Rent-to-own Owners Receive New Protections Against Criminal Charges
Many people who rent-to-own furniture and other goods in Texas don’t realize failing to make payments can result in criminal charges or even a term in jail. However, a bill enacted this summer by the Texas legislature has helped close a loophole that allowed people who could not afford to make payments to be prosecuted....Read More
Should You Self Report a Known Corporate Crime?
Should you report a corporate crime that has occurred within your company or organization? Understand the reasons why businesses don’t report and why maybe they should rethink that approach. White collar crimes occur at a frequency that’s greater than many people realize. Within the scope of this category of illegal activities are corporate crimes, and...Read More
When Can Police Use a Drug Sniffing Dog?
Dogs have powerful noses. According to researchers at Florida State University, they can smell up to 100,000 times better than humans. Considering how amazing a dog’s sense of smell is, it’s probably no wonder why police use dogs to detect illegal substances. But what does the law say about drug sniffing dogs? Can police use...Read More
What is Evading Arrest or Detention in a Motor Vehicle in Texas?
Evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle in Texas can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the crime. These crimes are often associated with police pursuits but you don’t have to be involved in a long chase to be charged with the crime. Over the weekend, a woman was...Read More
Are There Passenger Rights During a Traffic Stop in Texas?
When you ride as a passenger in a vehicle, you are giving a certain amount of control over to the driver. For example, if the driver is exceeding the speed limit, you could find yourself in a situation being pulled over and stopped by the police. What happens if the driver has an illegal substance...Read More
Texas Prosecutors Are Dropping Marijuana Possession Charges over New Law
A new law in Texas is leading prosecutors to drop low-level marijuana possession charges, even though it has not legalized the drug. The law does not address marijuana. Instead, it legalizes hemp and products derived from hemp, like CBD oil. Prosecutors say the law had unexpected consequences. The Texas Tribune reported the new law had...Read More
Texas Tops the National Sex Trafficking Table
Initiatives intended to fight sex trafficking in Texas are high on the agenda of Governor Greg Abbott and the Office of the Attorney General. However, a recent report reveals the state still has a way to go to bring human trafficking under control. A report from the Human Trafficking Institute released in June revealed the...Read More
5 Things Everyone Should Know about Tax Evasion and Fraud
For most taxpayers in the United States, an IRS audit is something you should try to avoid at all costs. Unfortunately, many taxpayers already know the stress that comes when the IRS knocks on your door to investigate a simple error. When the “simple error” results in a significant discrepancy in reporting, or failure to...Read More
Abbott Veto Means Children Can Still be Charged with Prostitution in Texas
Children in Texas cannot consent to sex, but they can still be charged with prostitution after state Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would have prevented them from being arrested and brought before juvenile courts. Abbott vetoed House Bill 1771. The legislation, authored by Houston Democrat Shawn Thierry, aimed to amend the Texas penal...Read More
Is it Possible to Gain Employment After a Conviction for a White Collar Crime?
Is it possible to find work and rebuild your professional reputation after being convicted of a white collar crime? Here’s what you need to know about employment after conviction. When you’ve been convicted of white-collar crime, the residual effects of the conviction can last long after you’ve paid your dues. For people with a white...Read More