Law enforcement agencies at all levels sometimes use undercover officers to find evidence of criminal activity. They also may use civilians for this purpose. An undercover officer typically gains the trust of those they’re trying to catch – or at least convince them...
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Texas Criminal Law Blog
Can self-defense claims help you avoid an assault conviction?
Texas has a surprisingly thorough statute when it comes to claims of assault. Causing physical harm to another person can lead to assault charges, as can offensive physical contact that causes no injury. Actions and words that put someone in fear for their immediate...
Did an overworked defense attorney fail to advocate for you?
Anyone accused of a criminal offense in theory has the right to legal representation. However, not every lawyer will provide the same caliber of legal support. Often, criminal defendants have an uphill battle in the court system, especially if their attorney juggles...
How people confess to crimes they didn’t do
A lot of convictions are made because there is an overwhelming amount of evidence against a defendant. However, many trials only have the word of witness testimonies and the defendant. It can often take many eyewitness stories to align or the defendant confesses to...
Do you qualify to have your case heard in the Texas drug courts?
Maybe you got arrested for drug possession, or perhaps you face a nonviolent offense that directly relates to your substance abuse issues. The criminal consequences of such offenses include prison sentences and large fines, as well as probation or community service....
Pop culture has skewed the perception of forensic science
When the general public thinks about forensic science, they usually imagine television shows. They have this idea of the investigative team walking into the crime scene, quickly gathering very important evidence, putting all the pieces together and figuring out...
Can an intoxication claim play a role in your defense strategy?
Alcohol is a known disinhibitor. It doesn't necessarily change your personality entirely, but it will free you to do things that you might otherwise recognize as inappropriate. When you have had too much to drink, you might lose control of your temper and get into a...
Did the Supreme Court get rid of the Miranda Warning?
The Supreme Court helps evaluate legal matters and clarify the federal stance on crucial issues. It was a Supreme Court ruling decades ago that gave rise to the Miranda warning. Named for the defendant in a case that made it all the way to the Supreme court, the...
Is mental illness really a defense for criminal acts?
If you or someone you know has a mental illness, you know the fine line that you’re walking when you excuse behaviors that took place when someone was mentally ill. Many people can and do make good decisions in their lives despite mental illnesses, so is it really...
The reliability of an eyewitness is a myth
People often trust eyewitnesses in criminal trials. Say you've been accused of assault and you claim that you weren't even there. The prosecution produces a witness who claims that they saw you at the scene and that you were the one who committed the assault. In a...