The legal team at the in Texas understands that probation may be confusing for people who find themselves in the criminal justice system. According to the Texas statutes, if you qualify for community supervision, the court may defer...
Criminal Defense
Why are my Miranda rights so important?
When a Texas law enforcement official attempts to question you about anything having to do with an alleged crime, whether or not (s)he indicates (s)he thinks you may be the suspect (s)he’s looking for, you need to know your Miranda rights. As FindLaw...
Should it be a crime to refuse to open your door to the police?
In March 2016, police were notified of a loud argument at an apartment in Seattle, Washington. By the time police arrived at Solomon McLemore's apartment, the argument had subsided, but police say they heard the sound of glass shattering inside. For 15 minutes, the...
Should the government need reasonable suspicion for watch lists?
Should the federal government be able to add you to a terrorism watch list just because of your religion? Because you bought a computer at Best Buy? After you waited at a train station for your mother? Shouldn't you have to have done something suspicious before you're...
More evidence shown to be overstated, faulty in case of Joe B.
We've discussed the case of Joe B. before. A former Clifton, Texas, high school principal, Joe was convicted of his wife's 1985 murder. The evidence seemed pretty persuasive at the time of his trial, but that evidence is quickly unraveling.In September, a now-retired...
Under investigation or charged with a crime? Avoid social media
Family law attorneys have been telling their clients to stay away from social media during the divorce proceedings for many years now, since nothing is ever really as private as you believe. They warn their clients that their posts and pictures could come back to...
Even in the border zone, searches and seizures must be reasonable
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits unreasonable government searches and seizures. The general rule is that the government needs a warrant, or an exception to the warrant requirement, for a search or seizure to be constitutional. However, the U.S....
New FBI data shows continued decline in crime rates in most areas
Each year, the FBI releases its Uniform Crime Reports for the previous year, which are based on data provided by local law enforcement agencies. These reports give us crucial information about what types of crimes, and how many, have been reported to police. Similar...
Blood-spatter expert in murder appeal: ‘My conclusions were wrong’
As we discussed in July, the Texas Forensic Science Commission, which investigates the misuse of forensic evidence and testimony, weighed in on this very case. After reviewing the analysis and testimony, the commission concluded that the evidence against Joe B. was...
Dallas County is running 15-second, closed-door bail hearings
At the Dallas County jail, about 5,000 people are held behind bars every day. So far this year, only 23 percent have been able to post bail, leaving most trapped in pretrial detention. After days or weeks in jail, with their housing and jobs often lost, most end up...