There have been a number of high-profile criminal cases in recent years. None were likely more closely followed than the trials surrounding Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was charged after several women came forward claiming he had sexually assaulted...
Houston sees spike in gun violence among teens
Like many other cities across the United States, Houston saw an uptick in crime in 2020. It's in response to the challenges we all faced. Unfortunately, 2021 picks up where last year left off with a disturbing new wrinkle where at least ten Houston-area teenagers were...
Tips on choosing a defense attorney
Hiring a good defense attorney in Texas could mean the difference between having your charges dismissed or spending time in jail or in prison. Many people have misconceptions about attorneys that could lead them to choose the wrong person for their trial. Here's some...
Bite marks: How concrete is this evidence in court?
Throughout Texas and across the United States, bite mark photos and videos have been entered into countless trials as clear evidence of wrongdoing by the defendant. In many cases, this prosecution presents this evidence as the smoking gun of the trial, and it would be...
What defines true seizure of a person
During one recent case, the Fourth Amendment's definition was taken into serious consideration by the courts. The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures from occurring in Texas and around the country. The case brought to light an issue that many...
Do You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Many people facing criminal charges for the first time entertain the idea of defending themselves in court. Though every American has a right to defend themselves, few succeed. America’s legal system was just not designed to support self-representation. Over two...
Houston PD unveils revised use-of-force policy
The Houston Police Department recently issued a revised use-of-force policy and unredacted portions of the policy that described how and when officers can use batons and if/when they can shoot at moving vehicles. Chief Art Acevedo made multiple changes to the...
A great deal of scientific evidence isn’t all that scientific
“With the exception of nuclear DNA analysis … no forensic method has been rigorously shown to have the capacity to consistently, and with a high degree of certainty, demonstrate a connection between evidence and a specific individual or source.” That was the...
Woman wrongly convicted 15 years ago still awaits retrial
In general, most people want to trust the legal system in Texas and in the United States, but the system unfortunately isn’t flawless. Innocent people can and do face wrongful convictions. A recent news article tells the story of Rosa Jimenez. In 2005, Rosa was...
What does it mean to use insanity as a defense?
The insanity defense is an idea many Americans love to hate. Television shows and talk radio often bring us vague but angry stories about hardened criminals who “plead insanity” and then “walk.” As a result, many Americans, including some jurors and some people...