Category: Criminal Charges
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s highest court for criminal cases. It reviews appeals from lower courts in serious criminal matters, including death penalty cases. Unlike the Texas Supreme Court, which handles civil cases, this court focuses solely on interpreting criminal law and ensuring fair trials statewide. How Often Do the Judges…
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s controversial “catch and jail” border crackdown has left hundreds of migrants languishing for months in jail before they can even appear before a judge, according to reports. The Texas Tribune reported retired judges and prosecutors from across Texas have been enlisted to help process a constant stream of new cases after…
Increasing numbers of young people are turning to apps such as Snapchat and TikTok during the ongoing pandemic, leading to a proliferation in online threats and a headache for schools and law enforcement. In some cases, alleged threats made on these sites have resulted in serious charges against juveniles. This month in Texas, three students…
Capital murder is one of the most serious crimes that can be committed in the state of Texas. Understanding the laws can help with your defense. According to Texas law, all types and degrees of murder are classified as a criminal homicide. Any crime of murder is serious, and if issued a conviction, it can…
Dallas police have struggled to contain a rise in violent crime in the city in recent years. However, a new initiative to target crime hotspots in the city appears to be having a positive impact. In November, Dallas City Council members Monday praised progress from Chief Eddie Garcia’s violent crime plan as the police department…
People who are accused of soliciting prostitution in Texas are facing increasingly tough sentences after the offense became a felony in the state this fall. This month, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn announced the arrests of 115 men who he said allegedly tried to pay for sex acts for people acting as decoys. The Star-Telegram…
When you hear the terms manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, it may be hard to distinguish between them. We Asked a Dallas homicide defense lawyer Mick Mickelsen to help us understand. Under Texas law, there are four types of criminal homicide: capital murder, murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Both manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide involve the…
Vehicle crimes have risen over the last two years in Texas, prompting a $13.6 million crime prevention grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority to law enforcement agencies. The National Institute Crime Bureau recorded a 326 percent increase in catalytic converter thefts from 2019 to 2020 in an area including Central Texas. A report…
A court has upheld Texas’ recently enacted “revenge porn” law that can land offenders in jail for up to a year. The state’s so-called “revenge porn” law makes it a misdemeanor to post somebody’s intimate photographs online without their consent. This month, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that the law does not violate…
People have a right to protest peacefully under the First Amendment. However, it’s illegal to obstruct the roadway if it prevents the passing of emergency vehicles. This month, the Texas House passed a bill that would increase criminal penalties and require jail time for people who block highways during protests if their action impedes emergency…