Criminal Law Blog
Texas Governor’s Designation of Mexican Cartels As Terrorist Organizations: Criminal Defense Perspective
On September 21, 2022, the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a press release with its accompanying Executive Order GA-42 and the news that, at least in the State of Texas, Mexican cartels are now considered to be “terrorist organizations” by state law enforcement. In the release, Governor Abbott explains that the growing market…
Share ThisRead More
Texas Domestic Violence Charges: the New 2022 Federal Gun Ban
The tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, claimed the lives of nineteen children and two adults. For details, read the coverage series provided online by the Texas Tribune. Understandably this had a tremendous and shattering impact not only for the local community who suffered personal losses, but for…
Share ThisRead More
Elder Crimes: Federal Prosecutions and the Elder Justice Initiative
According to federal and state statute, anyone age 60 years or older is legally considered to be elderly. See, 42 U.S.C. § 1397j(5) and Texas Human Resources Code §102.001(5). In some Texas criminal laws, elderly is defined as anyone who is age 65 or older. It is easy to imagine an elder as a grey-haired…
Share ThisRead More
How Criminal Charges Get Dropped in State and Federal Cases
Here in Texas, once someone is formally accused of a crime (under state or federal law) they enter our criminal justice system. There are only so many ways they will be able to exit. Dropped charges? It is true that criminal charges can be made against an individual and later dropped. It happens a lot…
Share ThisRead More
Ring Cameras and Police Surveillance: Growing Police Power Privacy Concerns
Ring camera videos on YouTube can be fun: there are bears in backyard pools and cute kids in doorways. However, from a criminal defense standpoint, the growing temptation for law enforcement to access Ring doorbell recordings (audio and/or video) in their criminal investigations is troublesome. When it happens without (1) the Ring owner’s consent or…
Share ThisRead More
Online Child Pornography Arrests: Video Conferencing and Online File Sharing Services Targeted by Federal Investigators
It’s incredibly easy to chat or share photos over the internet today – for free. Popularity skyrocketed for these online opportunities for business conferences as well as personal conversations with friends or family during the COVID Pandemic. Now, video conferencing and online file sharing services are commonplace and their popularity continues to grow. Read, “Videoconferencing…
Share ThisRead More
Illegal Drug Trafficking Business Operations in Texas: Federal Investigations into the Texas Mexican Mafia aka La Eme or Mexikanemi
The Texas Mexican Mafia once again made national news coverage recently with the flagrant prison escape by convicted capital murderer Gonzalo Lopez from a Texas prison bus in Centerville on May 12, 2022. Lopez, recognized for his affiliation with the Mexican Mafia, was placed on the State of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List where…
Share ThisRead More
Mortgage Fraud: Fraud for Profit and Fraud for Housing
Criminal Defense Expectations of Increased Mortgage Fraud Prosecutions in Texas The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is one of the top residential real estate markets in the country today, and the popularity of buying homes here – usually with a mortgage – is predicted to be “particularly attractive” this year. For details, read “The 12 hottest housing…
Share ThisRead More
Financial Institution Fraud (FIF): Criminal Defense Overview
Federal investigations involving crimes of financial institution fraud (“FIF”), as a general rule, will focus upon professionals who have had little if any experience with law enforcement or the criminal justice system in their entire lives, aside from the occasional traffic ticket. These are people dedicated to the pursuit of a white-collar career; they may…
Share ThisRead More
