Search Results for: sexual assault
Grand Jury vs Jury: Indictment and Defense
Grand Jury vs Jury: An overview of Grand Jury Proceedings from a criminal defense lawyer’s standpoint. There are two kinds of juries in Texas: “petit juries” and “grand juries.” In criminal cases, a “petit jury” is selected to serve in a particular trial to decide on the defendant’s guilt or innocence. A “grand jury” never…
Case Results
A Grand Jury returned a No Bill for client on charge of Injury to a Child A Grand Jury returned a No Bill for client on charge of Injury to a Child. On a charge punishable by up to an aggravated ten year sentence, the Grand Jury exonerated client and decided the Rowlett police department…
The Importance of a Probable Cause Affidavit in Texas Criminal Defense
If you asked most criminal defense attorneys to rank the most important documents in a drug possession or sexual assault case, you’d probably hear about the indictment, offense report, lab results, body camera footage, or witness statements. While all of these matter, I believe one document stands above the rest: the probable cause affidavit. As…
Defenses for Solicitation of Prostitution Felony Charges
Arrested for Buying Sex in Texas: Serious Consequences In Texas, anyone arrested for buying sex – or trying to buy sex even if there’s no actual payment or no sex involved – faces a felony conviction with serious time behind bars. Texas was the first state in the nation to boost the crime from a…
Wrong House Raid: Will FBI Be Held Liable for Damages by SCOTUS in Martin?
The increasing reliance on technology as well as mistakes in identifying the proper person before taking action by law enforcement are two growing concerns for more false arrests and even false imprisonment from the perspective of criminal defense attorneys. Right now, SCOTUS is considering a significant case rooted in civil injury law but with resounding…
Arrested for Child Sex Crime of Grooming in Texas
More and more prosecutors across the Lone Star State are prosecuting cases based upon Texas Penal Code §15.032, known as the “Texas Child Grooming Law.” A quick surf through recent news coverage includes grooming arrests, for example, in Arlington; Lubbock; Mesquite; Midland; and San Antonio. The Crime of Grooming: 2023 Criminal Statute It’s relatively new criminal legislation: the crime…
Sex Crimes Defined by State Law in the Texas Penal Code
Sex has been defined by our legislature. The Texas Legislature has characterized various sex acts or sexually-related activity to be illegal. Upon conviction, the accused will be facing punishment for either misdemeanor or felony crimes. Sex crimes can come with severe sentences, including life without parole in some instances. Experienced Texas criminal defense attorneys will…
Criminal Defense Discovery in Texas After Heath
Criminal defense attorneys across the state welcomed the decision of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TCCA) this June when the opinion came down in The State Of Texas v. Dwayne Robert Heath, Appellee, Cause No. PD-0156-22. (A dissent to the motion for rehearing was filed on September 25, 2024). Here are the details of…
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…
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…
