ‘accidents’) are the No. 1 killer of children, teens and young adults in America.

Now your favorite recording artists, actors and sport athletes are trying to reduce the risks to our children by trying to change the opinions drinking and driving.

 RADD once stood for Recording Artists, Actors, and Athletes Against Drunk Driving, now stands for The Entertainment Industry’s Voice Against Drunk Driving and is best known for its slogan, “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”
Not to be confused with MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, RADD is nonprofit organization formed in 1986 that uses celebrity power and public service announcements such as “friends don’t let friends drive drunk” to promote sober driving and road safety.

John Mayer, Barry Bonds, Paul McCartney, Shaquille O’Neal, Warren G, Tim McGraw, Marc Anthony and Gwen Stefani have backed RADD’s road safety efforts and used their voices to get the word out about the importance of having a designated driver.

The goal of RADD is “to reduce fatalities and injuries across all age groups by promoting safe, sober driving and awareness of road safety.”



Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Bexar County is reportedly breaking state law requiring the swift examination of every mentally ill prisoner in jail, leaving an untold number of inmates languishing without proper psychiatric care.  Many of the defendants who are housed at the Bexar County jail suffer from mental illness.  Left properly untreated, this results in harm to the inmate, cell mates, the Bexar County employees, and when released, the general public.        As an attorney assigned court appointments, I can tell you first hand, that many of the individual inmates suffer from some form of mental illness that is often not treated, before, during and after their release. San Antonio and Bexar County must do more to properly examine prisoners for mental illness and provide medication, treatment, placement or proper services in a humane and safe manner.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Motorcycle death in San Antonio

     Our client called us today to tell us her sister was killed this past week in a motorcycle crash near IH 10 West and Dezavala road, in San Antonio, Texas.  Her sister was a passenger, and she was wearing a motorcycle helmet, but was killed when thrown off the Harley and crashed into a concrete median.  We extend our sympathies to her and her family. 

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Graphic Distracted Driver Video



here is a post recent sent to my San Antonio Office regarding distracted driving, if you believe it would make a difference, please forward it to you teens and young drivers. 

Friday, May 14, 2010


Recently a local San Antonio television station reported that HOA abuse is on the rise in San Antonio.  HOA stands for Home Owner Association, which is a group of your neighbors who are elected or appointed to run your neighborhood and assess fees against its residents.   According to the report, it stated a man's $165,000 house was auctioned off by the HOA board, to pay a $700 debt. http://fwix.com/sanantonio/share/eb0b2548c7/homeowner_association_foreclosures_skyrocketing?eref=190834_10 They also reported that the HOA added on charges and attorney fees to take the debt up to over $2,000.00. 

If you live in a neighborhood with a HOA, make sure you read your HOA rules and regulations that came with your house closing papers.  Also make sure that the HOA was properly organized.  Many HOA actions are done with good in mind, but with their power and politics their actions can become selective and abusive.  If you feel your HOA is going to far, document everything, take photographs, get actions in writing, and consult with a attorney to assist you before their actions go too far.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

San Antonio Police Department




A San Antonio police officer accused of using a city computer to glean a woman's personal information and then staging an emergency response to her house has been fired after an investigation revealed he boasted about other women on his patrol car terminal and pulled their personal data as well, according to Police Department records.

 The San Antonio Police Department reported www.mysa.com that a police officer is accused of using his office to get personal information on women in San Antonio and then staging fake calls to their house to get more personal information from them.  The officer was on the San Antonio Police Department for over 14 years.
 

The violations involve at least seven women and the events took place through October, November and December 2009, according to the city's findings.

If you are alone and are stopped by anyone who looks like a police officer and you are not sure, use your cell phone and call 911, they can confirm if the person stopping you is in fact an officer.  Also, if you have a cell phone or camera, or other recording device, leave it on in your car, while speaking to the individual.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Why Choose Board Certified

This was recently printed by the TBLS:



Why Choose Board Certified


Why Choose Board Certified

Mark of Excellence

Board Certification is a mark of excellence and a distinguishing accomplishment.
Within the Texas legal community, Board Certification means an attorney has substantial, relevant experience in a select field of law as well as demonstrated, and tested, special competence in that area of law.

A Distinguished Few

There are more than 70,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas. Only 7,000 are Board Certified.
Board Certified lawyers earn the right to publicly represent themselves as a specialist in a select area of the law. In fact, they are the only attorneys allowed by the State Bar of Texas to do so. This designation sets them apart as being an attorney with the highest, public commitment to excellence in their area of law.
The process is voluntary and can only take place after an attorney has been in practice for five years, with a minimum of three years experience in the specialty area.
Moreover, Board Certification is not a one-time event. It requires an ongoing involvement in the specialty area which is periodically substantiated with references from peers in that field. It also requires annual professional refreshment through TBLS approved, continuing legal education course work to stay abreast of current trends in law.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Judge telephone numbers

Judge Gloria Saldana, 224th Civ Dist ct.  210 335-2132
Judge Peter Sakai, 225th Civil Dist Ct. 210 335-2233
Judge Sid L. Harle, 226th Crim. Dist Ct. 210335-2446
Judge Phillip Kazen, 227th Crim Dist Ct. 210 335-2304
Judge Sol Casseb III, 288 Civ. Dist Ct. 210 335-2663

San Antonio Judges Contact Numbers Continued

Judge Martha Tanner
San Antonio District Judges continued: 

Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl  144th Criminal Dist Ct.  210 335-2511
Judge Janet Littlejohn 150th Civil Dist Ct. 210 335-2533
Judge Martha Tanner 166 Civil Dist Ct.  210 335-2501
Judge Mary Roman, 175th Criminal Dis. Ct.  210 335-2527
Judge Maria Teresa Herr  186th Criminal Dist. Ct  210 35-2505
Judge Ramond Angelini, 187th Criminal Dist Ct.  210 335-2517

Bexar County Judges Telephone Numbers

Judge John D. Gabriel 131st

If you have a case in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, here is a list of District Court Judges at their telephone numbers:

Judge David Peeples 4th Admin Judge-210 335-0466
Judge David Berchelmann 37th Civil Dist Ct- 210 335-2515
Judge Barbara Hanson Nellermore 45th Civil Dist Ct  210 335-2507
Judge Antonia Arteaga  57th Civil Dist. Ct. 210 335-2531
Judge Renee F. McElhaney  73rd Civil Dist. 210 335-2523
Judge John D. Gabriel 131st Civil Dist Ct.  210 335-2521

The remainder will be listed in the next post