Category: Criminal Charges

What Should I Expect at a Criminal Sentencing?

Once someone has been convicted of a crime by a judge or jury, his or her case moves on to the sentencing stage. In the event an individual accepts a plea bargain, they will also go through the sentencing process. An individual is also sentenced if they take a plea bargain from the prosecutor. Most…

domestic violence

Texas has a wide definition of domestic violence crimes. Although we often think of domestic violence offenses occurring between husbands and wives or people who are dating, there are many more classifications. The Lone Star State recognizes three distinct crimes of domestic violence, namely domestic assault, aggravated domestic assault and continuous violence against the family….

gavel and sounding block on desk

Bail hearings are coming under fire across the country. In Dallas County, the secretive nature of the process is the subject of a lawsuit. Last month, the Texas Tribune reported bail hearings are open to the public in much of the country. The idea is the process should be transparent. However, in Dallas County people…

bodycam

Police body camera evidence is a relatively new and powerful tool in criminal trials. Footage has helped expose improper DWI arrests and heavy-handed police tactics. In a recent murder trial, the video footage helped secure the murder conviction of a Texas officer accused of shooting a 15-year-old dead. Police officers are seldom convicted of murder…

How Murder and Felony Murder Are Defined in Texas

Any charge of murder is serious, but the type of murder charge has an impact on your case. Find out the difference between murder and felony murder in Texas. Criminal offenses that coincide with the loss of life result in charges that are among the most serious a person can face. In the state of…

Hate Crime

Texas has had a hate crime statute since 2001. However, the law is used sparingly and many people who are arrested for hate crimes are not eventually convicted. Hate crime charges can also be brought by the federal authorities. Last month, a 26-year-old man was convicted of a federal hate crime for burning down a…

guard indictments spark call texas prisons watchdog

Texas prisons are tough and uncompromising places. As well as facing dangers on a daily basis, inmates were targeted by unscrupulous employees, according to an investigation. Several Texas prison employees were indicted earlier in July for allegedly conspiring to plant screwdrivers in an inmate’s cell, the Texas Tribune reported. On the back of the incident,…

Juvenile Crime Spikes in the Summer

When summer is just around the corner, most kids look forward to getting out of school and hitting the beach, the park, or just hanging out at home. Everyone likes a break now and then, and modern teens definitely have a lot of on their plates. However, summer can be a precarious time for young…

Common Defenses to Criminal Charges

When you have been charged with a crime, one of the first questions you might ask is what types of defenses are available to you. This is where the advice and counsel of an experienced criminal defense lawyer is invaluable. Your attorney can help you explore your rights and options, including which defense or defenses…

man taking purse out of car, committing larceny

A crime known as “jugging” often increases during the holiday season. When a person “gets jugged,” someone takes money from them that they just withdrew, such as from an ATM or bank. According to the Houston Police Department, there were more than 735 documented jugging cases in one recent year. Here’s what you need to…