FAQs: Criminal Defense - Page 2

When Is Duress a Texas Defense? Texas seeks to punish those whose criminal acts harm other people. But sometimes a defendant doesn’t act freely. Instead, he or she...

Will a Case Drop If a Witness Refuses? What Happens When a Witness or Victim Won’t Testify in a Texas Criminal Case? Insights from a Galveston Criminal Lawyer One of...

Is Animal Cruelty Illegal in Texas? We typically think of criminal law protecting humans from harm. But Texas law also has animal cruelty provisions which can lead to...

What Is a Bench Warrant? If you’ve been arrested on a bench warrant, you might have no idea what that means. In Texas, a judge can issue...

Is Crime Rising or Falling in Houston? People are naturally worried about crime, especially violent crime. However, few people really know whether a city as large as Houston is...

What Is Evidence Tampering in Galveston? The criminal justice system only works if judges and jurors can believe the credibility of evidence. For this reason, Texas criminalizes tampering...

Is Doxing a Crime in Texas? Doxing consists of spreading private information about a person or organization, usually on the internet and without the victim’s consent. Many people...

Is Elder Financial Exploitation a Crime in Texas? Yes, financial exploitation of the elderly can be a crime. And some family members or concerned friends might be falsely accused of...

What Is Resisting Arrest in Houston? Although struggling with the police might make a good episode of Cops, it’s disastrous for your criminal case. Texas has laws on...

Will Probation Violations Lead to Jail? Violating the conditions of probation is a very serious accusation, and those out on probation need a Houston criminal defense attorney by...

Can Fireworks Lead to Arson Charges? With Independence Day fast approaching, many people are buying fireworks to create a light show in celebration. However, fireworks are very dangerous,...

Can Using Your Mother’s Credit Card Lead to Jail? Charged with Credit Card Abuse in Houston? Using a credit card that isn’t yours might seem like a small mistake, especially if...

Can Aiding and Abetting Burglary Lead to Charges? Texas prosecutors seek stiff punishment for criminals. But in their zeal to reduce crime, they often go after those people who might...

Can Two Defendants Share a Defense Attorney? This question pops up sometimes when two people are arrested for participating in the same crime. They might think hiring the same...

Burglary vs. Criminal Trespass Both burglary and criminal trespass are crimes in Texas, but most people don’t know the difference between the two. Sometimes prosecutors bring...

When Is Self-Defense Effective? When you are facing criminal charges in Texas, you should be working with an experienced Texas criminal defense lawyer to develop a...

Fourth Amendment Criminal Defense Basics When you are facing any kind of criminal charges, it is essential to begin working with an aggressive Houston criminal defense attorney...

What Is a Class C Misdemeanor in Texas? The Texas Penal Code divides crimes into felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanor offenses are further subdivided into three classes: A, B, and C....

When Warrant Misrepresentations Matter Before the police may lawfully search a person’s property without the owner’s consent, an officer must first obtain a search warrant from...

Organized Crime Charges Can Add Years Texas prosecutors will often try and “enhance” a criminal case by charging the defendant with “engaging in organized criminal activity” or EOCA....

Is Failing to Identify Yourself a Crime? Can a police officer stop you on the street and demand identification? In some circumstances, yes. Under Texas law, when an officer...

When Can You Drive on the Shoulder in Texas? Have you ever become frustrated with the flow of traffic and decided to try and “ride the shoulder” of the road? In...

Can You Cross-Examine Witnesses at Bail? The United States Constitution and Texas law guarantee a criminal defendant’s right to seek and receive reasonable bail pending trial. That does...

Can I Expunge My Criminal Record in Texas? Being arrested, charged, and potentially convicted of a crime can have long-term consequences. In fact, even if you’re not convicted, an arrest...

What Crimes Are Wobblers in Texas? Most people have a basic understanding of how crimes are organized in the classification of offenses under Texas law, which separates them...

What to Know About Plea Bargains Plea bargains, or plea agreements, are a kind of compromise that a defendant makes with a prosecutor. Basically, in exchange for entering...

When Can Police Search Without a Warrant? While it is true that in most cases, police officers are barred from searching someone’s personal belongings, vehicle, or home without first...

Will Public Consumption Rules Affect Open Containers? There is still some confusion regarding the scope of Texas open container laws. Some people believe that it is illegal to have...

Can Police Search Luggage After an Airport Arrest? The U.S. Constitution generally prohibits warrantless police searches of a suspect's property. There are, however, multiple exceptions to this general rule. One...

When Suspects Don’t Understand Their Rights Before police may lawfully start to question a criminal suspect, they must advise that suspect of their constitutional rights–namely, the right to...