Navigating the Texas Legal System: From CDL Protection to Clearing Your Criminal Record with Michael Aaronson

In this episode of Local Area Business Talk, we sit down for an in-depth conversation with Michael Aaronson, the founding attorney of the Aaronson Law Firm in El Paso, Texas. With a remarkable legal career spanning nearly 50 years, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the local and state legal landscapes.

Whether you are a professional driver whose livelihood depends on a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a student worried about a past mistake appearing on background checks, or a citizen interested in knowing their constitutional rights during a traffic stop, this episode is a masterclass in Texas criminal and traffic law.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. The High Stakes of CDL Advocacy For commercial truck drivers, a driver’s license isn’t just a permit—it’s a career. Michael explains how the Aaronson Law Firm represents CDL holders in hearings against the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Learn why you should never simply “accept” a revocation notice and how a dedicated attorney can negotiate with District Attorneys to keep you on the road.

2. Occupational and Essential Needs Licenses If your license has been suspended, how do you get to work or take your children to school? Michael breaks down the “Essential Needs” or Occupational Driver’s License (ODL). He explains how these court-ordered licenses work, where they are valid, and why judges are often willing to grant them to ensure citizens can maintain their daily responsibilities.

3. The Science and Pitfalls of DWI/DUI Stops Do you know the difference between being “under the influence” and “legally intoxicated” in Texas? We discuss the .08 BAC threshold and the “loss of normal use” standard. Michael provides a fascinating breakdown of Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs), including:

• HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus): The involuntary jerking of the eye.
• The Walk and Turn: A test of divided attention and physical balance.
• The One-Leg Stand: How officers look for specific “clues” to build a case against you.

4. Your Constitutional Rights: Search, Seizure, and Silence “Less is more.” Michael offers crucial advice on interacting with law enforcement. We discuss the Fourth Amendment, the right to refuse a vehicle search, and why volunteering information about your day can often work against you in a court of law. Learn the power of the simple question: “Officer, am I being detained?”

5. Expunctions vs. Non-Disclosures: A Second Chance One of the most valuable parts of this interview covers how to clear your record.

• Expunction: The “gold standard” of record clearing. Michael explains how this process can legally destroy criminal records, allowing you to deny an occurrence ever happened—even on job applications.
• Orders of Non-Disclosure: How to seal your records from the public eye and background check agencies, even when an expunction isn’t an option.

About the Guest: Michael Aaronson has been a pillar of the El Paso legal community for 49 years. His firm specializes in criminal law, felonies, misdemeanors, driver’s license suspensions, and the sealing of criminal records. His experience in the El Paso County Courts and his history of negotiating with the DPS make him one of the region's most sought-after advocates.

• Firm Name: Aaronson Law Firm
• Attorney: Michael Aaronson
• Office Address: 7362 Remcon Circle, El Paso, Texas 79912 (West Side El Paso)
• Phone Number: (915) 533-0110
• Website: https://aaronsonlawtx.com