Texas law contains several defenses that have been approved by the legislature and made a part of Texas law – so-called statutory defenses. Examples of statutory defenses are self-defense, duress or entrapment. Even if you engaged in conduct that amounts to a criminal offense, a statutory defense could be used to find a defendant “not…
Can you use force to protect property in Texas?
If you are facing a criminal charge after a dispute over personal property or land, one question you may have is whether it is possible to raise a defense that you acted to protect your land or property. In some instances, Texas law recognizes a right to use force, and even deadly force, to protect…
Is it worth it to obtain an expunction of a criminal case?
If you have been through the process of defending a criminal case, it is likely that nothing sounds more appealing than putting the incident in the past and completely moving on with your life. However, even if your case has been dismissed, or if you have been found “not guilty” at trial, many people are…
What happens if you get caught shoplifting at Walmart?
Being accused of theft or shoplifting can be extremely stressful. Big retailers like Walmart lose millions of dollars to theft every year, and as a result, Walmart spends enormous sums of money on surveillance of its stores, and its loss prevention officers are trained to detect suspicious behavior or shoplifting, including customers concealing merchandise or…
Can diabetes affect a breath or blood test after a DWI arrest?
Diabetes is an extremely common disease in the United States. As of May 2024, the Center for Disease Control estimates that 38.4 million people in the United States live with diabetes. The Houston area is particularly affected by diabetes, and by some estimates, as many as 20% of Houstonians will have diabetes by 2040. With…
What happens if you get caught with a controlled substance in Houston?
In the Houston area, one of the most common types of criminal charges involves the possession of controlled substances. Depending on the substance and the amount allegedly possessed, a possession of controlled substance case can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony with potentially severe consequences. The goal of a drug possession case should always…
Should I hire a public defender or a private attorney for a Houston DWI?
DWI is one of the most common criminal offenses in the Houston area. If you are arrested for DWI in Houston, you will be given a court date soon after your arrest. The process for defending a DWI can be slow, and in general, you should expect a DWI to take several months to handle…
How do I know if I am eligible for an expunction of a Texas criminal case?
In Texas, the best way to put a criminal case in the past is to obtain an expunction of the charges. An expunction of a criminal case erases an arrest from your record. Legally speaking, after an expunction, it is as if the incident never happened. But how do you know if you are eligible…
What happens at a first court appearance for a prostitution charge in Houston?
Prostitution and solicitation of prostitution are commonly charged offenses in Houston. The penalties for prostitution vary for the alleged prostitute and the alleged buyer of sex (sometimes known as “john”). But whatever the charge, if you have been arrested for prostitution in Houston, you will have a court date set at 1201 Franklin St, typically…
Defending Against False Accusation: Strategies in Sex Crimes Cases
Being falsely accused of a sex crime can be a truly awful experience. In Texas, sex crimes are some of the most serious criminal offenses with the potential for a felony conviction, prison time, sex offender registration and a permanent stain on your record. Fortunately, there are many steps that a person who has been…
