Blog: Criminal Defense - Page 5

Texas Smartphone Driving Ban: Six Months Later Criminal Defense It's hard to remember there was a time–say, 10 years ago–when people were not constantly looking at their smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately,...

What Is Harassment Under a Texas Protection Order? Criminal Defense Domestic abuse allegations frequently arise during contested divorce cases in Galveston County. A judge may issue a protective order in favor of...

What Is a Deadly Weapon in Texas? Criminal Defense Violent crimes are treated significantly more harshly in Texas when they involve a “deadly weapon.” This does not just refer to items,...

Is Touching the Fog Line a Traffic Violation? Criminal Defense Houston-area police are always on the lookout for potential traffic violations that may justify stopping a driver. But sometimes the police interpret...

Do Houston Police Prolong Traffic Stops? Criminal Defense Many Houston-area residents find themselves facing serious drug charges because they do not understand their legal rights when stopped by police. Drug...

Court Reconsiders Fault-Based Property Division Criminal Defense Texas is a community property state. In plain terms, this means that all property acquired during a couple's marriage is presumed to...

How to Challenge a Houston Speeding Ticket Criminal Defense Dealing with a traffic ticket can be a hassle. But if you believe you did nothing wrong, then you have every right...

Can Furtive Gestures Justify a Car Search? Criminal Defense Houston-area law enforcement officers are quick to suspect individuals of illegal drug possession. But formal drug charges require probable cause, not mere...

What Does Speedy Trial Mean in Texas? Criminal Defense Every person charged with a crime in Texas has the right to a “speedy trial.” This right is guaranteed by both the...

Can Cashier Discounts Count as Theft? Criminal Defense Misdemeanor theft is often associated with shoplifting by customers. But an employee may also be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor crime...

Who Can Present Evidence to a Texas Grand Jury? Criminal Defense A grand jury proceeding is often the first stage in prosecuting a defendant suspected of white collar crimes like securities fraud or...

How an iPad Can Lead to Burglary Conviction Criminal Defense Electronic devices are a valuable commodity and a frequent target of burglary. But today's “smart” devices, including tablets and phones, contain tracking...

How Houston Juries Decide He-Said/She-Said Cases Criminal Defense Rape trials often come down to the conflicting testimony of the accuser and the defendant. Even though prosecutors must prove all elements...

When Does Stalking Justify a Protective Order? Criminal Defense A protective order does not necessarily require an overt act of violence, such as proof of domestic violence. Under Texas law, a...

Taking Burglary Seriously in Texas Criminal Defense Although burglary is often portrayed in a somewhat comical light–think of the masked man wearing stripes and carrying a sack with a...

How Reduced Charges Affect Expungement Criminal Defense Expunction (or expungement) is a process that allows you to seek removal of records related to an arrest or criminal charge that...

Your Rights Before a Texas Grand Jury Criminal Defense You have probably heard of a “grand jury” without understanding its exact function. Unlike a trial (or “petit”) jury, a grand jury...

Texas Criminal Appeals Process Criminal Defense If you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in Texas, your case does not necessarily end with the jury's verdict....

Value of Board Certified Legal Counsel Criminal Defense Considering that a defendant facing severe penalties on the basis of an allegation has enough to contend with, fostering concerns related to...

How Is Shoplifting Prosecuted in Texas? Criminal Defense Theft and shoplifting are among the most common types of misdemeanor crimes prosecuted in Texas. The severity of a theft charge is...

Texas Minor in Possession Cases Criminal Defense The State of Texas takes underage drinking very seriously. Ask anyone under age 21 who has been caught purchasing, attempting to purchase,...

Not in My Courtroom Criminal Defense If you're arrested in Texas for drunk driving, you don't want your case heard in Judge Kathleen Hamilton's courtroom. She's a judge...

How Houston Courts Set Visitation Schedules Criminal Defense Child custody and visitation rights are often one of the more contentious issues addressed in a Texas divorce proceeding. Ideally, the parents...

Is It Theft If You Thought You Had Consent? Criminal Defense Theft is defined under Texas law as the crime of unlawfully appropriating property “with intent to deprive the owner” of said property....

Is Failing to Pay a Subcontractor a Felony? Criminal Defense The phrase “white collar crime” usually conjures up an image of some type of massive fraud like a Ponzi scheme. But even...

The Best Crime Shows on TV in 2017 Criminal Defense Crime shows–sometimes called “police procedurals”–have been a staple of American television since the 1950s, when Jack Webb's landmark series Dragnet featured two...

How to Contact Texas Elected Officials Criminal Defense It might sound old-fashioned, but one of the best ways to participate in the Texas political process is to write your elected...

Capping Prison Sentences Criminal Defense The United States has the highest rate of imprisonment in the world. According to figures published by the BBC, 737 out of...

Raising the Juvenile Criminal Age in Texas Criminal Defense The United States is one of the few western countries to try accused juvenile offenders in an adult court system. A handful...

Kindness Is a Gift Criminal Defense November 13 is World Kindness Day. On this day, people around the world are urged to do kind deeds for one another...