The legal distinction between types of homicide—the unlawful killing of one person by another—often centers around one word, “intent.” The crime charged, and the accompanying severity of punishment can turn exclusively on this element. The extent to which individuals...
Texas law deals strictly with drivers who are accused of causing an accident while they are intoxicated by alcohol, but the same law can also apply against people who are allegedly intoxicated by other drugs. A recent incident in Houston provides a useful example. The...
When Texas residents are charged with domestic violence offenses, there is no doubt that a certain “stigma” comes with the charges. Yes, in our country, every defendant is supposed to have the benefit of being considered “innocent until proven guilty,” but the fact is...
To convict a person of a crime, police and prosecutors need evidence. It is the prosecutor’s burden to prove that people are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the crime and they rely on the evidence gathered by the police to try and meet their burden. When police...
Driving while drunk or under the influence of illegal drugs are not the only grounds for an impaired driving prosecution in Texas. Drivers can face legal consequences for driving under the influence of controlled or prescription drugs. DWI Motorists may be prosecuted...
The last couple of years have seen not only a surge in mental health issues among teens, but also disturbing trends that could have legal implications as these children move into adulthood. Whether it has been due to academic pressure, boredom, or trying to escape the...
People in the Houston area could easily find themselves accused of an assault or other crime related to alleged domestic violence. The criminal penalties for domestic crimes are serious. Depending on the circumstances, even a Texan without a criminal history could...
The previous blog post discussed the growing concerns of parents in Houston, Texas, and the rest of the country about the use of cannabis concentrate among teenagers. While there remains a number of reasons why young adults take to cannabis, the fact is that offenses...
Drug possession and other related charges are serious in every state and can involve both state and federal laws. When an individual in Texas is facing drug possession charges, there is usually a threshold amount of the drug that will trigger additional federal...
If someone attacks you or tries to trespass on your property, your first instinct may be to fight back. Under the Castle Doctrine, which is essentially the doctrine of self-defense in Texas, it is legal to use deadly or nondeadly force to protect yourself, your...
