Category Archives: Arrest and Indictment
Why You May Need a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Texas
Every lawyer in Texas has to graduate from law school and pass the bar prior to licensure allowing them to practice law in this state. In Texas, lawyers are licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas (SBOT) after being approved for admission by the Texas Board of Law Examiners. Any Texas attorney…
How Arrests Happen: From Investigation to Arraignment, Being Charged for a Federal Crime
For anyone facing allegations of violating one or more federal criminal statutes, as well as their loved ones, the complexities of the United States criminal justice system can be overwhelming. Understandably so: the federal structure is notoriously intricate. This is often true for professionals who have never had any encounters with law enforcement before, aside…
Texas’ Senate Bill 4, the “Show Me Your Papers Law,” is Arguably Unenforceable Under Existing State Law
Here are how things stand right now for the controversial Texas Senate Bill 4 (88-4) (“SB4”), which was passed last fall by both houses of the Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Abbott. You may recognize the new statute by its nickname, the “Show Me Your Papers Law.” See, e.g., “Texas’s So-Called ‘Show…
Illegal Reentry into Texas: Crimes Under Federal Statute and Texas Law
There are lots of names for people crossing the border into Texas without authority, including migrants, immigrants, illegals, undocumented noncitizens, illegal entrants. See, “Illegal Alien” Is One of Many Correct Legal Terms for “Illegal Immigrant,” written by Alex Nowrasteh and published by Cato on October 14, 2019. However, the legal terminology pursuant to federal statute…
Buying Sex in Texas: Solicitation of Prostitution and Law Enforcement Focus on “John Stings”
It’s all about supply and demand. Consider this: Las Vegas will host Super Bowl VVIII on Sunday, February 11, 2024. However, “football’s biggest week” really begins the prior Monday with Super Bowl Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium with the only public appearance of the two competing teams until they take the field for the big…
Categorical Approach: Longer Federal Sentences With Past Convictions
Things can get darker for those with past criminal convictions and a new federal arrest. There are times when new convictions will result in enhanced (greater, longer) punishments based upon prior criminal offenses. How? Federal law will require the defendant’s sentence be boosted in time to be served behind bars because of something in the…
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…
When Businesses are Charged with Crimes: Organizational Offenders
First things first, we all know they’re not people. In legal jargon, corporations are “legal entities” that exist through the operation of state law (usually) under things like the Texas Business Organizations Code, where “corporation” is defined as “…an entity governed as a corporation under Title 2 or 7. The term includes a for-profit corporation,…
SCOTUS, USSC, and Proposed USSG Amendment Addressing Acquitted Conduct
The scenario: someone is charged with a serious crime in federal court. There is no plea deal; the case goes to trial. Both sides rest, and the case goes to the jury. The jury deliberates and returns with a “not guilty” verdict. This is great for the accused, right? Sure. But that verdict is not…
Witness Corroboration under the Texas Penal Code: Who Believes a Snitch?
People lie. That’s a sin, but it’s usually not a crime. However, when someone lies who is providing evidence in a criminal proceeding, they have become a “witness” under the law and lying becomes a big problem. It’s perjury. And witnesses who lie can destroy lives. Evidence in a Criminal Case: Documents and Testimony In…
