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
Posts Categorized In: Criminal Defense
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
The Difference Between Robbery, Burglary, and Theft
The law is full of semantic differences that may seem minor but could be the difference between minor fines and prison times. Various forms of stealing is an example of these semantic differences, and you should know them prior to your court appearance, should you be charged with any of them. Robbery What it… Read More
What’s an ICE Hold?
With respect to a criminal offense, an ICE hold puts a federal detainer on an illegal alien. Once the illegal alien completes his state case through sentencing, or posts bond, immigration will then come and pick him or her up for deportation purposes. The practical effect of an ICE hold is that the illegal alien… Read More
What is a 3(g) offense or aggravated offense?
The term “3(g)” comes from former Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 42.12, section 3(g). Such article was recently repealed. It is now codified as Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 42A.054, “Limitation on Judge-Ordered Community Supervision.” 3(g) offenses are offenses in which a Judge cannot give a defendant regular or straight probation. Thus, a… Read More
Marijuana Concentrate/Hash Oil/Dabs Spins a Misdemeanor Offense into a Felony Offense
Generally, simple Possession of Marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 481.121 (West 2018). However, simple possession of marijuana concentrate/hash oil/dabs starts out as a state-jail felony. Texas Health and Safety Code section 481.002 provides the definition of marijuana. Marijuana concentrate/hash oil/dabs is not marijuana under the Code… Read More