Articles
What is an Open Plea? Why Would You Choose One?
Let’s say you get charged with a serious crime. For example, maybe it’s First Degree Murder. If convicted, you could receive life in prison. The prosecution decides it’s willing to offer you a plea bargain of 50 years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea. You don’t...
What’s the Difference Between Regular and Deferred Probation?
When you hear the words “deferred adjudication probation,” your ears should immediately perk up. In simple layman’s terms, it means you get a second chance to avoid a final conviction, provided you comply with the terms of the probation. Literally, instead of finding...
Can You Be Prosecuted in State & Federal Court for Same Crime?
Say you decide to smuggle drugs across state lines. You’re caught in the process. Can the State of Texas and federal government both put you on their own trial and give you separate sentences? Doesn’t seem fair at first does it? After all, you only committed one...
What Does It Mean to Serve Aggravated Time in Texas?
Did you know that in Texas, you can be charged and convicted of assault without even touching someone, or even just slightly touching them? If you tell someone you are going to beat them up, and they have a reasonable fear you’re going to do it, or if you simply poke...
How Does Registering as a Sex Offender Impact Your Life?
So you’ve hit rock bottom. You’ve been charged with a sex crime. Your personal reputation is ruined. Friends and family members no longer speak to you. And now you may have to register with the State of Texas as a “Sex Offender.” What does that mean? How does that...
What To Do if the FBI Contacts You
So you get a strange phone call. You can tell by the serious tone of the voice on the other end that something not good’s going on. Or a couple of official-looking people ring your doorbell and want to talk to you. Again, you can tell by the way they dress, this is...
The Difference Between Reasonable Suspicion and Probable Cause
Ahh “legalese.” If you’re like most, you have a hard time understanding legal language. No worries – I’ve got you covered. What’s the difference when federal investigators or police say they have “reasonable suspicion” or “probable cause?” Briefly, both help law...
What are the Differences Between State & Federal Punishments?
Accused of a federal crime? Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you. And the picture doesn’t get any better when you talk about punishments. In Texas, the State takes great pride in laying down severe punishments for crime. Our State is much tougher than many...
How Criminal Defense Attorneys Structure Their Fees
Accused of a serious crime? Unfortunately, it’s not going to be cheap to defend. Well, it can be if you want an unskilled or inexperienced attorney. But if you want skilled legal representation and the minimum punishment possible, you have to be willing to pay for it....