Category Archives: Assaults

Thirteen Significant New Texas Criminal Laws Effective in 2023 

Arrests in Texas can be based upon actions or investigations by either state or federal authorities or by a combination of the two in joint operations.  From a criminal defense standpoint, the choice of law upon which the arrest is made is key. This is because criminal cases move through two entirely independent justice systems…


Witness Corroboration When Defending Sexual Assault Charges in Texas

Witnesses are very important in any criminal trial.  If what they have to say isn’t significant, they would not be called to the witness stand.  Their statements, sworn under oath, are either proof of an element in the prosecution’s case or a component of the defense’s challenge to it. All witnesses give evidence at trial. …


When Dating Leads to Arrest in Texas:  Dating Violence Under Texas Family Code §71.0021

In Texas, romance that erupts into physical violence between two people who are married or live together is considered domestic violence that can form the basis of some serious criminal assault charges.  For more, read our earlier discussions in: Family Violence in Texas: Crimes based upon Domestic Violence – It’s More Than a Fight That…


Crimes of Sexual Assault or Rape: Texas Injury Claims Based Upon Premises Liability Law

According to the latest crime statistics compiled by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), sexual assaults are on the rise in our state, with an almost 10% annual increase in reported sexual assaults.  The DPS data confirms that targets of sexual assault in Texas are more likely to be female than male and that …


Rand Paul Has 5 Broken Ribs:  Simple Assault in Texas

Right now, you probably know that Senator Rand Paul was attacked by his next-door neighbor while mowing his lawn on a Friday afternoon.  News reports are Dr. Paul suffered injuries that are much more serious than originally reported. Apparently, he remains hospitalized today after suffering five broken ribs and damage to his lung.  It may…


Defending Sexual Assault Charges and the Bill Cosby Trial

The Bill Cosby trial enters its third day today as the comedian faces three counts of aggravated indecent assault, which are felonies under Pennsylvania law.  Things are moving along.  The jury is in the box, and witnesses are taking the stand in the Montgomery County courtroom. Accuser on the Stand This morning, the testimony of…


Aggravated Assault Arrests in Dallas: Violent Crime is Up in 2016

Last week, the Dallas City Council heard the latest crime stats from the Dallas Police Department (DPD) as part of the lawmakers’ job to set up and approve the city’s operating budget for next year. How much of Dallas’ coffers should be spent on fighting crime? More than last year, apparently. According to the report…


Was Johnny Depp Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence? The Overlap Between Divorce Law and Criminal Defense

The crime of domestic violence is getting lots of media attention this week because — once again — Hollywood is providing a spotlight on criminal law and in doing so, educating the public about the reality of criminal acts and the harm that they cause to everyone involved. Which is a good thing. It’s only…


Sex Crimes, Sexual Assault and Civil Lawsuits for Damages: Bill Cosby’s Legacy?

Sexual assault cases continue to get more and more media coverage. (We’ll discuss Dennis Hastert’s sentencing this morning to two years of supervised release and my correct prediction this would happen in a later post.) Sex crimes sell lots of newspapers and get high volume web site hits, apparently. Whether or not there’s more than…


Will You Go to State Jail or Texas Prison? The Importance of Plea Negotiations

This week, Dallas Police Chief David Brown is fighting to keep his job after the news got out that there has been almost a 75% increase in murders in the Dallas area. That’s right: SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT. The Black Police Association is calling on Chief Brown to resign. The Dallas Police Association admits that the city’s…