Houston Texas Criminal Defense Blog

Up to 6 percent of convicted prisoners could be innocent

On behalf of Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz posted in criminal defense on Monday, May 21, 2018.

Texas readers would like to believe that the U.S. justice system always gets convictions right. However, a new study suggests that around 6 percent of all prisoners could be innocent of the crimes they were accused of. The study was published in the Journal of Quantitative Criminology in April.

Two researchers at Penn State University noted that DNA evidence eventually exonerates between 3 and 5 percent of those convicted of capital crimes like rape and murder, but there was no estimate available for how many people were wrongly convicted of less serious crimes. To rectify the gap in information, the pair surveyed almost 3,000 state prisoners in Pennsylvania. The survey asked a range of questions, including the prisoner's age, their feelings about the crime they were convicted of committing and whether they felt they were wrongfully convicted.

Defending against domestic violence charges

On behalf of Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

When you face domestic violence charges, you must choose your response very carefully. Domestic violence convictions not only affect your freedoms, they may also impact your reputation in devastating ways.

It is crucial to choose your defense carefully. The legal grounds you can use for your defense may vary greatly depending on the nature of the allegations against you, but it is necessary to begin building this defense as soon as you can, to protect your rights and freedoms.

Texas couple charged after traffic stop

On behalf of Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz posted in drug crimes on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Two officers in Ballinger pulled over a vehicle at about 12:45 a.m. on May 7. The vehicle was occupied by a couple who said that they were returning home from Colorado. When officers approached the vehicle, they claimed that there was an odor of marijuana coming from it. This prompted them to conduct a search of the vehicle, and they reportedly discovered a cooler that had more than 1.3 kilograms of THC in it.

In addition, the couple allegedly had 13 ounces of marijuana in their possession at the time of the traffic stop. As a result of the traffic stop, the couple each faces two felony counts. One is a first-degree count of possessing more than 400 grams of a controlled substance while the other is a possession of marijuana charge. Each individual received bond of $200,000. Local police say that those going to Colorado should remember that the laws are different there than they are in Texas.

Former high school principal charged with drug possession

On behalf of Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz posted in drug crimes on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Police in Texas have reported that one of the suspects taken into custody on drug charges during the early morning hours of April 24 is a former Moore County high school principal. The 51-year-old man has been charged with possessing more than four ounces but less than 5 pounds of marijuana. A 44-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were also taken into custody on drug manufacturing, possession and delivery charges. Reports indicate that all of the individuals taken into custody were booked and processed at the Potter County Detention Center.

According to an Amarillo Police Department report, officers were dispatched to a hotel on Western Plaza Drive at about 2:30 a.m. after guests complained about noise and unruly behavior. When officers entered the room in question, they claim to have observed three individuals surrounded by drug paraphernalia and what appeared to be sizable quantities of marijuana and methamphetamine. Reports suggest that the drugs and drug paraphernalia were in plain sight.

Houston residents arrested with enough fentanyl to “kill everyone in Toledo”

On behalf of Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz posted in drug crimes on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

If you drive northeast of Houston for a full night and a full day – 24 hours straight – you will find yourself in Toledo, Ohio. The city sits at the western end of Lake Erie – a nice enough spot, but probably not high on the vacation destination list for most of us in this corner of Texas.

Houston and Toledo were recently linked in a Chronicle news story about three Houston residents recently arrested on serious drug charges in Toledo. The three face federal charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to law enforcement officials, the three recently tried to ship a kilo of the powerful opioid fentanyl through the post office.

Drugged driving in Texas is dangerous--and illegal

On behalf of Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz posted in drug crimes on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

The support for legalized marijuana is more widespread than ever, but marijuana remains illegal in Texas except for some medicinal purposes. One reason for its continued ban is to protect Texas roadways from the hazards drugged driving. Drugged driving may be less widely discussed than drunk driving, but it can be just as dangerous.

Drugged driving can also carry serious legal consequences for any Texan who attempts it. Law enforcement does not look kindly on drivers who get behind the wheel while high. In this post, we'll examine some of the risks of drugged driving, and what could happen if you are accused of it.

Drug possession defense: You have options

On behalf of Law Offices of Charles T. Ganz posted in blog on Monday, March 26, 2018.

Are you facing drug possession charges? Do you look at your case and wonder how you'll ever prove that you are innocent? Are you worried about the consequences of a conviction?

Although every case is unique, there are a variety of common issues your lawyer will examine to determine what your drug defense options are. As you learn more about each one, you may find that one is more likely than the rest to put you in position to avoid the most serious consequences.