The use of illegal drugs such as cocaine or heroin during pregnancy presents significant risks for newborns. Unfortunately, it’s a widespread phenomenon. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 5% of pregnant women use some form of addictive controlled substances, with cocaine exposure impacting as many as 750,000 pregnancies each year. Lawmakers and law enforcement officials in… Read More
What’s the Difference Between Robbery and Theft?
Criminal laws are written carefully to distinguish the seriousness of someone’s actions. The distinctions are sometimes very slight but can make a significant difference in a court of law regarding sentencing. One example is the statutes of robbery and theft. Non-lawyers generally view robbery and theft as being the same offense, and in the broadest… Read More
Can Convicted Felons Own Guns in Texas?
Federal vs State Law One of the rights that an individual might be forced to forfeit when they are convicted of a criminal charge is their right to possess firearms. In federal law, all individuals who are convicted of felonies, domestic violence charges, or any charge with a minimum sentence of one year are barred… Read More
Felony and Misdemeanor Assault in Texas
The Legal Differences Between Felonies and Misdemeanors in Texas Assault is a serious crime in the state of Texas, and an assault charge should never be taken lightly. That being said, it is important to know the different levels of assault charges in case you ever face one, as the penalties vary drastically. For the… Read More
The Parole Process for Texas Offenders
What is parole? Parole is the decision of the Board of Pardons and Paroles to allow an inmate to serve the remainder of their sentence under supervision, outside of the detention center. It is a way to better integrate inmates into the community and more smoothly transition them out of prison. Not all inmates are… Read More
Should You Cooperate With the Prosecutor?
Who is the prosecutor? The prosecutor is the lawyer defending the state in criminal cases. If you have a criminal charge filed against you, the prosecutor is the one trying to prove your guilt. I got a call from the state prosecutor. What should I tell them? First, it is unusual to receive a… Read More
What is an Appeals Bond?
Appeals Bonds in Texas An appeals bond is exactly what it describes: a bond for the appeals process. When a court makes a decision that not all parties agree with, one or more of the parties can file to have the decisions looked over by a higher court. Since court fees are often high and… Read More
Penalties for Human Trafficking in Texas
If you are a victim of human trafficking call the human trafficking hotline: 1-888-3737-888 Texas has one of the highest rates of human trafficking in the United States, with an estimated 234,000 victims of trafficking in the state at any given time. This includes 79,000 victims of youth and minor sex trafficking. If you… Read More
Texas Laws on Embezzlement
Under Texas law, the crime of embezzlement falls under the category of “theft,” along with shoplifting, swindling, extortion, and receiving or concealing stolen or embezzled property. The consequences of all subsections of theft are the same. These penalties can be devastating without proper trial preparation, which is why the definition of embezzlement should be known… Read More
Infant Drug Testing in Texas
When a baby is born they are subjected to a wide array of tests to ensure that they are in optimal health. The tests also serve as an early warning should the baby have any of the conditions being tested for, meaning the doctor can begin treatment as early as possible. Among the tests… Read More
