Category Archives: Criminal Defense
What To Expect From Arrest To Verdict In A Texas Criminal Case
Most people pay little attention to how the criminal justice process in Texas unfolds, since it does not affect them directly. Aside from a general idea from following the news or watching procedural crime dramas on TV, not many people know all the steps involved from start to finish in a criminal case. This… Read More »
How And When Can A DWI Charge Be Reduced In Texas?
An arrest and criminal charge for drunk driving in Texas can be frightening for those charged, and for good reason. Driving while intoxicated under Texas law is an offense that law enforcement and prosecutors take seriously, and will not hesitate to invoke the toughest possible penalties allowed under the circumstances. What are the penalties… Read More »
How Can Prior Convictions Affect A Texas Criminal Case?
A criminal conviction on a person’s record has a number of consequences, not least of which include issues applying for jobs, housing, and other matters. A prior conviction can also rear its ugly head when a person finds themselves in legal trouble once again. Prosecutors can use a prior offense at trial or at… Read More »
What To Know About Resisting Arrest And Evading Arrest Charges In Texas
A run-in with the law can lead to any number of potential criminal charges in Texas. Among them are charges of Resisting Arrest, or Evading Arrest. These charges are often combined with other charges related to the incident or traffic stop. For some defendants, charges of Resisting or Evading Arrest in Texas can come… Read More »
Criminal Court Backlogs And What They Mean For Texas Criminal Defendants
A person charged with any crime, whether it is a felony or misdemeanor is guaranteed a Constitutional right to a “speedy and public trial” under the Sixth Amendment. In addition to the right to an attorney, the right to have your case processed fairly and efficiently is among a defendant’s most fundamental rights. Having… Read More »
Do Remote Court Proceedings Protect A Defendant’s Due Process Rights?
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed the way law is practiced in courtrooms throughout Texas and even worldwide. Remote hearings conducted through Zoom or other services had been seldom used, usually under special circumstances only, until March 2020. Then, everything changed. Courtrooms were faced with a crisis unlike any they’d seen. How to balance public… Read More »
What To Know About Child Pornography Charges In Texas
As with other sex crimes in Texas, possession, distribution, or production of child pornography are serious offenses that carry not only harsh criminal penalties, but severe collateral consequences that can affect a person’s life for years to come. These punishments exist to hold accountable those that use or spread child pornography, but can also… Read More »
How To Prove Self-Defense In A Texas Criminal Case?
Self-defense is a valid defense against criminal charges in certain situations. It can even be a complete defense warranting dismissal of a case. When and how self-defense can be applied as part of a legal defense depends on the facts and circumstances of a case, so it is important to understand how courts view… Read More »
Online Solicitation Of A Minor In Texas: What To Know And How To Defend Against Charges
Texas takes sex crimes seriously, with harsh punishments for those convicted of any number of offenses in this category. One of those is online solicitation of minors. In the interest of protecting children, Texas has laws in place to prevent minors from being approached online with certain comments, requests, or behaviors. Under Texas Penal… Read More »
What Does The U.S. Supreme Court Ruling In Vega Mean For Texans?
Since the landmark 1966 Supreme Court ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, the well-known “right to remain” silent has been a crucial element in arrests and court proceedings. At the time, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the inherent imbalance of power between law enforcement and those being arrested or held for questioning. To preserve rights… Read More »
