Search Results for: sexual assault
Family Violence/ Domestic Assault
Domestic Assault in Texas: Family Violence between Those Living in the Same Household In Texas, domestic assault is a crime of violence that involves any kind of physical altercation. Otherwise known as “family violence,” these are cases of battery or assault between two spouses or two roommates or even a child who gets into a…
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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…
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Witness Corroboration for Informants Under TCCP 38.141
Maybe the most famous informant of all time is Judas, who informed on Jesus to the Roman authorities for thirty pieces of silver. Check out “The Passion of the Christ” for a great depiction of Judas as informant and the aftermath. Another famous informant: Lando Calrissian, who informed on Han Solo to the Empire, resulting…
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Perjury and Aggravated Perjury: Witness Corroboration Issues for Criminal Defense
Lies can hurt or harm in all sorts of ways, but when a witness decides to lie while under oath after having sworn to tell the truth, things become instantaneously serious. Why? A witness who lies in sworn testimony commits a crime under Texas law, as well as federal statute and the laws of other…
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Jalisco New Generation Cartel Arrests in Texas: 2023
The amount of law enforcement effort at every level (state, federal, international) to try and combat the growing global business empire of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is undeniably extreme and well-funded. From a criminal defense perspective, few governmental efforts in recent memory have had this zeal and scope. In 2023, we should expect a…
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Are Texas Anti-Smuggling Laws Unconstitutional? Governor Abbott and Texas Penal Code §20.05 and §20.06
Our state government continues to take independent state action using criminal laws to try and stem all sorts of border activities involving both people and things crossing from Mexico into Texas. Recently, for instance, Governor Abbott issued an executive order announcing that two Mexican Cartels, and possibly more in the future, will be considered as…
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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…
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Restitution Under Federal and Texas Law: Criminal Defense Overview
Our criminal justice system provides for the government to take property (real and personal) from individuals in a number of ways. For instance, monetary fines are established by statute as punishment alongside periods of incarceration. There are also forfeiture laws, which allow the taking of property even before any conviction has occurred. For more on…
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Online Sex Crimes: Prostitution over the Web is Illegal in Texas
Internet prostitution is a very (VERY) lucrative enterprise here in Texas. Consider this: in 2019, criminal justice research studies estimated that 80% of the illegal prostitution industry in this country was conducted over the internet. Why? There are many reasons. Pimps and traffickers are reported to prefer online prostitution because it is harder for them…
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Texas Continuous Violence Against the Family: TPC §25.11
On September 1, 2019, prosecutors in the State of Texas were given greater power to charge and convict individuals based upon allegations of domestic violence when HB1661 became law. In the House Committee Report, lawmakers explained the purpose of the new legislation as follows: “It has been noted that prosecutors are unable to pursue charges…
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