Category Archives: Federal Government Watch

Electronic Surveillance Under Federal Law: Criminal Defense Considerations in 2021

Discussion of federal wire-tapping and other electronic surveillance from a criminal defense perspective The temptation for federal law enforcement to use developing communication technologies in order to investigate potential criminal activity is not new. In fact, as soon as telegraphs and telephones began to be used by the general public in this country, federal agents were…

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Michael Lowe, on Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles, Search and Seizures |

Coronavirus in Texas Jails and Federal Prisons: Release Pending Trial

The Coronavirus Pandemic is unprecedented in its impact upon our lives, and this includes the criminal justice system. The danger of coming into contact with COVID-19 is so great that “Stay at Home” Orders have been issued for Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties as well as other communities across the state. The Incarcerated are…

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Michael Lowe, on Bail Bonds, Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles |

ICE Holds, Bail Bonds, and Getting Freed from Jail in Texas

Arrests are not the same as being charged with a crime. For instance, a police officer (or sheriff’s deputy or state trooper) can pull someone over here in Texas and place them under arrest. Here is when the Miranda rights must be given to the accused, which include explaining that the person has a right…

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Michael Lowe, on Arrest and Indictment, Bail Bonds, Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles |

Latest Forfeiture Ruling by SCOTUS: What Does It Mean for Texas Criminal Defense?

Timbs v. Indiana is the first step in ending state-wide forfeiture abuse In an opinion written by Justice Ginsburg with two concurrences filed by Justice Gorsuch and Justice Thomas, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) vacated and remanded the judgment of the Indiana Supreme Court in Timbs v. Indiana on February 20, 2019….

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Michael Lowe, on Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles, Orwellian Threats to Rights, Search and Seizures |

The First Step Act and Texas Criminal Defense in 2019: Part 2 of 2

What Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers – and Their Clients – Need to Know About the New Federal Sentencing Reforms In our previous discussion of the First Step Act (“FSA”), we discussed various ways this new legislation, effective on December 21, 2018, changes the federal sentencing laws as well as aspects of the federal prison system. …

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Michael Lowe, on Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles |

The First Step Act and Texas Criminal Defense in 2019: Part 1 of 2

What Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers – and Their Clients – Need to Know About the New Federal Sentencing Reforms On December 21, 2018, the First Step Act (“FSA”) was signed into law. The FSA’s sentencing and compassionate release provisions become effective on that date; other parts of the Act are phased into law over the…

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Michael Lowe, on Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles |

Will Forfeiture Actions be Held Unconstitutional? SCOTUS Hears Oral Arguments in Timbs v. Indiana

On November 28, 2018, oral argument was heard in Tyson Tibbs v. Indiana, Cause No. 17-1091 before the Supreme Court of the United States. At the SCOTUS site, you can read the full transcript of this oral argument in Tibbs, or download it in various formats (MP3, etc.). This is a forfeiture case. It is…

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Michael Lowe, on Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles, Money Laundering Charges, Orwellian Threats to Rights |

Criminal Defense Alert: Significant Changes in Amendments to 2018 Federal Sentencing Guidelines (USSG)

The 2018 Amendments to the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) were unanimously adopted by the U.S. Sentencing Commission last month. On May 1, 2018, the Federal Sentencing Guideline amendments were submitted to Congress. November 2018 Effective Date They will automatically become effective on November 1, 2018, unless Congress takes proactive steps to disapprove them. For…

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Michael Lowe, on Drug Crimes, Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles |

Relevant Conduct in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Acquittals and Uncharged Conduct

Are federal judges limited to considering only final convictions in sentencing? Yes. After Nelson, arguably they must ignore facts of past acquittals, dismissals, or uncharged crimes. Federal criminal laws are violated all over the country. There can be money laundering and drug trafficking in Alaska or Hawaii just as well as North Texas or South…

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Michael Lowe, on Arrest and Indictment, Federal Government Watch, InDepth Articles |

Outrageous Prosecutorial Misconduct: Cliven Bundy Case Dismissal – Lessons for Every American

A federal judge has dismissed with prejudice the charges brought against Cliven Bundy and it’s a big deal. It’s always a big deal for a judge to dismiss a case “with prejudice,” because that means the case is over. There’s no option for the government to re-file their criminal lawsuit. It’s over. Dismissed with Prejudice…

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Michael Lowe, on DA Watch, Federal Government Watch, Orwellian Threats to Rights |

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R R 2 months ago

My special needs families, listen up! If you find yourself in the shocking and surreal world where your adult child's behaviors related to IDD and mental health trauma are treated as criminal, Michael Lowe is who you call. When I was calling around initially, I found so few lawyers who understood or even cared to try to understand my son's disability and I felt so uneasy talking to them. I can not put into words the level of panic and fear racing through me during this time of utter shock and bewilderment as to the fact it was even happening! But then I spoke to Michael, and I immediately felt peace and knew by his kindness that he understood and I finally felt heard, and I felt hope. Our first meeting with Michael, he put my son with Down syndrome at ease and assured him everything would work out. As a single mom, his empathy and compassion towards my finances were also appreciated as he charged me a flat fee only, and our case took 2.5 years to complete. The goal was always to have the case dismissed and Michael accomplished that goal. My son has now been treated for his mental health, is healing from his trauma and is leading the life he was meant to have. We could not be be more grateful to Michael for his genuine compassion, generosity, gifted strategy and brilliant efforts in insuring this outcome. I never in a million years thought my family would go through something like this, and I had zero awareness until now that our special needs community needed an advocate for our adult kids who suddenly land in the criminal justice system. Since this experience, I have met other families in similar situations with less favorable outcomes and realized even more so how not only valuable, but imperative Michael Lowe and his services are to our community. I hope by writing this review, other families are able to get the help and successful outcome that we did from having Michael Lowe in our corner.

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Cesar Ruiz 2 months ago

This guy went above and beyond my expectations. I was burnt out from 2 previous lawyers before him who only sweet talked me and didn’t do a single thing for me. Michael did the opposite, he under promised and over delivered!!! He helped me on a case that very few lawyers had hope for! Words can’t explain the level of gratitude I have for this man. He truly is one of the best in his field. I have so much respect and love for this man now! Thank you Michael!

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Rogue Print 5 months ago

I had a complex legal question crossing two State's and Federal jurisdictions.

I contacted 11 Lawyers in two states for help. Some of the Lawyers specifically said they dealt with these situations on their website. 10 of those Lawyers would not even consider the case.

Michael Lowe took up the issue and PROMPTLY provided real legal advise for my circumstance. He researched and personally advised me with the applicable law and appropriate course of action. Even though he could not be retained and get paid, because he does not practice where I have to file, This Man helped out of the goodness of his heart, He did not have to. He got nothing out of it. But he did it anyway. There are so few people out there that are willing to help someone else.
I am so very grateful for him!

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Liosvel Vazquez 6 months ago

Mr Lowe is the best on what he is doing.. he resolved my case really fast. Super thankful.

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Sales M7 6 months ago

Michael represented me on a federal case. I came to Michael at the lowest point in life after removing my previous counsel. Michael & I met for an hour and it kind of felt as a good fit from the beginning hence I retained his services. He was empathetic and listened.

During representation we spent countless hours talking about my case to fine tune our strategy and were able to find a solution. He spent all this extra time without asking for any extra fees. I will always be thankful and grateful for what he has done for me. He really went above and beyond to help me.

Thank you, Michael!

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Category Archives: Federal Government Watch

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